How Often Should You Replace Your Pillows?

Pillows are arguably one of the most important items on your bed, as they provide support for your neck and upper back as you sleep. Because our spines are naturally curved, we need the support as we sleep to maintain back alignment and avoid aches and pains–especially as we age.

We know that cleaning our sheets and pillowcases is an important step in overall health, so it makes sense to make sure pillows are clean, too. In between washes, we have all fluffed our pillows and given them a good shake–maybe even run them through the washing machine a few times–but when it comes to replacing them altogether, what is the baseline? And if we wash our pillows regularly do they really need to be replaced? The short answer is yes.

How Often Should You Replace Pillows?

Holman offers a good rule of thumb to follow for knowing when to replace pillows: When a pillow no longer provides proper alignment to your neck and back when you sleep and/or your pillow is permanently stained or smells, it’s time to replace it.  

“As an example, higher quality memory foam material will typically last longer than inexpensive down alternative pillows,” Holman says.

Why You Should Replace Your Pillows

Pillows, much like pillowcases, can harbor bacteria, dust mites, and skin cells which have been shed while you sleep.

"Pillows also provide alignment to your neck and back while you sleep and this is important to minimize pain and misalignment during the day," Holman explains. 

Aside from support and alignment issues, dirty pillows can also cause the same kind of skin irritations that arise from pillowcases that have not been washed.

"If you are prone to seasonal allergies, using allergy covers to minimize exposure to allergens and dust mites is important as well," Holman says.

How To Tell If Your Pillows Need To Be Replaced

Maybe your pillow just looks like, well, your pillow. If you’re struggling to determine if a new pillow  is in order, Holman offers four easy tips for how to tell if your pillows need to be replaced.

Replace your pillows if:

• Your pillow smells
• Your pillow is stained
• Your pillow no longer maintains its shape
• Your pillow is no longer supportive

How To Clean Your Pillows

If it’s not time to replace pillows yet, cleaning them at home is a good option. Most pillows, including those filled with down and synthetic materials, can be washed easily in the washing machine. Depending on the size of your machine, you should be able to wash two pillows at a time. 

Rapinchuk recommends using a warm water, gentle cycle to launder pillows.

Pillows that are made with memory foam or latex should be vacuumed off and then hand washed or spot cleaned. Memory foam and latex pillows should never be washed and dried in machines, as they can disintegrate. 

Keeping Your Bedding Clean

Keeping bedding clean between washes is a smart way to cut down on dust, dead skin cells and other allergens between the sheets.

Holman offers five ways to keep bedding clean:

• Do not eat in bed
• Rotate bedsheets weekly
• Bathe or shower before getting into bed
• Keep pets out of the bed
• Wash your face before bed and remove all makeup