Header burger open
Search Logo

Jump To

Currently Viewing:

Last Updated on November 13, 2023

How To Know When You Need A New Pillow?

image of our writer Filip Maric

Written By Filip

Sleep Advisor

A man sleeping on a pillow
Pillows are usually at the bottom of our list of concerns. Rarely do they come up in our thoughts or conversations. Ignoring them is reasonable, even though they have an expiration date – like most things in life. So, we should definitely think from time to time of a new pillow.

On average we spent about a third of our lives sleeping or lying in bed. Since most of us do that with a pillow under our head, it makes sense to check when to get a new one. The parts that get shed from our body while we sleep (skin, oil, dirt, dust) remain in the pillow itself. If unchecked that can lead to skin irritations, allergies and even asthma.

The filling inside most pillows will break down as time passes in addition to the previously mentioned particles that accumulate within it. Thus, a checkup on the state of your pillow is in order. You can do so by testing it using some of the tips in this article.

Signs you need a new pillow

Fold it in half

In case you have non-foam pillows (Latex, Microfibre or Body Pillows) have a go at folding it down the middle. On the off chance that the pillow doesn’t spring back to its standard flat form, it’s probably a good time to make a purchase.

Remove the pillowcase

Take a look at your pillows without its pillowcase. If the colour is starting to turn yellow, that’s on you. Everything our head discards during our sleep gets trapped within the pillow itself. If the colour is followed up by funky smells, you should seriously consider getting another pillow.

Lumps and bumps

These are a no-no if you want a pillow in good shape. Lumps within the material are a red flag that signals that the material the pillow is made out of is starting to lose consistency. This affects the quality of comfort while also compromising the head support your pillows offer. Again, a clear sign to get new pillows.

Expiration date

a set of new pillows

Some pillows come with these, no joke. Polyester pillows notoriously have expiration dates marked on their tags. This is due to the natural decomposition of the pillow material, but don’t be scared by that. A lot of other factors determine if your pillow is good for garbage. The amount of wear and tear, using a pillowcase and the frequency of sleep on it are all factors. Still, check the expiration date, especially if your pillow has aged a bit.

Type of pillow

Depending on the material, producer and conditions of use, pillows last from a couple of years up to a couple of decades for some. The material it is made of, however, is the key factor in how long your pillows will last. The table below will compare the longevity of a pillow's life according to the material it is made out of:

MaterialLongevity
Feather20+ years
Down20+ years
Synthetic Down2-3 years
Foam/Latex2-3 years
Polyester1-2 years
an image of a woman sleeping on a new pillow

Natural materials clearly come out as winners here. The quill within feather and down is the reason such materials have longevity, but even they will break apart with frequent use or age. Synthetic materials seem to break up a lot faster, but with care, they will last a couple of extra years down the line. In any case, the longevity should be taken in to consideration if a new pillow is what you are looking for.

Conclusion

Getting fresh pillows is often overlooked, especially if sleeping is something that isn’t an issue. Changing your pillows isn’t only a matter of comfort, but also a matter of hygiene. Ignoring the life cycle of a pillow in favour of established sleeping patterns can be detrimental to one’s health – especially if prone to allergies or other dermatological conditions.

It honestly isn’t that difficult or expensive. I can guarantee that most of us, infrequently at best, change this part of our bed. Try it out, especially if you have problems falling asleep. Changing the surroundings of our bodies is essential in order to change unhealthy sleep patterns. So, add a new pillow to your basket if you have any of the signs – you won't regret it.

Comments (0)

There are no comments yet

Recommended reading:
Related Posts

Articles you don’t want to miss

Featured image for mattress cover 101
07 November 2023

Mattress Cover 101

While you might find a wide selection of mattress covers, what you get can differ slightly depending on the store or website you get it from...
Featured image for Sofa beds with storage
01 November 2023

Sofa Beds With Storage: The Ultimate Guide

Some sofa beds will have two separate parts, with the "bed section" on top and independent drawers on the bottom. This means that figuring o...
Don't Miss Out!
Get the latest reviews, special offers, new releases and more…
@thesleepadvisors
Deal Alert!
We loved this Deluxe microfibre duvet from Otty. And we love it more now that it's on Black Friday sale!
Hit the link in bio to check this deal and all the rest this Black Friday

#DealAlert #BlackFridaySale #MicrofibreDuvet #Otty #DeluxeQuality #SleepInStyle #ComfyBedding  #LuxurySleep #BlackFridayDeals #Discounts #ShopTillYouDrop #BedroomUpgrade #HomeDecor #CozyNights #SleepWell #BedroomGoals #LimitedTimeOffer #SaveBig #BestDeals #OnlineShopping #BargainHunting #MustHaveItem #SaleAlert  #SleepInComfort #BudgetFriendly #ShopSmart #DuvetLove #BlackFridaySpecials  #GetItWhileItsHot #HomeComforts
Shhhh.... I'll tell you a secret! Black Friday isn't over!
We've rounded up the stragglers to cater for your Black Friday FOMO. 
Mattresses, Beds & Bedding are still on MAJOR discounts, so don't delay! Get a bargain today.

Links in bio

#BlackFriday #SecretDeals #MattressSale #BedSale #BeddingSale #Discounts #Bargains #BlackFridayFOMO #MajorDiscounts #StillOnSale #LimitedTimeOnly #DealAlert #ShopSmart #SaveMoney #SleepBetter #QualitySleep #LuxuryBedding #ComfortableMattress #GoodNightSleep #BedroomUpgrades #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #HappyCustomers #OnlineShopping #Convenience #LinkInBio #Don'tMissOut #ShopNow #GetABargain #GreatDeals
Mattress Deal Alert! 
Here are some top value deals we've sniffed out for you this Black Friday!
We love these from Emma, but they're not all! Check our Black Friday deal summary for all the best bed and mattress deals to save you money and upgrade your snooze this Black Friday!

#MattressDealAlert #BlackFriday #TopValueDeals #EmmaMattress #BlackFridayDeals #BedDeals #MattressDeals #SaveMoney #UpgradeYourSnooze #BestDeals #SleepBetter #SnoozeBetter #BlackFridayShopping #Bargains #BigSavings #HotDeals #LimitedTimeOffer #Discounts #SaleAlert #SleepComfortably #SaveBig #MustHaveDeals #BlackFridaySales #GreatOffers #DreamBedroom #ComfortableSleep #BudgetFriendlyDeals #QualityMattress #SleepHappy
Best Mattresses With Edge Support UK – Top 5 Picks Reviewed 💤

The best mattress with edge support UK has to offer is… Well, let's not get that ahead of ourselves. First, let's understand what edge support is and why it might be important to you!  Check out the link in BIO🔗

#thesleepadvisors #sleep #sleeping #edgesupport #mattresses #topmattresses
Don't snooze! Well.... not yet! First pick up a bargain in the Black Friday sales! 
We've rounded up all the best deals to save you searching. You can find them all at the links in bio... then snooze your little socks off!

#BlackFridayDeals #BargainHunting #Savings #DealFinder #BlackFridaySales #ShopTillYouDrop #Discounts #BestDeals #LimitedTimeOffers #BigSavings #MoneySavingTips #OnlineShopping #SalesAlert #HolidayShopping #ShopSmart #ShopOnline #EarlyBirdGetsTheDeal #MustHaveItems #HolidayGifts #ShoppingSpree #Don'tMissOut #ClearanceSale #BiggestSaleOfTheYear #GetThemandSave #ScoreABargainGiveaway
Do you sleep on your tummy? On the side? Or on your back?
Can a topper suit your sleeping position & improve your sleep?
With 15% Off for Black Friday, the Panda Mattress Topper is worth a try!

#thesleepadvisors #topper  #mattresstopper #saggymattress #panda #sleepingpositio
Beat the queues and get your black Friday shopping done early!
You won't miss out as we've pulled this year's best deals together in one handy page. You'll find it on the link in bio

#blackfridaydeals #blackfridaysale #mattress
You can make or break your bedroom style with the perfect bed! What can make this easier? A HUGE Black Friday discount on your chosen bed frame of course!
From Ottoman to Sofa Beds, Metal or Wooden. The Sleep Advisors have pulled together the best in beds this Black Friday and here they are.
Link in bio

#bedroomstyle #perfectbed #BlackFridaydiscount #bedframe #Ottomanbeds #SofaBeds #Metalbeds #Woodenbeds #SleepAdvisors #bestinbeds #BlackFridayDeals #FurnitureSale #interiordecor #comfortablebed #sleepwell #homeimprovement #dreambedroom #discountshopping #shoppingtime #homefurnishings #cozybedroom #interiordesignideas #bedroominspo #masterbedroom #comfybedroom #sleepingbeauty #bedroomupgrade #relaxationstation #styleandcomfort #sweetdreams
Black Friday deal alert!
Get 15% discount on the award-winning Panda Hybrid Bamboo Mattress Topper!

#BlackFriday #DealAlert #Discount #PandaHybrid #BambooMattress #MattressTopper #SleepBetter #BedroomUpgrade #LuxurySleep #Sale #LimitedTimeOffer #SleepComfortably #SaveMoney #QualitySleep #ComfortableBedding #NaturalMaterials #SustainableChoice #EcoFriendlyMattressTopper #AffordableLuxury #BestPrice #HolidayShopping #HomeDecor #GreatDeal #BlackFridaySale #LimitedStock #InnovativeDesign #PremiumQuality #SleepWell #CozyBedding #BetterSleepingExperience
Do you sleep on your tummy? On the side? Or on your back? Can a topper suit your sleeping positions, and improve your sleep? Let’s find out! Check out the link in our BIO
#thesleepadvisors #topper #mattresstopper #saggymattress #panda #sleepingposition
Close button

Don't Miss Out!

Get the latest reviews, special offers, new releases and more…

By submitting this form, you are opting into our mailing lists.
See our privacy policy.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.