Why replace your favorite pillow? Answer: dust mites, bacteria, fungi, and mold.

(Richmond, VA) – A new YouTube music video that’s become an Internet sensation generates a lot of laughs about two guys and their beloved bed pillows, but behind the humor, there’s a serious message about the need to replace pillows every year or two, says the founder of leading sleep tips website Sleepbetter.org.

“Rhett & Link’s new video, 2 Guys 600 Pillows, shines a funny spotlight on a topic most folks don’t think about much,” said Dan Schecter, vice president of consumer products at Carpenter Co. and creator of SleepBetter.org. “If people cannot remember when they purchased their pillows, chances are good those pillows need to be replaced.”

Dust mites are microscopic spider-like creatures that feed on flakes of human skin and reside in bedding, carpets, upholstery, draperies and other “dust traps.” Dust mite allergens – substances which can cause an allergic reaction — are proteins found in the mite’s feces. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences says that exposure to these allergens is a significant risk factor for the development of allergic diseases, such as asthma and rhinitis (hay fever).

How do you know when it’s time to replace your favorite pillow? Sleepbetter.org offers these tips:

Check for signs of odor, mold, and mildew. If any of these are present, then you DEFINITELY need a new favorite pillow.
Does your pillow pass the fold test? Fold your pillow in half and then let go. Natural down pillows should bounce back slowly. Synthetic down pillows should bounce back with some force. For memory foam, push down on the center of the pillow. When you let go, the pillow should regain its shape.
A new pillow that weighs 10 ounces can double its weight in three years. Those extra ten ounces are dust mite remains. Washing your pillow will help, but it’s still a good idea to start fresh every so often.
Used pillows make great beds for pets. Check with your local vet or animal shelter; they might give a new home to your old friend.

For more tips to help you sleep better, please visit http://sleepbetter.org. You can also get sleep advice from SleepBetter on Twitter and Facebook.

About Carpenter Co. / SleepBetter.org

SleepBetter.org is dedicated to helping people sleep better. Designed as an online resource, the web site creates a forum for visitors to define, discuss, and discover solutions to their particular sleep needs. SleepBetter.org’s quest is to continually gather pertinent sleep information, then share this knowledge with the general public. The site also shares tips on the best sleep related products, both in stores and online. SleepBetter.org has created the Sleep Better seal as a way to easily identify products recommended for their superior quality or scientifically based design. Created by Carpenter Co., the world’s largest producer of comfort cushioning products, SleepBetter.org provides information and advice that visitors can use to sleep better. For more information, please visit http://SleepBetter.org.

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Site tags: 2010 • News Releases • SleepBetter