Sleep With Benefits
Foam 101: Your Questions on Memory Foam Answered
Real talk: not one of us on the NIGHT squad loved memory foam when we started working on this brand. We joke about how skeptical we were that the hero product, the sleep-enhancing and beauty-boosting NIGHT Pillow features a memory foam base.
As we talk to more and more consumers, we have realized that we were not alone; a good percentage of the population has a negative opinion on memory foam. Sad.
Flash forward to today: we are memory foam > filled pillows all the way. It is NIGHT’s unique, high quality, air light memory foam that has converted us. We have so many interesting memory foam convos via phone and email, we decided to share some insights here on the blog.
Below are the top questions we receive on memory foam, straight from our customers. In fact, a memory foam conversation can go a little something like this:
“Seriously tho, why are you guys so obsessed with your memory foam?”
Not going to lie, we are pretty obsessed with our memory foam. Memory foam (done right) provides the perfect balance between comfort and support. Check out this YouTube video of our egg test comparing memory foam to filled pillows in their ability to achieve this delicate balance.
Also, memory foam is naturally hypoallergenic, so dust mites, allergens and pollutants won’t build up inside your pillow. Considering that other pillows can be bacterially indistinguishable from a toilet seat (yes, science says), this is a pretty important point to consider.
“Ok that’s legit. But my experience with memory foam is that it [insert: is as heavy as a brick, sleeps hot, holds its shape too rigidly, etc etc]. How is yours different?”
Love that you are asking this because ours IS different. Our unique memory foam is oxygenated, making it the lightest, airiest and fluffiest memory foam on the market. It is specially designed to “recover” i.e. regain its shape quickly, so that as you move in your sleep, it does the work to self-adjust and keep your neck and head aligned and supported. The light nature of our foam allows for ideal air flow for a cool, comfortable sleep experience.
“Wow, good stuff. But I’ve heard memory foam can have a funny smell. What’s the deal?”
Yes, this is a process called off-gassing. As part of the production of memory foam, there is a short period where compounds can break apart and produce a gas, hence the term off-gassing. No studies have shown that the off-gassing process is toxic or dangerous, but if you are sensitive to smell, it may be unpleasant for a few days. On our end, we do our very best to complete any off-gassing at our production facility (located here in the USA in Detroit) so that by the time the pillow arrives at your door, you will not experience any odor whatsoever. If by chance you do, we hope you will holler at us right away because we maintain top notch customer service and you can be rest assured we will take care of any issue.
“Word. I’ve seen pictures of your foam- what’s up with the craters in the foam?”
Craters in foam = high quality foam. All higher quality memory foam has craters because of individual air bubbles that form during the custom molding and manufacturing process. Here’s a quick video to show how our foam is individually hand-poured into a custom mold and then trimmed and inspected for top quality assurance right here in the USA.
“Ok, last question. I want to get my money’s worth. Do memory foam pillows last as long as filled pillows?”
General rule of thumb is that you should replace filled pillows every 18 months, unless you are extremely dedicated to washing it on a regular basis. Then you may be able to hold onto it a little longer…but remember what science says about that pillow and a toilet seat. Gross.
For memory foam pillows, it is recommended that you replace them every three years. No maintenance necessary because of the naturally hypoallergenic nature of the foam.
“Well damn…I think I need to try this memory foam for myself. Can I place an order right now?”
Yes, yes you can.