We usually associate expiration dates with food and medication, but do pillows really expire? Pillows have a big job to do. They have to support your head for 6-8 hours every night, keep your head and neck aligned with your spine, and tolerate all the skin oil, dander and drool that you share with it. All that wear and tear means pillows will eventually sag or turn into a lumpy bag of polyester. Typically, pillows should be replaced every two years. If you’re not sure if your pillow needs to be replaced, you can do what sleep experts have dubbed “the shoe test.” Take your pillow, fold it in half, and then put a shoe on top of it. A functional pillow should snap back into shape, pushing the shoe off. A worn pillow will likely remain folded in place. Another sign that your pillow has seen its better days is yellowing. That’s what happens when pillows succumb to dust mites, skin oils, personal hygiene products, and other contaminants over time. Some pillows have washing instructions and can be tossed into the washing machine, but memory foam and latex pillows can’t. Down pillows might last up to three years. To maintain a down pillow’s loft, you can fluff it up in a dryer every few weeks. That will dry out any moisture that’s collected and help kill off any mites. The general rule of thumb is: if you wake up feeling refreshed after using your 15-year-old polyester pillow, you’re fine.
