How Often Should You Replace Your Pillows? (Bad Pillow Signs & Symptoms)

How Long Do Pillows Last?

No matter what size pillow you have, you should replace your pillows every 1 to 2 years to ensure they remain allergen-free and maintain a proper level of head and neck support. That said, some pillows are more durable than others and may hold their shape beyond the two-year mark. But even still, allergens and bacteria will become a concern at that point.

Here is the average lifespan of popular types of pillows on the market:

Reasons Why You Should Replace Your Pillow

According to sleep specialists, pillows can impact almost every part of our sleep quality. That’s why it’s essential to choose the right pillow for you. But it doesn’t just stop at purchasing a high-quality pillow.

Over time, even the cleanest, most premium pillows get beaten out of shape or accumulate yellow stains.  As a result, you may experience bad pillow symptoms that become the reason you aren’t sleeping well.

But how exactly can an old pillow impact your health and wellness? Let’s cover a few of the most significant symptoms you could experience from a bad pillow.

1. Allergies and Respiratory Problems

We know you probably don’t want to hear this, but an old pillow provides the perfect environment for germs. Let us explain.

Like old or poorly kept mattresses, pillows invite allergens like dust, mold, and mildew — another reason not to go to bed with wet hair and layers of face creams. That’s not to mention critters like dust mites and bed bugs. In fact, research shows a pillow over two years old can contain 10% of its weight¹ in dead mites and their droppings.

You might be able to keep allergens and mites at bay by tossing the pillow or case into the washing machine, but this is just a temporary solution — and one you’d have to keep up with frequently. Most homes in the U.S. have dust mites, and up to 30% of people² are allergic to them. So once your pillow reaches its life expectancy, it’s best to replace it. 

Sleep tip: Be sure to clean your bedding and pillows if you’ve recently fought off a cold or virus.

2. Skin Irritation and Acne

A good night’s rest is critical for all organs, including the body’s largest — skin! Throughout the night, the skin restores itself³ by exfoliating and regenerating new cells. It’s called beauty sleep for a reason.

This exfoliation happens by shedding dead skin cells. Since we actively shed skin cells, sweat, and natural oils onto our pillow cover while we sleep, this dirt and debris can seep into the pillow.

Sleeping on old pillows with this trapped dander can breed allergens + mites and clogs pores — causing acne and other skin issues. 

Health fact: The average adult loses almost two grams of dead skin daily — enough to feed one million dust mites⁴! 

3. Lack of Neck Support

Whether you’re using a flexible latex pillow or a breathable bamboo pillow, all types of pillows eventually get worn down and lose their structural integrity. This can cause body and neck pains.

Here are two of the most common signs your pillow is getting bent out of shape:

• Lumps: When your bed pillow accumulates lumps and bumps, it’s time to buy a new one. This is especially true if no amount of fluffing and puffing can restore its downy feel.
• Flatness: A flat pillow results in suboptimal sleep. A deflated cushion means your spinal alignment is disrupted, which can leave you with chronic neck pain even during waking hours.

4. Aches and Pains

Neck pain signs of wear, and yellow spots are all valid reasons to replace your cushion — but this usually isn’t enough to convince most people. 

Your pillow can be completely clean and smooth but not comfortable anymore, and that’s a valid reason to seek a new solution. Here are some of the most common causes of an uncomfortable pillow:

1. Body and lifestyle changes: This can mean sustaining an injury that requires sleeping in a neutral position or even training yourself to sleep differently. Regardless of what it is, sometimes your old polyester pillows aren’t a good match anymore. Consider purchasing specialty pillows to address your specific concerns.
2. A new bed: A new bed means a different balance of support and comfort, which affects everything in your sleep zone. Your old pillow might not sit as you need it to anymore, and that could be a big sign it’s time for a change.

5. Poor Sleep Quality

Do you toss and turn at night? Wake up feeling unrested even after a full night’s sleep? While there are many causes of poor sleep, your pillow could very well be the culprit. 

An old pillow that lacks support can disrupt your sleep, causing you discomfort throughout the night. In fact, a bad pillow that’s causing you to toss and turn can even cause motion transfer in bed. If you’re experiencing restless nights and morning fatigue, it might be time to consider a new pillow that better fits your sleep needs. 

Sleep tip: For maximum support, the ideal pillow height for most sleepers is between 4 and 7 inches tall.

6. Excessive Snoring

Snoring can be a huge sleep disruptor for you and your partner. And while snoring can be a sign of something else going on, such as sleep apnea, a pillow that doesn’t support your neck properly can also contribute to snoring. 

Snoring happens when air passes through a constricted airway. An unsupportive pillow can leave your neck tilted at a low angle, further constricting your airways. If you’ve noticed an increase in snoring, it could be a sign to buy a new pillow. 

Look for a pillow that will adequately support your head and neck. The Purple Pillow® features firm support GelFlex® Grid to instantly adapt to your body. 

Signs It’s Time To Replace Your Pillow

The 1 to 2-year replacement timeline is a general guideline and not always accurate for each individual or pillow. You may need to consider replacing your pillow early if it’s no longer meeting your needs or causing other issues. 

Tell-tale signs that it may be time to replace your pillow include:  

• Stains 
• Odors
• Lack of bounce 
• Sagging or lumping
• Head, neck, and shoulder pain
• Waking with sniffles, sneezing, or itchy or watery eyes
• No longer sleeping soundly

Pillow Care Tips and Replacement Guidelines

Just like mattresses, proper care can help a pillow last longer and stay free of dirt and grime. Pillow maintenance is simple, so it’s worth a couple of extra steps to ensure your pillow is supportive and clean until you’re ready to replace it.

Here are a few quick tips on pillow care:

• Spot-clean stains: If you notice any blood, makeup, or drool stains, spot-clean your pillow immediately and let it air dry before covering it.
• Wash your pillows: Following the manufacturer’s guidelines, wash your pillow every 3 to 6 months.
• Shake it up: When making your bed in the morning, take an extra minute to fluff your pillows, too. Shaking out your pillows regularly can help keep them free from dust and dander.

The table below covers the general cleaning guidelines for each pillow material, but double-check your pillow’s instructions first.

Purple Pillows

Purple offers several pillows, each made with different high-quality materials that last several years (beyond the one-year warranty). Our hyper-elastic polymer GelFlex® Grid (used in the Purple Harmony™ cooling pillow and Purple Pillow®) bounces back, maintaining its shape for years. 

Here are the care guidelines for Purple pillows:

• Purple Harmony™ Pillow: Spot clean core only. Machine wash cover on cold and tumble dry low. 
• Purple Pillow®: Hand wash the GelFlex® core with gentle soap and let air dry. Machine wash cover and tumble dry low.
• TwinCloud® and Purple Cloud® Pillows: Machine wash on cold (delicate cycle) and tumble dry low (may require two drying cycles).

Memory Foam and Polyfoam Pillows

Memory foam and polyfoam pillows typically last between 18 months and three years, depending on the foam quality and structure (whether it’s shredded or solid). You should not clean this type of pillow using a washing machine or dryer. Instead, memory foam pillows should be spot-cleaned or gently hand-washed and air-dried.

Latex Pillows

Latex pillows typically last the longest compared to all other pillow types at three to four years. Like foam, they shouldn’t get submerged in water but instead spot-cleaned or gently hand-washed and laid flat to dry.

Down and Feather Pillows

Made of different types of feathers from ducks and geese, down and feather pillows are similar in durability and care. On average, you should get two years from both pillow types. 

Some may be machine washable, but it’s best to double-check the tag before tossing it in the wash. These pillows hold onto moisture quite well, so be sure they’re completely dry before placing them back on your bed. 

Polyester and Down Alternative Pillows

Polyester and down alternative (otherwise known as synthetic down) pillows last for a year or two. While both types are typically machine washable on gentle cycles, polyester is a less durable type of pillow stuffing and may begin to fall flat around the six-month mark.

Buckwheat Pillows

Buckwheat pillows are fairly durable and last about three years. These pillows are made from the hull of buckwheat seeds, which are resistant to crushing under the weight of one’s head. However, they can be difficult to care for as you cannot wash the hulls, and they are cumbersome to remove when washing the pillow’s cover.

Upgrade Your Pillow With Purple

If your body feels the mental and physical effects of sleeping on old pillows, a new pillow will feel like a blessing. You’ll sleep better and you might also find that you wake up refreshed and in less pain, partially due to achieving correct spinal alignment by properly sleeping on a pillow.

Consider upgrading to a Purple pillow — whether you’re interested in a down alternative Cloud™ Pillow, or the proprietary GelFlex® Grid in our Purple Harmony™, we have the replacement for you. While each of our pillows offers a unique set of features, they all provide world-class comfort and support.

Wake Up Refreshed

Purple pillows integrate cooling technology with adjustable support for your best sleep yet. 

Shop Purple Pillows