17 Ideas for What to Do With Old Pillows

We spend one-third of our lives sleeping, so saying goodbye to your faithful fluffy sleeping companions may be difficult. But when the time comes, it comes. Whether you wake up with a crick in your neck or your pillow has changed colors, you’ll realize that an old pillow needs to be replaced.

So, what do you do with your old pillows when you get a new one or set of pillows? If possible, avoid throwing pillows directly into the garbage because they end up in landfill, which harms our environment.

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Fortunately, there are numerous environmentally friendly ways to dispose of your pillows, including repurposing pillows, donating, and recycling pillows. We’ll go over your options in this brief guide.

Uses for Old Bed Pillows and Pillow Stuffing

1) Floor Cushion Seats

Repurpose old pillows with new fabric to make floor seats for your family and guests to sit on the floor around your coffee table, as an alternative to foam seat cushions. You can even find some colorful fabric and make new pillow covers.

2) Give Stuffed Toys a New Lease on life

If your child’s favorite stuffed animal (or even a favorite stuffed animal you sleep with) looks saggy or has lost its fluff through tears, some old pillow stuffing can give it new life. Cut a hole in the pillow, remove some stitches to create a hole in the stuffed animal, stuff it, and sew it back together.

Read more about the benefits of sleeping with a stuffed animal.

3) Create Rags

Remove the pillow stuffing from your old pillows. Then, cut the remaining fabric into square pieces and use them as cleaning rags!

4) Fill Another Pillow

Do you have a pillow that might benefit from additional stuffing? You may utilize the old pillow stuffing from old pillows that have seen better days. Remove the filling from the old pillows and replace it with the new ones.

5) Multiply Into Throw Pillows

Use two pillows to extend the life of a cushion that has become thin and lumpy. Place your two lightest pillows in a pillowcase or pillow sham together. You’ll have a suitable firm cushion that should last at least a few months!

6) Fluff up a Bean Bag

Do you have a bean bag that’s gone a bit flat? Your old pillows can revive its comfort!

Carefully cut the pillows open and remove the filling inside. Then, take the pillow filling and add it to the bean bag, distributing it evenly to ensure consistent comfort.

This method allows you to rejuvenate your bean bag by providing additional padding and support, enhancing its coziness for relaxation and lounging. However, no matter how comfy they are, we do not recommend bean bags for sleeping.

7) Recycle Your Feathers

Remove the feathers from an old feather pillow and put them in your compost pile. They decompose well in compost!

8) Make a Donation

If replacing a pillow, your previous one may still be in fine condition. If this is the case, try giving your old pillows to a homeless or local animal shelter. (Remember that washing your pillows before giving them to homeless or animal shelters is a good idea.)

Much like donating a mattress, you may need to do a little research to find a place that takes your old pillow. However, there are places that will use or recycle an old pillow, much as there are for aging mattresses.

9) Door Sealant

Make a fast and easy draft-blocking device out of an old pillow. Put it in front of your draftiest door, and you’ll notice a significant improvement!

10) Prevent Chimney Drafts

Never fear if you have a drafty chimney rather than a door! Old pillows are also helpful in this situation. Place a few old pillows in a trash bag to keep them safe from the weather, and load them up your chimney. It will assist in keeping those chilly drafts out of the house.

11) Safeguard a Package

When shipping a fragile product, use the filling from an old bed pillow as packing material. If you like, pack the entire cushion into the box!

12) Moving Assistant

Use old bed pillows to preserve your belongings while you’re moving. Place them between bikes to protect them from scratches. If you must lean other goods against a piece of furniture in the truck or van, use a cushion to prevent scuffing or rubbing while in transportation.

13) Knee Pad

Use an old bed pillow as a knee pad when gardening or performing yard chores. Your knees will appreciate you, and you won’t need to purchase a knee pad or seat cushion.

14) Insulate Everything

In a pinch, used pillows provide excellent insulation! You may use the filling (or the entire cushion) to insulate an attic water heater or more with an old pillow.

15) Treat Your Critter

Your hamster might like the stuffing from old bed pillows in its cage. Use it to coat the bottom of its cell, then change it as it becomes filthy.

16) Travel Pillow

If your family frequently takes road trips, utilize your old bed pillows to make the next journey even more comfortable! Stitch a U-shaped pattern to help relieve neck pain while sleeping and traveling.

17) Construct a Pet Bed

Your pet deserves a comfortable place to sit! But if you have old pillows, you can spend a small amount on luxury pet beds! You can just put the entire pillow on the ground as carpet padding or place it inside a current pet bed.

When Should You Replace Your Pillows?

How often should you replace your pillows? The answer depends on the type of pillow. However, we generally suggest replacing your pillows every 1-2 years.

Throughout their lifetime, your pillows host millions of duster particles and dust mites. As a result, changing them once every couple of years will keep your bed clean. Furthermore, your pillows will sag with time and no longer give enough neck and head support. As a result, you must dispose of them and replace them with new firm pillows.

Cleaning and caring for your pillows may extend their life. However, you must replace them if they no longer give the same degree of comfort.

When Should You Throw Away Old Pillows?

How will you know when to say goodbye to your old pillows? When your pillows no longer provide comfort and support, it’s time to replace them. Before you replace your pillows, look for these indicators.

• The pillows have lost their form.
• The filling has a lumpy texture.
• You have a neck ache as a result of sleeping on your pillows.
• Your pillows are stained.
• They are ripped.
• Even after cleaning, the pillows have a foul stench.
• There are fuzzy spots or powdery growth that indicates mold or mildew.

Why You Need a New Pillow

Now that you know what to do with old pillows, it’s time to locate the perfect replacement! You will gain several advantages by swapping your old pillows with new ones, including the following:

Better Neck and Back Support

A fresh pillow is crucial for lulling your body into a restful night’s sleep. It is advised that you locate a pillow that allows you to maintain your neck horizontally along with a mattress for improved back and neck support.

The best pillows for neck pain will depend on what your sleeping position is, as some positions stress the head and neck more than others.

Better Cleanliness

Pillows are a breeding ground for dust and bacteria that accumulates over time, so knowing how to wash pillows correctly is essential. However, because pillows can be difficult to clean without causing damage, it’s preferable to change them every couple of years.

Better Sleep

Are you continuously fluffing your pillow to get the last few lumps to fall exactly where you want them? A fresh pillow will provide a much better night’s sleep.

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