Pillow ·

How Long Do Bamboo Pillows Last?

ecoy bamboo pillow

We don’t mean to scare you, but failing to replace your sleeping pillows regularly can have a negative impact on your health and sleep quality.

But how long do bamboo pillows last? Generally - two to three years.

The National Sleep Foundation, however, recommends replacing pillows on a yearly basis. Why is this so important? According to many studies, pillows begin to break down over time, gradually providing less and less support for your head and neck. This might cause neck and back pain, stiffness, or even a morning headache.

Not to mention that after a while, the pillows collect dust mites that love to feast upon your dead skin cells. These sneaky creatures live with you, on you, and even inside your pillow, making it hard to get rid of them over time.

Besides covering why you should replace your bamboo pillow, we’ll also show you how to prolong its lifespan. Let’s dive in.

When & Why Should You Replace Your Bamboo Pillow?

As we said - we don't want to give you the heebie-jeebies - but your bamboo pillow needs replacing just like any other pillow. If you want to enjoy the health benefits of its comfortable memory foam, then you might want to consider changing it every two to three years.

Why is that so?

As with traditional pillows, the shredded memory foam in bamboo pillows starts to absorb saliva, natural skin oils, body sweat, and everything in between. Of course, unlike regular pillows, what truly makes a difference here is the bamboo cover’s resistance to microorganisms, which keeps the memory foam safe for a longer period of time. Eventually, however, these bodily liquids will penetrate the memory foam pillow, creating a fantastic environment for dust mites to dwell in. The only solution to this problem is a pillow replacement - of course, if you want to avoid allergies.

Another reason for changing your bamboo pillow, without a shade of a doubt, is the disrupted shape of the memory foam from long-time use.

What Makes a Memory Foam Bamboo Pillow Last Longer?

 

In order to prolong the life of your bamboo pillow, you need to take proper care of it. For starters, you need to think twice whether putting the entire pillow in the washing machine is a good idea (hint: it’s not).

Although you can indeed wash the pillow cover on a gentle machine cycle, you shouldn't  do the same with the memory foam pillow. The best way to clean the foam bamboo pillow is by handwashing it with a mild detergent, preferably eco-friendly detergent and lukewarm water.

You also mustn’t make the mistake of putting the bamboo pillow in the dryer. Go with air drying instead, which means that you should just place the pillow in direct sunlight where there is good ventilation and leave it for a couple of hours until it’s dry.

Besides washing, there is another way to clean your pillow to prolong its lifespan: vacuuming. Vacuum your pillow at least once a week to prevent dust mites from entering the deeper layers. For better results, you can sprinkle a little baking soda all over the bamboo pillow and wait for up to an hour until it fulfills its antibacterial function. Don't forget to vacuum the baking soda before putting on the new pillowcase.

Conclusion

By following these guidelines on how to wash bamboo pillows, you’ll reap the benefits of prolonging their lifespan. This means you should use a delicate cycle with lukewarm water for the bamboo cover if you want to use the washing machine. The pillow itself needs to be hand-washed due to the delicate memory foam. 

FAQ

What are the rules for washing bamboo pillows?

There are three rules to remember when washing a bamboo cover - wash on gentle cycle with warm water, use a gentle detergent, and let it air dry. When it comes to the memory foam filling, you should either soak it into a deep sink or a hand wash basin with warm water and clean it with a mild, gentle detergent without using too much soap.

Can bamboo pillows reduce back or neck pain? 

As they easily adjust to the sleeper’s head, neck, and shoulders, bamboo pillows provide pressure relief. What you should know, though, is that they work better for side and back sleepers than for stomach sleepers. 

Do bamboo fabrics keep you cool? 

Like other natural fibers, bamboo fibers are breathable and absorb moisture which means that it can cool you down during a hot summer night and allow you to get a good night’s rest.

Are bamboo pillows made of all-natural materials? 

Most bamboo pillows are made of bamboo viscose rayon, a semisynthetic material that boasts a plethora of health benefits. To learn more about its advantages, our article on what bamboo pillows are.

Sources

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