How Often Should I Change My Pillow | A Complete Guideline?

Pillows, often overlooked for replacement, serve the crucial role of providing comfort and relaxation. The reluctance to change them may stem from their perceived durability and comfort, leading to the question of when it’s necessary to replace them. While there’s no strict rule, signs such as wear and tear, loss of rebound, and general decline indicate it’s time for a change. In this guide, we’ll explore key indicators and insights to help you determine when your trusty pillow deserves a well-earned replacement.

• When there is a significant permanent sweat stain, body oils, and crackles on your pillow.
• If a non-foam pillow doesn’t spring
• When you persistently wake up with aches and pain in your neck and shoulders.
• When you have to get comfortable by re-fluffing your pillow
• Most times, when you wake up sneezing due to allergies

 

How often should I replace my pillow?

Answers start from here, let’s a deep dive:

1. When there is a significant permanent sweat stain, body oils, and crackles on your pillow.

When you see those telltale signs of permanent sweat stains, body oils, and crackles on your pillow, it’s a clear message: Time for a new one!

Those stains aren’t just gross; they’re a breeding ground for bacteria, dust mites, and allergens that can disrupt sleep and irritate skin. The crackles? They mean the pillow has lost its support, potentially leading to neck pain and poor sleep quality.

Think of it as an investment in your health and comfort. A fresh, clean pillow will provide proper support, keep you cooler at night, and promote restful sleep. Plus, let’s face it, a grimy pillow just isn’t inviting!

So, treat yourself to a new sleep haven and say goodbye to those nasty stains and crackles. Your body and your sleep will thank you! ✨

2. If a non-foam pillow doesn’t spring

That’s a pinpoint sign that your non-foam sleeping pillow truly needs a replacement. How do you know this? For a non-foam bed pillow, fold the sleeping pillow into two half and observe its rebound feedback. If the squeezed bed pillow springs back, it means that you can further keep and rock that pillow.

 However, if the non-foam sleeping pillow does not spring back or show no sign of its rebound effect, then the pillow cushion has just told you that it is too old to be used anymore.

3. When you persistently wake up with aches and pain in your neck and shoulders.
That's just an indication that your pillow is calling for your attention to replace it. When you have consistent shoulder and neck pain coupled with aches, it signifies that your sleeping pillow is already under a heavy workload.

As you consistently use your pillow day in and day out, it gets worn out gradually and has a reduction in its soft tenderness.In the long run, the pillow becomes as if it has no filings in it and at this time, pains and aches will become inevitable.

4. When you have to get comfortable re-fluffing your pillow.

That one is a typical case you can experience with feather pillows only. Sometimes, when the pillow cushion runs out of age, that is, when it has exceeded its lifespan, it presents some uncomfortable indication that it is just old for replacement.

During sleep, when you mostly become uncomfortable with the feather pillow that you need to re-fluff it now and then to get comfortable sleeping, that is a sure sign that you have to purchase another one.

 
5. Most times, when you wake up sneezing due to allergies
Although this is not a compelling reason for changing your pillow, it could be a sign that you're using a pillow cushion that up for change. When you wake up sneezing frequently, then it might be a sign that your pillow is due for a change.

Who doesn’t know that sleep is vital to humans and the quality of sleep that is derived is widely dependent on its accessories such as the mattress, foam, and pillow?

A pillow may be strictly due for replacement because of its old age or lifespan, but several other factors that we discussed above are worth considering.

Therefore, check out today for these signs to know how frequently you need to have your pillow changed.

Pillow Care and Replacement Guide

Pillow Type	Care Tips	Replacement Frequency
Down/Feather	Fluff daily, wash every few months, and dry thoroughly	Every 18-36 months
Memory Foam	Spot clean only, air out occasionally, and use a pillow protector	Every 18-36 months
Latex	Spot clean only, air out occasionally, and use a pillow protector	Every 3-4 years
Polyester	Wash every few months, dry thoroughly, and replace if lumpy or flat	Every 6-24 months
Buckwheat	Empty hulls and wash the case every few months, dry thoroughly and replace hulls as needed	Every 3 years

Suggested Reading…

• How Long Do Memory Foam Pillows Last