How to buy the comfiest pillow | Reviews, Expert Tips & Guides - Vlog /home-and-living/bedroom/pillows You deserve better, safer and fairer products and services. We're the people working to make that happen. Tue, 21 Apr 2026 07:23:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 /wp-content/uploads/2024/12/favicon.png?w=32 How to buy the comfiest pillow | Reviews, Expert Tips & Guides - Vlog /home-and-living/bedroom/pillows 32 32 239272795 What are Ecosa adjustable pillows and should you buy one? /home-and-living/bedroom/pillows/articles/what-are-ecosa-adjustable-pillows Tue, 31 Mar 2026 03:38:03 +0000 /?p=1079460 These customisable pillows promise the perfect night's sleep – but what's all the hype about?

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If you’ve been trawling the web for the perfect pillow, the brand Ecosa is probably one of the first to come up. 

The company has been making mattresses since 2015, so it’s a well-known brand. 

But while the brand’s regular pillows start at the relatively modest price of $60, their adjustable pillows are quite pricey, costing upwards of $170. Some people might be prepared to invest that kind of money in pursuit of a good night’s sleep, or waking up without pain, but it’s certainly worth making sure they’re worth the price tag before investing.

There aren’t that many adjustable pillows on the market yet, but Vlog experts think it’s likely that we’ll start seeing similar products pop up as people seek solutions to optimise their sleep and comfort.

Here’s what you need to know about Ecosa pillows and adjustable pillows in general, plus a sneak peek at some of the results of our pillow tests.

What is an adjustable pillow?

If you’ve ever bought a pillow that’s not quite right, you’ll know the frustration of trying to sleep on a too-soft or too-firm pillow, or one that’s too tall or short for your neck and shoulders. 

If you can’t get comfortable you might toss and turn all night, and maybe wake up with a sore neck, shoulders or back.

It’s hard to find the perfect pillow and often you don’t know until you get home whether it’s a good fit for your body.

But with an adjustable pillow, you can customise the height to make it exactly the way you like it. 

How they work

Ecosa Cooling Pillow (adjustable - 2cm pad inserted)
To adjust the pillow, you add or take away the pads.

Adjustable pillows come with a few parts: the pillow itself and “height adjustment pads”, which are basically extra layers of foam.

To adjust the pillow, you put the pads inside the cover on the underside of the pillow. This makes it thicker, or more specifically, higher.

You’ll probably need to trial adding and taking away the pads until you find the most comfortable height for you.

Why would you buy an adjustable pillow?

If you’ve been blessed with the ability to sleep anywhere, any time, an adjustable pillow might sound a bit “princess and the pea”.

But for anyone chasing the elusive perfect pillow, it could sound like a necessity.

Here’s why you might want to try one:

  • You have neck, shoulder, or other body pain
  • You haven’t been able to find a pillow that supports your spine properly
  • You like firm pillows
  • Your body is going through changes (pregnancy, injury recovery, ageing, medical conditions, etc) so you need to adapt your pillow

What adjustable pillows does Ecosa sell?

There are three main products in Ecosa’s adjustable pillow range, plus a kids’ version and a wedge pillow.

We’ll cover the three main products since they’re what most people are likely to buy.

They all come with removable, washable covers and a travel bag, and Ecosa says they fit all standard-size pillowcases.

Ecosa Pillow
The Ecosa adjustable pillow.

Ecosa Pillow

  • Suitable for all sleep positions
  • Contoured shape
  • Comes with three height pads: two 2cm pads and one 3cm pad

Read the full Ecosa Pillow review.

Ecosa Side Support Pillow (adjustable - no pads, zipped up)
The Ecosa side support pillow.

Ecosa Side Support Pillow

  • Suitable for side sleepers
  • Rectangular shape
  • Comes with two height pads: one 2cm pad and one 3cm pad
  • Height: 10–15cm

Read the full Ecosa side support pillow review.

Ecosa Cooling Pillow (adjustable - 2cm pad inserted)
The Ecosa adjustable cooling pillow.

Ecosa Cooling Pillow

  • Suitable for all sleep positions
  • Designed for people who run hot at night
  • Contoured shape
  • Comes with three height pads: two 2cm pads and one 3cm pad
  • Height: 8–11.5cm

Read the full Ecosa Cooling Pillow review.

How much do Ecosa pillows cost?

These customisable pillows aren’t cheap: at full price they’re $170 and upwards, which is a big investment considering that you can pick up a memory foam pillow from Ikea for $25. 

But since we (ideally) spend at least eight hours a night in bed, some of us are willing to pay a premium for a good night’s sleep. And if you have a bad back, neck, shoulders or other pain conditions, a good pillow may make a big difference for your body.

Here’s the current pricing for Ecosa’s adjustable pillows at the time of writing:

  • Ecosa Pillow: $170
  • Side Support Pillow: $170
  • Ecosa Cooling Pillow: $210

However, at the time of writing you can get 20% off if you subscribe to Ecosa’s email marketing, and there’s a “buy 2, save $20 each” promotion on the Ecosa website.

Sometimes you can find them even cheaper, too: when we purchased them for testing in November 2025, we paid $100 for the Ecosa Pillow, $100 for the Side Support pillow and $140 for the Ecosa Cooling Pillow.

(We buy all the products we test just like regular consumers do, so we can be sure we’re getting exactly the same product that you would.)

Do Ecosa pillows have a trial period?

Ecosa boasts a 100-day trial period, during which time you can return the pillow for a full refund. The company covers the cost of postage and they’ll donate the pillow to charity.

There are some conditions, though, so make sure you’re familiar with all the before you buy.

Do Ecosa pillows come with a warranty?

Ecosa pillows also have a 100-day warranty. But as with all products sold in Australia, this warranty doesn’t override your rights under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).

Given how expensive these pillows are, you may have a case for a refund, replacement, repair or compensation if there’s an issue with your pillow after the 100 days. The ACL says that products have to last for a “reasonable time” – and what constitutes a reasonable time can depend on how much you paid for a product.

Our guide to extended warranties has information about your consumer rights outside of manufacturers’ warranties.

Are Ecosa adjustable pillows any good?

We’ve tested all three of Ecosa’s adjustable pillows. The full results are available exclusively to Vlog members, but we can tell you that one Ecosa pillow scored highly enough to be recommended by our experts.

All three pillows passed our fold test with flying colours. This test assesses how well the pillow springs back into its normal shape when we fold it. (Most pillows perform well on this test, however.)

One Ecosa pillow scored highly enough to be recommended by our experts

They also all did quite well in our sink test, which measures how much a pillow squashes down when you lay your head on it. Pillows that sink too much can hurt your neck.

We also compress each pillow with 100kg for 96 hours and assess how well the pillow bounces back. All the Ecosas do very well in this fatigue test.   

Comfort scores for all three pillows were mixed, however, with one rated as “good” and the other two as “poor”, in the configuration we tested in.

However, comfort is very subjective: one person’s dream pillow might be like sleeping on a bag of rocks for another, and can depend on many factors, such as whether you sleep mostly on your back or your side, how wide your shoulders are and your weight.

Ecosa adjustable pillows can be configured in so many different ways, so unfortunately we weren’t able to test all the various permutations. (There’s only so many testing hours in a day, and we also need to spend our members’ money wisely!)

The Vlog verdict on Ecosa adjustable pillows

While the Ecosa pillows we’ve tested performed quite well, there are also other high-scoring pillows we’ve tested that performed as well and even better for around the same price.

After all, if you’re paying over $150 for a pillow, you’d expect it to give you the best sleep of your life, right?

While the Ecosa pillows performed quite well, there are also other high-scoring pillows that performed as well and even better for around the same price

If you’re keen to try an adjustable pillow and you can afford the purchase price of an Ecosa pillow, you could take advantage of the trial period to test one out.

To see how the Ecosa adjustable pillows compare, read our detailed pillow reviews to make sure you’re buying one that’ll give you the best rest.

We’ve lab tested 50 different pillows, ranging from a two-pack of Anko polyester pillows for $4.50 through to a $469 Tempur memory foam pillow, including ones made from goose feather, wool, latex and more.

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1079460 What are Ecosa adjustable pillows and should you buy one? - Vlog These customisable pillows promise the perfect night's sleep – but what's all the hype about? ecosa-cooling-pillow-adjustable-2cm-pad-inserted_3 ecosa-pillow_3 ecosa-side-support-pillow-adjustable-no-pads-zipped-up_4 ecosa-cooling-pillow-adjustable-2cm-pad-inserted_2
Signs it’s time for a new pillow /home-and-living/bedroom/pillows/articles/how-to-tell-if-its-time-for-a-new-pillow Tue, 03 Mar 2026 22:04:08 +0000 /uncategorized/post/how-to-tell-if-its-time-for-a-new-pillow/ Fallen out of love with your pillow? Here's how to tell if it's time you found something new to rest your weary head on. 

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The power of pillows is not to be underestimated. 

A good pillow can help you bounce out of bed refreshed, but a bad pillow can ruin your day before it’s even begun, leaving you with sore shoulders, a cricked neck and the feeling that you got up on the wrong side of the bed.

But pillows aren’t forever: even if you think you’ve found The One, you need to accept that it’ll never be a long-term relationship (or if it is, it’s pretty unhealthy!).

Eventually the honeymoon period will pass and you’ll start dreaming about new, perky pillows that are unsullied by drool stains and sweat marks.

A good pillow can help you bounce out of bed refreshed, but a bad pillow can ruin your day

So whether you’re planning a big bedroom refresh or shopping the sales for a bargain, here are some good reasons why you might want to give your old pillow the flick.

And, if you do decide it’s time for a new one, Vlog experts have put over 50 pillows to the test in our accredited labs, ranking them based on aspects such as how they perform when weights are applied to the surface and when the pillows are compressed. Vlog members have access to our expert pillow reviews.

1. It doesn’t pass the fold test

If you’re not sure if your pillow is past its use-by date, our experts recommend this simple DIY test:

  1. Put your pillow on a flat surface and fold it in half.
  2. Hold it down for 30 seconds to a minute.
  3. Let go. If your pillow bounces back into its original shape, then it’s still good.
  4. If it doesn’t spring back, then it’s probably time to buy a new one.

We recommend testing your pillow approximately every six months to make sure it’s in tip top shape.

The pillow fold test

2. The filling is at the end of its lifespan

Different pillow materials deteriorate at different rates, so depending on what your pillow is filled with, you might need to replace it more often. 

  • Memory foam: 5–10+ years
  • Latex: 5–10+ years
  • Feather and down: 5–10+ years
  • Polyester: 6 months to 2 years
  • Cotton and wool: 3–5 years
How does your pillow stack up? Vlog expert tester Matthew Tung puts pillows through their paces in our labs.

3. It’s getting old

Some pillows come stamped with a recommended use-by date. 

Pillow manufacturer Tontine started this trend in 2010, by stamping its pillows with a two-year replacement date. 

At Vlog, we’re fairly sceptical of pillow use-by dates. We were unable to find any scientific evidence to say why a use-by date should be applied, and neither Tontine nor any other source we could find had any evidence as to why there should be a use-by date.

But if nothing else, it gives you an idea of how old your pillow is and can serve as a good reminder to check your pillow health (using the fold test). Whether or not your pillow has a use-by-date, if it’s getting on in years it’s worth giving it a check-up.

How is a use-by date decided?

We previously asked John Cotton (the company that owns Tontine) how it came up with a specific use-by date. The company implied it that it had once had data on how much dead skin, dust, sweat and other organic material accumulates on pillows (and other bedding), but it no longer had the data so we weren’t able to verify this.

The company told us its consumer research indicated that most people were keeping pillows for roughly seven years, but it recommended replacing pillows within two to three years of first use.

4. You’re waking up in pain

Started waking up with a sore neck every morning? There are a few potential causes: poor posture, “tech neck”, or just ageing. But if you think your pillow might be the culprit, it could be time to hit the shops for a new one. 

Whether you’re a back or side sleeper, your pillow should support your head and neck so they’re in a neutral or midline position (check out our advice on how to buy the comfiest pillow for your sleeping style). 

If you find you’re having to fold your pillow in half just to get the comfort you used to, it’s probably on its last legs. 

5. It’s out of shape

Look, we all change shape as we age, and it’s no different for pillows. But while you’re just as loveable no matter what shape you are, the same can’t be said for your pillow. 

If your pillow is getting lumpy, is sagging, or has lost its firmness, there’s no amount of shaking, fluffing or pummelling that’ll fix it. 

It can be hard to part with your favourite pillow, but sometimes you just need to admit that they’ve changed and move on with your life (and a new pillow). 

Know the products to avoid before you shop. Get our free guide and buy smarter.

Read our privacy policy

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763818 How to tell if you need to replace your pillow Wondering whether you should replace your pillow? We explain how long your pillow should last, the signs to look for and how to test if your pillow is past its prime. Article explainer choice-tester-matthew-tung-standing-next-to-a-pile-of-pillows products to avoid
The pillow claims you can and can’t trust /home-and-living/bedroom/pillows/articles/the-pillow-claims-you-can-and-cant-trust Tue, 03 Mar 2026 01:56:00 +0000 /?p=1026137 Pillows can promise everything from cooling properties to space technology, but some claims are just fluff.

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Need to know

  • Many pillows claim to have impressive features and benefits and some of these are backed up by experts
  • But Vlog testing has found some claims made by pillow manufacturers, such as those regarding firmness, to be unreliable
  • We recommend feeling before you buy and checking our reviews to get a good idea of whether a pillow will actually work for you

We test a lot of pillows in our expert labs and one thing we’ve noticed is that these essential slumber aids can come labelled with more promises to help you sleep than sheep counted while trying to fall asleep.

From perfect firmness and temperature, to “space technology” and “anti-gravity” foam to give your head “a feeling of weightlessness”, claims commonly found on pillow packaging range from ordinary to over the top.

They’re obviously designed to get your attention (and your cash), but which promises can you trust and are any of them actually worth paying for? We investigate.

Vlog regularly tests pillows, rating these bedroom staples on how much comfort and support they provide, as well as how they hold up over time. For expert advice on your next pillow, check out our latest review and buying guide.

On this page:

Claim: Firmness

The bare minimum any of us expect from a pillow is for it to be able to support our head for hours at a time.

We use weights to test how firm a pillow really is.

Our wide range of personal preferences and sleeping styles has led to many pillows claiming to offer different levels of support and density, labelling themselves as soft, medium or firm.

But Vlog experts have found these firmness claims don’t always stack up in the real world.

“There are no clear standards on what counts as ‘firm’ or ‘soft,’” says our pillow tester Matthew Tung. “Pillow companies might have their own definitions of firmness and how to measure it.”

This means that buying a pillow purely based on its firmness claim could leave you disappointed.

Inconsistencies are laid bare in our “sink test”, which measures how far a 5kg weight sinks into a pillow to get an idea of how well it might support your head.

In one recent round of tests, the weight sank further into some pillows claiming to offer “medium” firmness than it did into those marketed as “soft”.

In another, a pillow marketed as the “world’s softest” wasn’t any more absorbent of our 5kg weight than other models.

Buying a pillow purely on its firmness claim could leave you disappointed

“Anyone looking to get a new pillow should actually go and feel it before they buy, to make sure it will give them the right level of support,” Tung says.

“Everyone has a different interpretation of what firm and soft feels like, but our sink test results give you a good point of reference to work with,” he adds.

“Compare the sink scores in our review to get an idea of how much support a pillow is actually going to offer.”

Can you trust it?

No – “Medium” pillows may offer less support than those marked as “soft”. Get hands-on experience with the pillow before buying or check our reviews to gauge firmness rather than relying on manufacturer claims alone.

Claim: Space tech

Some pillow makers feel the need to go the extra mile in attempts to firm up their claims to providing the right amount of support.

In recent tests, we’ve come across pillows from Tempur claiming to use “certified space technology”.

Tempur’s space tech pillows really are made from a material first developed for use in rockets. Credit: NASA

Tempur’s claims are actually valid – several of the company’s pillows are made with viscoelastic foam, a material invented by NASA for use in its rockets.

But their off-this-planet backstory doesn’t mean these pillows are guaranteed to give you a better night’s rest.

Their foam composition means they’ll mould to your head and neck, so they might leave you feeling uncomfortable if you’re someone who tends to toss and turn during the night.

What’s more, these pillows are among the most expensive we’ve seen on the market. Recent models have retailed for as much as $479, hundreds of dollars more than most other pillows we test.

So check our reviews and get a feel before you buy a Tempur pillow to make sure its space tech is for you. 

Can you trust it?

Yes – Tempur pillows are made with material first developed for use in space, but that doesn’t necessarily make them a superior product – make sure their design suits you before buying one.

Claim: Anti-gravity powers

Tempur isn’t the only brand to try to use the mystique of space to sell pillows.

Sleeping Duck tells customers its pillows are made with “anti-gravity foam… designed to give your head a feeling of weightlessness throughout the night”.

While these pillows do score well in our sink and comfort tests, their performance isn’t exceptionally different to that of pillows made without “anti-gravity” materials.

Therefore, we’re sceptical of their claims. “This seems like more of a marketing gimmick than an actual solid claim,” says our tester Matthew Tung.

This seems like more of a marketing gimmick than an actual solid claim

Matthew Tung, Vlog pillow tester

As part of his review process, Matthew measures how comfortable a pillow will be if you’re sleeping on your back and side. 

See whether Sleeping Duck’s products will suit your snoozing style by checking our latest review.

Can you trust it?

Probably not – Sleeping Duck’s pillows do perform well, but we can’t verify their claims of having “anti-gravity” properties.

Claim: Physio-endorsed

APA-endorsed pillows should meet claims regarding body support and posturing.

Other claims proclaiming better body support are more reliable.

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) endorses pillows whose claims of providing levels and types of support beneficial for physical health have been confirmed by its members, who are qualified physiotherapists.

“We submit products to an appropriate physiotherapist for their review,” says APA member experience general manager Andrea Johnson.

“They provide their review against the claims that product is making and make a recommendation to the APA around whether the product is suitable for endorsement.”

Pillow manufacturers can then pay the APA a fee to be able to use its endorsement on their packaging.

You can expect APA-endorsed pillows to meet any claims around providing appropriate neck support, neck and spinal alignment and appropriate sleep posturing, Johnson explains.

Can you trust it?

Yes, but consider your own needs – APA approval only means that a pillow’s specific physiotherapeutic claims have been confirmed by a physiotherapist. These benefits may not suit you. If you have specific physiotherapeutic needs, we recommend consulting a physio yourself for more personalised advice.

Claims: Hypoallergenic and antimicrobial

Humans aren’t the only living organisms tempted by a nice soft pillow – dust mites and mould have been known to make a home for themselves among the layers of these bedroom staples.

Beyond the immediate ick factor, these unwanted sleeping buddies can trigger reactions for people with asthma and allergies. Certain materials used in the pillow itself can also bring about a reaction.

Pillows promising to be hypoallergenic should be made of materials less likely to cause an allergic reaction. 

Meanwhile, those describing themselves as antimicrobial should have been treated with chemicals that stop microbes, such as mould (another risk for allergies and general health), from growing within.

Sensitive Choice pillows are likely to help if you’ve got asthma or allergies.

However, there’s no third-party regulating the use of these terms, so manufacturers can use them without having their claims tested first.

If you’re wondering whether a product making these claims can be trusted, the National Asthma Council of Australia (NACA), gives “Sensitive Choice” approval to pillows they have found likely to help people with asthma and allergies, while keeping away mould and mites.

“We have a product advisory panel made up of different medical experts and specialists,” explains NACA Sensitive Choice business development manager Adele Taylor.

“They have to see clear evidence that a product offers a potential benefit to someone with asthma and allergies before they’ll approve the product [as Sensitive Choice].”

Adele says the “really rigorous” process requires pillow brands to submit test results from independent labs backing up their hypoallergenic or antimicrobial claims.

They have to see clear evidence that a product offers a potential benefit to someone with asthma and allergies before they’ll approve [it]

Adele Taylor, Sensitive Choice business development manager

As with APA endorsements, these companies pay a fee to be able to display a product’s Sensitive Choice approval.

Sensitive Choice pillows should have a thicker outer layer to stop any inner fillings that could trigger allergies from slipping out, should not be made of latex and must be washable, among other criteria.

Any chemicals used in antimicrobial treatments should also not trigger any allergies or reactions.

Can you trust them?

Yes, but look for third-party approval – Sensitive Choice-approved pillows have been reviewed and found to help people with asthma or allergies.

Claim: Cooling

A lot of pillows promise to give you somewhere cool to rest your head throughout the night.

These companies claim to use built-in gel pads, specially designed surfaces or materials that “draw away body heat”.

Some pillows make firm promises about their cooling capabilities. Image: Koala

Some brands like Koala even put a firm figure on their cooling powers, promising their carefully crafted designs make their products exactly 2.7°C cooler than normal.

We don’t test the insulation properties of pillows, but we are starting to see mattresses live up to their cooling claims.

Our tester Matthew says he does notice that some materials used by pillow-makers in the outer covers of their products do make a difference to surface temperature.

“We don’t measure how much pillows hold or change temperature, but certain pillows with a “summer” side that you can rest your head on to enjoy a cooler sleep certainly do feel cooler to the touch,” he says.

Can you trust it?

Possibly— we don’t test pillow cooling claims, but we do test those of mattresses and are seeing these products starting to live up to their promises of delivering a cooler sleep. If a pillow proclaims to have cooling properties, check to see if the manufacturer has provided any information backing up that claim, such as its choice of materials.

Claims: Ethical, organic and sustainable

Many products are keen to trumpet their organic credentials or tell you they’ve been produced in an ethically and environmentally friendly way.

Want to make sure your pillow isn’t made with products that are bad for you or the environment? Look for CertiPUR-US® or Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certifications.

These globally recognised markers confirm pillows aren’t made with any foams or textiles containing materials that can be harmful to human health.

If a pillow claims to be organic, check to see if it’s signed up to the Global Organic Textile or Latex Standards.

These separate schemes (one for latex products, the other for textile goods) certify that components have been grown and processed in an ethically and environmentally sustainable way.

Can you trust them?

Yes, as long as they’ve been third-party certified under schemes such as those listed above.

Cut through the fluff

Our findings highlight that while some pillow promises are backed up by third-party experts, others appear to be nothing more than insubstantial marketing jargon.

Consider this next time you’re looking to freshen up your sleeping situation and check our buying guide for more tips on finding the right pillow.

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1026137 The pillow claims you can and can’t trust - Vlog Can pillows really be cooling, hypoallergenic or made with space technology? Are certifications like OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and CertiPUR-US trustworthy? We investigate. Sink test filler apollo 11 launch wikimedia nasa APA logo 2 Sensitive choice logo 1 Koala cooling filler 1
How we test pillows /home-and-living/bedroom/pillows/articles/how-we-test-pillows Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:11:05 +0000 /uncategorized/post/how-we-test-pillows/ Our experts conduct several tests to evaluate the support and durability of pillows.

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Settling into your pillows at night can be a great feeling – unless you just can’t get comfortable. 

Whether or not you find a particular pillow comfortable is highly subjective, but our lab tests – which include durability, head support, and head rest angle when side or back sleeping – will give you a flying start when buying your next pillow.

On this page:

Our expert testers

Our testers have years of expertise in putting products through their paces. Their focus is on technical outcomes so you can look at the evidence rather than relying on marketing or sales pitches. 

In the case of this test, we reveal which pillows are the most supportive; which are the most durable, returning to their natural form over time; and the angle your head will be at when using the pillow.

How we choose which pillows we test

In this test we look at the biggest pillow brands in Australia that are available in stores. We may also cover some smaller, niche suppliers, depending on our members’ needs.

How we test pillows

All pillows are tested to the same methodology, whether they’re latex or polyester, feather or foam.

  • Fatigue test: We compress each pillow in our compression rig to 100kg for 96 hours, and assess how well the pillow bounces back.
  • Sink test: We assess how much the average head will sink into each pillow by dropping a 5kg head probe weight onto each product and measuring deformation.
  • Comfort test: Our head rest angle measurement shows both back sleepers and side sleepers what angle their head will be at when resting on the pillow. Using the degree of the angle will indicate the comfort they may experience when lying on the pillow for a substantial amount of time.
  • Fold test: We look at how well a pillow flips back to its original shape when folded over.

How we score pillows

We give every pillow a Vlog Expert Rating so you can see at a glance which ones are the best and worst performers.

This overall score is based on the following criteria:

  • fatigue (35%)
  • comfort (30%)
  • fold (20%)
  • sink (15%).

Our test lab

We maintain a lab that’s up to date with the latest reference machines and calibrated measurement tools for our testers to bring you accurate results. Everything in our laboratory is tightly controlled, including temperature and humidity, to ensure each product is tested under exactly the same conditions.

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How to wash a pillow /home-and-living/bedroom/pillows/articles/how-to-clean-a-pillow Wed, 04 Jan 2023 13:00:00 +0000 /uncategorized/post/how-to-clean-a-pillow/ Don't lose sleep over a gross pillow! Here's how to keep yours clean and fresh.

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When was the last time you cleaned your pillow? Come on, be honest. No, not the pillow case – we hope you’re at least chucking that in the washing machine quite regularly. But how often do you wash your actual pillow? 

A clean, fresh pillow is an important factor in getting a great night’s sleep, not to mention that a good wash is a must to keep your pillow hygienic and hazard free.

Here are a few more reasons why you should make a regular pillow refresh part of your new year habit and how to reap the clean-living benefits! 

Why you should clean your pillow

It’s not pleasant to think about, but when you sleep on a pillow, the oils from your skin and hair combine with sweat and drool into one icky mess that’s absorbed into the material of your pillow.

It can create unsightly yellow stains or discolouration – all of which you’re resting your head on each night to catch some ZZs. Even if it’s covered up by a lovely floral pillowcase, it’s still there and could be breeding bacteria and mould or housing allergens.

Before you bust out the bleach, it’s important you follow our 3-step guide to make sure you don’t ruin your pillow

Asthma Australia says that regularly ‘fluffing up’ your pillows and washing them monthly, or even replacing them when they’re getting a little worse for the wear, can help reduce the risk of exposure to the dust and dust mites that are regularly found in bedding and that can be irritants to sensitive airways.

(By the way, dust mites are found in your bedding because they like to feed on flakes of dead human skin, which is another great reason to wash pillows regularly. Are you headed to the laundry yet?)

Before you bust out the bleach though, it’s important you follow our 3-step guide to make sure you don’t ruin your pillow.

1. Find the correct cleaning method for your type of pillow

Washing your pillowcase regularly and your actual pillow every 4–6 months is a good idea. Always check the label on the pillow and the manufacturer’s instructions to determine the best way to wash it.

We’ve compared washing instructions on the labels of products we’ve tested and most instructions adhere to the following.

Pillow type How to wash
Memory foam or polyurethane foamSpot clean with damp cloth
LatexHandwash only
Polyester, cotton and microfibreWarm machine wash on gentle cycle
Goose down or goose featherHandwash or dry clean

2. Follow washing instructions correctly

How to machine-wash and dry your pillow

Machine-washing your pillow is usually suitable for polyester, cotton and microfibre pillows.

  • First, remove the cover and all pieces
  • Use a mild detergent
  • Use a gentle cycle in the washing machine up to 60°C
  • Lay flat to dry.

How to handwash your pillow 

Handwashing is usually suitable for latex, polyester, cotton and microfibre pillows, and perhaps memory foam pillows.

Use warm water and a gentle detergent and make sure you rinse well in clear water.

Special note on memory foam pillows

Some memory foam pillows we tested specified “Do not wash”, while others stated you could “Spot clean with a damp cloth”.

As the foam in a memory foam pillow is quite dense, it’s naturally designed to inhibit the growth of dust mites and bacteria, however it will still get dirty and stained on the surface.

Use a pillow cover that you can remove and wash separately, and treat any stains using a mild detergent and a damp cloth.

3. Dry your pillow thoroughly

Whenever cleaning any type of pillow, it’s very important that you leave it to dry thoroughly on the inside to avoid mould and mildew.

Lying flat to dry in direct sunlight is the best option – the sun can even act as an extra antibacterial agent to keep your pillows fresh. Check for moisture before you put it back on the bed.

Can I put my pillow in the dryer?

Some pillow materials can be dried in a clothes dryer, but check the manufacturer’s instructions before you attempt this.

You should never put a memory foam pillow in the dryer as this will damage the material.

If the instructions for your type of pillow say you can put it in the dryer, use a low-heat setting and consider drying only a couple at once so they don’t clump together.

Best pillows in Vlog expert tests

If your pillow is just too flat, uncomfortable or icky and can’t be saved, perhaps it’s time you invested in a new one.

Our experts have put a range of pillows to the test from brands such as Tontine, Sheridan, Ikea, Dunlopillo to find out how they compare on cost, comfort and durability, including how well they bounce back after being compressed for 100 hours in our compression rig (to simulate use over time).

To access the results of our pillow reviews, sign in or become a Vlog member.

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