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Contributor
Posts: 61
Registered: ‎08-23-2011

Re: What to do with old pillows?

If you just want to get rid of them, putting them in the trash is probaby what you would have to do.  I doubt that many places would take donations of old pillows or even recycle them because of the ick factor.   Check with your local government waste management and recycling office for their policies.   

 

I would throw away old pillows with old foam, it is probably not healthful for anyone to be exposed to fumes from the foam, which could also pose a problem if it is latex foam as many people are allergic to latex.

 

Since they are a natural product, I wonder if the feathers could be used in compost or gardening applications.  Check with your local agriculture extension agent or Master Gardeners group. 

 

I would be concerned about harm to pets if they tear up an old pillow and ingest any of the contents.  Or they could make a big mess that someone would have to clean up.  If the fill is polyester fiberfill and you can trust the pet not to tear into it, you could allow them to use an old pillow to sleep on.  Pets do like to be comfy too.  You might want to make an extra case with a more durable pet-friendly fabric.  A down pillow might incite a dog or cat to try to tear into the pillow to get the bird the feathers came from.  They do both like to go after birds.  Older feather pillows often weren't cleaned as thoroughly in the manufacturing process as newer ones so may still have a natural bird scent that an animal could smell even if we can't. 

 

I launder old pillows well and make sure they are bone dry, then place them inside decorative pillow shams on the beds in our home.

 

I also keep several for use as extra bed pillows.  For side sleepers, a flat pillow works nicely to provide support  between the legs, fluffier ones can be used to support the back or chest or arms for more comfortable sleeping.  For back sleepers, use one under the knees to take pressure off your back or elevate you legs.  Or let the kids use them to wallow on when they are watching TV. 

 

As someone else noted, they can also be used for car travel.  A pillow can make you more comfortable while traveling if you support yours arms with a pillow or lay on your lap or use for napping.  And if it gets lost or damaged in the process, it is no big loss. 

 

It is also handy to have a couple of extra old pillows available if someone is sick, for propping them up in bed, then you can throw the pillow away afterward. 

 

I am also transitioning all the beds in my house to My Pillow.  I know some folks complain about the frequent My Pillow TSVs, but I purchase another set often when there is a TSV so I can replace our old "head" pillows with My Pillow.  And I love that you can machine wash and dry them.

 

I always buy extra pillowcases that match the sheets and put two cases on each pillow to keep them cleaner, along with using a hypoallergenic zippered pillow cover. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,284
Registered: ‎04-03-2016

Re: What to do with old pillows?

@ Just Bling
I read with interest your suggestions on feather pillows. I have been researching which cleaners do this. Finding comments that dry cleaning unhealthy fir something close to face fir hours. Recommend washing. Are yours cleaned or washed? Do they put in new casings that don’t leak?