Sleep is one of the best things we can do for our bodies, so making sure you have the ideal place to rest your head is important. Our pillows are the cornerstone of the bed, so we tend to spend a lot of time and money finding the perfect one. It can be very jarring, then, to be told that you must replace them every one to two years.
There are a multitude of reasons why experts recommend replacing your pillow so often:
Hygiene
Your pillow absorbs sweat, dead skin cells, saliva and other bodily fluids during the night, making it a breeding ground for bacteria, dust mites and mould. If you have allergies, this can be a real problem.
Comfort
The older a pillow is, the less supportive it becomes. If you have neck or back problems, an old pillow can at best stop easing your pain overnight, at worse aggravate existing injuries.
While washing pillows is also an option, the truth is that there’s only so much the washing machine can pick up. On top of that, some pillows can’t be machine washed, so you’re left relying on dry cleaning or hand washing.
Thankfully, there are plenty of things you can do to extend the life of your pillow before you have to replace them.
Wash every few months
Even though you’re not going to catch everything, a cold/warm machine wash every four months or so will help immensely. Check your pillow’s tag for care instructions – memory foam and latex usually must be handwashed, while down may need dry cleaning.
Use a pillow protector
A pillow protector adds an extra layer between your face and the inner pillow. If you’re using one, you can put off cleaning the pillow for a little while, though you should be cleaning your pillowcases along with your sheets – once a week.
Rotate your pillows
Depending on how you’re sleeping – are you too warm, do you have neck issues, are you unsure about the firmness – you might have a handful of different pillows to serve different purposes. You may also want to physically rotate your regular pillow; whether you like to switch to the cool side or not, rotating the pillow will hopefully help even out the filling and preventing it from going lumpy.
Keep pillows away from moisture
Always dry your hair before bed, and store away from windows as they may collect condensation.
When your pillow has reached the end of its life, Giselle bedding is here to help. We have a range of pillows for all sorts of sleepers, in all kinds of materials. Get a good night’s sleep by visiting our store page.