How often do you replace your pillows?

[madhen]

Same here re: washing them.

[BertineC]

Wow - do I feel lame. I have had the same pillows for 6 years, some going on 9 years. And I haven't ever washed them either :/ I guess it is just never one of those things I think to deal with or buy new.

Also - for the lady whose kids have had lots of illness this year - try the NeilMed sinus wash - you can get it at Walgreens. Put a little packet of mix in the bottle with some warm water and squeeze once in each nostril and voila! Easier than a neti. I've been washing my sinuses for years (especially after plane rides, around lots of sick kids, or some other "dirty" situation) and I can't remember the last time I was sick. It keeps things hydrated which is important in the dry winter!

[mndtrp]

I've had pillows for 6 years or so, but my current pillow is only a year old. I imagine I'll have it for several years.

[Luckybustert]

I think I must have watched the same program that Palooka watched! I replace mine frequently, usually every 6-12 months.

[cheles2kids]

Well around here we probably keep our pillows past their prime but I do wash them about every 3 months or so, in a hot water wash of course.
If any of us have a bout with a cold/flu/sniffles then they will get an extra washing during that time and afterwards as well.
I think I might overreact a little bit when someone comes down sick, but toothbrushes get a good listerine soaking as well...

Usually I toss my pillows though when they get to the "flat" stage and aren't fluffable (is that even a word...lol?) anymore.

[Palooka]

I think I must have watched the same program that Palooka watched! I replace mine frequently, usually every 6-12 months.

Haha, I swear that show has stuck in my head. It's almost time for new pillows here.

[Gibs]

Actually my daughter has asthma, and has been on meds since she was 3 1/2 years old, she is now 9. She was also had an allergy test done that showed she is allergic to dust.

One of the things that EVERY and I stress the every because she has seen a ton of doctors regarding her asthma, have told us, is to make sure her mattress has an allergy cover, as well as her pillow, you can get them in a plasticy material, or a more cloth material. Believe it or not one of her asthma drs that she saw said to even go as much as to take tape and tape the zipper of the mattress covering so that less dust/dustmites could get in through the zipper.

Also all of her drs, from the childrens hospital, regular hospital, asthma clinic, and our family doctor, recommended using a product called Hydrascence, its very similar to a neti pot I think....

Hope this helps.

[Telephus44]

My favorite pillow is one my parents had for 30 years, now I've had it for almost 10. It's a down pillow that is so squishy I cna just mold it around my head. I'm hoping that someday the rest of my pillows can become "squishy pillows."

That said, some of the others do need replacing. I bought some for DS 2 years ago when he moved from his crib to a bed, and they haven't held up well at all.

[sweetsinger912]

I refuse to get rid of my pillow...don't really sleep well on others. I wash it occasionally. But I freeze it often. A tip I got from my allergist re: allergens and dust mites was to take my pillows (and stuffed animals...saw this allergist age 9-18) and put them in plastic bags sealed as tightly as you can and put them in the freezer for a few hours. This helps to kill dust mites. It's GREAT for those old stuffed animals you can't wash or they will be destroyed. I also use the allergen pillowcases that have already been mentioned.

[lisaflex]

twice a year. we have allergies.

after an illness, i stick them in the dryer for 20 minutes

[pollypurebred39]

I have the most wonderful pillow ever. I've had it for 10 years? It's an expensive feather pillow that I found at Marshals. Whoever priced it did not have a clue how much this pillow retails for, for if they had they'd had known they would not have priced it for $20. I never, ever am without it. I take it with me on vacations, or long car trips. I wash it often, letting it soak in the washer with baking soda & a bit of soap. Spin dry and then lay on towels and roll up and press out any extra water. I run in the dryer, stopping to refluff the pillow till it's dry all the way through. I honestly would not be able to sleep a wink without it, I never knew how wonderful I pillow could be until I found this one. One of life's little luxuries.

[frugalfranny]

I wash them two at a time on "normal" cycle in a regular Whirlpool top loader, then into the dryer. I don't do anything special or fancy and they come out clean, fluffy and fresh smelling.

Me too.

Don't replace them very often but wash the main one about every two months. I use one of the sponge neck pillows. I use THREE pillow covers...........one is the zippered pillow cover (in the shape of the pillow)---then an allergy cover ---these get washed every month.........then a pillow case --this gets washed every week with the sheets.......all in hot water and bleached.

When I wash the sponge one I leave the 'cover' on it so the agitators don't damage it.

[lisaflex]

just an fyi...after an illness, toothbrushes should be pitched and replaced. soaking in listerine and peroxide is fine during the initial illness, not when recovering though...

[Josephhgoins]

I wash mine every few months making sure to add plenty of bleach to kill anything that is in them. They are also the only thing that I over dry on high heat in the dryer just to be save that there isn't anything left that bleach missed. Not sure what nasty people I think are laying in my bed when I am not here LOL.

I replace them as they wear out. Which is abour every 2 or 3 years, more if I washed them more.

[Sophia]

your going to think I'm awful. I've had the same pillow since I was in the 3rd grade and I will be 45 this year. It's not that I can't buy a new one, I don't want a new one. This pillow even goes on vacation with us LOL . TC