If your pillow can be washed, it should be washed at least twice a year. If you eat in bed, have pets, or sweat a lot, you should wash pillows quarterly. Special pillows like body pillows or throw pillows should be cleaned every 3 to 6 months.
What Happens If You Don't Wash Your Pillows? Over time, pillows accumulate substances like sweat, saliva, and other bodily fluids. These can create an unpleasant odor, as well as provide a breeding ground for bacteria, dust mites, and allergens. So it's safe to say that a dirty pillow comes as a threat to your health.
Most pillows, including those filled with cotton, feather, down, and fiberfill, can be cleaned in a washing machine using warm water on the gentle cycle. A front- or top-loading machine without an agitator which is the spindle in the center of the washing machine is preferred for cleaning 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, 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.
Not only is keeping your pillows clean good for you, but you can also extend the life of them by washing them regularly. The key to washing your pillows is getting them fully rinsed and dried because of their thickness and density.
Pillows turn yellow because of sweat. There are other reasons why a pillow may start to turn yellow including falling asleep with wet hair, lotions and oils on the skin, and moisture. When moisture or sweat remains on the pillow for long periods of time, the pillow will turn yellow.
“Wash the pillow in an oversized machine without a center agitator, using warm water and mild detergent on the delicate cycle,” Thornburg says. To dry the down pillow and keep mildew at bay, Thornburg suggests drying the down pillow at a low heat well past the point of the outer material feeling dry.
If you use a sheet set every day of the year, you'll need to replace it after about two years. However, luxury cotton sheets, like percale and sateen, can offer another year or so of use. And with linen, you'll get three to five years — sometimes more.
Pillow Lifespan by Type
For example, if your pillow is made of natural materials (like down, feathers, or latex) you can expect a longer lifespan, 5-10 years, making it a worthwhile investment for many sleepers. But if your pillow is made from synthetic materials, it may not last longer than a year or two.
Repurpose: Give old pillows a new life, such as pet beds, floor cushions, or travel pillows. Recycle: Donate clean pillows to shelters or recycle the filling and fabric.
A down pillow may smell after washing due to improper drying or residual detergent. Effective drying and odor-neutralizing methods can eliminate unpleasant smells. Proper maintenance and care ensure long-lasting freshness for your down pillows.
Down or feather: Most down pillows can be put in the washing machine. But use cool water and a mild detergent, then dry on low heat. (High temperatures can damage the down.) Memory foam or latex: Washer agitation can break up slab-style foam pillows, so Handel suggests skipping the washing machine for these pillows.
"If you don't wash your bedsheets enough, your dead skin cells are going to build up in these sheets." Sound horrible? It gets worse. That build-up means small creatures known as mites can feed off those cells, causing discomfort and skin rashes.
This is due to the fact that pillows can become really nasty over time. They can accumulate germs, dirt, sweat, and oils, making them a real problem for those with sensitive skin. In addition, allergens like dust mites, pet dander, and even mold can build up within them when used for very long periods of time.
A down pillow is filled with small round clusters of fluffy duck or goose down, rather than duck or goose feathers. These are typically found under the exterior of a bird, such as the belly. Due to their difference in structure, down and feather work differently inside a pillow or duvet.
One or two are pillows are for your head so you can provide support to your neck. A study suggests that you should own at least 6 to 10 pillows for a fantastic sleeping experience. However, most Americans sleep with only two pillows. You may think that you only need one pillow, but that's wrong.
The verdict: As a general rule, you should launder your bath towel (or swap in a clean one) at least once a week. The same goes for hand towels. And your washcloth? That needs replacing more often — at least a couple times a week.
Men are more likely to wait longer between sheet changes than women (29.6 days vs. 19.4 days). On average, single people go 37 days before changing their sheets, while those in relationships go 21.8 days, and married couples go 19.9 days.
Here's how often she recommends changing your mattress based on its material: Latex: 10 to 15 years. Memory foam: Lower-quality mattresses should be changed after around five years have passed. Better-quality ones can be switched out every eight to 10 years.
“Most solid/memory foam pillows are dense and cannot be machine-washed,” cautions Reichert.
While it's generally safe to put pillows in the dryer, using high heat may not be the best approach. High heat can damage sensitive fillings such as down or feathers, and, if hot enough, could even cause synthetic fillings to melt. It's best to use a lower heat with XL wool dryer balls to speed the process.
With the potential build up of skin cells and oils, dust mites and mould, people should aim to wash their pillowcases and protectors about once a week, Dr Griffin says. "The pillow itself, probably about every six months would be a good time [to clean it].