How often do you replace your pillows?

**monkeywrangler71** · 01-27-2011, 11:38 AM

Do you keep them forever or throw them out and replace them at regular intervals?

Apparently a lot of dust mites and bacteria could accumulate inside your pillow. My kids have been sick a lot this past year and my youngest appears to be asthmatic (genetically inclined), so I've replaced their pillows and wrapped up their mattresses in allergen blocking covers. No idea if it will help, but figured it couldn't hurt.

**thesightofoneself** · 01-27-2011, 11:52 AM

forever. i have a love affair with my pillow. not sure how long we've been together but i know that we have many more years to go

**nuisance26** · 01-27-2011, 12:47 PM

~I buy good pillows(not economy, not luxury) and replace them every three years. They're washed at the change of every season.
My kids' pillows have allergen covers. I'll be getting covers for our next set of new pillows.~

**shoiji** · 01-27-2011, 12:55 PM

I usually buy inexpensive pillows about every one or two years. I went a little crazy one year with the whole pillows on the bed thing so have a little "stockpile" going on now. But with the cat on the bed sleeping next to my head all the time I doubt any change or washing of the pillows will help me.

I probably should get a mattress cover. Are they noisy to sleep on?

One thing that definately has helped me is using the neti pot. I started in late summer. I can't believe how it has helped me. Especially when I was having awful colds.

**wanderlusting** · 01-27-2011, 04:25 PM

I try to replace them every year. We have pets so I know we have lots of dander around. I like the cheapy pillows and DH likes mid-range priced pillows- so we aren't spending too much.

**Neeley** · 01-27-2011, 04:54 PM

I wash all of the pillows every couple of weeks or so and replace them as needed. Sometimes every six months, sometimes a little sooner and then other times a little longer. It just varies.

**Palooka** · 01-27-2011, 09:49 PM

I watched an Oprah show a long time ago about pillows. It freaked me out. lol I buy new ones every year or so.

**madhen** · 01-27-2011, 09:53 PM

I keep my pillows until I can no longer punch the impression of my head out of them.

I seem to have a hard time finding a pillow I like, so once I get one, I keep it around. When they finally don't have any fluff left in them, they become truck pillows for the dogs, until someone guts them, at which point I finally put them out of their misery.

**TigerGirl1226** · 01-27-2011, 10:05 PM

We have Martha Stewart pillows from Macy's that I adore. I was and dry them every few months and they come out great.

**2ndGenGranola** · 01-28-2011, 05:39 AM

I wash mine and dry them with clean tennis shoes every few weeks so I keep them longer than the recommended time.

I feel confident in my procedure ever since we had a Kirby salesman come in and try to tell me that people's pillows are filthy. He had one of the kids grab one and he got nothing (and they were due for a cleaning at that time).

**Rhayne** · 01-28-2011, 09:11 AM

I used to be one of those pillow obsessed people. I had a pillow when I was younger that I had for years and finally the washer ate it. My mother had made it and i think that's what made it extra special. I never knew what was inside til the washer mangled it. When it came out it had foam, pieces of clothes (Tshirts I assumed) and bits of what i guess was filling. My boyfriend bought all new pillows when he moved into this APT 2years ago and for christmas this year we both got new ergonomic, hypoallergenic, high density, memory foam pillows. But for two people we do have 6 pillows on the bed and about 12 pillows total in the house.

**Mom2-3** · 01-28-2011, 11:02 AM

Every 12-18 months. I have a hard time finding pillows I love, so sometimes it takes me a bit longer.

**mauimagic** · 01-28-2011, 11:08 AM

We don't change them often enough for sure. Like others here have said - have trouble finding pillows - too many to choose from. Mahalo for the reminder - need to go looking for some soon.

**meredith1629** · 01-28-2011, 12:48 PM

How do you wash the pillows without the washer mangling them? Is there a secret or do you use the washers without agitators?

**Neeley** · 01-28-2011, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by meredith1629

How do you wash the pillows without the washer mangling them? Is there a secret or do you use the washers without agitators?

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.