I have a pain in my neck.
I blame all sorts of things like too much time on the computer, stress, a change in workouts, and my pillows. Yes, I even blame my pillows. At the end of the day, I don’t think my pillows are to blame. But I did some extensive research just to be sure: I Googled and Binged “How often should you change your pillows?”
The information I got gathered is rather disturbing and totally unrelated to my neck injury.
According to the Sleep Foundation:
“Pillows house thousands of fungal spores which can trigger allergies and compromise a weakend immune system. Research shows that synthetic pillows held a greater amount of bacteria than feather pillows – one study found that synthetic pillows had as much as five times more dust-mite fecal matter than feather pillows.”
Ewww.
So, not only can a pillow affect your posture and quality of sleep (critical for so many reasons including workout recovery), but it can also affect your allergies or asthma and make it very difficult to get a good night’s rest.
Ok, back to my original question: How often should you change your pillows? According to Prevention, you should replace your pillows every year. Here’s why:
“Hair and body oils will have soaked into a pillow’s fabric and stuffing after a year of nightly use, making it a breeding ground for odor-causing bacteria and allergy-triggering dust mites.”
Other articles say change your pillow every 1-2 years.
Good ole Heloise says if you can fold your pillow in half and it stays like that, it’s time to change your pillows.
I say, if you can’t remember the last time you bought new pillows, do it now.
Now I really must get off my computer and go see my chiropractor…sleep tight and don’t let those bed bugs bite!
Miz says:
June 30th 2010fungal spores. you had me at fungal spores.
why do I think I could do origami with my pillows?!
Jessica@HowSweet says:
June 30th 2010Great info. We never do that. Now I want to barf.
Estela @ Weekly Bite says:
June 30th 2010This information is so disturbing! I’m off to go buy new pillows….
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says:
June 30th 2010Fungal spores?!? Aghghgh!!!!
Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman says:
June 30th 2010Yeah, pillows are super gross. I change mine all the time because of the dust mite thing. I once read that two or three years into a pillow’s life, half of its weight is in dust mites and their feces. So sick. I also encase mine in dust mite-protective covers because I have allergies.
Heather (Where's the Beach) says:
June 30th 2010My husband is a freak about bedding germs and has purchased the super expensive covers for everything down to the box springs.
Fit Chick in the City says:
June 30th 2010This is something I’m good at. I definitely replace my pillow at least once a year. I actually have a huge collection of pillows at home because I’m like the Princess from The Princess and the Pea. I can’t ever find the perfect pillow. Maybe I should open up a pillow store. =)
Jody - Fit at 52 says:
June 30th 2010I don’t use a pillow.. I know! YIKES! I read more about this stuff & also what is in the sheets & mattress too! UGH!
Linda says:
June 30th 2010Ummm gross! I have tried replacing my pillow because I know I need a new one (neck hurts..this one has lost all support), BUT, every pillow I bring home is worse than what I have. Just can’t seem to find the magic one…
Jennifer @ shesafitchick says:
June 30th 2010OMG I am so grossed out. Bloggers pillow burning party tonight?
Lindsey @ Foodie on the Rocks says:
June 30th 2010So glad I’m a spoiled lover of down pillows now. Grossin’ me right on out…
valerie says:
June 30th 2010I think I will go buy new pillows this weekend. I have been clearing my clutter and certainly don’t want any pillows that might have overstayed their welcome.
Tim says:
June 30th 2010Wow. This is really bad information. Dust mites are the most common cause of all allergies and they live in your bedding, pillows and mattress by the millions.
Fungal spores are a much smaller problem
Kris | iheartwellness.com says:
June 30th 2010Oh shoot! I guess it is new pillow time! I can’t remember the last time I purchased a new one….eeekkkk!
Thank you!
xxoo
amanda says:
June 30th 2010Okay my husband has a pillow from when he was a baby and will be 32 on Friday. Can you say EWWWW!!! I have tried to get him to get rid of it and no can do. I even mentioned about all the dust mites, fungus, etc.
FatFighterTV says:
June 30th 2010Hmmm… I have had my pillows for such a long time – I just wash them. Can you do that??? Now, you have peaked my interest…
Schery says:
September 17th 2010I just wash with hot water and have casings for them, is that ok? and my husband has a tempurpedic pillow..you can’t really wash that.. ??
What to Buy in January says:
January 21st 2013[...] do the bathroom, too and thankfully, bath towels, wash cloths and hand towels are on sale as well. You’re supposed to replace your pillow every year, and what better way to start off the new year than with a new [...]
avast antivirus free download 2011 full version for windows xp says:
June 13th 2013Keeping a eye open for value added details, however, can help
to guarantee a successful event. Meeting them in person
will help you to know what you’re getting in to. Most couples end here, and from then onwards other guests get to join in on the dance floor and get to dance.