Pillows are a little luxury we don’t think about too often. No matter if you like your sleeping pillows soft or firm, you will be surprised by how much impact they have on the quality of your sleep. Waking up in pain or constant sneezing may cause you to begin a little investigation and find out what is the cause of all this. You may be considering your mattress, or dust, and even blaming it on a health condition. Well, the right answer may be right under your nose, or head in that case. Your pillows do not last forever and need regular maintenance, cleaning, and replacement once in a while.
While cleaning your actual pillows every 2-3 months (your pillowcases need to be washed once a week) will keep them clean and healthy, it will not help them hold their shape or firmness.
Knowing when to get rid of your old pillows and get new ones can be tricky. In this article, we will share some expert tips on what signs to look out for that will show it is time to replace your bed pillows and get new ones.
1. It has been a couple of years – Cleaning your pillows every three months will maintain them clean but will not spare their wear and tear damage. After 1 or 2 years, it is time to start thinking about replacing your old pillows. The reason why they get worn out is simple, yet kind of gross. Over the years, your pillows will harbour a build-up of dead skin cells, dust, and oils produced by our hair and skin. What is more, any stains, liquids, spills, etc. will also leave a mark on your pillows. With all this building up, and the constant use, your pillow may end up losing its shape and, in fact, start interrupting your sleep.
2. Your pillow is becoming yellow (or has spots) – Discolouration is another sign that will show you it is time to replace your bed pillows. They can become yellow or develop spots over time. Those would be caused by sweat and body oils. Another cause for discolouration and spots would be bed bugs. Yes, no one likes sharing their bed with insects, however, they sometimes appear. Those, as well as mould and mildew, may be causing strange dark spots that will be slightly different from the ones produced by your body. If you notice any of those, get some new pillows and prevent the accumulation of grime. Cleaning mould and mildew from pillows requires time and effort and will not be as efficient when it comes to long-term use.
3. You wake up in pain – Not getting a good night’s sleep and waking up in pain feels miserable. While it sometimes is just a bad night (that happens to the best of us), do not ignore it, especially if it happens more frequently. Over time, pillows may lose their shape and once they break down, they will offer a lot less support to your head, neck, and back. Sleeping on an old, worn out and unsupportive pillow for extended time periods can actually cause stiffness, migraines, and neck and shoulder problems.
4. It is lumpy and has lost its shape – When you got your pillow, it was chosen specifically for its shape, fluffiness, and comfort. Over time, the filling or supporting material of your pillow may become worn out and cause it to be lumpy and flat. A test you can do is to fold your pillow in half, hold it for 30 seconds and let go. A good pillow will spring back to open. If it stays folded, it is certainly time to replace it. This lumpy texture and flatness can cause less comfort when sleeping, as well as make it harder to fall asleep.
5. Your pillows have a strange smell and have been triggering your allergies – As we already mentioned, pillows collect a bunch of dead skin cells, hair and skin oil, sweat and other body grime. All those building up in your pillow can cause unpleasant smells. Even though those are natural, it is best to not let them sit around for too long. If the smell occurred recently, you can get away with washing them as usual. If the smell persists, you may want to consider replacing the pillows altogether.
Apart from the weird smell, your old pillows may start triggering some allergies you have. If you have been having itchy eyes or throat, or have been sneezing a lot, think about replacing your pillows. When dust and dirt get trapped inside, your nose will suffer. Breathing also has a large impact on the quality of sleep so do leave this issue unnoticed.