Buzz
Every now and then, a TikTok user shares their revelation that their pillow has an expiration date printed on it. We typically see these types of warnings on products like medications, food items, and infant car seats. While some pillow manufacturers might include a 'best by' date, can pillows truly ‘expire’?
Not exactly—but it's still wise to take their advice into consideration.
Why Is It Necessary to Replace Your Pillow?
Pillows have a crucial role to play. They must support your head for six to eight hours each night, align your head and neck with your spine, and endure all the skin oils, dust, and drool that come with use. This constant wear and tear means that pillows typically have a limited lifespan before they begin to sag or become a lumpy, unshapely mess.
How Long Do Pillows Last?
Generally, pillows should be replaced every two years. This gives you a good balance of value while preventing slow, unnoticed deterioration—until one night when you try a new pillow or stay at a hotel and realize how much better sleep can be with a proper pillow.
Two years is not a strict rule, though, and it's easy to assess whether a pillow is due for replacement by checking how your neck feels in the morning. If it's stiff or sore, you're likely not getting the support you need. You can also try what sleep experts call 'the shoe test.' Fold your pillow in half, place a shoe on top, and observe. A healthy pillow will spring back to its shape, pushing the shoe off. A worn pillow will likely remain folded and flat.
How to Care for Your Pillows
A pillow becoming misshapen is not the only concern. Over time, pillows can accumulate dust mites, skin oils, personal care products, and other contaminants, leading them to become quite unsanitary. A clear indication of excessive buildup is the yellowing of the pillow cover. If you begin to notice allergy symptoms, it may be due to a significant accumulation of irritants like mites.
Unlike structural issues, a dirty pillow can often be cleaned—up to a point. Pillows with washing instructions on the tag can usually be washed in a machine, but many memory foam and latex pillows are not washable. While it may be possible to spot-clean them—be sure to consult the manufacturer’s guidelines—they will most likely need to be replaced eventually.
Among pillow types, polyester tends to wear out the quickest: You may notice it starting to sag within a year. In contrast, down pillows can last up to three years. Regular washing can help prolong their life. To keep the loft of a down pillow intact, fluff it up in a dryer every few weeks. This will dry out accumulated moisture and help eliminate mites.
Ultimately, these are general recommendations. If you’re still waking up feeling rested after using your 15-year-old polyester pillow, there’s no issue. However, it’s probably still a good idea to wash it from time to time.
