Pillows & Cushions Campus Services Use as Packing Material Old pillows and cushions make great packing material, especially for items that need to be handled more carefully. Did You Know? Pillows Should Be Replaced Regularly That’s right: you shouldn’t keep your pillows for longer than two years. They should be replaced about every six months. Just like mattresses, a pillow can become home to dust mites and debris, which can lead to dust allergy symptoms.