How to Tell When Your Pillow
Needs Replacing

When a pillow wears out, it stops providing the support you need for a restful night’s sleep. Depending on the material quality and type used to fill the pillow, it could need replacing any time between 1 to 10 years, or more. Just like your mattress, it’s important to replace your pillows when they have reached the end of their lives. Here are a few guidelines to help you know when it’s time.

Life expectancy depends on materials and quality

Down and Feather: Since these pillows can be washed regularly (we recommend every 6 months) and the fill is so durable, they easily can last 5-10 years, or more.

Synthetic: A good rule of thumb with synthetic is 1-2 years depending on the quality of materials and usage.

Foam: It’s hard to give a time range for how long a foam pillow will last because this is dependent on the quality of the foam and usage. The foam will get harder over time as a result of both of these factors. It’s a matter of preference as to when it’s too hard.

When pillows are flat or hard, you’re ready for a new one

Down and Feather: Since down and feather can be washed and dried to rejuvenate and fluff them back up, try this first. If your pillow has lost its ability to fluff up even after washing, it’s time to replace the pillow.

Synthetic: Look for clumps in a down alternative pillow, this is a sign that the loftiness and conformance is breaking down. In a traditional synthetic pillow, flatness or lumpiness will be good indicators. When a synthetic pillow goes flat, it’s time to replace it since the synthetic fibers don’t fluff back up like natural down and feather.

Foam:These pillows will get too hard and lose their ability to conform.

When in doubt, the folding test tells you when it’s time