It's (probably) time to upgrade your pillows. (Photo: Amazon)(Photo: Amazon)
If you're like most people, you probably find a pillow you like and stick with it until it basically disintegrates. But while having a comfy, lulling pillow is crucial to a good night's sleep, sticking with the same one for ages isn't the best thing for your health. And if you rarely — or never — wash your pillow, that's even worse. "Your pillows are filled with dust mites as well as other allergens that you bring into bed with you," Dr. Purvi Parikh, an allergist and immunologist with the Allergy & Asthma Network, tells Yahoo Life. If you're an allergy sufferer, you're doing yourself a huge disservice by not cleaning and replacing your pillows on a regular basis. So: How often should you wash and replace your pillows? The answer might surprise you.
In general, allergists say you should be washing your pillows at least once a month. "Pillows should be washed regularly in hot water," Dr. Shaan Waqar, an allergist and immunologist at ENT and Allergy Associates, tells Yahoo Life. "Once-a-month washing of your pillows can be very helpful to reduce dust mite allergen exposure." (Worth noting: It's important to read your pillow's label to make sure it's washing machine–safe.)
Got bad allergies? Consider washing your pillows even more often. "You should wash your pillows at least once every two weeks in hot water to kill germs, mold and dust mites that have colonized your pillows," Dr. Evan Li, an assistant professor of medicine in Immunology, Allergy & Rheumatology at Baylor College of Medicine, tells Yahoo Life.
You're probably aware on some level that using your pillow until it falls apart isn't a "best practice," but you're also likely not aware of just how often you swap it out. Well, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America recommends replacing pillows every two years to — you guessed it — protect yourself from dust mites and other allergens. That's true even if you're good about washing your pillow regularly. "They collect allergens, dirt and debris, even with frequent washing," Parikh explains.
Not sure how old your pillow is? There are a few hacks that can help signal when it's time to replace your pillows. One is the folding trick, which involves folding your pillow in half and putting a book on top of it. If the pillow is in good shape, it will open back up to its original shape; If it's not doing so hot, it will stay folded in half. (Memory foam pillows, by the way, should be replaced when they can't keep their original form.)
You can also help extend the life of your pillows — and keep dust mites from penetrating your pillow — with pillow protectors, Parikh says.
Want to start your evenings on the right foot, er, head? You'd be wise to snag this popular pair while it's 75% off. Filled with a lofty down alternative stuffing, these plush, machine-washable pillows are moisture-wicking and promote airflow for a more comfortable slumber.
"Fluffy, soft, but not too soft, easy on my messed-up neck!" raved one satisfied slumberer. "Slept on this pillow for four nights at an Airbnb, took a pic of the tag ... and went on the hunt! Have been searching for several years for the perfect pillow — could this be the one? Think so!"
"I bought a pair of these insanely popular pillows last year, and after having had ample time to test them out, I want to replace every pillow in my home with them. They're a Prime Day favorite, so I'm hopeful there will be a big price drop. Even if there isn't, they're so plush (still!) that I'd probably be willing to buy another pair anyway."
— Britt Ross, Deals Writer
As for which type of pillow tends to last the longest, down pillows tend to have the best longevity, but they're hard to wash, more expensive and can cause allergy flares in some people.
Been a minute since you tossed your nightly headrest? Consider these machine-washable options.
"They wash and dry BEAUTIFULLY!!" shared one of the more than 152,000 five-star reviewers. "They are the only pillows in my world."
Shared one satisfied slumberer: "These pillows are excellent. Been using these pillows for two weeks and I never slept better. They're perfect."
"I have purchased so many pillows and I have been so unlucky," said a five-star fan. "I wasn't expecting this pillow to be any different, but shockingly I have been sleeping a lot better with this pillow. I used to wake up almost daily with head and neck aches. My neck is significantly less sore and my headaches have decreased drastically. I don't have any other explanation than to give credit to my new pillow."
If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $25 or more.)
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
