Ask Happy Dan: Pillow Firmness, Bamboo, and Asthma

When you have questions about pillows and other bedding, Happy Dan the Pillow Man is your guy!  He’s happy because he always gets a good night’s sleep.  Happy Dan is the alter ego of Dan Schecter, Senior Vice President at Carpenter Co., and the creator of SleepBetter.org.  He’s spent 30 years learning about pillows and sleep and how those two items go together, and he’s now available to answer your questions!

In this edition of Ask Happy Dan, Dan answers questions about pillow firmness, bamboo, asthma, and more.

Grace Guidry: Would love to have new pillows so I can get a good nite sleep. How often should change your pillows?

Hello Grace! Good hunting and be sure to take your time when buying your new pillow. If you are buying a regular old polyester pillow you should change it every six months. If you are buying a higher end pillow (and you should) then you may be able to get by for 1 year. For foam pillows you should get several years of use. So says Happy Dan The Pillow Man!!

Ruth Brust: I like soft pillows for sleeping on my back and firm ones for sleeping on my side. How can I get both in one pillow?

Good question here. I think you will need to buy a soft one and a firm one for your comfort needs. Of course, there are highly adjustable pillows on the market. Perhaps one of them will work for you. Good Luck! So says Happy Dan The Pillow Man!!

Donna Buckley: What are the benefits of bamboo linens?

Bamboo gives a soft touch or “hand.” Most of the bamboo material is made with an end result being rayon. You should look at the law tag to understand what the fabric consists of before you buy. So says Happy Dan The Pillow Man!!

Dale Jones: I have asthma, what would be the best pillow for me?

Great question! Find a pillow that has an allergen barrier fabric, and a pillow that can be washed frequently. So says Happy Dan The Pillow Man!!

Check back soon for another edition of Ask Happy Dan.  If you have a question for Dan, ask it on our Great American Bad Pillow Project page, and be sure to enter our contest for a chance to win one of three bedding makeovers, each valued at approximately $700!