How Often Should You Wash Or Replace Your Pillows?

After a long day, you just want to climb into bed, lay your head down on a pillow and fall asleep. Night after night, your pillows help you drift off to dreamland, but they also accumulate dust, sweat, skin cells and plenty of allergens. Pretty gross, right? Have you checked lately because your once white, fluffy pillow might feel flat and lumpy and even begin to look yellow. While you may be washing your bed linens every two weeks, when was the last time you washed your pillows? If you’re wondering how to properly wash your pillows or want to know when it’s time to replace them, keep reading for the answers to these questions and more.

Even though your pillows rarely leave your bedroom, they get dirty after repeated nightly use. Sometimes you can clearly see the dirt and other times, the dirt isn’t so obvious. However, even the most microscopic dust and dirt particles can lead to breakouts, allergies or a misshapen pillow.

Wash Pillows

Regular bed pillows and body pillows should be washed twice a year. However, if you have pets in your bed, you sweat a lot at night or you eat in bed, you’ll want to increase the washes to every three months.

Replace Pillows

Experts agree that you should be replacing your bedroom pillows every one to two years. After this timeframe, pillows begin to break down and hold more allergens and dirt that can’t be removed from regular cleanings.

Why Do Pillows Need to Be Replaced?

The average adult needs seven hours of sleep a night. If you are getting that much rest time, or close to it, your pillows are getting used over 2,000 hours a year. That’s not even counting all the hours of naps or the time spent laying in bed scrolling on your phone. With such frequent use, it’s important that your pillow is in the best condition possible.

Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Pillow

If you notice one or more of these telltale signs, it’s time to part with your pillow.

  • The pillow is flattened or has a lumpy texture: If your pillow has lost its original shape and feels flat or lumpy, this is a sign that the filling has begun to wear out and is no longer providing proper support to your head and neck.
  • You have persistent allergies: Even with regular washings, pillows accumulate allergens in the fibers. If this leads to persistent allergy symptoms–sneezing, coughing, congestion, teary eyes–you’ll want a new pillow.
  • There are questionable odors: If there is an odor coming from your pillow, it might have become a breeding ground for bacteria and needs to be addressed. If you wash the pillows and the odor lingers–discard the pillow.
  • Wear and tear is visible: Frayed edges, worn-out fabric, holes or discoloration are all signs your pillow is past its prime and needs to be retired.
  • You wake with aches and pains: If you wake up feeling sore or in pain, your pillow is likely no longer supporting your head, shoulders and neck at night. For a better night’s sleep, you’ll want to upgrade your pillow as soon as possible.

Tips for a Longer-Lasting Pillow

Pillows are not built to last forever, but there are a few easy ways to extend their lifespan. From routine maintenance and cleanings to limiting how and who can use your pillows, here are a few tips to keep your pillows looking and feeling like new for longer.

Purchase Pillow Protectors

Invest in a quality pillow protector. Not only will they keep your pillows cleaner for longer, but they also create a barrier between sweat, dirt and allergens and your pillow. Be sure to launder the protector every two weeks to keep it clean and remove surface dirt.

Keep Snacks Out of Bed

Your late-night munching could be shortening the lifespan of your pillows. The crumbs and spills from snacking in bed will break down and stain the fabric and fibers in your pillows. Not to mention–sleeping in crumbs is super uncomfortable, so keep the snacks in the kitchen.

Maintain Regular Washing

Be sure to follow the care instructions from the manufacturer and wash your pillows regularly. Immediately spot clean stains and spills as they happen.

Upgrade Your Pillowcase

Choose a high-quality cotton pillowcase that is made from breathable materials, and avoid synthetic fibers that can hold in moisture and dirt.

Fluff Your Pillows

Give your pillows a good fluff every time you make your bed. This helps redistribute the filling so the pillow can maintain its original shape.

No Pillows for Pets

We know you love your pets, but their hair and dander can make a mess of your pillows. If you have a cat or dog that loves to snuggle on a pillow, give them their own and make yours off-limits.

Smart Storage

For extra pillows that aren’t used every day, store them in a cool, dry place. Use storage bags (trash bags work in a pinch) to keep dirt and debris from settling on the pillows.

For Throw Pillows, Use Inserts

If you love your decorative throw pillows and want them to stick around for a while, use pillow inserts. This way you can change out the inserts and keep the cover for years to come.

Which Pillow Types Last the Longest?

Just like the mattress and linens on your bed, the type of material used to make the pillow will help you gauge its longevity. While pillows can be made from a wide variety of materials–foam, gel, feathers and polyester, to name a few–there are some standout materials that will help your pillow seem brand new for longer.

High-quality memory foam and latex pillows usually have a greater lifespan than other materials. These pillows tend to keep their shape, level of support and appearance for much longer. However, even the most durable of pillows will begin to break down if they aren’t being cared for and maintained. Polyester fiberfill pillows, while affordable, tend to clump and break down faster than other materials. Keep this in mind as you shop for your next set of pillows.


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