You know the pillow needs to go. It is flat, yellow, and smells faintly of something you would rather not identify. But throwing it in the garbage feels wasteful, and you are not sure what else to do with it. Most people keep old pillows far longer than they should because the disposal question is awkward. You cannot put them in curbside recycling. Goodwill does not want your sweaty pillow. And stuffing it in the regular garbage means it sits in a landfill for decades. There are actually several reasonable options depending on the pillow's condition and fill material.
Quick Answer
Replace pillows every one to two years (memory foam may last two to three). If the pillow is clean and structurally sound, donate it to an animal shelter or homeless shelter that accepts bedding. If it is stained or compressed, repurpose it as a pet bed, packing material, draft stopper, or garden kneeling pad. For disposal, textile recycling facilities accept pillows in any condition and break them down for industrial use, including carpet padding, insulation, and wiping rags. Never put pillows in curbside recycling bins. Natural fills (down, feather, wool, cotton) can be composted by removing the fill from the cover. Synthetic fills (memory foam, polyester) cannot be composted and should go to textile recyclers or landfill as a last resort. The fold test tells you when it is time: fold the pillow in half, release it, and if it does not spring back, the fill is done.
When to Replace
The general guideline is every one to two years for standard pillows and two to three years for memory foam or latex. But time is less reliable than the actual condition of the fill. A quality down pillow maintained well can last five years. A cheap polyester pillow may flatten in six months.
The fold test works for most pillow types. Fold the pillow in half and release it. A pillow with sufficient resilience springs back to flat. A pillow past its useful life stays folded or returns slowly and incompletely. For memory foam, press your fist into the centre and release. If the impression remains for more than a few seconds without recovery, the foam cells have broken down.
Beyond structural testing, hygiene matters. Pillows accumulate dust mites, dead skin, body oils, and sweat that washing reduces but never fully eliminates. After two years of nightly use, a pillow can contain measurable quantities of dust mite allergens even with regular washing and a pillow protector. If you have allergies or asthma, replacing more frequently is worth the cost.
Donate, Repurpose, or Recycle
If the pillow is clean, unstained, and still has some loft, donation is the best option. Animal shelters almost universally accept used pillows for dog and cat bedding. Call your local shelter first, as some have specific requirements. Homeless shelters and women's shelters may accept pillows in good condition, though many have stricter hygiene standards and prefer new donations.
Stained or compressed pillows that are not donation-worthy still have uses. Pet beds are the most common repurpose, either as-is in a pet bed cover or with the fill transferred to a larger pet cushion. Old pillows also work as packing material for fragile items during moves, kneeling pads for gardening, floor cushions for children, or draft stoppers when the fill is stuffed into a tube-shaped fabric sleeve.
Textile recycling is the responsible disposal method for pillows that are genuinely done. Facilities that accept textiles, often separate from curbside recycling, break pillows down into component materials. The fill becomes carpet underpadding, automotive insulation, or industrial rags. The cover fabric gets sorted by fibre type and processed accordingly. Check your municipality's textile recycling drop-off locations or call ahead to confirm they accept pillows.
Comfort Tip
When you replace an old pillow, resist the urge to keep the old one "just in case" in the linen closet. Guest pillows accumulate the same dust mites and allergens as your primary pillow, just more slowly. If you want a spare for guests, buy a fresh inexpensive pillow and store it in a sealed bag. The cost is less than any allergy medication your guest might need after sleeping on a pillow you retired three years ago. Dorothy at our Brantford showroom can help you pick a primary pillow matched to your sleep position and a sensible guest option at a lower price point, so you are not spending premium dollars on something that gets used twice a year.
Composting Natural Fill
Down, feathers, wool, and cotton fills are biodegradable and can be composted. Remove the fill from the pillow cover (which may be a cotton-polyester blend and not compostable), and add the fill to your compost bin. Natural fills decompose in six to twelve months. Feathers break down faster when mixed with nitrogen-rich materials like food scraps or grass clippings.
Memory foam, polyester fibrefill, and gel-infused foam cannot be composted. These are petroleum-derived materials that do not biodegrade meaningfully within any practical timeframe. It is difficult to say whether technology will eventually make synthetic pillow fills recyclable at scale, but for now, textile recycling and landfill are the only realistic endpoints for synthetic pillows.
For Brantford Residents
Brant County's Solid Waste Services accepts textiles at their drop-off locations, which includes pillows. Check the current schedule and accepted items before making a trip. When you are ready for a new pillow, our showroom at 441 1/2 West Street offers a fitting service where Talia matches pillow loft and material to your slee
p position and mattress type. Getting the right pillow the first time means fewer replacements, less waste, and better sleep. Call (519) 770-0001 or visit: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thu-Fri 10-7, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-4.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put old pillows in the recycling bin?
No. Curbside recycling bins do not accept textiles or pillows. They can contaminate other recyclables. Take pillows to a dedicated textile recycling drop-off point instead. Many municipalities have specific textile collection days or permanent drop-off locations.
How often should you replace pillows?
Every one to two years for polyester and down alternative fills. Every two to three years for memory foam and latex. Use the fold test: fold in half, release, and if it does not spring back, it is time. Quality and maintenance affect lifespan, so test rather than relying on time alone.
Will Goodwill take used pillows?
Most Goodwill and Salvation Army locations do not accept used pillows due to hygiene concerns. Animal shelters are more likely to accept them. Homeless shelters sometimes accept pillows in clean, good condition. Always call ahead to confirm what a specific location accepts.
Can you compost old pillows?
Only natural fills: down, feathers, wool, and cotton. Remove the fill from the cover first, as covers are often polyester blends. Natural fills decompose in six to twelve months in a compost bin. Synthetic fills (memory foam, polyester) cannot be composted.
Where can I get a properly fitted replacement pillow in Brantford?
Mattress Miracle at 441 1/2 West Street fits pillows to your sleep position and shoulder width on an actual mattress surface. Talia helps you choose the right loft and material. Call (519) 770-0001 or visit: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thu-Fri 10-7, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-4.
Visit Mattress Miracle Brantford
The best time to replace a pillow was six months ago. The second best time is now. Visit our showroom at 441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, Ontario to find the pillow that actually fits your sleep. White glove delivery available to Hamilton, Kitchener, Toronto, and across Southern Ontario. Call 519-770-0001 or stop by: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thu-Fri 10-7, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-4.
Sources
- Gordon SJ, Grimmer-Somers K, Trott P. Pillow use: the behaviour of cervical pain, sleep quality, and pillow comfort in side sleepers. Manual Therapy. 2009;14(6):671-678. DOI: 10.1016/j.math.2009.02.006
- Gordon SJ, Grimmer-Somers KA, Trott PH. Pillow use: the behaviour of cervical stiffness, headache and scapular/arm pain. J Pain Res. 2010;3:137-145. DOI: 10.2147/JPR.S11074
- Erfanian P, Tenzif S, Guerriero RC. Assessing effects of a semi-customized experimental cervical pillow on sympathetic nervous system parameters. J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2004;48(1):20-28. PMCID: PMC1840035
- Persson L, Moritz U. Neck support pillows: a comparative study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1998;21(4):237-240. PMID: 9608379