WHEN SHOULD I REPLACE MY PILLOW?

Your pillow perhaps isn’t getting the attention it should. It’s likely you spent an age researching and comparing your options to find the perfect mattress. You may even have spent time looking for the most deliciously comfortable bedding that you can’t wait to nestle into each evening. But what about your pillow?

Chances are you can’t remember the last time you changed your pillow. Which means your pillow is probably looking quite sad and flat, and may even be a worryingly yellow colour when you remove the pillowcase. So, how long do pillows last? Could it be time to change them? In this post, we’re going to delve deeper into pillows, looking at pillow hygiene, pillow care, and the various ways investing in a new pillow could benefit you.

FOUR REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD REPLACE YOUR PILLOW

Most of us hang on to pillows far longer than we should. However, after reading the following four reasons why you should replace your pillow, you may realise you’ve held onto your pillow for quite long enough.

1. Your pillow could be giving you acne.

If you have been suffering from breakouts, your pillow could be to blame. While there are many causes of acne, certain types are exacerbated by dirt and bacteria touching the skin. Your pillow collects everything from dirt and oil, to dead skin, sweat and drool. So, if your pillow is old – and you don’t clean your pillowcase frequently – you may experience more breakouts than you should.

2. Your pillow may be triggering your allergies.

Considering the fact that each day we shed enough skin to feed one million dust mites, it’s dizzying to think how those numbers could stack up if you don’t clean your pillowcase or change your pillow regularly. While not all of those skin cells end up on your pillow, enough of them will to make it a positive feast for dust mites. This is bad news if you suffer from allergies, as dust mites are thought to be the most common trigger of year-round allergies and asthma. You can read more about how allergies can affect your sleep in this blog post.

3. Your pillow may be the cause of your neck or back pain.

When pillows flatten out over time, they no longer provide the support they offered when they were new. When your head and neck are not suitably supported, this can lead to improper spinal alignment, which in turn can cause neck and back pain.

4. You may have the wrong pillow for your sleep position.

Whether you have recently changed your sleep position, or your last pillow purchase was not made with your sleep position in mind, it may be that your current pillow is not suited to the way you sleep. Sleeping on your back, your side, or your stomach, you should have the pillow that suits your sleep style to ensure it offers the right level of comfort and support.

WHAT CAUSES A PILLOW TO TURN YELLOW?

A yellowing pillow is far from appealing. But how often have you changed your pillowcase while ignoring those brown-tinged yellow stains on your pillow? If you have ever wondered ‘why is my pillow yellow?’ The answer is, it’s sweat. And if there is enough of it to be visible, it’s time to invest in a replacement.

SHOULD YOU USE A PILLOW PROTECTOR?

Using a pillow protector can not only help avoid those embarrassing yellow stains, it can also help to extend the life of your pillow. A pillow protector works as a barrier between your head and your pillow. As this barrier can be removed and washed, it can help to keep your pillow cleaner and more hygienic for longer. For those who suffer from allergies, a zippered allergen-resistant pillow protector could also help to protect against a build-up of dust mites.

SHOULD YOU WASH YOUR PILLOW?

Learning about what may be lurking on your pillow could tempt you to throw it in the washing machine. But, that may not be the best idea, especially if your pillow was not meant to be washed. For example, if you have a TEMPUR pillow, you should know that TEMPUR material cannot be washed, sponged or dry cleaned. Not only could washing it prevent it from working as it should, it will also invalidate its warranty.

Check the care instructions on your pillow before cleaning it (you can find TEMPUR’s care instructions here. You can, of course, clean your pillowcase and pillow protector as often as you want. It’s usually recommended that pillowcases are washed every few days, and pillow protectors are washed at least once a month.

FEEL THE DIFFERENCE WITH TEMPUR

Whether you’re looking for the best firm pillow, the best soft pillow, or something in between, TEMPUR offers a wide range of pillows to suit all comfort levels. You can choose from pillows to suit side sleepers, back sleepers or stomach sleepers, with each one utilising TEMPUR Material to ensure it offers the support you need, night after night. In fact, TEMPUR pillows offer a three-year product guarantee, so you know you can expect the same support on night 1,095 as you got on night 1.