How often should you Replace your Pillows?
How Often Should You Replace Your Pillows? Experts agree that getting a good night’s sleep is essential for physical and mental health. One way to set yourself up for better sleep is by optimizing your bedroom environment and bedding. This includes maintaining your pillow and replacing it when necessary so it always provides you with the proper amount of support. Because we spend so many hours in bed with our heads resting on our pillows, it is also essential to be mindful of pillow quality and cleanliness. Not regularly switching out pillows can lead to allergic reactions, breakouts, back sleeper approved and neck pain. We’ll discuss how to care for your pillow and how to know when it’s time for a new one. Looking for a new pillow? Take the quiz below to find the perfect pillow for your needs. What position do you sleep in? Do you sleep hot? Do you prefer a certain pillow height? Do you have any material preferences? Do you experience any neck or shoulder pain while sleeping?
How Often Should You Replace Your Pillows? Most experts recommend replacing pillows every 1 to 2 years. Doing so helps to ensure that you’re using pillows that are supportive, clean, back sleeper approved and free of allergens. It is also important to care for the pillows you use to ensure their longevity. Generally, you’ll be able to tell when it’s time to replace your pillows. If you’re waking up with a sore neck or if you’re unable to find a comfortable sleeping position, it might mean that your pillow is no longer providing the support you need. Just as with a mattress, you should replace pillows when they start sagging or developing lumps. It might also be time to look into new pillows when you notice excessive yellowing, or if your allergies are acting up at night. Certain pillow materials are more durable than others. For example, a polyester pillow might last just 1 year, while a latex pillow might last up to 3 years.
In addition to the material type, the quality of the materials or the density of the foams can also play a role. Choosing the best pillow, made with higher quality materials, generally means you’ll have to replace it less often. Clean your pillow and pillowcase regularly to protect the pillow and improve its lifespan. You should wash your pillowcases every time you wash your sheets, and many pillows themselves can be periodically machine washed and dried. Replacing pillows frequently may seem like a hassle, but pillows that are past their prime can contribute to allergic reactions, skin breakouts, and sore muscles. An old pillow can accumulate allergens like dust mites, fungus, mold, and pet dander. For some people, sleeping near those allergens can cause a runny or stuffy nose, itchy skin, and irritated eyes that may impact sleep quality. Replacing your pillows frequently or investing in a pillow that is designed to be antimicrobial and breathable may help prevent pillow-related allergies.
Face and hair oils, sweat, drool, and other dirt can also seep through pillowcases and get trapped in your pillows, causing yellow stains on the surface. These substances may even clog your pores and trigger acne breakouts or rashes for people with sensitive skin. Frequently washing pillowcases and pillows with a gentle detergent can help to alleviate buildup, and replacing pillows regularly can offer a fresh start that won’t irritate skin. Perhaps most importantly, pillows are meant to support your neck and head as you sleep, relieving muscle tension and promoting healthy spinal alignment. A pillow that has sagged or flattened over time won’t provide the necessary support, and you might wake up feeling sore or unrefreshed. Side sleepers may also experience sore shoulders from a flattened pillow. If your pillow is not offering the support that it once did, it might be time to replace it. Fluffing or folding it can only get you so far. "Side sleepers tend to need a high-loft pillow for support and to fill the space beneath the head and neck to promote proper spinal alignment. Sarah Silverman, Psy.D., a licensed psychologist and holistic sleep wellness consultant who treats patients in New York and Florida. Prolonging the lifespan of a pillow requires regular care and cleaning. A pillow’s materials can influence care instructions and longevity, so it is important to pay attention to the type of pillow you buy and follow the manufacturer’s care instructions. Still have questions? Ask our community! Join our Sleep Care Community - a trusted hub of sleep health professionals, product specialists, and people just like you. Whether you need expert sleep advice for your insomnia or you’re searching for the perfect mattress, we’ve got you covered. Get personalized guidance from the experts who know sleep best.
Did you ever notice that no male doctor ever sat on a female patient's bed on "Ben Casey"? Or that, for a long time, all TV doctors were men? Today, TV doctors - male and female - are more likely to be flawed characters. And while shows hire medical experts as technical advisers, writers aren't under any obligation to make any changes based on the suggestions of those pros. It wasn't always that way. In 1951 when the first TV medical drama, "City Hospital," aired (and in the 1960s when "Ben Casey" was popular), the American Medical Association was invested in portraying medical accuracy, not preserving the story line. And for a few decades it was within the organization's right to demand script changes over concerns ranging from proper decorum to the way TV surgeons and doctors held their instruments. And in return, they'd stamp the show with the AMA seal of approval (shown at the end). Let's look at "ER," for instance: "ER" debuted in 1994, and by 2001 one out of five doctors reported their patients were asking not only about diseases highlighted on the show, but also about specific treatments used in episode story lines.