We recently read a helpful article from the Huffington Post in regards to how often you should clean (and replace) your pillows. There is some gross truth about your pillows that we thought you should know that can help you determine when it's time to wash yours (and when it's time to throw it away). 

The answer: Every three weeks for the outer cover and every three months for the pillow itself.

The concern is less about the pillow breaking down and more about the host of critters and debris that can be found in the pillow you lay your face on night after night. Dirt, oil and dead skin cells get trapped there, which may lead to acne.  Dust mites, which belong to the spider family, also like to hang out in the crevices of your pillow. "You can't see them, but they're concentrated in things like bedding and carpeting," says Mark R. Neustrom, DO, of Kansas City Allergy and Asthma Associates.

Dust mite accumulation can cause very real health problems, namely unpleasant reactions in people who are allergic to the bugs. Neustrom says that of all people with allergies, around two thirds of them may be allergic to the types of dust mites that congregate indoors.

And unlike allergens like cat dander, the protein that triggers reactions to dust mites isn't typically airborne, he says, so symptoms that are particularly strong first thing in the morning is a good sign the problem might be your pillow. Anyone with year-round nasal symptoms also might want to get tested for a dust mite allergy, he says.

So buy a cover for your pillow, and clean both items frequently.

Zippered pillow encasements certainly help mite and buildup woes, as can washing pillows regularly. Interior design expert Robin Wilson recommends washing your pillow cover every three weeks in the washing machine. Then, wash the pillow itself every three months: Down-alternative pillows can go in the washing machine while down feather pillows should be dry cleaned. Thirty minutes on low in the dryer can help clear out some of the clutter from your pillows between cleanings, says Robert Oexman, DC, director of the Sleep to Live Institute.

Depending on your cleaning habits and allergies, you may need to replace your pillows as often as every six months , he adds. Wilson says every three years is okay, but you should focus more on keeping your current pillows clean. "People talk about how nasty a mattress gets," says Oexman, but pillows are more frequently forgotten. You must keep them clean!

Click the link below to view this article in it’s entirety and learn more about the gross truth about your pillows. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/09/16/when-to-replace-pillow-gross_n_5628180.html

To see what pillows that we have to offer at eLuxury to replace your current pillow, take a look at this link:  https://www.eluxury.com/collections/pillows