The average person spends about one-third of their life in bed. With so much time spent laying in the sack, bedding like pillows, sheets, and comforters can accrue sweat, dander, and dust, creating a dirty environment.
Aside from washing your pillows, sheets, and comforters on a regular basis, they also need replacing from time to time. If you’re curious how often to replace bedding, here’s what the experts recommend.
Pillows – Yearly
If you’re anything like me, it takes forever to find the perfect pillow, which makes replacing it all that more difficult. Unfortunately, most experts recommend that pillows be replaced every year. The good news is that if you purchase a quality pillow and wash it every 3-6 months, you may be able to get two years’ worth of use from it.
Signs it’s time to replace a pillow include lumpiness, neck or back pain, yellowing, or bad smells.
Pillowcases can last a bit longer than pillows, especially if you wash them regularly. Replace your pillowcases every one to two years or whenever they become worn.
Sheets – Two to Five Years
Quality sheets can last up to five years, while you’ll probably need to replace cheaper sets every two years. Wash your sheets at least once every one to two weeks to keep them looking good and smelling fresh.
It’s time to replace your sheets when they show major signs of wear, feel scratchy, or won’t come clean.
Comforters – Five to Twenty Years
If you have a favorite comforter, here’s some good news: you may not need to replace it for up to fifteen years. Comforters take less of a beating than sheets since they don’t come in direct contact with your body (unless you forgo a top sheet.)
You should replace your comforter when it feels lumpy, develops bad smells, or stubborn stains that won’t come out.
The type of comforter you have can also influence its longevity.
- Down alternative comforter: Up to ten years
- Down comforter: Up to 15 years
- Down duvet insert: Up to 20 years
- Down alternative duvet insert: Up to 10 years
Duvet inserts last longer than comforters since duvet covers largely prevent them from coming into contact with dirt and sweat.
Duvet Covers – Five Years
The longevity of a duvet cover depends on its material and thickness. Thin duvet covers often need replacing every five years or whenever the fibers wear thin. Thicker duvet covers can last longer if they are properly cared for.
Mattress – Seven to Ten Years
Replacing a mattress is the biggest bedding expense, and unfortunately, mattresses usually only last up to ten years. If you suffer from allergies, wake up with neck or back pain, notice sagging, or bad smells, it’s time for mattress disposal and replacement.
Certain types of mattresses last longer than others. Here’s a breakdown:
- Latex mattresses last up to 15 years.
- Innerspring mattresses last 5 to 10 years, depending on quality.
- Memory foam mattresses need replacing every 5 to 10 years.
- Hybrid mattresses can last up to 10 years.
Mattress Topper – Three to Five Years
A mattress topper can improve your bed’s comfort and prolong the life of your mattress. However, they’re notorious for absorbing sweat and dander, which gives them a short lifespan. Replace your mattress topper every three to five years or when it loses shape and develops a bad odor.
