A good night’s sleep is crucial for both physical and mental health, according to experts. Making your bedroom environment and bedding as comfortable as possible is one way to prepare yourself for better sleep. This entails taking care of your pillow and replacing it when necessary so that it will always give you the right amount of support.
It is also crucial to pay attention to the quality and cleanliness of pillows because we rest our heads on them for a significant portion of the day while in bed. Neck pain, breakouts, and allergic reactions can result from not changing pillows frequently. We’ll talk about how to take care of your pillow and when to replace it.
How Often Should You Change Your Pillows?
Most professionals advise changing pillows every one to two years. By doing this, you can make sure that the pillows you’re using are clean, supportive, and allergen-free. To ensure the longevity of your pillows, it’s also crucial to take care of them.
In most cases, you’ll be able to tell when your pillows need to be changed. Your pillow may no longer be giving you the support you require if you’re waking up with a sore neck or are having trouble finding a sleeping position that feels comfortable. When pillows begin to sag or form lumps, just like with a mattress, it’s time to replace them. If your allergies are bothering you at night or if you notice that your pillows are excessively yellowing, it might also be time to consider buying new ones.
Why It’s Important To Replace Pillows?
Prevents Pain
Your pillows and mattress together should support a neutral spine. Your pillow makes sure your neck and head are supported and properly aligned with your spine. Your head weighs a lot, and your pillows gradually become less comfortable as a result of supporting it while you sleep.
Over time, our pillows lose their shape and get soft spots. Neck pain results from the inability of a flat, worn-out pillow to support your head and neck.
Reduces Allergies
Dust mites feed on our dead skin cells and flourish in warm, humid environments, making our bed the ideal place for them to develop and proliferate.
Dust mites are not harmful, but they can make allergy sufferers sneeze, have nasal congestion, have watery eyes, have itchy throats, have runny noses, and have trouble breathing. These symptoms may deteriorate over time, resulting in restless sleep.
In one pillow, 16 different kinds of fungi were discovered in a 2005 study by the University of Manchester. Along with attracting dust mites, your pillows may also be a haven for a variety of other microorganisms. Your pillows may stay cleaner longer if you regularly replace them.
Prevents Pain
Your pillows and mattress together should support a neutral spine. Your pillow makes sure your neck and head are supported and properly aligned with your spine. Your head weighs a lot, and your pillows gradually become less comfortable as a result of supporting it while you sleep.
Over time, our pillows lose their shape and get soft spots. Neck pain results from the inability of a flat, worn-out pillow to support your head and neck.
How To Keep Your Pillow Clean?
- Protect your pillowcases with a zipper. In comparison to open-ended pillowcases, zippered protectors better protect your pillow from dust mites, liquids, and other contaminants. Since latex, hybrid, and memory foam pillows cannot be machine-washed, they should all be used with a protector.
- Pillows that require spot cleaning and cannot be washed by a machine. Spray the area with an equal mixture of white vinegar and water after removing the covers, then press with a clean cloth. Repetition may be necessary; wait for it to dry first.
- Each morning, fluff your pillow. Or at least occasionally. Fluffing helps to remove dust and restore the shape of soft pillows made of down, fiber, and down.
- Put down and fiber in the dryer for 10 to 15 minutes during the winter. Memory foam, hybrid, and latex pillows should not be used for this.
- Every six months, use powder detergent to wash and dry pillows made of fiber and down. Make sure your pillow is completely dry before putting it on the warm and delicate cycle because otherwise, mildew will develop.
- Every two weeks, deodorize it outside in the sun. Remove the pillowcase and place the pillow in a warm, warm location for at least three hours. If you sprinkle baking soda on the pillow to add more deodorizing, be sure to give it a thorough vacuuming afterward.
How Long Should Your Pillow Last?
Before they need to be replaced, pillows typically last between one and two years, though lifespans can vary depending on the type.
- Polyester or Down Alternative: The most common and economical type of pillow is one made of polyester fiber or a synthetic down substitute. A year to two years is the typical lifespan.
- Latex: Pillows made of solid latex are typically more resilient than those made of polyfoam or memory foam. 2 to 4 years is the typical lifespan of latex pillows.
- Down or Feather: The typical lifespan of a down- or feather-filled pillow is between one and three years.
- Polyfoam: Polyfoam pillows should be replaced every two to three years because they typically consist of a single solid piece of foam.
- Memory Foam: Solid memory foam pillows have a lifespan of about two to three years, similar to polyfoam pillows.
As you can see, we did not include stomach sleepers. If that describes you, you might want to start by learning how to alter your sleeping position. You should think about selecting a firm mattress for spine support if you’ve tried that.