How to Clean a Pillow

As we know, our pillows are where we rest our heads for the night. Pillows get dirty from body oils, sweat and saliva that seep into the pillow while we sleep. We can’t really control these natural bodily functions, but we can take other preventative measures that will keep our pillows from getting dirty. Here are a few tips to keep help keep our pillows clean:

We can keep a pillowcase on our pillows and wash the pillowcases once a week along with our sheets. For added protection, we may place two pillowcases on each pillow.  Put a zippered pillow cover on our pillows under the pillowcases. This will help protect the pillows from yellowing; they will also help to keep dust mites out. Remove and wash the pillow covers once a month. Take note that pillow covers are different from pillow cases. They are made of materials that don’t allow body oils and other fluids to seep into the pillow itself.

Moreover, we should wash our pillows three to four times a year. Read the tag on your pillows for specific care instructions, and adhere closely to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Make sure the pillow is completely dry before putting pillow cases back on.

Eventually, all pillows need to be replaced, no matter how well we care for them. Here is a way to identify a pillow that is no longer doing its job.  Simply fold the pillow in half; if the pillow springs back, it is still in good shape. However, if the pillow does not unfold itself, it needs to be replaced. If you are especially prone to allergies then you might want to change your pillow more frequently to avoid dust build up that’s inevitable over time. Bottom line, we would recommend changing your pillows every 2-3 years, and once a year if you have trouble with allergies.

Blog Author: Jerry, Quality Control Manager

Cool Sleeping for those Hot Summer nights

Its summertime folks and that means soaking up the sun, good food/cold drinks, spending time with family and friends, and enjoying the great outdoors. But what happens at the end of the night when you’re worn out from it all and ready to crash? You retreat to your blissful, inviting bedroom; your comfy bed beckoning you as you delight in the fact that you are mere moments away from drifting off peacefully into dreamland… Aaaaah….

But wait!…(cue scary music) Dunt Dunt Duuuuuun!!!

In the middle of the night you awaken only to discover that a suffocating blanket of heat has infiltrated your bedroom sanctuary; pouring in like a sun-fire army whose only mission is to make you sweat profusely as you toss and turn, trying in vain to find mercy from the hell-sauna that your once heavenly bedroom has transformed into. Now it’s your daunting mission to peel your body off of your soggy pillow and try to wrestle your sheets off by flailing your limbs as though you were staving off a hungry anaconda.

So what’s a person to do? How can we fight this epidemic that has plagued human-kind since before the dawn of time?… Okay okay, maybe I’m being a tad dramatic but c’mon, heat + sleep = baaaaaad news. The two simply do not mix. So what can we do to avoid feeling like we’re sleeping inside of a dragon’s mouth all summer?

Well, it’s pretty much a given that no one wants to pay out of their eyeballs, so here are a few suggestions that can help keep you cool without severely running up your energy costs by blasting your beloved air conditioner:

*There’s the old standby, making sure that you open a window at night allowing the cool night air to breeze through. It’s important to have a fan circulating the air as well. And while ceiling fans are ideal, placing a fan in or around an open window will help to ensure that a cool breeze flows through your room all night. To up the ante, place a bowl of ice in front of the fan to maximize coolness.

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*Being mindful of the fabrics that you lie on is also a must. Choose cool breathable fabrics that won’t retain your body heat, inviting sweat to come out and play. This will also help prevent them from sticking to you like that clingy ex-boyfriend that you’ve been trying to ditch for the past two months…Or wait, is that just me? Hmm…Anyway, back to my point; fabrics like cotton and satin are smooth comfortable and cooling, which make them perfect for summertime bedding.

*Make sure to keep yourself hydrated with good ol’ fashioned H2O. The cooling effects of drinking cold water are both satisfying and immediate and can help keep you cool for hours. Keep a glass handy on your nightstand for when your mouth starts to feel like the Sahara Desert.

*Lastly, if possible, check out different products that can help to keep you cool. There are some really cool, revolutionary pillows that work wonders for those sweltering summer nights. One brand in particular contains a state of the art material that actually balances your changing body temperature to provide a comfortable, cooling effect. Talk about cool, Iso-Cool to be exact (<=insert shameless plug here). This line of pillows are top-of-the-line and budget friendly, ranging from $39.99-$79.99 and come in sets of 2, 4, or 6, in case you fall in love and have to have more! Interested? Check them out for yourself: http://www.pillows.com/isocoolpillows.html (If you’re going to make a purchase, why not make it somewhere where the people are friendly, relatable and have a singular goal: to satisfy your sleepy time needs?)

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So there it is folks. A few tried and true methods, along with a couple new. Check them out, test them out… Dare I say enjoy them? Guess that one is for you to decide 🙂 In any regard, enjoy your summer and remember, stay cool (pun intended)

-Sleep Well, Live Well

Blog Author, Monique, Content Manager

Let me Thread count the ways: A guide to understanding Thread Count and Fabrics

Most of you might yell “OH SHEET” when it comes down to the math and science of thread count, but it’s actually quite simple. Let me begin by defining what thread count really means in sheets or any other products. The thread count means the number of threads woven together in a square inch. You count both lengthwise (warp) and widthwise (weft) threads. So if there were 100 widthwise and 100 lengthwise you would have sheet that is produced of a thread count of 200.  In most cases, a high thread count creates a smoother, softer feel. Sheets with a low thread count may feel very rough and coarse, while those with higher thread counts will be much smoother and softer. However, a higher thread count does not necessarily mean higher quality. If the threads within the sheet are of a poor quality, a higher thread count will not improve the quality of the sheet. It is perfectly normal for a fabric with a thread count of 200 high quality fibers to feel better than a thread count of 400 inferior quality fibers or twisted threads.yhst-72531153481428_2262_152803754

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