Custom Scroll Top

How Long Does A Memory Foam Pillow Last?

You might be tempted to replace your old headrests with a fantastic memory foam pillow. But, memory foam pillows may be more expensive than conventional ones. So, you wonder: “how long does a memory foam pillow last?” A memory foam pillow can last from 2 to 3 years, even 5 years. It relies on many elements, the most important of which is the type of foam padding employed in the filling.

The following article will provide detailed answers along with related content. Let’s read on to discover more!

How Long Does A Memory Foam Pillow Last?

It Might Last Up To Ten Years

It Might Last Up To Ten Years

A shredded memory foam pillow can last up to five years. According to home accessories experts and manufacturers, Foam headrests do not endure more than five years.

Some manufacturers can extend the life of their pillows for roughly 10 years. However, people who have used the same foam cushions for a long time have reported various health concerns.

You must consider how much of a person’s life is spent in bed. Then, consider all of the above principles and match them to how you use your memory foam pillow.

Does that make you nervous? If it scares you, it suggests you’re experiencing health problems due to your memory foam pillow usage.

We are not attempting to be pessimistic; instead, we are informing you of the realities of using outdated memory foam headrests for years.

Some companies may provide guarantees that are longer than five years or even lifetime warranties on their products. It is best to make a mental note of the different pillows to compare them to your memory foam ones.

What Factors Affect The Memory Foam Pillow Lifespan?

Your Sleeping And Taking Care Habits Also Affect The Lifespan Of Them.

Your Sleeping Position And Taking Care Habits Also Affect The Lifespan Of Them.

Your habits of taking care of your headrests also affect their lifespans. Let’s look at these factors and avoid making mistakes to prolong their good conditions.

Understand Yours Well

You won’t tell when your memory foam pillow needs to be cleaned and when it is better to upgrade it unless you know what you’re doing.  It is because bed mattresses and pillows are made of various materials.

Although both comprise memory foam, the filling method for the pillows and mattresses differs according to the varied uses.

A solid-filled or substantially filled foam cushion, for example, absorbs sweat, body, and hair oils, providing a breeding ground for dust mites. Therefore, to extend the item’s life, you must understand when to clean it.

Avoid Washing The Pillows In Washing Machine

Avoid Using Dryer And Washing Machine

Avoid Using Dryer And Washing Machine

Make sure you don’t wash them in the washing machine. The pillows’ padding is delicate and will quickly tear apart during the washing process in the machine.

As a result, the lifespan of these cushions will be shortened, requiring them to be replaced sooner.

There are various options for regular cleaning and washing memory pillows, which you will learn about in the following paragraphs. Continue reading and constructing a list of these points.

You Must Not Dry Foam Pillows In The Dryer

The same rule holds when it comes to drying! People wash memory foam pillows by hand and use a dryer to speed up the drying process.

However, a common misperception is that drying the pillows on a longer cycle will keep their quality.

You should air dry memory foam headrests but not put them in the dryer machine, you will see that their average lifespan has been reduced from 20 to 36 months, necessitating their replacement.

Make Use Of A High-Quality Pillowcase

Allergy sufferers and those who don’t enjoy sharing their cushions with strangers should always wear memory foam pillow protectors.

A pillow cover also protects the foam pillows from additional upper-level harm such as sweat, saliva, and dust adhering to them.

A pillow cover can also assist in extending the life of the pillow by protecting it from everyday damage.

The fact is that there is a low chance of your memory foam pillow lasting by giving power to the pets on destructive foam pillows.

Considering you should use pillowcases, try to splurge on a specialized zipper pillow cover as soon as possible to prevent your pillow from visible stains and solid or dust mites.

The most extraordinary thing about memory foam pillow covers is that you can take them off and clean them whenever you want.

Clean Regularly

In spite of the fact that pillowcases might prevent many causes of harm to your foam pillows, they can not be enough protection from all causes, especially when you forget to wash them. 

Remember, if the pillowcase is not cared for well enough, it can still have dirt buildup. This may lead to the growth of mold, mildew, and dust mites, which begin many allergy symptoms.

Baking soda and a vacuum cleaner are two excellent methods to clean foam cushions and extend their life. Put some baking soda on top and set aside for thirty minutes.

You may even make it an hour-long for better effects! Rinse the powder using a vacuum cleaner after an hour.

It will eliminate any dust mites, dead skin cells, or other allergies that have taken up residence on your memory foam pillow. In addition, memory pillows can last longer if they are cleaned regularly.

Spot Cleaning Rule

Sweat, Food, And Your Runny Nose May Harm The Pillows

Sweat, Food, And Your Runny Nose May Harm The Pillows

If there are any spots or spills on the cushion, you must clean it immediately! First, rub the spots off your headrest with a moist cloth dipped in mild soap.

These will aid in the removal of typical stains such as saliva, sweat, food, and fluids. For harsher stains like pet urine, alcohol, and blood, a mild soap may be required to remove the stains and foul odor.

Use Deep Cleaning Process

These cleaning cycles entail soaking the memory foam pillow in water. However, you would let the cushion breathe again in extreme circumstances.

Therefore, you must clean it thoroughly, allow the water to soak up completely, and pull out all of the water as soon as possible!

This procedure is not recommended unless your foam pillow has been severely damaged. To guarantee that the fabric of the pillows is not harmed, ensure you properly dry them in the sun and all water has been removed.

This procedure can help you extend the life of a worn-out cushion and keep you using it for longer. Following these steps, you can maintain the pillow odor-free or stain-free for longer.

When Do You Need To Replace Your Memory Foam Pillow?

Read On To See When It’s Time To Replace It

Read On To See When Should Be The Time To Get Rid Of It

It may seem strange, but the typical person loses roughly 8 pounds of skin each year. The amount of dead skin may vary based on how much time you spend in bed each day.

We offer a few guidelines to help you determine whether it’s better to replace your memory foam cushion.

The Pillows Turn Old Because Of Their Ages

We know that memory pillows may last up to three years at a time. So if you recall when you purchased the pillows, you’ll know when it’s time to replace them. You may also note it or set the alarm for it.

When You Are Suffering From Breathing Issues

A house dust mite is a small, insect-like nuisance with a transparent body that may be seen with the naked eye. Fortunately, dust mites are not hazardous, although they feed on human skin flakes. 

Dust mites, as a result, are drawn to your pillow and mattress, which contain a lot of dead skin cells. Dust mites excrete irritants in their feces and body pieces. 

So, if your pillow has mold and dust mites might cause breathing problems when lying in bed. This indicates that they have already been on your bed and do not have room for you.

Furthermore, the concerns such as sneezing, itchy skin, sore neck, and disrupted sleep indicate it’s time to buy a new pillow.

When They Become Floppy And Hard To Pop Back

An excellent cushion has a firm feel and does not readily become floppy. It signifies your foam pillow has failed at life if it became floppy and did not spring back when folded.

You will need to say goodbye with a sorrowful heart and welcome the new ones into your house for a new beginning! We understand the feelings and comfort that your pillows bring you.

Frequently Ask Questions:

What Exactly is Memory Foam?

Polyurethane is used to create memory foam. This plastic type can be found in many different products, including sofas, mattresses, insulation, and spray foam. It gets its name from its ability to change shape under pressure but returns to its original shape when the pressure is removed. This allows it to conform to your body shape and provides additional head and neck support.

Do you suggest including a pillowcase or pillow protector?

You can do whatever you like. We think our cooling pillowcases are incredibly cozy.

How does memory foam function?

Memory foam conforms to your body shape when activated by pressure and warmth. Pressure is evenly distributed throughout your entire body. Memory foam, as opposed to elastic PU foams, is visco-elastic.

When deformed, elastic foams continue to press against the body, whereas memory foam gently conforms to the body without pressing against it to return to its original pattern. This results in incredible comfort and increases the quality of memory foam.

The Advantages of Using Memory Foam Pillows

Because, as previously stated, memory foam is designed to respond to pressure and heat from the body, it molds to each individual. The foam returns to its original form and shape when you lift your body weight. Consider the following benefits before making a purchase:

Aesthetics and Durability

Memory Foam Pillows retain their shape and do not flatten like regular pillows. As it cools, memory foam molds to the contours of the neck and head, but it returns to its original shape.

Pillows filled with feathers or fibers develop lumps, flatten, or simply wear out over time. Memory foam repeatedly returns to its original form. They outlast other high-quality pillows simply by design.

Hypoallergenic

Memory foam mattresses are hypoallergenic, a significant benefit for allergy sufferers. Because of their thick structure, they are less likely to collect and accumulate allergens such as dust mites, mildew, and other common irritants.

Alignment of the Spine

Memory foam’s contouring properties promote healthy spinal alignment and provide lumbar support for many sleepers.

The memory foam pillow core is ideal for your spine’s alignment. Its cushion holds your spine along either side of the pillow to assure the adaptation of the foam pillow to every pressure point despite your sleep position.

However, when a surface, such as memory foam, responds to the body’s natural curves, it may be easier to find sleeping positions that keep your spine in neutral alignment. This can help with nighttime tossing and turning, as well as morning back stiffness and tightness.

Neck Pain Relief with Therapeutic Memory Foam

According to the findings of a recent Neck Solutions study, therapeutic memory foam pillows keep the head at the proper height when sleeping on the side or back. This can help with whiplash injuries, simple neck strain, and even sedentary strain from computer work.

Resistance to Motion Transfer

Memory foam absorbs motion and prevents it from being transmitted. This promotes stability by preventing motion transfer and aligning your neck and spine.

If you want to know whether your pillow is still good, try the classic “Fold Test.” The Fold Test occurs when you fold your pillow and see what happens. 

A brand new pillow will be stretched back to its original shape. An old pillow will shrink in and stretch out slowly, and the dead pillow will remain the same.

Does Memory Foam Work Well for Side Sleepers?

Memory foam is suitable for both side and back sleepers.

Because of memory foam’s density and conforming nature, it can provide cushion and support to side and back sleepers.

Because memory foam allows the hips and shoulders to sink while supporting the rest of the upper body in this neutral position, a side sleeper’s spine can remain in a neutral position.

Is memory foam hot?

Some claim that sleeping on a memory foam mattress or pillow can be extremely hot. The first foam mattresses and pillows were made of closed-cell polyurethane, which can get extremely hot due to its inability to breathe.

More recent formulations, on the other hand, are intended to ventilate. More modern mattresses and pillows include cool gel layers, mesh covers, and airflow design to make them feel even cooler. These features increase the rate at which heat is released by doubling the rate.

Who Isn’t Allowed to Use Memory Foam Pillows?

People who get hot while sleeping include: Some memory foam pillows that trap heat or warm up as you lie on them. Some claim they make them sweat. Be aware of this when being hot sleepers.

People sensitive to off-gassing: VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are chemicals found in some memory foam products. When the pillow is new, these chemicals can emit a foul odor.

This is known as off-gassing. Some people may be susceptible to odors. It can cause difficulty breathing, headaches, nausea, eye and throat irritation, and asthma attacks. The odor should fade after a few days or a week in a well-ventilated area. You can also look for brands.

Final Thoughts

If you choose a higher-quality memory foam cushion and take proper care of it, it may last for roughly three to five years. Always use the protective coating and minimize spills to keep it feeling fresh.

We hope this answer to “how long does a memory foam pillow last?” benefits you in many situations. Thanks for reading!

David Elkie

David Elkie

David Elkie is the CEO at Banner Mattress. He has been in the writing and editing business for the mattress, bedding accessories and décor industries for over 20 years.