Pillow care 101: why pillows have a best before date

We spend a whopping third of our lives sleeping. So choosing the right pillow to plonk your weary head on is as important as how you look after it.

Not sure why? You've come to the right place. Not only do all pillows have a best before date, they also require some attention to keep them (and you) fresh as a daisy. Here, our very own product boffins explain all.

first thing's first: what is a pillow best before date?

It's not just what we eat that has a best before date. Pillows also have a 'shelf life', after which they should be replaced. According to our product pro Sophie, this should be every 2-3 years.

The main reason for this is hygiene. We don't want to go into the gross bits. But germs can build up on our pillows as we sweat and drool throughout the night (okay okay, we're not all droolers). Dust can be to blame, too. And if you think about only one year of use, that's 365 nights of germs building up. Eek.

It's not all about the germs, though: 'A pillow can also naturally start to lose its shape after years of regular use, so replacing it before this happens will help to avoid neck, back or shoulder pain,' adds Sophie.

Choosing a pillow that supports your neck, back and shoulders in the right ways can keep you supported right up until it's time to replace it. Learn more about finding the best pillow for your sleeping style so that you get the top notch kip you need to rise and shine.

can looking after our pillows extend their life?

Yes and no. There are tips and tricks to help your pillows stay at their 'best' for longer, but it's a fact that the filling will naturally flatten over time.

Ideally, regular pillow TLC will help keep yours in tip top shape for the 2-3 years that you use them. According to Sophie, the easiest hack is using a pillow protector which acts as a barrier, catching dust, germs and moisture. Better yet, you can easily whip it off and stick it in the wash. Going for atemperature balancing onewill better your chances for beating off sweat, too.

The second easiest trick in the book is to wash your pillow. All of ourpillowsare machine washable (except thememory foam pillowwhich has a zip-offable, washable cover instead). This will help to nip germs in the bud and create a marvellously clean surface to sleep on. Win win.

is it true that certain pillows can make allergies worse?

Over to our product wizard Laura for this one: 'Generally, allergies are to dust mites rather than specific pillow fillings. So as long as you keep on top of caring for your pillows, you should be able to keep dust mites at bay.'

That being said, all of our pillows have clever fillings that encourage the flow of air so that dust doesn't settle quite as easily. And that's just one of the fantastic ways that our sublimely comfy pillows are 'made to last' until that best before date.

So there you have it. You're officially a certified pillow pro. Now all that's left is to get the rest you need to rise and shine.