Over time and frequency of use, a solid pillow can become deflated. A flat pillow can certainly interfere with your sleep comfort.
There are many ways that people often do to make a deflated pillow solid again, such as squeezing the pillow, tying it, or even folding the pillow in half. However, these methods often fail to restore the comfort of sleep.
Reporting from Martha Stewart, here are some ways to make a flat pillow solid again, so that you can sleep soundly and comfortably.
Pillows are flat and out of shape
When you perform general movements to try to re-expand the pillow, what you are really doing is allowing air to circulate back around the pillow.
"During use, the pillow will be compressed, and air will come out of the pillow, so the pillow remains flat," explains Jack DellAccio, founder and CEO of Essentia.
"Different fillings and pillowcases will behave differently depending on how much air is released and how quickly the air can be recovered," says DellAcio.
Depending on the stuffing of your pillow, DellAccio states, the act of slapping may not return the pillow to its original state.
"The loose fibers and foam bind together, making it harder for air to flow, which means these materials stay flat," he explains.
"There may also be the addition of dust mites, which add to the usual density of the fiber cushion which will further restrict airflow and also cause more fibers to flatten," he said.
How to re-tighten a deflated pillow
The best way to repack a pillow will vary depending on the type you have, according to Rachael Durkin, general manager of Allswell.
"That's why it's important to keep the stuffing in mind when you start repacking. For a traditional fiber-filled pillow, you can pat it by hand by gently shaking it and giving it a few good strokes to help disperse the filling evenly," Durkin says.
"On the other hand, what's great about gel pillows and memory foam pillows is that they don't need to expand. They keep their shape and hold up well over time."
You can also try reviving a flat pillow by wiggling it and pushing the sides toward each other. Then, press the top and bottom at the same time.
"Another great trick is to give a deflated pillow some fresh air," explains Durkin.
"You can stroke the pillow and place it outside for a few hours in dry, sunny weather to bring airflow into the fibers and filling," she advises.
Be sure to remove any additional obstructions, such as pillowcases, during the process.
"Additional shrouds can restrict this airflow," says DellAccio.
When to change pillows?
Despite your efforts, not all pillows can be reshaped in the simple ways mentioned above, according to DellAccio.
"For pillows, especially fiber pillows, there is a time period," he said.
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DellAccio explains, storing pillows longer than necessary can lead to a buildup of dust mites and other allergens. With this in mind, he advises against using a pillow for more than three years.
If you've noticed that you can no longer flatten a deflated pillow, it may be time to throw it away, especially if the inside feels lumpy.
"Compressed clumps with unbreakable fluff are a sign that the pillow content has bonded and is no longer behaving like a loose filling, as intended," says DellAccio.