{"id":5508,"date":"2022-10-12T12:43:13","date_gmt":"2022-10-12T12:43:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bettersleep.org\/?p=5508"},"modified":"2022-10-12T12:43:13","modified_gmt":"2022-10-12T12:43:13","slug":"how-often-should-you-replace-your-pillow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bettersleep.org\/blog\/how-often-should-you-replace-your-pillow\/","title":{"rendered":"How Often Should You Replace Your Pillow?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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A form of the \u201cpillow\u201d has existed for thousands of years – beginning with stone pillows used for sleeping in Mesopotamia around 7000 BC. However, these ancient pillows, which could not have been comfortable, served a different purpose than the beloved pillows of today. Back then, stone \u201cpillows\u201d helped users avoid insects crawling into their mouths, noses, and ears during sleep – if even possible with a literal \u201chard as a rock\u201d pillow, right?<\/span><\/p>\n

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Fast forward to today, where pillows provide comfort and support while sleeping – and represent a multi-billion dollar industry. In fact, pillows have evolved so much over the years that many types are available, including pillows designed for sleep positions or to address sleeping issues, such as sleeping hot or snoring.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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So, although \u201cpillow talk\u201d is pretty common in bed – actually talking about pillows isn\u2019t, and the subject deserves attention – especially when it comes to pillow life cycles. So, keep reading for everything you need to know about pillow longevity, upkeep, types, washing, and more.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why replace your pillow?<\/span><\/h3>\n

You\u2019ve probably heard plenty of advice on when a mattress should be replaced or how often you should wash your bedding. However, pillows are one of the unsung heroes of sleep, and\u00a0 they need as much TLC as the rest of your bedding – including periodic replacement.<\/span><\/p>\n

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But wait – why do we need to replace pillows at all? Well, there\u2019s actually more than one reason, but we\u2019ll begin with the big one – sleep quality. An old pillow, or even the wrong pillow, can impact how well and how long you sleep at night, and a tired, worn-out pillow no longer provides the appropriate support to your head and neck, which can impact your sleep quality.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Sleep Tip: the correct sleeping position mimics standing with good posture and keeping the head, neck, and spine aligned.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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However, there\u2019s the \u201cick\u201d factor. Basically, pillows are very busy absorbing things <\/span>all the time<\/span><\/i>. What kinds of things? Well, skin oils, dead skin cells, facial and hair product residue, fungi, dust mites, and more \u201cick\u201d than you can imagine. So, your favorite pillow that is over 5 or 10 years old probably weighs more than it did when you bought it, thanks to all the lovely leftovers living in the stuffing after years of use.<\/span><\/p>\n

How long should you keep a pillow?<\/span><\/h3>\n

So, given that over time, pillows can wear down, affecting comfort, and absorb lots of \u201cthings\u201d – let\u2019s talk about when to replace pillows. Now that you understand why it\u2019s necessary, how often should it happen?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Our research indicates we should <\/span>reset with a new pillow every 2.8 years<\/span><\/a>. Pillows can get old and flat – and basically cease to provide the comfort and support we need. They can also become dirty (with all the \u201cick\u201d – dust, oils, allergens, etc.). So, visual signs it\u2019s time to replace your pillow can include sagging, lumpiness, or yellowing on the pillow itself.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pillow types & washing.<\/span><\/h3>\n

Now that we\u2019ve opened your eyes to what your pillow may be absorbing every night while you sleep, you may want to add cleaning your pillow regularly to your chore list. Pillow maintenance and cleaning will depend on the type of pillow, i.e., down\/feather, memory foam, etc. Here\u2019s a quick tutorial for each main type.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Quick side note – our cleaning recommendations should not replace manufacturer\u2019s instructions, so always check the care instructions provided with the product.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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Feather or Down Pillows –\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n