Most people replace their pillows every three years, but there isn’t a hard and fast rule for replacing your own pillows.

The most likely reason you’ll replace your pillows is a sudden change in comfort levels — this happens when the fillings break down (e.g. the adhesives that hold the foam layers together can turn to powder).

We provide more information below.

Factors for replacing your pillows sooner:

• Allergies: If you have allergies, then replacing your pillows more frequently or using an anti-allergy pillow could help keep your sneezes and sniffles at bay.
• Heavy use: Spending more time in bed or using pillows for activities like reading or watching TV might wear them out faster.
• Low-quality materials: Cheaper pillows made from lower-quality materials break down more quickly and get lumps.
• Sweating: Sweating more during sleep means more potential for mould growth and funky smells that don’t wash out.
• Pets: If your pets sleep on the bed (particularly cats), your pillows may accumulate more dander and wear out faster from kneading.

Factors for replacing your pillows later:

• Quality foams: Pillows made from premium foams like memory foam or latex last longer than hollowfibre ones.
• Firmness: Firmer pillows are more durable than softer ones, although they are only suitable for side sleepers.
• Proper care: Regularly washing pillowcases, using pillow protectors, and following care instructions can extend the life of your pillow.
• Personal preference: Some people are less sensitive to changes in pillow quality and choose to keep them longer.
• Environmental concerns: If you’re trying to reduce waste, you might consider extending the life of your pillows with protectors.

Q: What kind of pillow is best?

A: Sleep position is an important factor when choosing a pillow.

Sleep position and pillow firmness

Your favourite sleep position dictates how firm your pillow should be.

Side sleepers do best with a firm pillow because it supports a natural neck and spine position. Back sleepers do best with a medium-firm pillow, which lets their heads sink just enough to stay in line with their shoulders.

If you’re a tummy sleeper, you can sleep without a pillow or use a soft, thin one to keep your neck and back in sync.

Materials

There are four main types of pillows to consider:

Hollowfibre

Soft and lightweight, with a moderate rebound. When you lift your head, the pillow regains its shape relatively quickly.

Below are some recommendations:

• Hollowfibre Pillows
• Silentnight Ultrabounce Pillows

Memory foam

Firm and heavy, with no rebound, it bounces back slowly when you lift your head and moulds to your head shape over time for comfort. Sound ideal? Then check out the Visco Therapy Memory Latex Pillow (they comes as a pair).

Latex foam

Medium firm to firm with a heavy feel. It sleeps cooler than memory foam with a responsive feel (it bounces back instantly).

Check out these models:

• Relyon Natural Superior Comfort Deep Latex Pillow
• Relyon Natural Superior Comfort Slim Latex Pillow

Duck feather and down

Soft and pliable, but sometimes scratchy when the feathers stick out. Down (the soft undercoating of birds) provides a cloud-like, luxurious feel. If that sounds dreamy, check out the Silentnight Quilted Duck Feather Pillow.

Number of pillows

You don’t need more than one pillow, although there’s nothing wrong with sleeping with an additional soft pillow—some people place the pillow between their knees to relieve lower back pain.

Some people, including pregnant women and those with hip and lower back pain, sleep better with a U-shape or V-shaped pillow for more support.

How much should you spend on a pillow?

You can pick up a good quality latex foam pillow for less than £100. A memory foam pillow should cost around £60. The cheapest are hollowfibre ones, yet they offer the best breathability and a softer feel some people prefer.