How long does a pillow last?

Be honest: when was the last time you replaced your pillow? When it comes to the useful life of pillows, many people have a similar attitude to their favorite shoes. They are usually only replaced when they have become damaged, worn or unsightly. However, there are good reasons to replace your pillow at regular intervals. Even if it still looks good at first glance.

Sleep and health experts recommend replacing pillows and mattresses at regular intervals, as both sleeping pads lose their support over time and become a hygienic problem in the bedroom as their service life progresses. While mattresses should be replaced after around five to eight years, pillows should be replaced much sooner.

The lifespan of a pillow depends on various factors, such as the shape of the pillow, the filling material, the sleeping climate and the sleeping environment. The warmer and more humid the room climate, the more the pillowcase and filling material will suffer.

Night sweats during sleep are completely normal. We sweat more in summer and less in winter. We also sweat more in bed when we have a cold or flu. The sweat first settles in the pillowcase and then moves deeper into the filling material of the pillow. In addition, other excretions such as saliva and body fat are literally trapped in the pillow night after night. Pillows are also real magnets for dust, bacteria and mites, which feed on the flakes of skin that we shed while we sleep.

House dust mites, which cannot be seen at first glance as they are only 0.1 to 0.5 mm in size, love these skin flakes and feed on them. They also like it moist, warm and dark. Pillows are therefore an ideal reservoir for house dust mites. The mite itself is harmless. However, their excreted mite excrement can lead to numerous symptoms in people with a house dust allergy, similar to a cold.

Itchy or watery eyes, headaches, coughing or a scratchy throat - such symptoms are often the result of a house dust mite allergy, which allergy sufferers experience every time they wake up.

There are a variety of different pillows with different fillings, for example feather and down pillows, pillows with wadding, visco or memory foam or latex pillows. Whether, how and at what temperature the pillow can be cleaned in the washing machine is usually indicated on the care label on the side of the pillow.

At first glance, it may seem obvious to simply wash the pillow due to the soiling described above. Unfortunately, however, not every pillow is suitable for cleaning in the washing machine. In addition, pillows age even with regular cleaning.

A pillow loses its stability over time - and therefore its most important property: to support the head, neck and sometimes the shoulders during sleep in order to ensure a natural and ergonomic alignment of the spine. However, this support is absolutely essential to avoid tension and pain in the neck and shoulder area.

A pillow should therefore not only be changed for hygienic reasons, but also to help you drift off to sleep without tension, enjoy a restful sleep and wake up in the morning without pain to start the day.

Regularly replacing a pillow is advisable both for hygienic reasons and to promote good sleeping comfort with ergonomic support.

There are obvious signs that a pillow should be replaced:

Loss of shape and firmness : if the pillow has lost its original shape and/or support, gives way too much and the head or neck are no longer adequately supported, then it's time for a new pillow to prevent tension and even neck or back pain.

Unpleasant odors: Strong odors are an unmistakable sign that body oils, sweat and skin flakes have accumulated in the pillow.

Visible stains: If the pillow is already so dirty at first glance that it can no longer be cleaned, it should be replaced for hygienic reasons.

Allergic reactions: An increase in allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose or itchy eyes at night or in the morning may indicate allergens in the pillow.

Discomfort and sleep disturbances: If you find that you are waking up more frequently or have difficulty finding a comfortable position, this could indicate a worn pillow.

Age of the pill ow: If there are no obvious signs that it needs replacing, experts recommend changing it every 12 to 36 months.

When buying a pillow, you should pay particular attention to choosing the right material and its suitability for your individual sleeping position.

Pillows made from pressure-relieving viscoelastic foam are an excellent choice as they offer many benefits and are suitable for any sleeping position.

• For side sleepers, the ability of cold foam to adapt to the contours of the body is particularly beneficial. The head and neck are supported in a natural line with the spine, which reduces the strain on the neck and shoulders.
• Back sleepers also benefit from the even support, as the pillow promotes a neutral alignment of the spine.
• Stomach sleepers will find that cold foam pillows provide a surface that is not too firm but still supportive, preventing the neck from being bent too much.

Cold foam pillows with special viscoelastic foam rods that can be shaken up are characterized by their high adaptability and pressure relief. The material adapts perfectly to the individual head and neck shape, which in turn promotes a particularly ergonomic sleeping posture and prevents neck/shoulder pain.

Further advantages of pillows made from cold foam are their durability and dimensional stability. In contrast to other materials, such as down or fiber fillings, cold foam retains its original shape for a long time, even after intensive use.

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