Telltale Signs That Your Pillow Is Past Its Prime

A night of restful sleep is one of the things that influences our productivity and ensures we wake up refreshed for our mornings. While styling a bedroom with the coziest pieces of bedding or bed linens, pillows are a small detail that is often overlooked. Mattresses and pillows play an important role in ensuring quality sleep and promoting spinal alignment.

Wearing out your current pillow is not unusual. Pillows, depending on their quality and fill, last for a certain length of time. Ideally, a good pillow should provide you with support and comfort when you are sleeping. If you find yourself waking up with a sore neck or discomfort, thus interfering with your sleep quality, it might be time to change your pillows.

You can find a wide variety of pillows depending upon the level of support, fill, firmness, design, and utilization. While some people prefer a softer pillow, others prefer a firmer pillow for a restful night. The most common distinction, however, is made in terms of fill. Let’s take a look at a few fill types in order to better comprehend the durability of pillows:

Down refers to the fluffy layer found beneath waterfowl feathers such as geese, and ducks, possessing exceptional insulating abilities. Feather, however, refers to the quilled plumage of geese and ducks. These pillows easily contour to the sleeper’s neck making it easy to switch your sleep position. One of the best qualities of these pillows is their breathability and ability to retain heat. Down and feather pillows are durable and can last up to 10 years if maintained with proper care. When cleaning pillows, we recommend people follow the instructions on the washing labels. Also, using a pillow cover will help extend the lifespan of down and feather pillows.

Down Alternative fill refers to synthetic fills used for bedding. The most common down alternative fill is Polyester fiber. Polyester pillows are soft, hypoallergenic, and simulate properties of natural down. Down alternative pillows can last up to 2 years depending upon the quality of the fill and their maintenance. These pillows can be machine washable, hence relatively easier to maintain than down.

Viscoelastic or memory foam is a material that easily conforms to the body of the sleeper. A memory foam pillow can last up to 2-3 years, depending upon the usage. After prolonged use, the foam tends to get harder or lumpier, implying that it might be a good time for a replacement. Memory foam pillows are best kept dry and clean, pillow protectors or pillow covers can be used to promote the durability of these pillows.

Choosing the perfect pillow that matches your sleep style is fairly easy as opposed to figuring out when it’s time to replace your beloved pillow. These are some tell-tale signs that your pillow is past its prime:

Down and Feather Pillows:
One of the interesting features of down and feather pillows is their ability to loft after a good wash. If you notice your pillow lying flat, we recommend getting it dry cleaned first. If the pillow lofts back to its original position, the pillow is still appropriate for use. Given the resilience of down and feathers, down-filled pillows are durable and last longer than their contemporaries.

Down Alternative Pillows:
Unlike down-filled pillows, down alternative pillows lose their ability to loft over time. Down alternative pillows also tend to start forming lumps after extended use. When your down-alternative pillow becomes flat and exhibits evident clumps, it is time to replace it.

Memory Foam Pillows:
After prolonged use, memory foam pillows tend to harden. Memory foam pillows are popular for their ability to contour to the body. When your foam pillow begins to feel stiff, it might be time for a pillow replacement. 

Pro tip: Fold it. Hold it. Let go.

A fold or press test is a very common way to determine whether the pillows need to be replaced.  Whenever in doubt, gently fluff your pillow, and fold it in half, pressing all the air out. Hold the pillow for a few seconds on a steady surface and then let go. The pillow can still be used if it springs back to its original shape. This trick is especially useful for down and feather pillows since they fluff faster and higher.

The Shoe Test

The shoe test is generally used for down alternative pillows. Fluff up your synthetic pillow and fold it in half. Place a tennis or any medium-weight shoe on top of the pillow once all the air has been pressed out. If the pillow springs the shoe away and unfolds on its own, you have a healthy pillow that can be used for a longer period of time. A worn-out pillow lacks the support and loft to unfold on its own.

Final Thoughts

Maintaining a cozy bedroom is an important practice that directly contributes to our health and well-being. One small, but essential element of our bedroom is our pillows. A bed full of fluffy pillows translates to a relaxing haven that improves your quality of sleep, night after night. Pillows may wear out for various reasons, including dust mites, lack of care, or simply aging. The good news is, the durability of pillows can be enhanced with a little bit of TLC, putting a pillow cover to protect your pillow from dust and allergens, or just to give your room a colorful twist.

In order to effectively clean pillows, we recommend that people follow the instructions found on the washing labels. A little bit of care, regular washing, and maintenance go a long way in enhancing the longevity of your pillows! And when you have to finally bid adieu to your favorite pillow, Puredown has your back with the fluffiest, comfiest options ever!