I’m really bad about replacing pillows. I take off the pillow cases, wash them, put them back on again… and pay very little attention to what condition the pillows are in.
Which is definitely a mistake, as it’s important to replace your pillows before they’re too far gone. Otherwise you run the risk of them not doing their job properly, which could end up costing you in terms of your health or physical wellbeing.
Which raises the obvious question – how do you know when your pillow is past its use by date?
One common clue is if your pillow looks like it’s had tea spilled over it, then it’s seriously beyond the term of its natural life. That stain is a build up of all the yukky stuff like drool and sweat over time. Gross!
A simple way to test if your pillow is in good condition still is to fold it in half and place something light such s a shoe or book on top. If the pillow springs back into shape, it’s good to go. If it stays in the folded position, it’s bye bye pillow.
Depending on the material the pillow is made from, checking the pillow for lumps and bumps might be better than the folding test. For example, a memory foam pillow will start to crumble or will stop maintaining its shape when it’s beyond help.
Getting in the habit of checking your pillows regularly to make sure they’re still in good condition is a habit you should get into – your body and health will thank you for it!