Sleep tight: Why your old pillow might be the reason you're not

The pillow is a crucial part of the bed that, second only to the mattress, dictates our sleep comfort. If chosen poorly, every morning might start with a battle against a sore body. Pillows need to be replaced quite often because, although it might not be visible, they can become very dirty and full of germs. What are the consequences of using an old pillow?

Regularly upgrading to a new pillow is somewhat of a necessity if you care about sleep comfort and good hygiene. Pillows have a specific "expiration date," and beyond that time, investing in a new one is worthwhile. If you experience back pain, suffer from skin conditions, or wake up with a runny nose every day, then the subject of pillows should be doubly important to you.

Pillows are used intensively daily, so they quickly lose their integrity. Their filling begins to harden and form lumps, and the overall shape becomes distorted. Sleeping on such a pillow is not only uncomfortable but certainly unhealthy.

The most common culprits for back and neck pain are poor pillows. The sensation of waking up feeling "broken" is abnormal and can exacerbate existing posture issues, which will become more problematic. Is it worth torturing your back to save a few pounds spent once a year? That’s for you to consider.

If you believe back problems are the sole consequence of an old pillow, think again. Despite frequent pillowcase changes, bacteria and allergens can still permeate the filling. If you're battling acne on your face or upper body, it might be time to question whether an old pillow is to blame.

During sleep, direct skin contact with the material leaves behind skin cells, cosmetics, and sweat. Within a few nights, a colony of bacteria forms on the pillow, initiating skin attacks that lead to an outbreak of pimples.

An old pillow becomes a breeding ground for numerous allergens. Dust mites, which are plentiful in pillow fillings, are the primary sources of respiratory issues and chronic runny noses. Sometimes, changing the pillow can significantly reduce the runny nose and skin issues.

The market offers a variety of pillows with different fillings. Some materials are more robust, meaning pillows made from them don’t need to be replaced as often. The most durable are feather-filled pillows, lasting between three and five years. Their natural filling possesses antibacterial and anti-allergic properties, significantly hindering the growth of pathogens.

Memory foam or orthopedic pillows can last up to three years. Over time, the structure of the filling may compress, leading the foam to deform and lose its therapeutic attributes. Polyester pillows, simultaneously the cheapest and worst in terms of quality, are the least durable and should be replaced yearly. They are the most prone to harboring bacteria and dust mites, and their filling quality is highly dubious.

Pillows must be disposed of in different bins based on their filling. Polyester and synthetic fillings should be placed in the plastic bin, while feather-filled ones should be placed in the mixed waste bin. An old pillow can also find a new life as bedding for a pet, and if you don’t own one, some animal shelters will happily take pillows for their dogs.