Pillows: Frequently Asked Questions

I'm interested in your Tranquillow Pillow, but I have a question about density. Please tell me the difference between soft, super soft, regular and deluxe density, and the memory foam versions?
Could you please describe the deluxe density in the Standard size Tranquillow pillows please?
What is the product warranty?
Is there a guarantee of pillow comfort, support and longevity?
Why does one pillow cost more than another model?
How long will my pillow last?
Does an anatomical pillow help?
How long does is take to become adjusted to sleeping on an contoured pillow?
Why does my new pillow have an odour?
Where does the foam in my pillow come from?
Why are there different coloured foams?
Where does the polyfill in my pillow come from?
Where does the Down and Feather in my pillow come from?
Where does the latex come from in my Naturelle latex pillow?
What if I'm allergic to foam pillows?
What if I'm allergic to down and feather pillows?
How do I know I'm purchasing quality pillows?
My old pillow seems OK. Why should I buy a new one?
Do my pillows have adjustability?
All pillows look and feel the same, so what is the difference between the expensive ones and the lower cost ones?
How do I care for my pillows?
How do I clean/wash my pillows?
What are the healthiest sleeping positions?
Is it ok to submerge my CompleteSleeprrr Deluxe in water and detergent?

I'm interested in your Tranquillow pillow, but I have a question about density. Please tell me the difference between soft, super soft, regular and deluxe density?

Standard Size Tranquillow
Standard Soft: is the lowest cost pillow of the range and is a lesser foam in respect to quality. It will soften faster than the other two.
Standard Deluxe and Standard Super Soft: are the better quality, and are slightly heavier (which reflects product longevity), and are of slightly softer 'feel' to that of the Standard Soft.
Medium Memory foam : is softer than all the other versions, but still extremely supportive.
Low Memory foam : is super soft and of high quality.

Small Size Tranquillow
Small soft: is the softest, and of good quality, and
Small Deluxe: is the next best in quality and density and is slightly firmer.
Small Regular: is a lesser foam, and made to a price.

Could you please describe the deluxe density in the Standard size Tranquillow pillows please. Is this more dense than the 'soft' and 'super soft'?

The 'Deluxe' is virtually the same density as the 'Super Soft'. Just not quite as soft as the 'Super Soft'. Both of these are of superior quality (which translates as density) to that of the Standard 'Soft' which is of a lesser grade foam.

What is the product warranty?

The Therapeutic Pillow International (TPI) WARRANTY covers manufacturing defects only. That is defects that can be definitively attributed to the manufacturing process and not those occurring after the product has been opened by the consumer.

Also, once product has been used, Government health regulations prohibit return and/or refunds.

Is there a guarantee of pillow comfort, support and longevity?

TPI does not provide GUARANTEES about product comfort, support, or longevity. Our company will discuss individual queries with consumers, and if there is seen to be a legitimate case we will work together to provide customer satisfaction. This may result in a recommendation and sale of a more appropriate type of pillow which may be offered at a lower-than-retail price plus freight. There are no definitive guarantees.

Why does one pillow cost more than another model?

TPI products, particularly its pillows, have vast price variances which are usually scaled to pillow density (which invariably equates to increased weight of product where foam-based products are concerned) and other factors which constitute a product's integrity (such as Memory foam or laminated pillows (where one piece of foam is adhered to another).

How long will my pillow last?

This important issue has shades of contradictions, so please bear with us:

Most in the pillow production industry would say that the life of a pillow is usually determined by price. The more you pay, the greater the life of the product because it invariably equates to increased quality. That is precisely the benchmark we aim for with our pillows, but like any pillow, no matter the price, it will soften over time and you have to accept that fact.

There is an interesting analogy: You can buy a cheap pair of runners with a hard sole which will last forever but conversely may not be the best choice for your body's wear and tear and comfort needs. By the same token a pair of quality runners will be more expensive and have a softer more supportive rubber sole, but won't last as long ... but will be infinitely better for you.

Where pillows are concerned, the more you pay the more likely you are to love the pillow the first time you rest your head on it. The factors of longevity are complex, and relate to densities, construction of the pillow, and the materials used.

Therapeutic Pillow International's pillows, particularly the higher cost CompleteSleeprrr, Dual Zone, Satin Beauty, Naturelle latex, Family Pillow versions, and the Tranquillows in Standard Deluxe and Standard Super Soft, and Small Soft and Small Deluxe, are all high-end pillows that should reasonably stand the test of time. Sure with use they will soften to some degree, but the basic support for the neck and head will continue to be there despite there being degrees of density loss over time. It is your decision to evaluate that and decide to upgrade or not.

Please note: Product longevity will also be influenced by the weight of the user (download on the product), perspiration factors, and whether the user sleeps in exactly the same position on the product each night, or varies the position of the neck and head in order to 'spread' the load bearing points and thus extend the pillow's support characteristics and thus longevity.

Therapeutic Pillow International makes no claims in respect to the life of a product.

Does an anatomical pillow help?

An anatomically shaped pillow supports the head and neck in a position where the spine is correctly aligned. This will reduce pressure on intervertebral discs and nerves. We have many pillows to choose from. Traditional foam pillows such as the CompleteSleeprrr, Family Pillow, Combination pillows such as Dual Zone, the Naturelle Latex pillow and pillows made from Memory Foam - a visco-elastic material which shapes itself to the body and is pressure relieving, including our most popular pillows – CompleteSleeprrr Memory Original and CompleteSleeprrr Memory Plus

How long does is take to become adjusted to sleeping on a contoured pillow?

Your contoured pillow is designed to offer the most comfortable, anatomically correct sleep available. In most cases people are very comfortable the very first night. In some cases, however, the sleeper has gotten used to sleeping in an incorrect position for so long that the correct position may feel a bit strange at first. This should correct itself within a week or two, allowing your body to rest properly.

Why does my new pillow have an odour?

Such a situation is rare, but if it in fact does have an odour, then it is probably due to the newness of the foam. But it may also have something to do with the climatic environment during its transport from our factory to your point of purchase ... such as hot or humid conditions.

To eliminate the odour, simply take the pillow out of its slip and air it overnight in a 'breezy' location. Once the odour has gone, it will not return. Do not leave it in direct sunlight because the foam will discolour.

Where does the foam in my pillow come from?

It is an oil-derived synthetic product.

Why are there different coloured foams?

Colour is used to identify a specific grade, hardness of a foam or resilience.

Where does the polyfill in my pillow come from?

It is an oil-derived synthetic product.

Where does the Down and Feather in my pillow come from?

The down and feather used in our products are the natural by-product of the food industry. Premium raw materials are purchased both domestically and internationally from companies that sell such by-products. Duck and geese are common food items in many countries of the world; we purchase our down and feather primarily from these countries.

Fill Information
Down and feathers are natural materials found on waterfowl. The down and feathers used in our products are from both ducks and geese.
Down is the insulating undercoat that traps warm air next to the bird's skin.
Feathers cover the body of such waterfowl.

Where does the latex come from in my Naturelle latex pillow?

It is sourced from the rubber trees of Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.
More information on Latex Production

What if I'm allergic to foam pillows?

All our foam products have been treated with an allergy inhibiter which deters the presence of dust mite and other allergens.

What if I'm allergic to down and feather pillows?

All our feather products have been hygienically treated to meet Australian customs requirements.

How do I know I'm purchasing quality pillows?

Therapeutic Pillow has been producing pillows for over 30 years, and the majority of health professionals prefer our pillows due to their longevity properties and the 'balance' between density and comfort. Rest assured that quality is a key ingredient in the materials that we select.

My old pillow seems OK. Why should I buy a new one?

It is a fact of life that with use your pillow, no matter the quality, will gradually soften over time. This results in insufficient or uneven support under the neck and head, possibly resulting in spinal distortion during sleep. It may be time to upgrade!

Do my pillows have adjustability?

Some do, some don't . Adjustability allows you to change the shape and height to literally 'build' the pillow to suit your personal comfort and support needs. If you require such a facility then our CompleteSleeprrr in either Memory or Deluxe foam will be ideal, or our Dual Zone pillow will also be ideal. Dual Zone features a 'sleeve' which you can delete to lower the pillow if you so require.

All pillows look and feel the same, so what is the difference between the expensive ones and the lower cost ones?

Feel the weight of the pillow you are contemplating, and if it feels slightly on the 'heavy' side, then this indicates quality. Also with synthetic foam, run your finger along its surface and if there is a slight 'lubricating' feeling to your finger tips and not a 'dryness' then that reflects quality. Also, price does not always reflect quality, but usually the more you pay the better the quality. It is a fact of life!

How do I care for my pillows?

If it is foam or natural latex then keep it away from direct sunlight and air it at least once or twice a month to ensure that it maintains its 'freshness'. Also, with foam pillows in particular avoid sleeping in exactly the same position on the pillow when you prepare for sleep. This will ensure that the pillow softens over a greater area and over a longer period, and thus extends the life of the pillow. With polyfill or feather pillows, direct sunlight is recommended once or twice a month. Direct sunlight will not affect the composition of these two varieties of pillows, just the appearance. They will discolor.

How do I clean/wash my pillows?

We recommend that you only air your pillow.

Foam or latex pillows: We recommend that you dab clean only the soiled area and dry in a breezy spot away from direct sunlight.
Do not immerse your pillow in water.
Do not machine wash.
Do not spin dry.

Polyfill and feather pillows: if you need to clean the cover, then remove the contents away from any breeze, and dry/air separately. Feathers can be hand washed, but the drying process in an airy environment is a delicate process. Polyfill can be hand washed, but you will lose some loft after natural drying, but this can always be supplanted with some replacement fibre available from your local haberdashery.

What are the healthiest sleeping positions?

Side sleeping or back sleeping
To give your body the proper rest it needs, and to ensure the correct maintenance of your cervical spine (neck), most health specialists prefer side sleeping so long as the spine is evenly supported; or on your back, maintaining the natural curvature of the spine.

Both of these positions will help prevent "subluxation", or misalignment of the neck, but of course both positions are only as good as the mattress and pillow that you are sleeping on. Spinal distortion can result in any sleeping position if the load is not evenly distributed and the natural curvature of the spine is not maintained.

Sleeping on your stomach?
It can create stress on your back and neck depending on your physique, but if you do choose to sleep this way, then a low or no pillow is recommended as the best option.

I have a CompleteSleeprrr Deluxe version in traditional foam that I have had for years and years. Because I didn’t use a pillow protector it is now a bit sweaty and smelly.
Is there a way of washing/cleaning it? Is it ok to submerge it in water and use detergents?

Definitely don’t fully immerse, or machine wash or tumble dry.

Washing:
We do not advise submerging it in water and detergent.  Immersing the pillow in water turns it into a giant sponge … the cells in the foam fill with water AND it can take weeks to completely dry out the pillow in a warm breezy environment.  It could take months in a southern winter.

Spot cleaning:
If the pillow is soiled from accident, then you can gently dab the spot using warm water and mild detergent. Try not to ‘over wet’ the area.  

Drying:
When you have finished cleaning the spot then dab dry with a clean dry towel or put the clean dry towel over the wet area and gently squeeze.  This is usually enough to dry the area … but no guarantees. —It is really at your own risk if you apply water.

Airing:
Leave it outdoors for an hour or two on a sunny day.   The sun will change the colour of the foam but the sunlight will not cause any foam damage so long as it is just a few hours.
This airing in the sun should help get rid it of any odours.

Also a light spray with a vanilla scent or some other nice scent may also help.