About Us

We're the creators of BetterSleep, a leading wellness app helping over 60 million people around the globe sleep better.

We’re on a mission to help people around the world live a happier, healthier life, through expert-led meditations, sleep stories, brainwaves and more.

Share article
Pillow hygiene 101
sleep / lifestyle
Pillow hygiene 101
by BetterSleep
4 min read
Share article

Our beds are supposed to be the most comfortable place to be at night—but what if your pillows aren’t at their freshest or cleanest? This is why the importance of good pillow hygiene can’t be understated. If your head hurts when you lay down on your pillow, that’s even more of a telltale sign that they need changing.

Here are some tips for optimal pillow hygiene, when to replace them, and how to wash them down.

How often should you replace pillows?

Chances are, you haven’t washed your pillow in a hot minute—and that’s a habit worth breaking, for many reasons. The more you use your pillow, the more likely it will be to start flattening out and losing its firmness. Not only does this contribute to a less comfortable sleep, it also can lead to pain in your neck and/or back. If your pillow is making you uncomfortable, causing your head to hurt, or is aggravating an injury, replace it without hesitation. In that case, it could be better to simply sleep without a pillow.

You’ll also be spending a lot of time with your head on those pillows, and sweating on them in the process. Stains, mould, and lumps can also appear on your pillows over time, as can a whole host of allergens—not to mention buildups of bacteria, mildew, and saliva. It’s therefore recommended that pillows be replaced every two years maximum. Some types of pillows, such as Tempur-Pedic, are hypoallergenic, which can help those who suffer from allergies to dust mites.

Post imagePost image

Why are fresh pillows so important to have?

When your pillows are at their cleanest and smell as good as new, it can be hugely beneficial both for your sleep hygiene and overall quality of sleep. Changing your pillows can also provide you with greater firmness and more support, helping you sleep even more comfortably. Not only will it also get rid of certain allergens such as dust mites, it’s an even better investment if your previous pillows have become discoloured from certain stains. If you have a down or feather pillow, you can gently machine wash them in warm water, whereas most other types of pillows are not machine washable.

Keeping it clean regularly is also a question of basic hygiene beyond sleep: studies have shown that dust mites and their poop can both make a tenth of the weight of a pillow that has been used for two years. However, if your comforter is also in need of cleaning, keep in mind that you typically don’t need to wash it more than twice annually. Remember also that you’ll want your pillows to have the right kind of filling for you—whether wool, foam, feather, polyester, or latex—so you can have your pillows provide maximum comfort in addition to newfound freshness.

Share article

Related posts

The Importance of Sleep
sleep / wellness
The Importance of Sleep
by BetterSleep
8 min read
Best Teas for Sleep
sleep / wellness
Best Teas for Sleep
by BetterSleep
10 min read
Coffee Naps: What Are They and Do They Work?
sleep / wellness
Coffee Naps: What Are They and Do They Work?
by BetterSleep
5 min read
Reading Before Bed: What You Should Know
sleep
Reading Before Bed: What You Should Know
by BetterSleep
7 min read
Can BetterSleep Help with Snoring?
sleep / news
Can BetterSleep Help with Snoring?
by BetterSleep
8 min read
Remembering Dreams: Why You Don't
sleep
Remembering Dreams: Why You Don't
by BetterSleep
7 min read
Understanding Deep Sleep
sleep
Understanding Deep Sleep
by BetterSleep
10 min read
Nightmares in Children
sleep / lifestyle
Nightmares in Children
by BetterSleep
7 min read
Why You Need to Start Listening to Sleep Stories
sleep / news
Why You Need to Start Listening to Sleep Stories
by BetterSleep
9 min read
Night Terrors Explained: How to Help Someone With Night Terrors
sleep
Night Terrors Explained: How to Help Someone With Night Terrors
by BetterSleep
10 min read

Top 10 posts

From Stress to Success: How to Manage Back-to-School Anxiety
wellness / mental health
From Stress to Success: How to Manage Back-to-School Anxiety
by BetterSleep
5 min read
Behind the Scenes: Pride 2024 at BetterSleep with Collin Martin
lifestyle / news
Behind the Scenes: Pride 2024 at BetterSleep with Collin Martin
by Scott Yim
4 min read
Waking Up to Injustice: The Intersection of Racism, Sleep Deprivation, and Black History
news / mental health
Waking Up to Injustice: The Intersection of Racism, Sleep Deprivation, and Black History
by BetterSleep
8 min read
Sleep Paralysis Explained
sleep
Sleep Paralysis Explained
by BetterSleep
10 min read
How to Cope with Holiday Depression and Stress
mental health / wellness
How to Cope with Holiday Depression and Stress
by BetterSleep
5 min read
Have a Healthy Holiday Season
news / wellness
Have a Healthy Holiday Season
by BetterSleep
5 min read
Mindful Listening
lifestyle / mental health
Mindful Listening
by BetterSleep
6 min read
Sleep Hypnosis Apps: A Guide to Self-Hypnosis
sleep
Sleep Hypnosis Apps: A Guide to Self-Hypnosis
by BetterSleep
7 min read
Calming Foods for Anxiety
wellness / mental health
Calming Foods for Anxiety
by BetterSleep
8 min read
Brown Noise
sleep / wellness
Brown Noise
by BetterSleep
4 min read