AIBU to ask how often you wash your pillows?

[StrawberrySundance]

In the last couple of years I have been getting spots on my face.

I bought new creams, drank more water, washed my pillowcase more often ... but today I realised that I have not washed my pillow once in the 10+ years since I bought it

Anyway, I am off to buy a new pillow.

DP is horrified and I feel very very judged, but surely I am not alone in my slatternly ways?!

[MmmBlowholes]

Wow, the daily mail are scraping the barrel. Sorry op, not that your life isn't interesting but what a fucking mundane post to write an article about.

[BarbaraofSeville]

Can they not ninja. I would have thought they could go in the textile bins at the tip or local recylcing centres. Fabric that goes that way is sorted and recycled into things like insulation for cars.

As I keep bedding for a good few years, I never have that much spare, but it usually is then used for animal bedding, and eventually gets disposed of when the inevitable poo-splosion happens, or a cat gives birth on it and it is a bit grim (I foster rescue cats and a lot of them have unpredicatable digestive systems or are untrained in the art of litter tray usage).

[IncrediblySadToo]

I am always reluctant to dispose of old duvets and pillows even when they are past their best as they can’t be recycled

My local vets is always grateful for any bedding

[Bloodybridget]

Never. Nor do I replace them until they are obviously no longer fit for purpose.

[leafygarden]

I am the slattern of ALL pillow users - listen to this

I have been using the same pillow for over 20 years - and it's still going great.

No pillow protectors.

I wash the pillow cases whenever I change the bedsheets.

I am alive and well. Very rarely get a cold, let alone actually sick with something.

[orangeshoebox]

once a year after hayfever season has finished

[Imanamechangeninja]

I am currently living between two houses and both councils specifically exclude duvets and pillows from the textile recycling. One area has a huge homeless problem so if I were to fold them neatly and leave them near the bins on a dry day they would probably get taken but I never seem to be having my big clear outs on a dry day.

[Pikapikachooo]

Annually
But I do need to do mattress topper which is a pretty major labour

[bluebellation]

I think some homeless charities will take duvets to give out to people living on the street. Worth a try if you're replacing yours.

[livingthegoodlife]

Once a year for the actual pillows & duvets. We have down & feather mix. They wash and dry beautifully and fluff up nicely.

[ShinyMe]

I'm going to tell you a really disgusting revolting thing, that I'm very much not proud of.

I use pillow protectors and wash those and the pillowcases, but not the pillows. A few years ago, I was waking up with terrible headaches and blocked nose, sore throat every day. I had constant colds and blocked noses and ear aches, that sort of thing. It would gradually get better in the day, but then be bad again when I woke up. I tried all sorts of things, but nothing worked. Then one day I was changing the bedding and took the protectors off (I hadn't changed them as often as the pillowcases) and my pillows were absolutely COVERED in black mould. They were revolting. How I hadn't smelled it I don't know (although with my blocked nose, I probably couldn't).

Anyway, pillows burnt and now I wash my pillow protectors when I wash my pillows, and make sure the pillows get aired outside regularly. Any signs of mould (none so far!) and I'll be buying new pillows again.

[ScruffGin]

I wash DPs every few months, but it's a feather one, so washes well as long as it's tumble dried thoroughly. He's much sweatier and it needs it!
I have a memory foam one and have never washed it, owned it for about 8 years now. I don't think you can wash them!

[StrawberrySundance]

RuthWPR

That would be lovely and generous - but what's the catch?

[MargoLovebutter]

RuthWPR when I worked for a large fizzy drinks manufacturer, I quite happily told everyone that in moderation sugar rich, nutrient poor, carbonated beverages were part of a healthy diet. Now I no longer work for them, I tend to disagree!

In all honesty, a bedding company is going to tell people to change their bedding more - it is in their commercial interests to do so!

My super dooper down filled pillows that I've been using every night for the last 12 years still support my head & neck beautifully and if they are full of dead skin & mite droppings - well, I must say they are mighty comfortable!!!!

[SuzieQQQ]

Never! I use pillow protectors and pillow cases and wash the once a week

[elliejjtiny]

I wash the dc's pillows when they wee/puke on them but they always come out weird and lumpy. I don't wash ours, we could probably do with new ones.

[newmomof1]

We just buy new pillows when they lose their comfort. I feel like a tramp now

[GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER]

I wash ours every few months. They are either down or feather and down so can harbour a lot of dust mites and their poo. I give them a long hot tumble dry afterwards - one of the few times I use the tumble drier nowadays. They come out lovely and fluffy, like new.

Might add that I didn't know much about dust mites until I read about them in detail in Bill Bryson's 'A Short History Of Nearly Everything' - best avoided if you're squeamish!

When I first washed our pillows after reading this the washing machine water was positively yellow with whatever dust mite yuck had accumulated. Ditto our mattress - I vacuumed it and a mass of yellowish dust, quite unlike normal dust, came out.

[ChihuahuaMummy1]

Did you know this thread has been picked up by Daily Mail op?

[StrawberrySundance]

ChihuahuaMummy1

Yes, a PP posted a screenshot. It was a really boring story and factually incorrect as I am not yet a mother

[Lweji]

For those complaining about pillows not washing well.

My current pillows are hollow microfibre and they're brilliant. Quick drying and no issues at all with shape.

[ChihuahuaMummy1]

@StrawberrySundance just wanted you to know,havent rtft

[fishonabicycle]

Maybe that poster wipes her arse on them?

[sl07]

I never wash the pillows - although OH has a favourite pillow that he has had for 10+ years that I demanded for him to wash lol. But the pillow covers get changed regular