When and Why You Should Replace Your Pillow

Many things go into a good night’s sleep. You’ll need a good mattress, comfortable sheets, and a relaxing sleep environment. It’s easy to overlook your pillow. But this is often a serious mistake. Your pillow will cradle and support your head. This keeps your spine in alignment, so you don’t wake up with a bad back in the morning. But a pillow doesn’t last forever. Here’s everything you need to know about replacing your pillow.

Why Do You Need to Replace Your Pillow?

As you are sleeping, your pillow will accumulate dead skin cells. This will cause your pillow to start to smell unpleasant. It can also cause dust mites to build up inside the pillow. This can be bad news for those who have sensitive skin. It might lead to irritation and breakouts. Regularly washing the pillow won’t be able to prevent this.

Over time, the weight of your head will cause the pillow to become flattened. It will no longer offer the same support it used to. This will make it uncomfortable to sleep on.

When is the Right Time to Replace Your Pillow?

Often, your pillow will last for between one to two years. If you are regularly washing it, you will be able to slow the dust mites from building up. This can help extend its lifespan. Sometimes, the pillow will come with a date telling you when it should be replaced. If not, there are a few signs that you can look for.

One of the biggest warning signs is a lack of support. This can result in back or neck pain when you wake up. Sometimes, you might find that you are getting headaches. Occasionally, you might get allergy symptoms when you wake up. This can include a runny nose or a sore throat.

A good way of telling whether you need a new pillow is by feeling it. If it feels lumpy or flat, and fluffing it up doesn’t help, it could be time to replace it.

How Can You Find a Good Pillow?

Once you know it’s time to replace the pillow, it’s time to go shopping. But what qualities should you be looking for?

First, you’ll need to think about the fabric you are using. It’s important to find something that is breathable. This will protect the pillow from sweat, this will help it last longer. It will also help keep you cool in the summer months, for a more relaxing night’s sleep. If you have a hot summer, you might want to get the Amore Beds Double-Gel Cooling Pillow. This has a gel pack on the surface of the pillow to better regulate the temperature, keeping you cool.

You’ll also want to consider the amount of support the pillow is providing. For example, Amore beds has pillows that offer zones of comfort.  It will support the head while the outer layers keep the neck in alignment. This ensures that you will wake up feeling refreshed.

Third, you’ll need to choose a pillow that is easy to wash. Ideally, you’ll be able to remove the cover and put it straight into the washing machine. This will deter dust mites from building up. You should aim to wash your pillowcases at least once a week. If you have sensitive skin, you might want to do it every few days.

If you’re spending money on a new pillow, you want to make sure it’s been built well. See what kind of warranty they come with, if any.

Finally, there are times when you will want a more specialized pillow. For example, you might want something to help you with shoulder pain. If this is the case, you’ll often need something firmer. You’ll need to get strong memory foam. If you want to know what to look for, check out this guide to shoulder relief pillows.

Conclusion

A good pillow will determine how easy it is to get to sleep. However, they won’t last forever. Be prepared to change them out every two to three years. If you do this and follow our tips to getting a good replacement, you’ll be able to enjoy a good night’s sleep.