Using cooling pillows is an excellent way to combat humidity during the summer season. They can also help you sleep better at night. It's all cool, but you might find yourself wondering 'how long do these cooling pillows usually last?'
How long a cooling pillow last depends on the type of its material. For instance, water pillows last for more than five years or until you poke a hole in it. Memory foam and bamboo pillows often come with 10-20 years warranty. However, depending on the quality, they may need to be replaced every year because they lose shape and supportiveness. And finally, buckwheat pillows last ten years on average.
On the other hand, the cooling effect of pillows does not last all night. Typically water cooling pillows stay cold for around 15-30 minutes while gel-infused cooling pillows only last for approximately 5-10 minutes. How long your cooling pillow will last depends on its material.
When choosing a cooling pillow, it's best that you consider its characteristics and type of material it's made of. But first, it's important that you know what cooling pillows are and what they're used for.
Cooling pillows are pillows that help in neutralizing the person's body temperature. They prevent warm air from building up and help your body stay cool through the night.
It's through this process of conduction that the cooling pillow is able to help you regulate body heat by absorbing the heat from your body. But not all cooling pillows are the same.
Different types of cooling pillows are made of different types of material.
Before you choose your cooling pillow, you should be able to understand the differences between the different types of cooling pillows.
Cooling pillow materials
Here are just some of the types of cooling pillows that you can choose from:
Water pillows
Water pillows were one of the first cooling pillows that came into the market; they are also among the cheapest. The temperature of the water pillow can match the temperature of the surrounding environment when unused. Though it definitely does the job in keeping your body temperature cool enough, it can feel a little uncomfortable when you try to sleep since the texture might get a bit lumpy.
Memory Foam Pillows with Cooling Gel
Memory foam pillows do an excellent job in supporting your neck, but unlike other pillows, they don't feel as "breezy" as the others. They're also quite dense which restricts air from moving around freely. But when they're equipped with cooling gels, it's almost as good as water pillows in regulating body temperature. Aside from the traditional Water pillows and Memory Foam with cooling gel pillows, new types of cooling pillows are starting to emerge in the market.
Bamboo pillows
The components of bamboo fiber are naturally anti-bacterial and hypoallergenic. Not to mention, they are also organic and ideal for people who have asthma and other respiratory illnesses. Most bamboo pillows have a neutral odor, and they are comfortable to use. They also can absorb sweat and keep the person's body temperature cool and fresh.
Buckwheat Hull Pillows
Similar to Bamboo pillows, Buckwheat Hull pillows are also organic in nature. The hulls do not conduct heat which, in turn, helps in maintaining a comfortable temperature when you sleep. Although Buckwheat Hull pillows are generally comfortable to use, the hulls inside the pillow may create some noise when you try to adjust your sleeping position.
Washing Buckwheat Hull pillows isn't really recommended as well since soaking buckwheat in water can ruin the pillow.
Kapok Pillows
Kapok is widely known for its medicinal benefits, but using Kapok material for pillows is slowly becoming popular as well. Kapok pillows are organic and hypoallergenic. They also can repel dust and moisture, which help in promoting better sleep.
Corma Beads Pillows
Corma beads are spherically shaped beads that promise to provide better air circulation. Corma Beads pillows are widely popular in Japan and are often used in hospitals and hotels. These pillows are elastic and have excellent fluidity which makes sleeping comfortable.
Each type of cooling pillows has its own sets of advantages and disadvantages. Choosing the right cooling pillow for you will depend on your needs and intentions for getting one.
Things you should consider when getting a cooling pillow
Just a word of advice, don't just select cooling pillows that just feel cold on your skin, it's better to look for a cooling pillow that's breathable and doesn't accumulate heat.
If your cooling pillow doesn't have the ability to regulate airflow, then chances are, your pillow may feel warmer than you want it to be.
Manufacturers have also become innovative throughout the years with the invention of cooling pillows made with organic materials. You now have a wide variety of choices to choose from, but don't let this overwhelm you.
Benefits you can get from using cooling pillows
It's common knowledge that cooling pillows can help you sleep better at night, but they also have other benefits aside from just keeping you cozy and comfortable.
Using cooling pillows have a variety of health benefits. By consistently using one, there's a higher chance that your stress levels and anxiety will reduce. It can also decrease the chances of developing a migraine and can help in eliminating snoring.
If you have allergies, it's better to go for organic cooling pillows. Some memory foam pillows still contain toxic materials that can trigger allergies. Most organic cooling pillows are hypoallergenic and are generally safer to use than the traditional cooling pillows.
Some cooling pillows can also help in relieving neck and back pains.
How often you should wash your cooling pillow
How often you'll need to wash your cooling pillow will depend on the type of cooling pillow you own. Some cooling pillows shouldn't be washed at all while some can be cleaned at least every few months.
With water cooling pillows, you can clean it once you've removed all the water inside the pillow. You can thoroughly wash the outside of the pillow, but the inside can only be lightly rinsed with water and anti-bacterial soap.
Memory foam pillows can be cleaned by removing the outer layer first then pinching some baking powder and sprinkling it on top while letting it soak in a container filled with lukewarm water.
Bamboo pillows can be washed with washing machines but only on a delicate cycle. However, for Buckwheat Hull pillows and Kapok pillows, it's highly discouraged that you wash them at all. Although you can't wash Buckwheat Hull pillows and Kapok pillows, both of them are anti-microbial, and most Kapok pillows are also water-resistant.
Corma bead pillows are the easiest one to clean. To clean it, you need to remove the beads and place it in a separate container filled with water and soap and let it sit there for a few minutes. You can also put the beads in a mesh bag and pop it in the washing machine.
How much do cooling pillows usually cost?
For Water pillows and Memory foam pillows, they're a little cheaper than the others. Their price ranges from $50 – $60 depending on the brand and the quality.
If you're planning on investing a right cooling pillow, then expect that you'd spend around $65 to $85 for a good quality Buckwheat Hull pillow and Kapok pillow. But if you're looking for something fancy, you'll have to spend $100 to $150 for Corma bead pillows.
Similar post: The Best Cooling Body Pillows for Sleep (SLEEP BETTER)
How often should you replace cooling pillow?
It's advisable that you don't keep your cooling pillows for longer than two years for hygienic reasons, but it will depend on the type of cooling pillow you own.
Corma beads pillows can be used for a long time. You don't have to replace them as long as you're able to clean it properly.
For Memory foam and Water pillows, you can use them from 12 months to no longer than 18 months. On the other hand, Kapok and Buckwheat Hull pillows can last longer. You can use them for 24 to 36 months.
Image credit: Pixabay

Feruza is a mom and a blogger. She had a neck pain for 15 years, which made her interested in everything about pillows.
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