How often should you change your pillow?

There is no fixed number of years that applies to everyone. Change your pillow when it no longer suits you or no longer feels the way it used to, not according to the calendar.

How do I know my pillow no longer suits me?

The right pillow height depends on your body measurements, your sleeping position and your mattress. If any of these changes, a pillow that served you well for a long time may suddenly stop fitting. Typical signs:

• You regularly scrunch up or fold the pillow into shape during the night.
• You often wake up feeling that your head or neck have been lying awkwardly.
• You have a new mattress or now sleep in a different position.
• The pillow has visibly changed shape.

What matters is not the age of the pillow, but whether it keeps your head and cervical spine in line and leaves room for your shoulder. You can read more in Pillow too high or too low? How to tell.

How do I care for a Pillowise pillow?

The core of the Pillowise pillow is made of 100% memory foam and is manufactured in the Netherlands. The cover has a moisture-regulating top layer of Tencel and a bottom layer of polyester. It can be washed in the washing machine at 40 °C. The materials are certified to STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX.

We deliberately do not state a lifespan in years, because it depends on how the pillow is used. We give a 5-year guarantee on every Pillowise pillow. This is a commitment under the terms of the guarantee, not a statement about when you should replace the pillow. You can find the terms under Guarantee terms. For general information about the material, see Memory foam pillows: effects, pros and cons, care and odour.

Should I measure again when I change?

Yes, that makes sense. Choosing a new pillow by feel is often a matter of trial and error. Pillowise determines the size using three measurements:

• Shoulder width: measured around the curve of your back, with the tape measure not pulled tight.
• Neck circumference: once all the way around your neck.
• Neck length: from the underside of your ear to the tip of your shoulder.

On top of this come your sleeping position (back, side, stomach) and your mattress (soft, medium, firm). From these, an algorithm selects one of six pillows, each in its own colour: pink, orange, green, blue, red or purple. We explain how the height is determined under Calculating pillow height.

What about neck complaints?

A suitable pillow is not a cure. If you have persistent pain, please have the cause assessed by a doctor.

So: do I need to replace my pillow regularly?

Not on a fixed schedule. If your pillow feels right, you wake up without complaints, and neither your mattress nor your sleeping position has changed, you don't need to change anything. If one of these no longer holds true, it is worth taking a fresh look at your pillow size.

Find your size: You can be measured at a retailer or use PillowScan. Find your size now or find a retailer near you.

Thijs van der Hilst, physiotherapist (non-practising)
Inventor of Pillowise