We spend lots of time searching for the best bed pillows. We look at shape, fill, and firmness...wanting to experience fabulous sleep. But, once we’ve purchased a pillow, very little attention is given to making sure that pillow stays in good shape. While some people keep pillows ten or more years, most people know that you need to replace your pillows more frequently. A cheaply made pillow will likely need replacing within a year, whereas a nice pillow will last two or three years. Down pillows will last five or more years. But with all the different pillow options out there, how do you really know when your pillow’s gone south?

My Pillow is Just Fine!

Let’s look at the reasons why you need to care for (and eventually replace) your pillows. Even if you have the best nightly hygiene, you still leave oils and dead skin from your body and hair on your pillow (and yes, it goes through the pillowcase). Those oils create bacteria over time, break down your pillow, and make it smell bad. There’s also evidence that most pillows show evidence of fungus over time, which can break down pillow fibers and exacerbate respiratory illnesses. Last, but not least, dust mites are often your enemy. They feed on that dead skin and fungus, so you'll have increasing numbers of them as your pillow ages. They are unavoidable, even in the cleanest home, and can be a common source of allergic reactions.

Take Care of Your Pillows

So, now that you’re thoroughly grossed out, what can you do? The best option is to use a pillow protector that keeps out dust mites, oils, and dead skin. If you just hate the rustling noise that most of the protectors make, you should wash your pillows. You can wash one or two pillows (depending on size) at a time on the gentle cycle in hot water. Make sure to use liquid detergent, since powder can leave little clumps or residue. If possible, run the pillows through a second rinse cycle. To dry them, place a couple of tennis balls (to keep the pillows fluffy) in the dryer with the pillows and run on low for an hour or two. (Down pillows will take two or three hours to dry.)

It's Time to Replace...

Even with cleaning, you’ll eventually need to replace pillows. It probably goes without saying that your pillow needs replacing once it gets stinky, dirty, lumpy, or uncomfortable. If you want a fast and easy test, you can fold the pillow in half and see if it springs back to a fluffy state. You can also assess your pillow by examining how well you rest. If you have poor sleeping habits for a week or more, it’s quite likely the fault of your pillow. And don’t forget about all those accent pillows too. While they don’t take the same beating as bed pillows, they still need replacing every few years.