Reviving flat pillows for free is easy – make them fluffy again by doing this one thing now, before it rains

A good night’s sleep is sometimes all anyone needs to feel like new, but when your pillows are limp and lifeless, it can be easier said than done.

Even if you invest in the best pillows, over time, the filling can start to feel flat and lifeless. But there is a solution that doesn't involve constantly replacing your pillows - in fact, there's a trick that's totally free and basically effortless on your part, and now might be your last opportunity to get it done before next spring.

If it's still sunny where you are this weekend, you can revive any flat pillows by leaving them out in direct sunlight – it's a hack experts swear by for helping pillows expand and getting rid of any moisture locked in.

If you needed any more convincing that this trick is trustworthy, it comes courtesy of Martha Stewart - queen of all things home and lifestyle. As shared on her website, experts swear by the trick as it tackles moisture buildup, something which can affect both the smell and feel of a pillow, but also its shape.

Whether it’s sweat, body oils or other moisture, our pillows absorb these over time. The longer we keep them, the more moisture can seep in and weigh down the filling of your pillows, causing them to sag and flatten. Experts actually say we should clean pillows more often, so it's well worth doing now.

With the heat that’s dragged on for months, now is the perfect time to try this out too, as you're likely to have sweated more throughout the night.

To effectively fluff up a pillow with nothing more than open air and sunlight, remove the pillowcase (and protector if you use one) and place the pillow in direct sunlight for at least two to four hours, flipping it halfway through.

The warmth can help trapped moisture evaporate, while the benefit of the fresh airflow will then help the fibres separate and expand back to their full volume.

A bonus of this tip is that UV is known to help kill bacteria and mould spores - so your pillows might also smell fresher and help you sleep even more soundly.

Before you rush out and stack your pillows out in the garden, there is one warning: this should only be tried with down, feather, polyester, and down-alternative pillows. UV exposure can negatively impact memory foam and latex pillows.

Fortunately, there are other ways of fluffing up pillows, provided they pass the osteopath pillow test – including those you can’t leave outside in the sun.

Recommended ways to plump up flat pillow

• The Accordion Method: This method works the same way one might play the musical instrument, hence the name. Safe to do on any type of pillow, it works by holding opposite sides of the pillow in each hand and pushing them in and out repeatedly for 15 seconds. You have to give this some effort, because the intention is to break up compacted filling and force air back inside.
• The Tennis Ball Dryer method: For down, feather, polyester, and down-alternative pillows, you can try popping them in the dryer with a couple of tennis balls. It might sound odd, but if you place a couple of tennis balls in individual socks, knotted and securely shut, and pop them in with your pillows in a dryer, the heat and the tumbling help airflow and expansion, while the tennis balls can physically break up stubborn clumps.

Making the most of the last days of summer sunshine ensures your bedding is refreshed and ready for the cold months ahead. After your bedding is prepped it's then time to consider ways to make your bedroom feel cosy to maximise the comfort.