With the first cold snap, you might wonder if your down jacket will withstand another season of slogging through the sleet. The life span of down-filled items depends on the quality of the down and how often they’re used and washed, says Cheryl Mendelson, author of Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House (Scribner, $35, www.amazon.com). If well cared for, some can last for 30 years.

Pillows: Expect to replace them every three to five years (sooner if they smell mildewy), because the weight of your weary head resting on them every night makes them lose support. Try this test: Fold a pillow in half and squeeze out the air. If it doesn’t spring back to shape, it’s time for a new one.

Comforters: They need to be replaced only if they’ve lost their loft (fluffiness) and aren’t as warm as they used to be. Prolong their life with a duvet cover, which reduces washings.

Feather Beds: Replace after 3 to 10 years. Moisture causes down to mildew, so a feather bed’s longevity “depends on the dampness of your climate and how much you perspire,” says Chris Bradley, president of Cuddledown, a bedding maker in Portland, Maine.

Upholstered Cushions: Frequently used sofa cushions probably need to be changed within five years. “They have little resilience,” says Mendelson. Try artificial down, which holds its shape better.

Sleeping Bags: “You may not have to replace them for 30 years,” says Wade Woodfill, product director of equipment for sporting-goods maker the North Face, in San Leandro, California. But if the fluff factor is low, it won’t be as warm. Consider that before you end up freezing at 3 a.m. in the woods.

Jackets: The warmth will most likely outlast the style — you probably won’t need a new one for 20 to 30 years. But don’t wait that long if the filling starts clumping or gets lumpy, causing cold spots.