“When should I replace my pillow?” you ask yourself as you turn over one more time. An acquaintance of mine recently thought that his pillow can last up to 10 years, while some customers replace their pillows after only 1 year. In this article you will discover exactly how that works.
Why it is important to replace your pillow
.You spend ⅓ of the day lying on a pillow. The pillow has to handle 2 DL of moisture every night in addition to all the skin flakes and body oil. This can make your pillow smell. You can prevent this by washing your pillow regularly (every six months).
In addition to an unpleasant smell, these conditions make your pillow very attractive to dust mites. These tiny creatures, which we can hardly see with our eyes, also make your pillow heavier, making it less supportive at lower temperatures. These creatures are not harmful, but can be very annoying for allergy sufferers.
Finally, the weight of our head causes the pillow to wear out. So it can no longer give the support that fits a healthy sleep. It depends on the materials used how long that lasts.
When should I replace my pillow?
Unfortunately, there is no single answer to that question. The filling and quality of your pillow will determine its lifespan.
| Fill | Average lifespan |
|---|---|
| Down | 5 – 10 years |
| Feather | 7 years |
| Kapok | 1 – 2 years |
| Wool | 1 -3 years |
| Latex | 3 – 4 years |
| Synthetic fiber | 1 – 2 years |
| Late foam | 2 – 3 years |
On average, we recommend replacing your pillow every 2 to 3 years. Why? We have more contact with our pillows than anything else. During your sleep you lose a lot of dander, body oil and hair, which not only sounds unhygienic, it is. Moreover, house dust mites love it. These are small spider-like critters that are barely visible to the naked eye. Sleep doctor Michaeal Breus, author of the book “Good nights” recommends replacing a memory foam pillow even every 6 months.
Signs that you need to replace your pillow
You’ll know it’s time to replace your pillow when you notice the following:
- Big spots caused by sweat or body oils
- You wake up with pain in your neck or shoulders
- You wake up tired
- Regularly you wake up because you have to sneeze
- You have to pat your pillow regularly to get it back into good shape
- You feel that the filling has started to clump
Sometimes you need to replace a pillow sooner, for example if you are allergic to dust mites or if you have changed your sleeping position. A side sleeper, for example, needs a firmer pillow than a back sleeper.
Trick to determine when you should replace your pillow
Pillows lose their resilience over time. Press your pillow in half and see how far it rises. Does the pillow not recover to its original state? Then you know it needs to be replaced. Even if it passes this test (which many down pillows do), that doesn’t mean your pillow is still your ideal bed partner. Replacing your pillow every 3 years will keep it comfortable and hygienic.
Replace your pillow every 24 to 36 months
Others also readReplace your pillow every 24 to 36 months
