A good pillow will support your head and keep your neck and back in alignment while you sleep. If you have ever woken up in the morning with a stiff neck, there is a good chance that you slept on a pillow that did not provide you with enough support to maintain a proper cervical curve. A quality pillow should provide comfort and support for several years, but only if it is properly cared for.

Accumulations of sweat, saliva, bodily oils and tiny bugs called dust mites can rob even an expensive pillow of its plumpness and bounce over time, but there are steps that you can take to extend the life of your pillows. Here are five tips that could help you sleep better and make your pillows last longer.

1. Fluff Your Pillows Every Day

A person’s head has enough weight to compress the stuffing that gives a pillow its shape and bounce. A few seconds of fluffing each morning should be all that’s needed to redistribute the stuffing and return your pillows to their original shape. You don’t have to remove your pillowcases and pillow protectors before you fluff each day, but it is a good idea to take this extra step at least once a week.

To fluff your pillows, hold them by their sides and then squeeze your hands together as if you were playing an accordion. If the stuffing in your pillows does not allow you to use the accordion method, you can lay your pillows on a flat surface and then massage the stuffing back into shape. Place your palms in the middle of the pillow, and then work the heels of your hands out toward the corners.

2. Use Pillow Protectors

Almost everybody uses pillowcases, but pillow protectors are far less common. This is unfortunate because pillow protectors can extend the life of pillows and reduce the severity of allergies and breathing problems. These protectors provide a barrier against sweat, spills and allergens, and they also keep dust mites from getting into your pillows.

While dust mites themselves are no threat to humans, their droppings have been linked with health issues ranging from eczema to asthma. This is a problem because pillows are one of the places dust mites love to leave their excrement. When scientists studied dust mite behavior, they discovered that dust mite droppings account for about 10% of the weight of an old pillow. That’s pretty gross, and it’s also a great reason to use pillow protectors.

3. Wash Your Pillows Regularly

Washing your pillows regularly will keep them looking and smelling like new for longer. Not all pillows are machine-washable, so make sure you check laundry tags before you start. If you have memory foam pillows, the washing machine is probably not an option. If your pillows are machine-washable, you should put the pillows in your washing machine separately. You can wash them two at a time, but you shouldn’t mix them with regular laundry. If you do, they could get scrunched up in the washing machine and lose their shape.

Almost all pillows should be washed in warm or cold water using a gentle cycle. Hot water can damage shredded foam pillow stuffing and strip away the natural oils in feathers that make down pillows so soft and comfortable. If your pillows have stains, you can use a soft brush and some mild detergent mixed with water to remove them. If mild detergent and water do not remove the stains, try a white vinegar and baking soda mixture.

You can dry your pillows by hanging them up outside or placing them in a clothes dryer. If you use a dryer, toss two or three tennis balls in with the pillows. This will prevent the stuffing from clumping and help the pillows keep their shape. You will want your pillows to be free of bacteria and dust mites when they are dry, which is why you should use a dryer or take them outside.

4. Invest in Quality Pillows

Inexpensive pillows will save you a little money at first, but they may cost you more when all is said and done. These pillows will not last as long as higher-quality options, and they may not give you enough support to enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep. Look for pillows with filling made out of down, feathers, latex or memory foam, and avoid pillows filled with a synthetic material called polyfill. These pillows are inexpensive and machine-washable, but they do not hold their shape very well or last very long.

If you are looking for something that is mold-, mildew- and dust-mite-resistant, you may want to give PranaSleep pillows a try. These high-quality latex pillows are designed to provide excellent support all night long, and they are naturally hypoallergenic.

5. Check Your Pillows for Signs of Wear and Damage

All pillows will wear out eventually if they are slept on every night, and it’s a good idea to replace them sooner rather than later. Lumps, flat spots, uneven surfaces and rips and tears are all indications that it may be time to say goodbye to a pillow, but not all signs of wear are so obvious. The fold test is a good way to find out whether or not your pillows are still in good shape. Fold the pillow in half and then mush it down as much as you can. Your pillow should spring back into shape as soon as you take your hands away. If it does not, it’s probably time to go pillow shopping.

Support, Comfort and Longevity

A good pillow is one of the keys to a good night’s sleep, and daily fluffing and regular washing will extend its life and keep it smelling fresh. If you avoid inexpensive pillows and use pillow protectors, you will sleep more soundly, be less susceptible to allergies and respiratory problems and spend less money in the long run.