A pillow is one of your most personal possessions. If it's the right pillow, you'll spend eight blissful hours per night with it. It has been proven that a pillow that fits your body type can help you sleep better. To get the restorative sleep you need, here are three things you should know about pillows.
The wrong pillow can cause you to lose sleep. The function of a pillow is to help align your head and neck naturally. If your pillow is too thin or too thick, or if it's too soft or too firm, or if it doesn't offer the proper support, you'll toss and turn all night, breaking the REM sleep cycle, and awake with a stiff neck and/or a sore back and feeling tired. If that describes you, you need a new pillow.
Pillows get dirty. Over time, pillows become laden with dust mites, mold, mildew and fungus. Frequent cleaning can help rid your pillow of these allergens and the odors they cause.
Pillows wear out. Try this simple test. Lay your pillow over your forearm. If the pillow drapes, it's time for a replacement.
Still have questions about how to choose the right pillow? Look no further to find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about pillows.
A quality standard in polyester-filled bed pillows and mattress pads is the slickness of the fiber. The slicker the fiber the more it moves as you move. Over time the air trapped inside the fiber is exhausted and the pillow begins to flatten. When shopping for a new pillow, look for a high quality one with the Sleep Better™ seal to get the best from your pillow.
Certainly if your pillow is dirty, stained, torn or if it has an unpleasant odor - you need a new bed pillow. If your pillow stops supporting you in a comfortable manner or if it has gotten too soft to support you - it is time for a new one. Depending on the age of your pillow, over 50% of its weight can be made up of sloughed skin, mold, mildew, fungus, dust mites and dust mite feces. Washing and replacing pillows frequently will help to keep the pillow fresh. Today there are pillows made with a polyester fill containing an antimicrobial agent that works against these allergens to extend the life of the pillow and keep it smelling fresh and free of odor. Carpenter Co.'s SlumberFreshTM pillow is one of these.
The first thing you want to check for is the quality of the fiber. Slick fiber is very slippery and silky feeling and is usually more comfortable and adjustable. Check the crown of the pillow to make sure it has a graceful curve or shape. Second, does the pillow feel comfortable or is it too firm or soft? Hold the pillow, give it a hug, then ask yourself "how should I rate the squish factor?" If it feels good, then you have a good chance of making a correct buying decision. Third, is it made well? Is the fabric or "tick" a quality cotton product with a thread count of 180 or better? All the pillows marked with a Sleep Better™ seal are made with at least 300 thread count fabric.
You can feel the fiber by rubbing the top of the tick and bottom of the tick with your thumb and forefinger pressing through the fiber fill. A slick fiber feels slippery and silky. The better the fiber, the slicker and silkier it will feel. Slickness and fiber shape are important quality standards.
Additional Frequently Asked Questions regarding foam pillows and toppers:
Quality foam products, like the pillows and mattress pads marked with the Sleep Better™ seal, provide a level of comfort unequaled by regular mattress pads or featherbeds especially if your mattress is nearing the end of its life. Science now allows us to create foams that provide individualized comfort. Foam mattress pads provide support to the entire body.
The vast majority of people who enjoy foam pillows and mattress pads experience a level of comfort that only today's foam is able to provide. Some people find alternative sleep surfaces different and difficult to deal with for a short period of time until they get used to the feeling. The return policy of most retailers allows you to return the product or exchange it for something that is more to your liking. As with most products, take your time and buy quality. Look for the Sleep Better™ seal. Remember — you get what you pay for.
You should know to read the packaging, ask questions and make an informed buying decision. You should know that the science of sleep has come a long way. Take advantage of the technology. Often new foam has a newness smell. Simply allow it to air for several hours before use. There are many foam products today — look for the Sleep Better™ seal, read the packaging, feel the product and give yourself time to get used to comfort!
All foam oxidizes due to exposure to air and light over time. This natural process turns the foam yellow. Placing the pad or pillow in direct sunlight or an air vent will accelerate the yellowing process. The best way to explain the discoloration is with the apple analogy. When an apple is cut and exposed to air, it will turn brown. The same happens with foam products. The discoloration will not affect the benefit of the foam in any way. A pillow protector and/or a fiber mattress pad is strongly recommended to be used with foam products as state in the warranty. This will not stop the foam from turning yellow, but it will slow the discoloration process. Foam yellowing is not considered a manufacturer's defect.
The flat side should face your mattress, the convoluted or 'bumpy' side should face up for best results.
You may use a heating pad or electric blanket with Carpenter Co. foam products. Place the heated mattress pad or electric blanket on top of the foam. Please make sure the heating pad or electric blanket are in good working condition. Please ensure there are no frayed edges or exposed wires. Please note that the added heat will make the foam softer, but it will not diminish its benefits. Its important to read the warranty and flammability information found on the package.