Pillows are an essential item on each of our beds. But can we use pillows forever? Or do they have an expiration date? Let’s find out!
Occasionally, someone on TikTok notices that their pillow has an expiration date printed on it. We usually associate such warnings with medications, food, and infant car seats. While some manufacturers may indeed print a “best-used-by” date on pillows, do they actually “expire”?
Not exactly—but you should still heed their advice.
Do Pillows Have an Expiration Date?
Why Pillows Need to Be Replaced
Pillows have an important job to do. They support your head for six to eight hours every night, keeping your head and neck aligned with your spine, and endure all the skin oils, dandruff, and drool you share with them. All this wear and tear mean that pillows typically have a limited lifespan before they become lumpy or turn into a misshapen polyester lump.
How Long Can Pillows Be Used?
Generally, pillows should be replaced every two years. This timeframe allows you to get your money’s worth while preventing any gradual deterioration that may occur until it’s too late—at least until you use a different pillow or sleep in a hotel and realize your current pillow isn’t cutting it anymore.
However, two years isn’t a hard-and-fast rule, and you can easily tell if your pillow needs replacing by checking your neck in the morning. If your neck is stiff or sore when you wake up, your pillow may not be supporting you correctly. You can also do what sleep experts call the “shoe test.” Fold your pillow in half, and then place a shoe on top. A functional pillow will return to its original shape, pushing the shoe off. An old pillow may stay folded.
How to Properly Care for Your Pillow
A misshapen pillow isn’t the only concern. Dust mites, skin oils, personal care products, and other contaminants can make pillows quite unpleasant over time. A telltale sign that your pillow is absorbing excess oil is when the pillowcase turns yellow. If you’re experiencing allergy symptoms, you may have built up too much dust mite waste or other irritants.
Unlike structural damage, a dirty pillow can be remedied. Follow the care instructions on your pillow’s label. Note that memory foam and latex pillows are typically not machine washable. While they can sometimes be dry cleaned, check the manufacturer’s instructions—they may need to be replaced after extended use.
Among the different types of pillows, polyester ones tend to be the least durable: you may notice a pillow starting to sag within a year. Meanwhile, down pillows can last up to three years. You can extend the life of your pillows by washing them regularly. To maintain the fluffiness of down pillows, you can also fluff them in the dryer every few weeks. This will dry out any accumulated moisture and help kill dust mites.
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