Replace most pillows every one to two years. The Sleep Foundation's pillow replacement guide gives that as the general rule, with cheap polyester pillows wearing out in as little as six months and latex lasting up to four years. Age is only a guide, though. A pillow that stays folded when you bend it in half, or that you have to bunch up every night to get comfortable, is finished whatever its age.
How long each type of pillow lasts#
These ranges come from the same Sleep Foundation guide. Treat the low end as normal for a pillow you use every night and the high end as what a well-cared-for one can manage.
| Pillow type |
Typical lifespan |
| Polyester |
6 months to 2 years |
| Down alternative |
1 to 2 years |
| Down and feather |
1 to 3 years |
| Memory foam |
2 to 3 years |
| Polyfoam |
2 to 3 years |
| Latex |
2 to 4 years |
| Buckwheat |
Refill the hulls about every 3 years |
Buckwheat is the odd one out. The hulls flatten over time, but the shell is reusable, so you top up or replace the hulls instead of the whole pillow.
The fold test#
For down, feather, and polyester pillows, fold the pillow in half and let go. A pillow with life left springs back open. One that stays folded, or unfolds slowly and halfway, has lost its loft. For a bigger pillow, folding it in thirds makes the test fairer.
The fold test doesn't work on solid memory foam or latex, since they don't fold the same way. For those, press your hand firmly into the middle and let go. The foam should fill back in on its own: memory foam slowly, latex almost at once. Replace it if a dent stays where your head goes, the foam has gone crumbly or cracked at the edges, or it feels noticeably softer in the center than at the ends.
Other signs it's time#
- Lumps that are still there after a wash and a full dry
- Filling that has migrated to the corners, leaving a flat middle
- A smell that comes back within days of washing
- Feathers or fiber poking through the shell
- You fold it, stack it, or wedge an arm under it to get enough height
- You wake up with a stiff neck that eases during the day
On that last one: a pillow that no longer holds your head at the right height can leave you sore, but plenty of other things can too. If neck pain sticks around after you've replaced the pillow, see a doctor or physiotherapist instead of buying a third pillow.
Yellowing on its own isn't a reason to throw a pillow out. It's mostly sweat and skin oil. If the pillow washes reasonably clean, still passes the fold test, and smells fine, keep using it.
What builds up in an old pillow#
Pillows collect skin flakes, sweat, and moisture for years, which makes them a good home for dust mites and fungi. In a small study published in Allergy, researchers cultured ten used pillows aged from about 18 months to over 20 years and found a substantial load of fungi in every one, including Aspergillus fumigatus, with synthetic pillows carrying more species than feather ones. Ten pillows is a tiny sample, so don't read it as a reason to panic. It is a reason not to keep a pillow for a decade.
If you have a dust mite allergy or asthma, the AAAAI's cleaning tips recommend encasing pillows in dust-mite-proof covers and washing pillowcases weekly in 130°F (54°C) water. A cover won't extend the pillow's physical life, but it keeps what's inside the pillow away from your face.
How to make a pillow last longer#
- Use a zippered protector under the pillowcase and wash it every month or so.
- Wash the pillowcase every week with your sheets.
- Wash the pillow itself every few months if it's washable. Our pillow washing guide covers which types can go in the machine.
- Plump it every morning. IKEA's guide to choosing a pillow suggests a daily plump to help down and feather pillows keep their shape.
- Let it breathe. Leaving the bed unmade for a while in the morning lets the moisture from the night evaporate.
Choosing the replacement#
Before you buy, check how the new pillow is cleaned. A pillow you can put through your own washer and dryer is much easier to keep fresh than one that needs dry cleaning or can only be spot-cleaned. If you're a side sleeper who keeps stacking pillows, look for a higher or firmer one instead of buying two of the same.
As for the old one: a clean, dry pillow can go to textile recycling where your area accepts it. A moldy, damp, or badly stained pillow goes in the trash.
Pillows wear out slowly enough that you won't notice day to day. A yearly ChoreLists.com reminder to do the fold test catches it before your neck does.