How Long Do Bamboo Pillows Last (Plus Some Care Tips)

You may have heard that bamboo pillows are “supposedly better” than some other pillows, with all that natural fibers, comfort, health benefits, and that they last longer. But just how long do these pillows really last?

But of course, how long a pillow lasts is actually subject to how much dirt it accumulates. One will instantly throw a dirty and funky pillow away, even if it may just be a couple of months old; A pillow can also be kept clean and unused for many years.

So, just how do we determine if it is time to retire an old pillow? How do we “extend” the lifespan of a bamboo pillow? Are bamboo pillows really better as the salesman claim? Read on to find out!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Care Tips

Good?

The End

WAYS TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF A BAMBOO PILLOW

If you want a bamboo pillow to last longer, here are a few simple ways to extend its lifespan.

1) Use a pillowcase and change them frequently

It is always a good idea to put on a pillowcase that acts as an extra layer of protection – Pillowcases are not just “for decorative purpose” but they actually soak up plenty of dirt, oil, and moisture. Just be sure to replace the pillowcase with a fresh one every week, and wash them properly.

2) Wash your pillow occasionally

Yes, bamboo pillows can be washed, and it is something that some people completely miss out on. Even with a pillowcase on, some oil and dirt will still “penetrate” into the pillow itself… It will eventually get very dirty and funky. So be sure to wash the pillow every few months. We will walk through how to wash and dry a bamboo pillow below.

3) Don’t sleep dirty and sweaty

Don’t sleep after a workout, all dirty and sweaty. First off, it is very uncomfortable and difficult to fall asleep. Secondly, the gunk will stick to the pillows and bed. Lastly, this accumulates over time, and you get a stinky hipster bed… So try to take a bath before sleeping, and at least change into some fresh clothes.

4) Keep dry

A wet pillow will attract mold to grow on it. Which in turn, makes it very attractive for insects to stay in (plus stink up the pillow). Just try to keep it clean and dry where possible. No sleeping with wet hair.

5) Vacuum the pillow

Yep. Especially if you have a very dusty room. This will pull out all the dust, and prevent nasty dust mites from nesting in your pillow.

HOW TO WASH & DRY A BAMBOO PILLOW

1) Remove pillowcase and wash

But just a couple of wash settings to take note of:

• Set to gentle wash or slow spin. We do not want a “flying pillow” inside the washing machine. That will damage the pillow itself, and the washing machine.
• Wash with warm water, that is not too hot or too cold. Extreme temperatures can cause the bamboo pillow to fall apart.
• Use a gentle, non-bleaching detergent.
• Only wash 1-2 pillows at a time. We do not want to overload the washing machine.

2) Rinse cycle

Once done, you may want to go through another cycle in the washing machine, but this time without detergent. This will rinse the pillow off all residue soap.

3) Dry the pillow

A couple of settings for the dryer:

• Please use low heat settings, don’t burn the pillow.
• Just get to “not soaking wet and pretty dry”, then leave the pillow under the sun to air dry naturally – This will pretty much also dry out any small spots of mold and destroy the nasties.
• One small common tip that you find on the Internet is to throw 2-3 tennis balls into the dryer. That will help to fluff up a compressed pillow as well.

Finally, just make sure that the pillow is fully dried before using it again, as dampness can cause a mold outbreak.

HOW TO TELL IF BAMBOO PILLOW HAS “EXPIRED”

Sadly, unlike packaged food, there is no expiry date set for bamboo pillows. To tell if your bamboo pillow needs a replacement, you will have to physically inspect the pillow itself – tuck.com shares a good list of signs to tell if a pillow has probably “expired”:

• There are noticeable bumps, lumps, and funky-looking stuff growing on the pillow.
• Permanent stains remain even after you have washed the pillow.
• Waking up with neck and shoulder pains.
• Waking up with headaches and fatigue.
• Sneezing from dust mites after sleeping on the pillow.
• The pillow goes flat and cannot be fluffed up properly.

WHAT BAMBOO PILLOWS ARE GOOD FOR

You may have heard from a salesman or articles all over the Internet praising bamboo pillows:

• Bamboo pillows are naturally hypoallergic. Thanks to natural fibers, people with allergies can use the pillow safely.
• They are breathable and light. Bamboo pillows help to absorb moisture, and they dry up fast. It is a great pillow for sweaty folks and in places that are warm.
• They have antimicrobial properties and helps to prevent fungus or bacterial growth.
• Drying up fast and antimicrobial properties also mean that bamboo pillows help to neutralize funky odors; Helps to keep the pillow fresh longer.
• Bamboo pillows are firm, but not hard. They do great to support the neck and relieve back pains.

WHY BAMBOO PILLOWS ARE NOT THE BEST

Yes, bamboo pillows are great for various reasons, and they seem like the perfect pillow for people with allergies or back problems. But contrary to the “popular beliefs”, they are actually far from perfect. Here is a short adaptation from 8 Facts About Bamboo Pillows, Savvyrest:

• Ever wonder why there is a strong chemical smell on new bamboo pillows? That is because they are treated and processed. Truly natural bamboo will just rot away easily and quickly.
• This treated bamboo pillow core is encased in viscose rayon. They might be a bamboo-derived material, but that doesn’t make it natural or organic.
• The process of treating viscose-rayon involves the use of harsh chemicals that are toxic. They are hardly “environmentally friendly”.
• There are no strict requirements for a pillow to be called “hypoallergic”; Any manufacturer can claim their pillows to be hypoallergic, but that may not be the case.

So there you go – Bamboo pillows are not natural nor that “miracle pillow” as some marketers claim.

ARE BAMBOO PILLOWS STILL WORTH IT?

Don’t get it wrong though, there are still good manufacturers out there who really care. They may use different materials and use a different process to treat their pillows. Bamboo pillows still have their values as light, breathable, antimicrobial, soft, yet firm pillows.

If you end up sleeping better with a bamboo pillow, having to wash it less often, using lesser detergents, be more environmentally friendly – Then why not? But please do some of your own due diligence in learning more about the origins and materials used in a bamboo pillow… Some may seem good at first, but they do more harm than good in the long run.

LINKS & REFERENCES

• When Should You Replace Your Pillow? – National Sleep Foundation
• Here’s how often you should replace everything in your bedroom – NBCNews
• How to Wash a Bamboo Pillow in 4 Easy Steps – Sleeplander
• Pros and Cons of Using a Bamboo Pillow – Better Sleep Guide