Isn't it time to throw it away? How often should pillows and mattresses be changed?

Your spine is out of alignment when you sleep

No matter how old (or new) your mattress is, if it's not comfortable, you won't get a good night's sleep. If you sleep on your back or stomach, your spine should be in an "S" shape. A spine that is too straight or too arched means that the mattress is not aligning it properly.

The 22-year-old student graduated from college with her grandmother. Both with honors

Fringe, bright colors, print: how to wear spring fashion trends for women over 50

Varnish, metal, perforation: trendy shoes for mid-spring 2021

For side sleepers, the spine should be straight from the neck to the bottom. A good pillow can fix minor problems, but if you can fit your hand into the gap between your body and the mattress, that's a big sign that you need a different mattress.

What types of pillows are there?

What the inside of the pillow is filled with depends on how long it can be used. This may be due to the hardness of the material, allergenicity, or beneficial properties.

Pillows consist of natural fillings (rice and buckwheat husks, wool, silk, bamboo and soy fiber) and synthetics (sintepon, silicone, holofiber, etc.).

You wake up feeling stiff

Poor sleep can contribute to chronic back pain. If your back pain gets worse when you wake up but subsides when you stretch and move, it's a sign that your mattress is causing the pain.

It may also be worth giving up hard mattresses. Studies have shown that medium-firm mattresses provide better comfort for chronic low back pain. Experts recommend trying different types of mattresses before purchasing them if you experience pain while sleeping or waking up.

What to look for when purchasing?

If you are about to buy a pillow, and you have decided on the quality of the filling and the type of pillowcase, what should you pay attention to so that disappointment does not come along with the purchase?

• Inspect the pillow to see if there are any feathers or fluff coming through: make sure that the pillowcase is of high quality, the fluff is evenly distributed – not collected in lumps and there are no voids.
• The seams should be smooth and strong; if there is an edging, this is a sign of high-quality work.
• Wrinkle the pillow: if it wrinkles with a crunch or rustles loudly, this indicates poor quality fabric.
• Press down on the product: the pillow should completely restore its shape within 1-3 minutes, and in half a minute it should straighten out at least 30%.
• Lift the pillow by the corner and shake it: if it is half empty on one side, there is no filler added, and sleeping on such a pillow will be uncomfortable.
• Color. The pillow cover should not be visible through the pillowcase.
• Smell. Smell the pillow - it should not smell like chemicals, dampness or rotten fluff.

Attention! If the product has a foreign smell, refuse such a purchase, not hoping that it will “dissipate” over time! If, as a result of improper storage, the down begins to deteriorate, it will not be possible to get rid of the unpleasant odor.

Pillows with any filling

Best prices for bulk purchases

Pillows with natural and synthetic filling in the catalog

View in the catalog

Worsening of allergies or asthma

Your mattress may be the cause of allergy or asthma symptoms as it accumulates dust over time and harbors dust mites. They are not dangerous in themselves, but if you have allergies, dust mites can aggravate allergic reactions and asthma attacks. To relieve symptoms, you can try removing dust and mites from your mattress by vacuuming, steaming, or beating. If this does not help, then you may need to buy a new mattress.

It is calculated: Russians’ salaries in January decreased by 29% compared to December

Suitable for everyone: 4 myths about black clothing that are imposed on women

The Mediterranean diet is not only good for your overall health, but also for your brain.

Top 10 most durable pillows

We have collected 10 durable pillows that will last at least 7 years, and at most more than 15.

Pillow medium Luxury Silk Grass

Pillow medium Luxury Silk Grass natural silk

An expensive, durable pillow made of natural silk can be used for 15 years. All this time it will be like new - the silk does not cake or bunch up. It remains tender, airy, soft and very pleasant. If you divide the cost of a pillow by its service life, it turns out that natural silk is not so expensive - 1000 rubles for a year of use. Cheap models, but requiring constant replacement, cost the same amount.

Pillow MaterLux Assia

MaterLux Assia pillow made of natural latex

https://mnogosna.ru/podushki/materlux-podushki/materlux-assia/

Natural latex will last 12 years. All this time it will remain the same elastic and springy. An orthopedic pillow supports the cervical spine in the correct position and helps maintain correct posture.

Lonax Middle Latex

Lonax Middle Latex 12 cm

A medium-hard model made of natural latex adapts to the shape of the head and neck, creating a comfortable sleeping place. The material is perforated, so it is well ventilated, dust does not accumulate inside and conditions for the growth of bacteria are not created.

Tempur Millennium Small

Tempur Millennium Small adapts to body shape

Advanced memory foam will last at least 11 years. The material reacts to temperature and takes the shape of the human body without resistance. Tempur does not put pressure on soft tissues and does not interfere with normal blood flow.

FreeDream Fresh L

This is what the FreeDream Fresh L orthopedic pillow with a cooling effect looks like.

Foam with the addition of natural soybean oil is a durable material that has shape memory and creates a comfortable surface for sleeping. A layer of Viscool soy foam removes excess heat deep into the material, so the surface always remains a little cool. This is both pleasant and healthy.

BeautySon Memory Plus

BeautySon Memory Plus model with light massage effect

Memory foam lasts at least 8 years. The orthopedic wave shape will especially appeal to people who have to spend a lot of time sitting, and whose neck hurts and becomes stiff as a result. The pillow supports the cervical spine in the correct position, removes clamps, and normalizes blood circulation.

Lonax Memory Elastic Classic Pillow

Lonax Memory Elastic Classic Pillow Prevents Premature Wrinkles

Another memory model will appeal to women over 30 years of age, since memory shapes take the shape of the human body without resistance and do not put pressure on soft tissues. People who sleep on a memory pillow do not develop premature wrinkles.

Mediflex Revolution pillow

Mediflex Revolution natural latex pillow

Comfortable pillow made of natural crushed latex in the shape of spirals. When loaded, they spring a little and create a comfortable surface for sleeping. Latex is a hardy, durable material. The pillow will last about 7 years with intensive use.

Three-layer elastic down pillow Natures Men's World

Three-layer elastic down pillow Natures Men's World with different hardness on both sides.

The model consists of three blocks. Inside are 2 capsules of small feathers of weak and dense filling. On one side the pillow is softer, on the other it is elastic. The feathers are covered with light, delicate down. The model is suitable for sleeping in different positions.

Elastic pillow Natures Ruja down and down-feather

Natures Ruja down and feathers will last 15 years with proper care

The elastic, comfortable down pillow was only ranked 10th, which is not entirely fair. In fact, a pillow can last 10 or 15 years if you care for it properly - dry clean it every 2 years, change the pillowcase at least every 5 days. If this is not done, the service life of the down pillow will be 5 years.

You have gained or lost weight

Significant weight loss or gain will negatively impact the effectiveness of your mattress. According to Canadian research, too little or too much sleep may be linked to your weight gain.

People with more weight wear out their mattresses faster. Additionally, if you previously slept alone, but now have another person sleeping in the same bed, your mattress may not be able to support the additional weight and may begin to sag. This means it's time to buy a new mattress.

Pros and cons of feather pillows

The main advantages of such pillows include:

• naturalness and excellent ventilation qualities;
• high thermal insulation properties. It is warm and comfortable to sleep on such products in the winter, and not at all hot to relax in the summer;
• hygroscopicity. They absorb moisture that the human body releases during rest;
• softness and lightness. It is pleasant and comfortable to sleep on them at any time of the year;
• wear resistance and durability (with proper use and care);
• elasticity and resilience. They quickly restore their shape and do not deform during use;
• affordable price. Such products have excellent qualities that significantly exceed their cost;

However, they also have some disadvantages:

• Some people experience allergic reactions during the use of feather and down products (due to the accumulation of dust mites);
• short service life;
• difficulty in care.

Responsible manufacturers carry out anti-mite treatment of products, protecting products from the appearance of dust mites.

Signs that it's time to change your pillow

Not only the mattress, but also the pillows need to be changed periodically. If you notice any of the following signs, it's time to get a new pillow:

• Lumps of filler can be felt inside the pillow.
• Permanent stains of sweat and sebum are noticeable.
• You wake up with pain, especially in your neck or shoulders.
• You wake up tired.
• You wake up with headaches.
• You wake up sneezing from dust mites.
• You should constantly re-fluff your pillow to make it more comfortable to sleep (applies to down pillows only).
• If you fold a pillow in half, it will stay folded instead of flattening out (applies to down pillows only).

Sometimes pillows need to be changed not only because they are old. Other factors that indicate the need to change your pillow include health conditions (such as allergies) or a change in sleeping position.

Why does the pillow need to be replaced?

Our grandmothers passed down pillows from generation to generation. Why can’t we leave to our future grandchildren the product we sleep on today?

Firstly, a pillow is a comfortable haven for millions of bacteria, armadas of dust mites and a storehouse of dust with dead flakes of human skin. All this is diluted with dirt, oil from our hair and bodies and tick excrement. It turns out to be a completely unsightly picture. People suffering from allergies already understand what we are talking about. For those who are not familiar with allergic manifestations, it will be interesting to know that an unreasonable morning cough is caused by uninvited “neighbors” of the pillow filling. But not a viral disease.

And further. Acne in teenagers is no surprise. But the appearance of acne in adults is very often triggered by an old pillow.

Secondly, an old, dented, matted pillow causes problems with the cervical spine. Because the neck is not supported properly while sleeping. The pillow should fill the space between your head and shoulders and support your neck.

As you can see, the arguments for replacing pillows are more than compelling. After all, they concern our health, which, as we know, cannot be saved on.

Lifespan of different pillows

On average, pillows need to be changed every 1-2 years. Some types of pillows last longer than others due to the quality and construction of their materials.

In the table you can see how long a pillow of one type or another will last you.

Found a violation? Report content

How to care?

For a pillow with any filling, you need to change the pillowcase once every three days. We give general care recommendations; see the exact manufacturer's requirements on the label of your model.

• Down and feather pillows should be dry cleaned every two to three years. Do not use in rooms with high humidity, as this will cause the down to deteriorate.
• Do not wet memory models; it will be difficult to dry them. Vacuuming is enough, not washing.
• Natural latex also requires regular vacuuming. The material is perforated, so a vacuum cleaner can easily remove all dirt from the pillow.
• Artificial swan down and bamboo fiber can be washed in a washing machine once a year, hand-wrung.
• Silk can be carefully washed by hand at home, but since it is an expensive, delicate material, it is still better to have it dry cleaned. This will increase the shelf life of the product.

How are down pillows made?

The manufacturing process of down pillows is multi-stage and complex. The main task is to prepare down and feathers for stuffing. After the raw materials arrive at the plant and are weighed, this occurs in several stages.

1. Disinfection in a sealed ozonator chamber.
2. Laboratory analysis of raw materials for suitability for production. If the bird is sick, the fluff is discarded.
3. Primary processing – removal of mechanical impurities.
4. Washing to remove dirt, grease, and foreign odors. The cycle lasts 2 hours, during which time the washing machine cleans about 60 kg of raw materials.
5. Spin and direct through the storage tank to drying. The semi-finished product is subjected to thermal antimicrobial treatment at a temperature of 130⁰C for 40 minutes. The pen then enters the cooler.
6. Secondary sorting. The semi-finished down and feather product is divided into large, medium and small fractions in plywood machines under a strong air flow.
7. At the same time, pillowcases are sewn in the sewing workshop, leaving a small hole for stuffing pillows.
8. The covers are placed on the pipes leading to the storage unit, where the pen, ready for production, arrives. The weight of the filler is set to the scales; feeding stops when the pillow reaches the desired weight.
9. Then the seamstress sews up the hole, the pillows go into a blower to remove fluff from the surface of the products, and then they are packaged for sale.

During one work shift, about 3,000 pillows are produced in production.

The classic down and feather pillow is still very popular, and this is not surprising: no artificial material can replace the warmth and tenderness of natural down. The main thing is to choose a pillow that will give you comfort and a comfortable, sound sleep.

Can bedbugs live in feather pillows?

In addition to ticks, there are other insects that can cause harm to humans. For example, bed bugs. These parasites most often live in the sofa, mattress, and bed. Fortunately, they are rarely found in pillows. Causes:

• the material is not suitable for the movement of bedbugs, it is difficult for them to cling to it;
• It’s difficult to get inside because of the thick cover; it’s even more difficult to get back out; Bedbugs, unlike ticks, whose main food is feathers and down, feed on human blood.
• bedbugs do not like to be disturbed (a person tosses and turns in his sleep, sometimes turning over his pillow);
• unsuitable conditions for egg laying.

If, after weighing all the pros and cons, you still prefer natural materials and cannot exchange a feather pillow for a synthetic one, take care of proper care of your textile product, and then your sleep will be as comfortable and safe as possible.