For me, a good night's sleep lays the foundation for a productive work day. But lately, I've been tossing and turning at night and my sleep quality has taken a direct hit. I had a hunch my pillow might have something to do it, so I decided to perform a simple test that instantly tells you whether your pillow needs replacing or not.

Sure enough, my pillow failed this basic 30-second test.

A pillow that has lost its support and shape will force you to wake up multiple times a night to replump and reshape it. Long-term, a pillow that has lost its support can throw your neck out of alignment, causing morning aches and pains and poor posture.

Here's what the 30-second test involves, how to perform it yourself, and what the results mean for your pillow and the quality of your sleep.

The 30-second test explained

The 30-second pillow test is a simple way to find out if your pillow is supportive enough to hold your head, neck and shoulders in alignment with your spine while you sleep.

A pillow with an even fill distribution and good support will not fold easily. Instead it will snap back fast. This pillow is good for sleeping.

An unsupportive pillow, on the other hand, will not only fold, but also take time to spring back to its original position. This pillow needs replacing asap.

How to perform the 30-second pillow test

• Remove the pillowcase or any other protectors.
• Lay the pillow flat on a hard surface.
• Fold it completely in half and hold it closed for 30 seconds.
• Now release the pillow
• If it stays folded or springs back sluggishly, the support has gone and your pillow is no longer fit for purpose.
• If it snaps instantly back into shape, it’s still good for sleeping on.

Why my pillow failed the 30-second test

After several nights of broken sleep, I figured that it's time to put my pillow to the test. For reference, my microfiber pillow is over two years old and has overall lost its initial plushness. I laid it out on a flat surface and folded it in half. To my surprise, my pillow folded almost too easily, like a book.

Unlike newer supportive pillows, which instantly snap back, mine took longer to return to its original position. On further inspection, I figured that the filling inside was bunched up and uneven, giving a still-folded effect right in the middle. This made me realize that it's high time to replace it with another.

Why unsupportive pillows need replacing

A sagging or unsupportive pillow compromises your spinal alignment.

In order to correct your posture, your neck ends up bending unnaturally, straining the muscles— the major reason behind morning neck pain.

It can also lead to frequent wake-ups and tossing and turning, as it happened in my case, where I was constantly trying to find the right sleeping position.

If you're someone who already struggles with snoring, sleeping on an unsupportive pillow can also make your symptoms worse.

Other signs your pillow needs replacing

While experts recommend changing your pillow every one to two years, you can do it sooner if you notice any of these secondary indicators.

Clumping up of the filling is a strong indicator of a lack of support. Pillows with poor support can lead to those random 3 a.m. wake-ups because your head and neck fall out of alignment, and you wake to replump the pillow.

Another common sign is the yellowing of your pillow. This is due to a buildup of your sweat, body oils, drool and dead skin cells, which seeps through the pillowcase. Over time, this can create the perfect breeding ground for dust mites and bacteria, even resulting in a musty, bad smell.

And no, washing your pillow might not solve the problem, especially if you've been using it for a long time.

A constant need to re-fluff or plump your pillow also shows that it is not fit to provide you with the required comfort.

What to look for in a new pillow

As a professional bedding tester, I'm aware of the fact that finding a comfy pillow among a sea of options is tricky.

The key is to first understand what your sleeping position (side, back and stomach) is and then choosing the right pillow loft to support it.

Pillow loft is basically the height of your headrest. Lying on a pillow too low or too high for your sleeping position, once again, puts your neck muscles and spinal alignment at risk. This is why it's important to choose the right pillow for your sleeping position.

Side sleepers require a high to mid-loft pillow (4 to 6 inches) which effectively bridges the gap between your ear and your mattress.

Back sleepers need a low-loft pillow which is high enough to support your head, but keeps your chin in a neutral position.

Stomach sleeping is the least recommended position, but if it's a force of habit, you need a low-loft, soft pillow, which prevents any further strain on your neck muscles.

If your priority is long-term durability and support, look for pillows made of materials like latex and high-quality memory foam, known to provide responsive comfort consistently.

Still confused? We've curated the best pillows guide, which includes options for every sleep position and concern.

Check your pillow tonight

If you've been waking up several times during the night or struggling with morning neck pain, it's a good idea to check if your pillow is at fault.

All it takes is 30 seconds of your time. Simply fold your pillow, hold it for 30 seconds and observe how long it takes to return to its normal position.

This simple fold test can reveal if your pillow lacks the support you need to have an uninterrupted night's rest.

I never put much thought into choosing bedding. Typically I'd pick my bed sheets based on price and color, never bothering to check things like thread count or material composition. That is, until I started waking up at 3 a.m. feeling stuffy, sweaty, and overheated.

Night sweats aren't something I usually deal with, so I initially blamed my awakenings on this summer's hot weather. Then I started testing a cool, crisp cotton bedding set. It put an end to my 3 a.m. wake ups and made me realize that my bedding was behind my disrupted sleep all along.

If you're thinking of buying some breathable sheets to help you sleep cooler, you've picked an excellent time. Today's Labor Day sleep and mattress sales are in full swing, with excellent deals on sheets we've tested and recommend. But first, here's the classic bedding mistake I made and how I fixed it....

The classic bedding mistake I made...

If you're anything like me, you probably buy the sheets that catch your eye when it's time to replace your old bedding.

And as you browse through the bed sheet selection on Amazon, Target, or Walmart, you'll find some cheap sets earning praise for their softness and wrinkle-free appearance. Sounds perfect, right?

However, the low price and smooth look are usually down to a certain material: polyester. This material comes in different types, including microfiber and polycotton blends, and is sometimes described as "cotton-like".

Now, there are a lot of advantages to polyester, such as its affordability, durability, and low maintenance. (Take a look at the pros list in our Utopia Bedding Sheet Set review.)

However, the downside is that polyester is not a breathable fabric. In other words, its notorious for trapping body heat.

I came to learn this the hard way when I was plagued by sweaty night-time awakenings throughout summer (and even during the colder months). And that's because my polyester sheets — even ones with a cotton blend — didn't have enough temperature regulation. Hot air was getting trapped in the material and causing me to overheat.

How I fixed it...

I must admit, I fixed my bedding mistake by accident. I like the look of the Brooklinen Classic Percale Core Sheet Set, now from $119.25 at Brooklinen and decided to test it out.

I never realized what switching to 100% cotton could do to your sleep until I made the swap. Cotton is naturally breathable and moisture-wicking, and when a bed sheet is pure cotton instead of a polycotton mixture, you can feel the difference.

In this case, I used sheets made from percale cotton, a crisp, matte-look weave known for its fresh, hotel feel.

Other naturally breathable bedding materials you can try include linen, bamboo viscose (like the Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set), and natural silk. Tencel, though technically a semi-synthetic material, is also great at cooling.

3 top-rated breathable bedding Labor Day deals

Synthetic materials to avoid...

Of course, it's not just polyester that you should avoid. Other bedding material that can cause night sweats are nylon, satin, and acrylic. Nylon blends are often found in glossy sheets, quilts and travel blankets, while acrylic is found in faux fur blankets, bedspreads and throws.

Meanwhile, satin is often used for pillowcases to make them more skin-friendly and to reduce hair frizz. Satin pillowcases are often used as a cheaper alternative to silk pillowcase, but unlike silk, satin is synthetic and can retain heat.

Seeing my pillow covered in yellow stains always makes me shudder. After all, my face spends long hours pressed against that same pillow. However, it seems no matter how often I wash my pillow, it doesn't take long for grubby marks to re-appear.

As pillows age they will inevitably yellow, as sweat and body oils build up seep into the materials. But when dark yellow marks appear quickly after washing, the culprit is often in your hair. Natural oils and greasy products can transfer from your hair to your pillow overnight, forming these unwelcome stains.

But I've found a solution. A simple habit switch stops yellow stains from appearing while a kitchen essential helps remove any marks that have already appeared. Here's how I keep my pillows white.

• Read more: My bed sheets were dirty one night after washing until I banned these 3 things from the bedroom

The common problem that's turning your pillows yellow

There's no gentle way to put this: the reason your pillows are turning yellow is you. Specifically, your hair.

"Whatever is in your hair, the oil, the product, and the dust and grime it picks up over a day and transfers onto the pillow," says Dr. Shanina C. Knighton, PhD, RN, CIC.

Natural oils from your hair alongside grease from products speed up the aging of your pillow. It means that even freshly washed pillows can start looking dingy after just a night or two of contact.

And it's not just your pillows that are impacted by this product build-up. As Dr. Knighton, an infection prevention expert and Research Associate Professor at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, points out, all that grime is then pressed onto your face. You might wake up with an itchy nose or an unexpected pimple.

How to stop your pillows from turning yellow

It's bad news if you like a morning shower. Not only are pre-bed showers better for your sleep, they're also the best choice for your pillow.

Washing in the evening reduces the amount of oil on your skin and in your hair. It also removes any outside pollutants, such as cooking grease and pollen, that might have settled on your hair during the day.

Following your shower, make sure to dry your hair thoroughly. Otherwise, the moisture can get trapped in the pillow fabrics, causing mold.

It's also best to stay away from heavy moisturizers, conditioners, and other products that might transfer from your hair to your pillow. But if you do like to sleep in a hair mask, or refuse to move your showers to the evening, Dr. Knighton has another option.

"I wear a bonnet at night," explains Dr. Knighton. "It is a small thing, but it keeps my hair, and everything in it, off the pillow, so I am not pressing a day's worth of oil and product back onto my face while I sleep."

How to remove yellow product stains from pillows

When removing yellow stains caused by oil and product build-up, you need a cleaner that can cut through grease. And you probably already have one in your home — dish soap.

Dish soap is designed to cut through greasy stains and it's safe to use on many pillows. (Always check the care instructions on your pillow.) Begin by rubbing dish soap into the stain with a soft brush or old toothbrush. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Finish with your usual wash cycle.

If your pillow can't be machine washed (such as memory foam or latex pillows), once you've pretreated the stain, use a damp cloth to lift the dish soap and allow to dry completely.

Of course, yellow pillow stains may be a sign that you're pillow needs replacing. To determine whether you need a new pillow, try this 30-second pillow test.

Pillow care essentials

September is here, which means fall is on its way and the end of summer sales are in full swing. The Labor Day sales are my excuse to stock up on sleep essentials, as this is my last chance to build a cozy hibernation kit for less before the fall weather really sets in.

If you want to upgrade your sleep setup to make it cocoon-ready, the Leesa Studio Mattress, now $625 (was $895) in a queen at Leesa, is perfect for giving you that body-cradling memory foam feel you'll find in many of the best mattresses.

But if you're after something that'll both help you relax on gloomy nights and get you out of your den on dark fall mornings, try the Dreamegg Sunrise Alarm and Sleep Sound Machine for $48.59 (was $79.99) at Walmart.

Whatever sleep product you need to take on the chilly nights, you're sure to find it in this year's Labor Day mattress and sleep sales. That's why I've curated the nine best cozy sleep deals — from hotel-style pillows to the best comforters — to help you nestle into autumn on a budget.

I used to find that even with weekly washes, my dazzling white bed sheets quickly faded to gray. Months of detergent build-up to remove yellow bedding stains left a film on my bedding, a problem worsened in hard water areas, as mineral deposits add another layer of dullness.

My first instinct was bleach and a hot wash. However, while chlorine bleach can strip away soap residue, chlorine reacts with mineral build-up to lock in hard-water film. Despite the heavy washing, my gray sheets were even duller.

But I've found a fix. This simple two-step pre-wash soak starts with oxygen bleach and dish soap to lift leftover detergent, and finishes white vinegar to cut through gray film. My sheets are back to their sparkling white best — here's how.

• Read more: My bed sheets were dirty one night after washing until I banned these 3 things from the bedroom

The 2-step pre-wash laundry soak

These ingredients are safe to use on most fabrics. However, oxygen bleach should be kept away from silk, wool and leather (plus anything with wooden buttons), while vinegar shouldn't be used on delicate materials such as silk and rayon.

Our first hero ingredient is oxygen bleach. This mild bleach contains either sodium percarbonate, hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate, which form bubbles when mixed with water. These oxygen bubbles help gently lift away stains and gray film, without damaging the fabrics.

Adding a squirt of dish soap helps boost the stain removal. Dish soap is good at breaking down oils and grease (hence why you use it on your dirty dishes.) In this pre-soak, it helps lift the oily film left behind by your detergent.

Step two involves white vinegar. This kitchen staple is a cleaning must-have, used for everything from freshening up toilets to washing pillows. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which cuts through the gray grease of soap residue. It also breaks down mineral deposits, like the calcium left from hard water.

How to use this pre-wash soak

In my experience, the bright white results last for several months but if you're in a hard water area, your sheets may need regular soaks to stay sparkling. However, this soak shouldn't be completed more than every two weeks, as acidic vinegar can break down fabrics. Depending on the severity of your stains, the soak can take upwards of 6 hours. But only around 20 minutes of hands-on washing is required. Here's how to do it:

• Fill a basin or bathtub with warm water
• Add roughly half a cup of oxygen bleach and mix well (check packet instructions for exact measurements)
• Submerge the sheets completely and leave to soak for up to 6 hours
• Drain the water and rinse the sheets to remove any leftover oxygen bleach
• In a basin of warm water, add a cup of distilled white vinegar and stir
• Submerge the sheets and leave to soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour
• Rinse and finish with your usual washing cycle

The final step: Machine wash your bed sheets

Once your pre-wash soak is completed, the final step is to machine wash your bed sheets. We recommend opting for a hot wash, as hotter water is better at lifting soils and stains, ensuring even brighter whites. However, always follow the care instructions to avoid damaging your bedding.

How to choose bed sheets that won’t turn grey

It is possible to choose sheets that stay sparkling for longer. First, opt for natural fibers. Materials like 100% long-staple cotton or linen take longer to develop a gray detergent film than synthetic fabrics such as polyester and microfiber. It's a case of oleophilic versus hydrophilic: synthetic fibers attract and absorb oil, most natural fibers absorb water.

Weave is also important. A loose, open weave like percale allows laundry detergent to wash through easily. Tight weaves, like sateen, hold onto soap residue. This build-up will quickly lead to graying.

While eventually all bedding starts to dull, sheets made from natural fibers with open weaves take longer to develop a gray finish. That bright white will stay intact for years to come.

I love sinking into a fresh, bright white pillow, so imagine my horror when I discovered one of my pillows had yellowed and was covered in stains. A build-up of body oils, sweat, cosmetic products and more – or natural old age of the pillow – seeping into the fabric and oxidizing over time can cause pillows to turn yellow.

I tried a range of cleaning methods to see if any of them could restore my pillow to bright white again, and while some did lift a few stains here and there, only one ingredient worked all over... a $1 staple you'll find in most medicine cabinets.

Here's how I used this unassuming stain remover to restore my pillow to bright white – and why it works when other methods fail.

• Pro tip: To test if your pillow has lost its support and need a new one, try this 30-second pillow test.

The $1 ingredient that restored my yellowing pillow to bright white

Antiseptic 3% hydrogen peroxide is a medicine cabinet staple, but it's also excellent for removing yellow stains from pillows.

After being told by textile and cleaning specialists about its stain-busting properties, I decided to give it a try on my yellowing pillow.

To use hydrogen peroxide as a safe cleaner, always use a 3% concentration of hydrogen peroxide, avoid mixing it with other chemicals, and protect hands with gloves. As hydrogen peroxide has a mild bleaching effect, avoid using on dark-colored fabrics and delicate materials such as silk, wool and cashmere.

Turns out, there's good reason why 3% hydrogen peroxide has a reputation as a wonder ingredient. It restored my pillows to mint condition, and it required low effort and an even lower cost.

Here's how I used it to lift deep-set stains from my yellowing pillow...

How I used hydrogen peroxide to remove yellow pillow stains

To get rid of deep-set, yellowish stains, I placed my pillow in an empty bathtub. I then filled a clean spray bottle with 3% hydrogen peroxide and spritzed it all over the pillow and then let it sit for 30 minutes.

After the half hour was up, I worked the hydrogen peroxide into the pillow with an old toothbrush. As the electric toothbrush scrubbed away at the pillow, I noticed the stains beginning to fade and flake off.

Following the pillow's cleaning instructions, I placed the hydrogen peroxide-covered pillow into the washing machine for 1 hour. Once the cycle was over, I opened the washing machine to reveal a bright white pillow that's back to its pristine self.

To dry the pillow, I absorbed any excess water with a light-colored towel and then place it in the dryer with three tennis balls for extra fluffiness (yes, the hack works).

Here's a very satisfying before and after shot of the formerly grubby pillow:

The kit you'll need

The pillow cleaning methods I don't recommend

The safest pillow cleaning method is following the care label to the letter, which usually involves an appropriate laundry detergent and water setting.

However, ingredients like 3% hydrogen peroxide are perfect if your pillow stains are too stubborn for laundry detergent.

That said, for the sake of science I tried the weirdest pillow cleaning ingredients that have been doing the rounds on social media. Unfortunately, the majority of them are best avoided...

For example, CleanTok heralds vodka as a stain remover. I was not impressed by the results. I also tested shaving foam after seeing so many videos hyping its stain-removing powers, only to be left disappointed by my still yellow pillows.

And while some hacks sort of worked, they came with a disclaimer. Like the viral lemon slice soak — research shows that citrus acid degrades fabric. Another popular cleaning staple, baking soda, should not be used on your memory foam pillows

My advice? If you want to keep the best pillows in top condition, follow the care label to the letter.

Over time, even the highest-quality white pillowcases inevitably lose their crisp finish. Sweat, body oils, and nightly skincare products slowly oxidize in the fabric, creating stubborn yellow discoloration that normal laundry detergent fails to lift. Running them through a standard wash cycle often bakes these trapped oils deeper into the cotton fibers.

Chlorine bleach can actually make the problem worse by reacting with the proteins in sweat and turning the fabric an even darker yellow. Keeping up with routine bedding care and cleaning is essential, but to bring yellowed cases back to bright white, the secret lies in stripping the embedded oils using a simple two-ingredient pre-soak.

The two-ingredient soak

This soak method is intended primarily for durable fabrics like cotton and polyester blends. Do not use this method on delicate or natural fibers such as silk, bamboo, viscose, modal, or fabrics containing elastane/spandex, as these materials can be weakened, damaged, or shrunk by exposure to these soaking ingredients.

To strip away that embedded oil layer, first fill a basin or clean sink with hot water to help loosen the hardened lipids (fats and body oils). For a quick pre-treatment, add half a cup of baking soda and one cup of distilled white vinegar.

The immediate rush of carbon dioxide gas creates rapid effervescent bubbles that help physically agitate and dislodge surface residue from the fabric fibers. Submerge your pillowcases completely and let them soak for 2 to 4 hours.

If you have stubborn, set-in yellowing and want to maximize the chemical strengths of each ingredient, try a sequential soak. To a basin of hot water, add half a cup of baking soda and stir until dissolved. Its alkaline properties will immediately go to work breaking down the greasy buildup. Let the pillowcases soak for 30 minutes.

Afterward, wring them out and transfer them to your washing machine, adding one cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle to dissolve any remaining detergent residue and completely lift the yellow stains.

Alkaline baking soda breaks down organic grease and body oils, while acidic vinegar dissolves mineral deposits and soap scum. Used in separate steps, they alter the wash water’s pH to chemically release and remove embedded residues from the cotton fabric weave.

The final step

Then simply run a normal cycle using your standard laundry detergent to flush out the loosened oils and chemical residue. For more tips on maintaining your sleep gear, read our comprehensive guides on how to wash a pillow and how to clean a mattress.

If weather permits, skip the dryer and hang your them outdoors on a clothesline. The UV rays from direct sunlight act as a free bleaching agent that naturally brightens white cotton.

Keep in mind that direct sunlight is not a substitute for proper washing. While UV rays help naturally brighten white fabric and kill germs, sunlight alone won't remove body soil.

Once dry, pillowcases emerge remarkably crisp and bright, completely free of dingy yellow patches.

Ready to revive your bedding? Grab some baking soda and vinegar, give your pillowcases a soak, and drop a comment below to let us know how bright they turned out!

More from Tom's Guide

• I restored my graying socks to brilliant white using one overlooked step
• How to keep your sofa spotless this summer — 7 expert hacks for stains and spills
• I tried deep-cleaning my white baseboards with vinegar — and brought back their bright white finish

Helix Down & Feather Pillow: Review in brief

Known as the brand behind some of the best mattresses on the marker, Helix also offers a luxurious line-up of pillows. Helix's pillow collection includes a variety of designs, with the Down and Feather pillow (down to $79 from $98 at Helix) being the only instalment to feature feathers or down fibers. But can the Helix Down and Feather earn a coveted spot in our 2026 best pillow guide?

I had high expectations for this Helix pillow, as we awarded glowing reviews to both the Helix Talalay Latex Pillow and the Helix Cooling Memory Foam Pillow. However, instead of relying on latex foam and memory foam for support and comfort, the Helix Down and Feather Pillow relies on a mixture of supportive feathers and cushioning white down. Its dual-core design aims to maintain the pillow's plumped-up shape and prevent over-sinkage for optimal alignment.

I slept on a standard-sized Helix Down & Feather Pillow for three months (for reference, our pillow testing methodology dictates that a two-week testing period is sufficient), and I can say that it's the closest I've got to sleeping on a five-star hotel pillow.

As a side and back sleeper, I find that the Down and Feather Pillow provides comfort to both sleep positions. The softness of the white-down outer core adds plush, contouring sinkage, but its supportive inner chamber of feathers adds support and loft for side sleepers. Hot sleepers will also appreciate the breathable mixture of cotton and natural fill, but stomach sleepers will need something with a lower loft to prevent strain.

The Down and Feather Pillow is the cheapest of Helix's collection, and you pretty much always find a standard on sale for $79. However, we have seen it as low as $72.03 during bigger mattress deals events and federal holidays such as the forthcoming Labor Day mattress and bedding sales.

Helix Down & Feather Pillow: Price & deals

• The Down and Feather Pillow is the cheapest of Helix's pillow line
• A standard size is $79 in the regular 20% off sale, but can be up to 27% off
• Benefits include a 30-night sleep trial, free shipping, and a 1-year warranty

Helix has eight instalments in its pillow collection, and the Helix Down and Feather Pillow is the cheapest, typically costing $79 in a standard size. That said, the twin-pack Helix Dream Pillow Set contains two pillows and is typically $120, meaning that each pillow is $60.

Still, a regular sale price of $79 is actually the below the average cost of down pillow from a luxury sleep brand. For example, the Avocado Down Pillow is from $101 in a standard size at Avocado Green, while a standard-sized Goose Down Pillow is $277 at PlushBeds.

As for benefits, the trial and warranty Helix offers for its pillows is pretty decent. A 30-night trial provides enough time to know if a pillow is right for you, especially considering that PlushBeds do not offer a trial on any of their pillows. However, PlushBeds do offer a longer warranty of two years compared to Helix's one-year pillow warranty.

Avocado Green also offers a one-year warranty on their Down Pillow, but goes the extra mile by throwing in a 100-night trial (for reference, a 100 nights is the standard mattress trial length), a rarity for pillows.

In terms of discounts, pillows are typically 20% off in the Helix mattress sales. This means that the regular price of a standard size goes from $98.75 (at MSRP) down to $79. Meanwhile, a king size is regularly $95 ($118.75).

However, during major sale events and federal holidays such as the Black Friday mattress sales and the Labor Day mattress sales, we often see Helix pillows at 25% off, taking a standard size to $74. During the 25% off Helix Memorial Day sale, we also offered an exclusive 27% discount code that took a standard size Down and Feather Pillow down to $72.03.

Helix Down & Feather Pillow: Design & materials

• Supportive inner chamber is made of 95% feathers and 5% down fibers
• Outer core is made from white down, and the cover is 100% cotton cambric
• According to Helix, the pillow is certified by Responsible Down Standard

Helix boasts that the Down and Feather Pillow has a " supportive inner chamber" design. If you're wondering what an "inner chamber" is, it's basically an inner core that holds a denser, firmer fill for more support. In this case, the inner chamber is made from 5% down and 95% feathers, with the latter providing supportive and even filling.

The two outer cores that surround the inner chamber are made from white down for soft, fluffy cushioning. The fill power of the white down is 550, a fill power used for good breathability and gentle cushioning.

Encasing these three layers of down and feather is a 100% cotton cambric cover with a 230 thread count, common for crisp hotel-style bedding. The cover features German Piping, a reinforced double stitched edge for stronger seams.

As for whether the down and feather is cruelty free or not, Helix claims that it is.

"Our Down & Feather Pillow is certified by Responsible Down Standard," reads the brand's FAQ page. "This ensures the humane treatment of the ducks and geese our filling is sourced from."

A Responsible Down Standard certification means no inhumane practices such as fore feeding and live plucking is involved in the production of the Helix Down and Feather Pillow. While the certification aims to "mitigate risks of down and
feathers coming from animals that have been subjected to unnecessary harm", this product is definitely not suitable for vegans.

Helix Down & Feather Pillow: Performance

I slept on the Helix Down and Feather Pillow in a standard size for three months and conducted a series of objective and subjective tests, as per our pillow testing methodology, to assess its overall performance.

Setup

The Down and Feather Pillow arrived in a reusable plastic bag, with a clear, zippered design and a ropy handle. The pillow is shipped in its original shape rather than compressed, so it's just a matter of taking the pillow out of the bag. As the pillow comes ready to use, set up requires minimal effort.

As for packaging, it's pretty sustainable as it consists solely of a reusable storage bag. There was also very little off-gassing, as the pillow's materials don't contain any synthetic materials such as memory foam.

Score: 5 out of 5

Comfort and support

Before testing the Down and Feather Pillow, I'd always tested foam pillows, such as the Birch Organic Pillow and the Simba Hybrid Pillow. These pillows were packed with shredded foam that added easily-adjusted comfort and softness, but the foam filling did have a tendency to clump and spread unevenly — and this clumping could sometimes leave me waking up with neck pain.

However, from the first night of using the Helix Down and Feather Pillow, I was waking up feeling ache and pain free. Three months down the line, and the pillow has still retained its plump shape, delivering ample support.

I credit its shape retention to its inner chamber of 95% feathers, which is designed to provide a denser core and more even fill distribution than 100% down pillows and down-alternative pillows. Meanwhile, the white down outer core provides the soft, cushioning feel of luxury hotel bedding.

The down and feather blend provides a balance of support and cushioning that's perfect for back and side sleeping. As a side and back sleeper, I need something to accommodate both positions, and I found that the Down and Feather Pillow does just that.

Its pillow loft is high enough to support my neck when I'm side sleeping, but its fill is soft and malleable enough to create a medium loft for back sleeping. However, stomach sleepers may need something with a lower loft, such as the Helix Talalay Latex Pillow.

To objectively test the Helix Down and Feather Pillow's comfort and support , I placed a 10lb weight (roughly equivalent to an adult head) on the center of the pillow.

I waited for five minutes and once removed, the pillow's surface began to slowly rise within the first 10 seconds. However, it didn't regain its original shape even five minutes after we removed the weight (for reference, we've tested some pillows that spring back into shape in 10 seconds), but I should point out that the indentation wasn't that deep to begin with.

Overall, the Down and Feather Pillow balances soft cushioning and dense support rather well, but if you need a firm pillow with a quick response rate, try out the Saatva Latex Pillow.

Score: 4.5 out of 5

Temperature control

While the Helix Down and Feather Pillow isn't a specialist cooling model such as the Helix Cooling Memory Foam Pillow, it has all the ingredients for a pillow that handles temperature regulation exceptionally well.

Both down fibers and feather are naturally breathable as they create airflow paths, while the 100% cotton cambric cover is lightweight, airy, and moisture-wicking for a cooler sleep.

I slept on this pillow throughout the summer months, and that includes during excruciating heatwaves in a bedroom with no AC, and I never once spent the night searching for the cool side of the pillow or felt like the pillow was retaining heat. Overall, most people (including hot sleepers) should feel comfortable using this pillow.

Score: 4 out of 5

Helix Down & Feather Pillow: Durability & care

You should aim to replace your pillow every one to two years, but we test pillows for durability as some models don't even reach the one-year mark without succumbing to wear and tear.

Here's what we thought of the Helix Down and Feather Pillow in terms of durability, quality, and maintenance...

Build quality

The Helix Down and Feather Pillow comes with a one-year warranty, which is pretty reasonable when you consider that the average lifespan of a pillow is around one to two years. That said, good-quality feather and down pillows can last up to three to five years, so I'm a tad disappointed that the warranty doesn't last a little longer. In comparison, Tempur-Pedic offer a five-year warranty with their pillows.

We also usually assess quality and durability by looking at customer reviews, with Helix customers awarding the Down and Feather Pillow an overall score of 3.6 out of 5 stars (from over 300 user ratings).

I should point out that 54% of online reviewers awarded a 4 or 5 star rating to the pillow, praising how it seems "made to last" and "worth the money". Happy customers also love how the pillow provides a balance of comfort and support and a medium height for combination sleepers.

However, critics focus on the feel, with some believing it is too soft and others believing its much firmer than down pillows should be. Some side sleepers also feel that there could be more fill and a higher loft.

In my opinion, the Down and Feather Pillow has retained its shape really after three months of regular use. I also feel the build quality (no feathers found on my bed so far) is high and that if a five-star hotel, and I definitely believe it's worth the $79 it goes for.

Score: 4 out of 5

Care and maintenance

As the cotton cover isn't removable, we reccomend using a pillowcase or pillow encasement to protect the pillow from spills and yellow stains.

Spot clean-only and dry clean-only pillows can be super annoying and high maintenance to clean, but the Helix Down and Feather Pillow is fortunately machine-washable and dryer-friendly. The label permits a machine wash in cold water with mild detergent and a tumble dry on a low heat setting. Overall, you're looking at an easy clean.

Score: 4 out of 5

Should you buy the Helix Down & Feather Pillow?

If you're looking for a luxury hotel-style pillow under $100 no matter when you buy, then the Helix Down and Feather Pillow should be your top choice. Its loft is deal for side and back sleepers, but plenty of stomach-sleeping and combination-sleeping customers have praised its soft, cushioning feel, too.

If you need a lower loft or prefer a firm or responsive pillow, the Helix Down and Feather Pillow may be too soft and plump for you. However, the gentle contouring and durable core does provide plenty of comfort and support, with its evenly-distributed feel providing plenty of pressure relief and relieving neck pain.

It also provides a refreshing headrest thanks to its naturally breathable, moisture-wicking materials, making it suitable enough for hot sleepers and anyone linving in a warmer climate.

At $79, it's an upper-mid-range to luxury spend, but it's a lot cheaper than other premium down and feather pillows from major sleep brands, with some competitors costing over $300. Regular deals and holiday discounts keep the price under $80 for a standard size, and the one-year warranty and 30-night sleep trial are decent benefits.

Overall, the Helix and Feather Pillow is an excellent choice if you want a soft, cradling feather and down pillow for side, back, and combo sleeping. It's also a worthwhile investment if you want a pillow that retains its shape and requires minimal fluffing.

Buy the Helix Down & Feather Pillow if...

✅ You want a luxury hotel-style pillow: The mixture of down and feathers for medium support and gentle cushioning paired with the crisp, cotton cover replicates the pillows found at five-star suites.

✅ You're a hot sleeper: Both down fibers and feathers are naturally breathable, while the cotton cover is airy and moisture-wicking.

✅ You want an easy clean: The pillow is both machine-washable and dryer-friendly.

Don't buy the Helix Down & Feather Pillow if...

❌ You want a firm pillow: While the inner chamber provides a good amount of support, it's still a soft pillow that won't suit side sleepers who need a firm headrest.

❌ You want a low loft: If you're a stomach sleeper who needs a flatter pillow to prevent neck strain, the Helix Down and Feather Pillow may be too high for you.

Helix Down & Feather Pillow: Alternatives

The best comforter is built for adding cozy comfort to your bed for a good night’s sleep. When paired with one of the year's best mattresses, a high-quality comforter makes an excellent sleep duo to help you sleep all night no matter the season.

But, how do you decide on the right comforter when there are so many different options available in the market? It all comes down to finding something that suits your sleep needs and budget.

That's why we've curated a list of comforters that contain different fill powers, span different price tiers, and are made from a variety of materials. Read on to discover the best comforters we've tested, or head to our Labor Day mattress and bedding sales hub for the lowest prices from all our favorite brands.

The 3 best bed sheets we've tested

Also recommended

We're testing new comforters to see if they're good enough to make the final cut. While we haven't got round to fully testing the following comforters yet, we still recommend considering them based on their impressive specs and verified user reviews.

Budget comforters

Luxury organic comforters

How we select the best comforters

Our guide for the best comforters were based on our own at-home testing, plus extensive consumer report research and online reviews.

We rated things like material type, size and comfort for various sleeping positions. In addition, we looked at how practical it was to use and clean and its durability.

How to choose the best comforter for you

Not all comforters are made equal. When it comes to choosing one, consider whether you are looking for a comforter you can use all year-round, or one you can throw onto your bed during the chillier seasons. The biggest decision you'll need to make is whether you want a down or down alternative comforter - down comforters are harder to care for, which is something to keep in mind.

Material
Down comforters are made from duck or goose feathers and are known for their warmth and coziness. Goose down is fluffier than duck down, but both are good choices for providing warmth and sleep comfort. To ensure the down comforter you are buying uses ethically sourced materials, look for Responsible Down Standard certification.

Down alternative comforters are usually made from polyester-cotton blends and are much more affordable. Luxury down alternative materials include gel-fiber and the patented and breathable material PrimaLoft.

Fill power
Hot sleepers, when choosing the best comforter for you keep an eye on the fill power as the higher the number, the warmer your comforter will be. We'd recommend a light or all-season comforter. As a general rule, a fill power of 600 or higher is the best choice for winter use (and room temperatures below 60℉). Interestingly, a higher fill power doesn't mean a heavier comforter. You can also make a comforter feel warmer by adding a flannel cover.

Machine washability
For an easier laundry day, we’d suggest looking out for comforters that are machine washable. Some comforters are dry clean only though, and these are usually the more expensive down comforters. If you do score a machine washable comforter, keep in mind that it will take up a lot of space in your washer and dryer. We shake out and fluff our comforters mid-drying cycle to prevent clumping.

The beginning of a new academic year is approaching, which will see students across the US return to (or become acquainted with) dorm rooms.

However, dorms aren't the most hygienic, and that's putting it lightly. Brace yourself: one study found that bed sheets in men's dorms contained at least 1.5 million CFU/sq. in. of bacteria. That number accounts for 97% of dorm room bacteria.

But perhaps that's not surprising, considering students often sleep on hand-me-down beds and 15% of students only clean their room once a month.

That's why I've rounded up the bedding essentials to keep your mattress (and your sleep) clean. From hypoallergenic sheets to waterproof mattress protectors, here are 12 dorm bed deals to safeguard your bed from $14 in this month's mattress and sleep sales.

Top 3 dorm room mattress topper deals

The best mattress toppers provide a hypoallergenic barrier between your old, grubby dorm bed and you. Plus they add extra comfort and support.

Some mattress toppers, such as the Linenspa Memory Foam Mattress Topper and the Sleep Innovations Dual Layer Memory Foam Mattress Topper, come with a removable machine-washable cover for an easy clean.

Top 3 dorm room mattress protector deals

The best mattress protectors are a must if you want to safeguard dorm beds from spills and bedtime snacks. The ones below all offer washable, waterproof protection and an elasticated fit for easy use.

Top 3 dorm room sheet deals

The best bed sheets are made from hypoallergenic, moisture-wicking materials such as bamboo and organic cotton. These natural materials are breathable, preventing bacteria from thriving on the heat and sweat that can buildup in mattresses.

Top 3 dorm room pillow protector deals

Don't want ugly yellow pillow stains? Try these zip-up pillow protectors. They're just like mattress protectors only for your pillows, providing 360 protection for headrests.

Sleeping on a hot, stuffy pillow in summer is a nightmare when I want to fall asleep fast. In fact, research shows that your body naturally cools as you go to sleep, so a heat-trapping pillow means you don't get the temperature drop you need to drift off.

The best pillows should avoid this problem, and we've found that luxury cooling pillows are top notch at regulating temperature. But is there a cheaper way to keep your head cool at night? Or is a fancy pillow packed with cooling tech the only way to keep you comfortable on a hot night?

To find out, I grabbed my $93 Helix Cooling Memory Foam Pillow, the $20 Beckham Hotel Collection Bed Pillow, and a trusty thermal cam. Here's how much heat each pillow absorbed and shed when our testers slept on these headrests in our lab...

Key takeaways: At a glance

• Hot temperatures make it difficult to sleep, as your body naturally cools before bed. Some pillow materials trap warm air rather than help it circulate. As a result, you get a hot head that can't cool down.
• Cooling pillows claim to use special materials that help wick away warmth, to keep you comfortable.
• However, our thermal cam tests showed for a neutral feel, a cotton cover might be enough.
• And flipping to the cool side won't always provide the relief you need — one of our pillows was actually warmer on the unused side.

How we tested a cheap vs a luxury cooling pillow

Temperature regulation testing is a key part of our rigorous mattress testing methodology. So when it came to analyzing our pillows, I turned to our tried and tested method.

In a comfortable environment, we ask a tester to lie on the pillow for 15 minutes. This is ample time for heat to transfer and cooling properties to kick in. The tester then gets up and we continue to measure the temperature of the pillow for the next 15 minutes. This allows heat to disperse (... or not).

For pillows, I also employed a flip test. After the above tests, I flipped the pillow to see how cool the other side was.

Meet the pillows:

I used two pillows for this test. One, a luxurious memory foam pillow packed with cooling tech. The other, an affordable pillow with 'down alternative' fill (that's probably fiber fill).

Test 1: How quickly does the pillow get warm?

For part one of the test, sleep writer Frances Daniels graciously agreed to lie on each pillow for 15 minutes. We used a side sleeping position as its the most common and a breathable but not cooling mattress (the DreamCloud Classic Mattress).

Click through the gallery to see what happened:

We marked the center of each pillow, which is where Frances rested her head. This is also where we took a temperature reading every minute.

Verdict

The Helix Cooling Memory Foam pillow is delightfully chill when you touch it. So when you first settle into that GlacioTex cover, it's going to feel great.

From there, the temperature gradually rose but never tipped over into uncomfortable. Frances noted (as did I during my testing period) that once the pillow had warmed to your body temperature, it hardly wavered.

The Beckham Hotel Collection pillow also impressed, and did so with the help of just a cotton cover. After a big initial jump in temperature (13.3°F), it slowly cooled and evened out. However, you won't get that initial 'aaah' of Helix's chilled cover.

Test 2: How quickly does the pillow cool down?

The work continues once our tester, the lovely Frances, has stepped away. For the next 15 minutes I monitored the temperature at the center of the pillow. This shows us how quickly the heat dissipates.

Click through the gallery to see what happened:

Verdict

A good cooling pillow should drop excess heat quickly. This means when you sit up in bed or step away for a few minutes, you can return to a blissfully chilled sleep surface.

You won't get that with either of these options.

The Helix Cooling Pillow took a long time to lose just 4°F of warmth. Even after 15 minutes, it wasn't back to the icy feel we started with. However, the edges and corners of the pillow kept cool. So if you're willing to move around, you don't have to sleep on the warm patch.

The Beckham Hotel Collection Pillow dropped to a cooler temperature quicker. After this initial heat shed, it remained roughly 2°F higher than when we started — that's a neutral feel.

These results back up our hands-on testing. If you get up to use the bathroom or grab a drink during the night, you won't return to a cool pillow. However, you should get back to something with an even, neutral finish.

Test 3: What about the 'cool side'?

There are few moments quite as satisfying as the brief relief of the cool side of the pillow. But in the spirit of investigation, I wanted to see just how cool this cool side is...

Having completed our tests, I flipped the pillows to reveal the so-called 'cool side'.

First up, the Helix Cooling Pillow. While the pillow wasn't as blissfully chilled on the other side as I expected, it did drop 1.4°F.

However, I was in for a shock with the Hotel Collection Pillow. A quick flip revealed the pillow was actually warmer on the other side. 1.8°F warmer, to be precise.

That's not a huge temperature jump. But it's not what you want when you're awake at 3 a.m.

Should you save or splurge on a cooling pillow?

So, should you spend or save on a cooling pillow? My test results show that cooling tech might not live up to its high promises. If it's a breathable feel you're after, cotton covers and airy fill can make a big difference.

However, I'd note I tested the Helix Cooling Memory Foam Pillow at home during some brutal weather. (It's been heatwave after heatwave in my city.) Throughout it all, my pillow stayed neutral, if not cool.

And we know from testing over 130 of the best mattresses online that cooling tech can make a serious difference to your sleep comfort. The best cooling mattresses we've tested feature either specialist materials or use natural fabrics to create a chilled feel.

And luxury pillows do have their benefits, including enhanced durability. After being tossed around our Sleep Lab, the Helix Pillow looked in better shape than the Hotel Collection alternative.

My advice? You don't need to splurge to sleep cool, but investing in sleep comfort pays off in the long term.

Our favorite cooling sleep products

If you've ever become engrossed in CleanTok, that TikTok community dedicated to strangely-satisfying cleaning videos, you've probably watched influencers dunk their old, yellowed pillows into a bathtub full of household items to make them sparkly clean.

So compelling are these videos that I sometimes forget that the people who confidently guide me through their hacks are not professional cleaners but simply TikTok account holders with a bathtub and some grubby pillows. In fact, many CleanTok videos go against expert-approved cleaning advice on how to wash a pillow.

"I would be cautious because these household products were not formulated or tested as complete fabric cleaners," says Shamsa Kanwal, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and medical writer at MyPsoriasisTeam. "Standard laundering methods are more reliable because they are designed to lift sweat, skin oil, saliva, cosmetics, and other residue from fabric and rinse them away."

That's why I took bunch of old, grubby pillows with deep set stains to test five CleanTok hacks and to see how they compare against three gold-standard pillow cleaning techniques used by specialists and in hotels. Here's how it all went...

• Read more: The real reason your pillow stays yellow after washing — and how to fix it

Key takeaways: At a glance

• Viral TikTok pillow cleaning trends (like shaving foam and vodka) are mostly visually-pleasing, clout-chasing quick-fixes that fail to completely remove deep-set, stubborn stains.
• Spritzing a 3% hydrogen peroxide and water mixture, scrubbing it in, and running the pillow through a standard wash cycle outperformed all other methods, lifting tough stains and restoring brightness.
• While soaking pillows in a bath of soda crystals yielded weak results, adding them directly to the washing machine drum proved far more effective for fading severe discoloration.
• However, the safest expert-recommended approach is to follow the pillow's care label and make sure its dried completely before using.

The pillow stains I needed to remove

To begin my experiment, co-workers (not going to name and shame!) kindly sent me their old, grubby yellow-stained pillows.

These yellow stains (usually caused by a build-up of sweat, body oils, and drool) are the most common type of pillow stain.

However, I know that plenty of people eat and drink in bed, so I decided to kick it up a notch by staining each pillow further with tea, coffee, and smoothies.

I then allowed each stain to set, making them mega-tough to remove so I could see how effective each pillow-cleaning method really is.

Putting each viral hack to the test — see my results and how I scored them

Hack 1: Shaving foam | Test score: 0 out of 5

We all love a medicine cabinet staple that can double as a multipurpose cleaner, which is why CleanTok is full of shaving foam cleaning hacks. It seems simple, right? Just apply a dollop of foam to a stain, leave for 15 minutes up to 1-2 hours, and wipe away with a damp microfibre cloth.

However, when I gave this hack a go on a prominent yellow pillow stain, it did nothing but make the pillow smell nice. I had an inkling that this quick fix seemed a little too good to be true, plus health experts advise against it.

"Shaving foam may leave fragrance and surfactant residue, which can cause irritation," warns Dr Kanwal.

If you do want to give this no-harm, no-foul hack a try, make sure to use a white shaving foam (the kind that's already foamed up as soon as it's squeezed out of the can) rather than a shaving gel with added dyes.

Hack 2: Vodka | Test score: 1 out of 5

Next up is vodka, which seems a little counter-intuitive as a drink is usually what causes stains. However, plenty of CleanTok videos herald vodka as a stain remover for grubbiness. So, I chose a feather pillow (the yellowest of the pack) to see if a vodka spritz could remove the build-up of body oils and grease.

I spritzed the pillow with a cheap bottle of vodka poured into a spray bottle, and then I rubbed the pillow with a cloth dunked soaked with hot water. Did it remove any stains? No. Did it de-odorize the pillow and give it a little refresh? Yes. As Dr Kanwal puts it: "Vodka does not replace the oil and dirt removing action of laundry detergent".

Hack 3. Soda crystals | Test score: 2 out of 5

Now, this is the hack I had high hopes for, as soda crystals seemed the most legitimate of cleaning tips. These magic crystals are not only used to remove detergent build-up in washing machines but they also help remove stains and soften water.

So, I added 1 cup of soda crystals to a half-filled bathtub of warm water, swished the crystals around, and left them to soak for 1 hour. When I returned, I found that the stains were removed slightly, but I feel that the soda crystals didn't live up to their stain-removing hype. However, I wouldn't skip the soda crystal treatment altogether (as you'll find out later).

Hack 4: Baking soda and vinegar | Test score: 3.5 out of 5

Ah, the baking soda volcano. I don't think any other kitchen ingredients have been used in DIY cleaners more frequently than baking soda and white vinegar. However, I was a little sceptical.

I've been told by cleaning experts to avoid using baking soda on certain mattresses due to its fine particle. "Baking soda may help with odour, but using too much can leave residue that may irritate sensitive, acne prone, or eczema prone skin when the face rests against the pillow for several hours," Dr Kanwal tells me.

However, a vinegar and baking soda mixture can be a cleaning wonder when baking soda is used properly. So, here's how I preceded: I put a stained pillow in the bathtub and sprinkled a generous amount of baking soda on the stains and rubbed it into the fabric. Next I filled the bathtub with warm water and added 2 cups of white vinegar. I then left the pillow to soak for a couple of hours.

Unsurprisingly, the mixture did fade the stains significantly, but definitely not completely or quickly. While a couple of hours is a slog, I will admit that these are stubborn, deep-set stains that faded with low effort and minimal scrubbing. My verdict? Worth a shot.

Hack 5: Lemon slice soak | Test score: 4 out of 5

Out of all the pillow hacks I've seen grace CleanTok, this one is probably the most talked about. Lemons are kind of seen as nature's cleansers, so soaking your pillow in a bath filled with citrusy goodness seems like a good idea.

However, this hack has become controversial because research shows that citrus acid degrades fabric. That doesn't stop it from remaining one of the most popular TikTok cleaning hacks out there, so I figured it would be pretty remiss of me not to give it a try.

In the video above, the TikToker soaks a child's pillow in a bathtub full of piping hot water, baking soda, detergent, and sliced lemons. Naturally I did the same.

As I scraped the last of the lemon slices from a chopping board and into the bath, I noticed the bathwater had already begun to discolor. Surely just the lemon juice?

Then, I started to squeeze and press the pillow, and as I was doing so, I began to see the tea and coffee stains spurt out of the fabric. With my hands massaging the fabric and the lemons floating on the surface, I felt like I was giving the pillow a luxury spa treatment rather than a good clean.

Out of all the cleaning hacks I tried, this was honestly the most fun to do and the most TikTok-worthy to look at. Watching the bath water fill with lemon zest and filth was oddly satisfying and made me realize why the original video was such as hit.

So, it was fun and hypnotizingly gross, but does this method help remove stains? I hate to admit it, but...yes. It didn't remove stains completely, but it did noticeably lighten them.

Overall, a fun cleaning hack to try, even if the addition of lemons is a little dubious.

Bottom line

All the CleanTok pillow cleaning hacks I tried above may seem like miracle solutions, but trying them for myself reminded me that most of these "hacks" are made for visually-pleasing quick-fix social media content and won’t actually remove deep-set pillow stains. Most will leave you either disappointed...or low on shaving foam.

If you want to know more about how to clean pillows from experts rather than cleanfluencers, then visit our guide on how to wash a pillow, how to wash a memory foam pillow, or read on to see how I got on using the specialist pillow cleaning techniques used by experts and luxury hotels.

3 gold standard pillow cleaning methods that actually work

According to Dr Kanwal, the best way to clean a pillow is to follow what its care label permits.

"The safest approach is the warmest suitable water setting, an appropriate laundry detergent, a complete rinse, and thorough drying so the pillow is not left damp," she advises.

However, some pillow stains need extra help to budge, so I've tried the ultra stain-removing methods that health experts, cleaning specialists, and luxury five-star hotels approve of. Here's what happened and why they actually work...

Method 1: Hotel hot wash | Test score: 3.5 out of 5

Hotels get their bedding crip and white by using a hot wash of 140 °F for a minimum of 90 minutes, to remove germs and stains. I was a bit apprehensive at first as none of the pillows' cleaning labels advise a hot cycle, plus it's not very environmentally friendly.

"A hot water cycle can improve cleaning and reduce some allergens or microorganisms, but only when the pillow’s care label permits it," says Dr Kanwal.

After putting a stained pillow in the machine for two hours, I wasn't at all surprised to see that the high temperature faded most of the tea and coffee stains.

It definitely didn't get the pillow clean enough for a five-star hotel bed, but most five-star hotels don't have pillows this stained.

Method 2: Soda crystal + washing machine | Test score: 4.5 out of 5

Now we're back to the soda crystals. While this versatile powder didn't impress me during the TikTok method, I thought maybe the power of the washing machine would bring out the soda crystal magic.

"Soda crystals can support detergent by helping loosen greasy buildup, but it should be rinsed thoroughly because it can irritate skin or damage certain fabrics if misused," says Dr Kanwal.

Turns out, the detergent really did bring out the soda crystal magic. After applying half a cup of soda crystals to the drum of my washing machine and following the laundry instructions on the pillow label.

I was pleased to see that the pillow stains had faded almost to nothing (though a few stubborn stains did linger).

Method 3: Hydrogen peroxide | Test score: 5 out of 5

I've written quite a few cleaning articles in my time, and every time I interview a cleaning specialist about the best ways to remove stubborn stains, they always bring up hydrogen peroxide. "Three percent hydrogen peroxide can help break down some organic stains, but rinse thoroughly to avoid skin irritation," says Dr Kanwal.

So, I followed this guide on how to hydrogen peroxide as a safe cleaner, and then grabbed some gloves, a spray bottle and 3% concentration of hydrogen peroxide.

I spritzed a mixture of equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water all over the stained pillow and let it sit. After 30 minutes, I worked the solution into the pillow with an electric toothbrush.

As I scrubbed, I was surprised to see the stains start rub and flake off. I then popped the pillow into the washing machine (following the label's cleaning instructions) for an hour.

When I took the pillow out of the drum, I was shocked. Not only had it removed even the toughest of stains, it had also made the pillow whiter and brighter — something that the other methods failed to do.

So, the best pillow cleaning method in my opinion? Hydrogen peroxide all the way.

Top-rated products to keep your pillows stain free

Night sweats and allergens can ruin our sleep during the summer, and not washing your bedding enough can make these issues even worse. Sweat, oil, and allergens can build up if sheets and pillows during heatwaves, but how often (and at what temperature) should we wash our sheets in the summer?

While research has found that the average person changes their sheets every 24 days, an infection prevention expert says this is way too long a wait wash your bedding.

"Bedding collects normal skin bacteria, environmental bacteria, yeasts, mold spores, dust mites, and the allergens that come with all of it," says Dr. Shanina C. Knighton, PhD, RN, CIC, a Research Associate Professor at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University.

So, to set the record straight, I've called on Dr. Knighton to tell us how often we should be washing our sheets and pillows during the summer. She'll also tell us what temperature to wash your bedding at, and three other ways you can prevent summer allergens from piling up and disrupting your sleep.

• Read more: My bed sheets were dirty one night after washing until I banned these 3 things from the bedroom

Key takeaways: At a glance

• Wash your sheets and pillowcases at least once a week: but those with skin conditions, an active lifestyle, or allergies will need to change them more frequently.
• Duvet covers should be washes at least every two weeks: pillows and comforters can be washed every few months if they aren't visibly soiled or stained.
• Wash bedding at a temperature of at least 130°F: with 140°F being the optimal for killing dust mites.
• Make sure bedding is well-ventilated: this prevents moisture from encouraging bacterial growth, and use a waterproof mattress protector.
• Wear slippers: these stop your feet from picking up floor debris and bringing it into your bed.

How often should you wash bed sheets and pillowcases in summer?

"Wash your sheets and pillowcases weekly at a minimum during hot weather," advises Dr Knighton.

However, the infection expert stresses that many people may need to wash their bedding more frequently depending on their lifestyle, occupation, and conditions.

"Wash more frequently if you sweat heavily, go to bed without showering, have oily or acne-prone skin, have allergies or eczema, share the bed with pets, or work a high-exposure job such as healthcare, sanitation, childcare, or repair work where you carry the day home with you," she shares.

How often should other types of bedding be washed in summer?

While Dr. Knighton advises pillowcases and sheets be washed frequently, other types of bedding can survive a longer wait.

"Duvet covers should be washed weekly or every two weeks depending on use," says Dr Knighton. "Pillows and comforters follow the care label, which is usually every few months, and sooner if they become sweaty, stained, musty, or visibly soiled."

However, just because pillows, duvet cover, and comforters don't need to be washed as often as sheets and pillowcases, this doesn't mean they aren't immune to allergen and moisture build-up.

In fact, Dr. Knighton says that dense pillows and comforter can hold onto moisture far longer than thinner sheets do, trapping heat, sweat, skin oils, and dead cells without airflow.

These warm, moist conditions allow bacteria, fungi, and odors to thrive deep inside the fill — even if your sheets look completely clean on the surface.

"Over time, that same combination is what produces the musty smell, the yellowing, and the staining that will not wash out easily," explains the health specialist.

What temperature should bedding be washed at in summer?

As for what temperature you should was bedding at, Dr Knighton points to research that found that 140°F (60°C) kills all house dust mites.

However, she suggests following the bedding's care labels and opting for the warmest temperature the fabric can stand, with most allergy guidance pointing to 130°F (which is 54.4°C).

• I tested 5 viral pillow cleaning hacks to see if they work

What happens if you don't wash your bedding often enough in summer?

So, we know if we don't wash our bedding often enough, oil, sweat and allergens will start to accumulate in our beds, but what are the consequences of that happening?

"The risk is not the same for everyone, and that is the honest answer," Dr. Knighton tells me. "For a healthy person with intact skin, the usual result is odor, breakouts, skin irritation, or allergy and asthma flares.

"For someone with asthma, mold sensitivity, eczema, broken skin, or a weakened immune system, the picture is more serious, and there is real infection risk for the immunocompromised."

3 more ways to keep your bedding clean in summer

1. Wear slippers or socks

"Slippers are not optional in my house and serve a purpose beyond just comfort," says Dr Knighton.

She says this rule applies especially to those who have pets or allow outdoor shoes indoors, where the floor could be covered in debris.

"Walking across it barefoot and then climbing into bed means you have just dragged all of that up onto your sheets with your own feet.," she warns. "A pair of slippers between the floor and the bed breaks that chain."

2. Don't bring your phone to bed

You may want to skip your nightly doomscrolling session, as a phone's surface are "one of the dirtiest things most people own".

The same phone that has been on restaurant tables, in bathrooms, and in their hands all day, and they set it on the pillow or the sheets, " says Dr. Knighton. "My phone does not come to bed with me."

The expert also says she doesn't bring the clothes she's been wearing all day to bed either. " Whatever my outdoor clothes and my phone touched during the day stays out of the space where I sleep," she reveals.

3. Make sure your bed is dry

While washing your bedding is important, keeping it dry also prevents the risk of allergen buildup.

To prevent your bedding trapping moisture and encouraging microbial growth, Dr Knighton recommends using one of the best mattress protectors with waterproof protection and ensuring your bedding gets enough ventilation.

If excessive sweating at night means you're waking up to a damp bed, the infection prevention expert recommends allowing the bedding to dry before making it.

"After a sweaty night, throw the covers back, let the bed breathe for a while, and make it later," she advises.

For more cleaning advice, see our guide on how to clean a mattress. This is especially important if you've invested in the best mattress for your sleep needs and want it to last as long as possible to get your money's worth.

Helix Cooling Memory Foam Pillow: Review in brief

In a brutally hot summer the average memory foam pillow turns into a sweat sponge. Not so the Helix Cooling Memory Foam Pillow, which uses a GlacioTex cover and gel memory foam insert to prevent heat build up.

After putting it to the test for two weeks, we think the Helix Cooling Memory Foam Pillow rivals the best pillows we've tried. I slept on the low loft version and found it buttery soft but still supportive for back and stomach sleeping. (A high loft version is available for side sleepers.)

What's more, I used the Helix foam pillow during a scorching heatwave and the cool-to-the-touch feel made climbing into bed refreshing. Admittedly, it warms to neutral within a few minutes but that's where it stops. No heat pooling, no excessive stuffiness.

It's not cheap with a price around $93 in the sale but the durable build should last for a fair few heatwaves, so you sleep comfortably even if your AC's on the fritz.

Helix Cooling Memory Foam Pillow: Price & deals

The Helix Cooling Memory Foam Pillow has an MSRP of $124 for a standard size in high or low loft. That's pricey, but you'll never actually pay that much. A year-round Helix mattress sale knocks 20% off, which means you're most likely to pay around $100. (A king has an MSRP of $161 and typically sells for around $129.)

Even in the sale, this isn't cheap but it's competitive for a memory foam pillow. In comparison, the Tempur-Cloud pillow is $84 at Tempur-Pedic (without cooling tech) while Casper's Hybrid Snow Pillow is around $143.20.

If you do want to save a little more, Helix often launches 25% and 27% off sales. This won't bring a huge price cut but it's a good way to save extra. (And speaking of saving extra, Helix provides free delivery to mainland US.)

Helix offers a 30-night trial and one-year warranty. We might expect slightly better benefits but as some brands offer no trial or warranty with their pillows, it's not awful.

Helix Cooling Memory Foam Pillow: Design & Materials

The Helix GlactioTex Cooling Memory Foam Pillow is what it says on the tin: a memory foam pillow in a GlacioTex cover. But if that sounds like a load of buzzwords, I'll break it down for you.

At the core of the pillow is a block of ultra-dense memory foam. It's soft, squidgy and slow moving. On one side, this foam is topped with a layer of gel foam, to improve cooling.

The cover is made from Helix's GlacioTex fabric. Consisting of polyester and polyethylene, it's designed to draw heat away quickly. The cover is quilted but not particularly soft (I'll explain more below).

There's one more thing to note: the pillow loft. The Helix Cooling Memory Foam pillow is available in a low loft (4") and a high loft (5.1"). We recommend low loft for back and stomach sleepers, high loft for side sleepers.

Helix Cooling Memory Foam Pillow: Performance

I slept on the Helix Cooling Memory Foam Pillow for two weeks and performed a series of objective and subjective tests, following our pillow testing methodology.

Set up

There's no set up required with the Helix Memory Foam Pillow. it's delivered flat so all you have to do is take it out of the packaging, put on your pillow cover, and start sleeping on it.

There was some off-gassing but it was mild. Off-gassing is the chemical scent associated with polyurethane foams and while harmless, it can irritate sensitive noses. If that's you, leave the pillow to breathe in a well-ventilated room for a few hours.

Score: 4 out of 5

Comfort & Support

There's a real 'ahh' moment when you first lie on the Helix Memory Foam Pillow. The foams immediately yield to accommodate your head and neck, with a buttery feel that means no pressure build-up at the ear.

I'm a stomach sleeper so I opted for the low loft. This holds my head in line with my spine, without pushing my neck up. Add on the contouring and in the month of testing, I've yet to wake up with neck pain. It's also comfortable for back sleepers (who have much the same pillow needs as front sleepers.)

The low loft model is too thin for side sleepers but Helix has a solution — the high loft model. I've not tested this version but the added inch should provide the support side sleepers need.

Overall, the feel is medium-soft. Its a pillow you sink into but it doesn't have 'melt' of something like the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud pillow.

My subjective tests confirmed this. On the Helix Memory Foam, my 10lb weight sank about an inch into the surface and then hit the supportive core. The Tempur-Cloud's Tempur foams pretty much ate the weight up.

You can also see the difference once the weight is removed. On the Tempur-Cloud, it took around seven seconds for the foams to bounce back from the pressure. On the Helix Memory Foam pillow, this was around four seconds. Still slow moving but more responsive.

This means when you shift in the night, the pillow takes a few seconds to conform to your new position. But it gets there eventually. (In comparison, the Helix Talalay Pillow bounced back instantly.)

The quilted cover adds to this spongy feel but the GlacioTex fiber gives it a slight roughness. Once wrapped in the cover, this was no problem. But for the silky soft touch of a hotel-style pillow though, try the Birch Organic Pillow.

Score: 4.5 out of 5

Temperature control

Cooling is, literally, the name of the game here. But can the Helix Memory Foam Pillow live up to its icy promises?

In my experience, yes... with a but.

The GlacioTex cover feels cool to the touch at first but warms to neutral quickly. But then it stays neutral throughout the night. No excess heat gathering, no uncomfortably warm patches.

What it didn't do was maintain a chill feel all night long. You'll still need to flip it if you've looking for the 'cool side'. And I highly recommend choosing a breathable pillow cover to ensure the heat can escape properly (I used percale cotton).

However, considering how dense the foam is, and knowing memory foam's reputation for trapping heat, I was impressed. I previously tested the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud memory foam pillow and while I loved the soft feel, on a hot nights it became an oven. Not a problem on the Helix Pillow.

Together, GlacioTex and gel foams help wick away heat. However, the design isn't particularly breathable. Those with night sweats might prefer the superior airflow of a natural pillow like the Birch Organic or the Saatva Latex pillow.

Finally, it's worth noting I tested the Helix Memory Foam Pillow during a brutal heatwave. And I was still happy with the feel.

Score: 4.5 out of 5

Helix Cooling Memory Foam Pillow: Durability & Care

You should replace your pillows roughly every two years but some pillows turn to pancakes after just a few weeks of testing. Durability and easy care allows you to get the most from your pillow investment.

Build quality

Both the cover and core of the Helix Cooling Memory Foam pillow have a high quality and durable feel.

It's also weighty. Helix claims the low loft standard size weighs 3.3 lbs, the exact same weight it gives the Talalay Latex Pillow. But the Cooling Memory Foam Pillow feels much heavier to my arms.

To put this into subjective terms, when I drop the Talalay pillow, it lands with a 'thud'. When I drop the Helix Memory Foam pillow, it hits the ground with a 'THWACK".

This is the opposite of a problem, as it implies the memory foam is dense and dense foams tend to have better durability. However, if you knock your pillow to the floor in the night, the quake might wake you.

Score: 4.5 out of 5

Care and maintenance

With a removable and machine washable cover, the Helix GlacioTex Memory Foam pillow is easy to care for. The interior is spot clean only but that's common for memory foam pillows.

Plus, the cover is so thick it's hard to imagine much will get past it to the core itself.

Score: 4.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Helix Cooling Memory Foam Pillow?

'Memory foam' and 'cooling' are often at odds but not when it comes to the Helix Cooling Memory Foam Pillow.

During a heatwave, the Helix Cooling Memory Foam Pillow stayed comfortably neutral, even if it lost its chill feel within a few minutes. In comparison, last summer I slept on the Tempur-Cloud pillow and while it delivered the soft feel I wanted, it warmed up in seconds.

The dense foam core also contours to the head to reduce pressure build-up. I never felt pain at the jaw or ear. And the two lofts gives the Helix Memory Foam pillow versatility, with an option for most sleep styles.

It's $93 but we predict good longevity, so you should get a lot of use for the money. And if you want the feel of memory foam that you can use even on the hottest summer nights, the Helix Cooling Memory Foam Pillow might be your best option.

Buy the Helix Cooling Memory Foam Pillow if...

✅ You want marshmallow-like cushioning: The plush, sink-in foams yield under weight to prevent soreness at the ear and jaw.

✅ You want sink-in pressure relief without the heat build-up: Memory foam can sleep warm but the Helix Cooling Pillow uses a combo of GlacioTex fibers and gel foams to kick out heat. It stays neutral even on very warm nights.

✅ You want to invest in quality: At close to $100 the Helix Cooling Memory Foam Pillow is a bit of an investment, but the dense foams should provide great longevity.

Don't buy the Helix Cooling Memory Foam Pillow if...

❌ You sleep very hot: Those who experience night sweats might prefer a pillow with a more breathable build, like a latex or feather design.

❌ You move around a lot in the night: The slow-moving foams take a second to catch up when you shift position. A more responsive pillow, like the Helix Talalay Latex, is better if you want non-stop support on restless nights.

Helix Cooling Memory Foam Pillow: Alternatives

Packing your kids off to college? The best thing you can provide for them is a good night's sleep (that, and an endless supply of ramen). But in a college dorm, quality shut-eye isn't always to find. That's why we've rounded up the essentials to turn a dorm room into a sleep sanctuary.

Starting with the bed. Our best mattress guide has a pick for every sleep style but for dorm room comfort on a budget, you can't beat the Siena Signature (from $159 at Siena). Alternatively, a mattress topper adds comfort for less, while the right sheets and pillows are affordable upgrades that make a big difference.

And let's not forget the real barrier to good sleep in college: the roommate. (Why are they always nocturnal?) Ear plugs and eye masks are a must-have, plus a good going-away gift for the college bound. Because sleep in college shouldn't be a privilege — it's the secret to better learning.

College dorm room sleep essentials

Say goodbye to neck pain and sweaty mornings with the Birch Organic Pillow, now $149 (was $198) in the Birch 25% off sale. It's rocketed its way into our guide to the best pillows of 2026 thanks to its breathable build and plump design that suits most sleep styles.

We test a lot of pillows. The eco-friendly Birch Organic stood out because it's both naturally breathable (our lead tester described it as 'remarkably cool') and comfortable for most sleep styles. That includes side sleepers — it's already plush but the shredded latex fill can be plumped to your exact needs.

Latex is an increasingly popular pillow material but it's going to take something special to topple the Birch Organic. It's pricey but in our opinion, the luxury feel and premium materials make it worth the money. (And now is the time to buy, thanks to the sale).

What is the Birch Organic Pillow?

The Organic pillow is from eco-friendly bedding brand Birch. Our testers have previously been impressed with Birch beds — they compare to some of the best mattresses we've tested, even — so we were eager to give the pillow a go.

At the core of the Birch Organic Pillow is shredded organic latex foam. This gives the pillow its plumpness as well as support, and helps with temperature regulation (latex is known for its natural breathability which enhances air flow).

Surrounding the latex core is a layer of wool. This adds more cushioning and, yes, even more breathability. Wool is naturally moisture wicking, to keep you fresh.

Finally, it's all wrapped in a cotton cover. (Organic, of course.)

Why it's our favorite latex pillow

We've tested a fair few latex pillows over the years. So what makes the Birch Organic Latex pillow stand out?

There are three features that earned the Birch 4.5 stars from our tester.

First, the breathability. After a night on the Birch Pillow our tester described feeling 'refreshed'. She slept cool even during a warm spring.

Second, the all-round comfort. The Birch is a bit of a 'Goldilocks', a pillow that's just right for almost everyone. It's also super easy to plump and flatten, which means you can change the feel to match your needs.

Third, it feels luxurious. This isn't a cheap pillow but the good news is that the build quality reflects the higher price tag. Our only complaint was that you have to hand wash the cover.

Getting a good night's sleep is vital for a happy and healthy life, but lots of different factors can impact on it. Perhaps you're too warm at night and that's keeping you awake (increasingly likely in our summer of heatwaves.) Maybe you don't like your pillows, or are simply not comfy enough in your current bed linen. If that's the case then it's time to give your bedding a complete overhaul!

One of the brands leading the way in comfortable and affordable bed linen and pillows is Bedsure. The company delivers, in its own words, "everyday comfort" at a reasonable cost. There's a wide range of products to choose from here, all available now at Amazon — and many of them currently have money off. Read on to find out 12 of our favorites...

Choosing new bed sheets might seem like an easy task at first, but the. sheer number of fabrics, types of weaves, designs and more can be overwhelming. But that's where we can help, as we've tested multiple sets of bedding to create this guide to the 5 best bed sheets sets in 2026.

There are four main considerations you should make when choosing the best bed sheets for you: softness, ease of care, durability, and the maximum safe temperature they can be washed at to banish allergens, fungi and bacteria.

In this guide you'll find bed sheets sets for every budget, from under $20 to luxury hotel sheets made to last several years. Even better, many of our top-rated options are reduced in price thanks to this year's Labor Day mattress and bedding sales. Here's what we recommend...

• Read more: How to fold a fitted sheet easily and quickly

The 6 best bed sheets we've tested

Also recommended

We're constantly testing new bed sheets to see if they're good enough to make the grade in our best bed sheets set guide. While we haven't finished reviewing the following yet, we also recommend considering them based on our early positive test data coupled with verified customer reviews.

Budget bed sheets sets

Luxury organic bed sheets sets

How we test bed sheets sets

Products reviews are at the heart of our content at Tom's Guide and to ensure we give you our top recommendations, we test rigorously. Our bed sheet guide is no exception.

Our in-house reviewers spend two weeks sleeping on each set and putting them through two wash and dry cycles. This lets us gauge the overall performance of a set— how it feels, fits, regulates temperature, its durability and ease of maintenance. We score each parameter out of 5 — 1 indicating poor and 5 meaning it's outstanding.

Our main objective is to help you make an informed decision and find the right set of sheets for your sleep, right from the fabric thread count, the material, softness and visual appeal.

For more information, refer to our bed sheet testing methodology.

How to choose the best bed sheets for you

Thread count, the number of horizontal and vertical threads woven into one square inch of fabric, is something to consider when choosing bed sheets.

It denotes the feel and softness of materials like cotton, bamboo or tencel. However, a higher thread count does not necessarily mean better quality.

"While it's often marketed as a sign of quality, thread count alone doesn't determine how soft, breathable, or durable sheets are," says Byron Golub, Vice President of Product and Merchandising at Saatva.

"Other factors like the type of fabric, weave, and fiber quality matter just as much," he adds.

Another key aspect to think of when picking bed sheets is material.

Classic cotton is the one material recommended by experts for year-round use thanks to its breathability, softness and durability.

If you're a hot sleeper, switching to cooling fabrics like linen, bamboo or Tencel Lyocell can help with overheating or night sweats.

"Linen is naturally cooling, moisture-wicking, and airy while bamboo (viscose or lyocell) is silky soft, temperature-regulating, and great for hot sleepers. Best in the 250–350 thread count range," says Golub.

"Tencel is another eco-friendly, breathable option that’s smooth and cool to the touch— ideal in the 300–400 range," he adds.

Amazon launched its Prime Day Deals earlier this year, kicking off on 23rd June and sneaking in ahead of the 4th of July mattress sales. While there are plenty of good Prime Day discounts on sleep tech and a few good cheap and mid-range mattress deals (Zinus, DreamCloud, and Nectar), Amazon's Prime Day mattress deals have been mostly underwhelming this year.

So if you want to buy a new mattress and are wondering whether to get one in the Prime Day sale or shop elsewhere in the 4th of July sales, here's what we recommend...

Stick with Prime Day if you want an affordable mattress that costs less than $550 for a queen, and if you want to stock up on affordable bedding, or nab a good sleep tracker for less.

If you're looking to invest in a hotel-style bed or luxury mattress, browse the 4th of July sales instead. Many of the top-rated options in our best mattress guide are on sale this week, so now is a good time to upgrade.

Here's what you need to know about buying a mattress in the Amazon Prime Day sales vs 4th of July...

Today's best deals on top-rated mattresses

• Best mattress overall – Saatva Classic: From $1,049 (was $1,449) at Saatva
• Best cooling – Bear Elite Hybrid: From $1,198 (was $1,998) at Bear
• Best value – DreamCloud Classic: From $429 (was $1,346) at DreamCloud
• Best cheap – Zinus 10" Green Tea: From $137 (170.99) at Amazon
• For side sleepers – Helix Midnight Luxe: From $1,119 (was $1,492) at Helix
• Best organic – Avocado Green: From $1,359 (was $1,599) at Avocado
• Best smart – Sleep Number ComfortNext: From $2,199 (was $2,599) at Sleep Number

Prime Day vs 4th of July: Top mattress deals compared

Top 3 Prime Day mattress deals

Top 3 4th of July mattress deals

Benefits compared: Prices, sleep trials and warranties

• Amazon Prime Day is better for cheap mattress and sleep tech deals
• 4th of July sales are better for mid-range, luxury and smart mattresses
• On the whole, buying direct from top sleep brands nets you better benefits

Let's start with a generalization: if you want a cheap mattress, stick with the Amazon Prime Day sales. If you want a good mid-range or luxury mattress, browse the 4th of July sales (many already have started).

In recent years, Amazon has expanded its arsenal of mattresses to included top-rated brands including Nectar, DreamCloud, Purple and Casper (see our guide to the best Amazon mattresses). However, Amazon is still primarily home to budget beds, and it's the place to look for a queen mattress under $400.

In the July 4th mattress sales you'll find a wider variety of prices, including discounts on some of the best luxury mattresses you can buy online. If you have a bigger budget — say, upwards of $1,000 for a queen —you'll have more chance to use it well if you look outside Amazon.

You'll also find better benefits outside Amazon... for the most part.

A standard mattress trial for a bed sold online is 100 nights (that's the time you can test it at home.) However, on Amazon many cheap beds come with no trial at all. That means once it's out of its packaging, it's yours. Luxury sleep favorites, on the other hand, sometimes offer as much as a 365-night trial.

You're also likely to get better warranties shopping outside Amazon (although even budget brands often include a 10-year warranty.)

The mattresses, bedding and sleep tech to look out for in each sale

The mattress might be the big ticket item but it's not the only thing that can help you sleep better. Here's which sale to shop for all your snooze essentials.

Mattresses

• Amazon sells excellent all-foam beds with Prime Day discounts
• For organic and luxury, shop the 4th of July deals
• The 4th of July sales will also have more variety

If you're looking for a budget-friendly mattress in the Amazon Prime Day sales, we recommend opting for a low-cost memory foam mattress.

That's based on our testing experience: brands such as Zinus, EGOHOME and Sweetnight have impressed our review team with their all-foam beds and budget price points. They're particularly good for side sleepers, as the dense foams hug the shoulders and hips to reduce pressure build-up (a must in the best mattresses for side sleepers.)

The 4th of July sales have a much wider variety of mattresses in a box on sale, including some of the best organic mattresses and our favorite hotel beds.

It's also the place to look for traditional beds (in other words, those delivered flat, like the Saatva Classic.)

Pillows & bedding

• Pillows and bedding are discounted for Prime Day and July 4th
• For affordable upgrades and guest room favorites, try Amazon
• For durable, premium bedding picks, shop the 4th of July deals

Many of our favorite sleep brands now run Amazon stores. So if it's one of the best pillows or fresh bedding you're after, there's a lot of choice.

As with mattresses, Amazon Prime Day will be the time to shop if you want a budget-friendly pillow or bedding set. And thanks to the typically quick delivery dates, you can order new bedding now and have it set up in your spare room before your 4th of July visitors arrive.

Alternatively, if you have your eye on mid-range to premium brands such as Coop, Brooklinen, and Nest, hold off for the 4th of July sales.

Sleep tech

• There are massive sleep tracker discounts in the Prime Day sales
• Plus bargains on sleep accessories, like ear plugs and eye masks
• For a smart bed, you'll find more options in the 4th of July sales

You'll find sleep tech discounts during both sales periods but if you're after one of the best sleep trackers, it's got to be Prime Day: we're already seeing deals from Oura and FitBit.

Prime Day will also be your best chance to save on sleep accessories; eye masks, ear plugs, sleepy time teas, pillow sprays... the small add ons that can elevate your sleep set-up. While you'll find a few deals over the 4th of July, we recommend adding these to your Prime Day basket.

But July 4th is likely to come out on top if it's one of the best smart beds you're after, with brands including Sleep Number and Eight Sleep leading the sales.

Amazon Prime Day vs 4th of July mattress sales: Which sale is better for you?

Shop the Amazon Prime Day mattress deals if...

✅ You want a cheap bed: Amazon is the home of affordable mattresses and with the Prime Day price drops, you can expect even cheaper deals. And it's not just Amazon, as rivals Walmart and Best Buy are running rival offers.

✅ You want high-quality sleep tech: From FitBit to Oura Rings (and their dupes), we're seeing plenty of sleep offers this Prime Day. We doubt the 4th of July will bring the same level of savings.

✅ You want some sleep-boosting accessories: A mattress is the foundation of good sleep but accessories such as ear plugs and eye masks can improve your zzzs for less.

Shop the 4th of July mattress sales if...

✅ You want more choice: Amazon's mattress line-up has expanded significantly in recent years but you'll still find more options when you go direct to the brand. Particularly if you want to save on a luxury or organic bed.

✅ You want better benefits: A sleep trial gives you time to break in a mattress and decide if it's right for you. They're standard from most sleep brands but can't always be expected when shopping from Amazon. You'll often find better warranties and perks shopping from the brand, as well.

✅ You want a smart bed: For most sleep tech, it's got to be Prime Day. But for smart beds, the 4th of July has the edge. Brands like Sleep Number and Eight Sleep are expected to run big 4th of July sales.

Each day during a heatwave, my neighbor hangs her pillows and bedding on the line for a few hours of ‘sun washing’ or ‘sun curing’ – a viral cleaning trend that claims leaving bed sheets in direct, super-hot sunlight UV-sanitizes them. I understand the appeal – this viral pillow cleaning hack is free, and who doesn’t like sleeping in line-fresh bedding?

But here’s the microbiological truth: ‘sun washing’ does little to get fungi, bacteria, dust mites and odors out of your pillows, bed sheets and toppers. According to a study on optimal ways to remove dust mites, allergens and pollen, a standard machine wash at 104°F 40°C leaves 94% of dust mites alive and kicking in your bedding. Yep, 94%.

So why is my neighbor dead-set on ‘sun washing’ her bedding during a heatwave? “The real benefit is moisture and not disinfection,” says Dr. Shanina C. Knighton, PhD, RN, CIC, an infection prevention expert and Research Associate Professor at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University.

To help us separate cleaning myth from microbiological reality, Dr. Knighton explains what ‘sun washing’ actually achieves, why pillows and bedding become moisture bombs during heatwaves, and the exact temperature a washing machine needs to get rid of the nasties.

Key take-aways: At a glance

• The 'sun washing' misconception: Hanging pillows and duvets outside in the sun won't disinfect them. Sunlight cannot physically lift soil or skin cells, and UV rays can't penetrate dense pillow and comforter interiors where microbes hide.
• Why airing bedding in a heatwave is still smart: Moving hot air pulls moisture, sweat, and odors trapped inside dense bedding. It temporarily stops bacteria from multiplying, but it won't get rid of the bacteria.
• The wash temperature that works: According to one study, 104°F / 40°C washes leave 94% of dust mites alive in your bedding. To eliminate dust mites and pathogens, you must machine wash your bedding using the warmest setting its care label safely tolerates. The ideal is 130°F to 140°F / 54.4°C to 60°C.
• When to wash bedding in a heatwave: While pillowcases and bed sheets should be washed once a week (minimum) during summer, step up the frequency if you sweat heavily, skip nighttime showers, have acne-prone skin, or share the bed with pets. Especially during a heatwave.
• Prioritize a dry bed over a tidy bed: Never make your bed straight after getting up if you've been sweating and the sheets felt damp. Pulling up the covers seals in body heat and moisture – the ideal conditions for fungi and odors to multiply during a heatwave.

‘Sun washing’ refreshes bedding — it doesn’t disinfect

With regular use, pillows and bedding house a build-up of fungi, dust mites, other allergens and odors.

“When researchers at the University of Manchester cultured used pillows, ones in service from a year and a half to more than 20 years, they found between four and 16 species of fungi in a single pillow, with higher numbers in the synthetic ones,” reveals Dr. Knighton.

“The concern is not that any single pillow is a biohazard. It is hours of close contact, night after night, with moisture and skin debris and microbial buildup sitting right against your face and airway."

Deep penetration is required to disinfect dense pillows and comforters, especially older ones that don’t get cleaned regularly in a washing machine — and that’s something a few hours of airing outside can’t deliver.

“A machine wash physically lifts sweat, oil, skin cells, allergens, and microbes off the fabric through detergent, water, agitation, rinsing, and heat,” Dr. Knighton explains. “Sunlight does not lift soil off of anything.”

Even the geometry of some pillows and bedding dilutes the germ-killing potential of ultraviolet light.

“Direct sun can reduce some microbes on an exposed surface, but the exposure is uneven and unreliable,” says Dr. Knighton. “The top of a duvet might catch the sun while the underside, the seams, the folds, and the dense fill inside a pillow never do.”

The fungi and bacteria hiding deep within the stuffing or wadding of your pillow and comforter remain entirely unreached by sunlight, even if you're 'sun washing' during a raging heatwave.

“I would never tell someone to skip a wash because the bedding spent an afternoon outside,” warns Dr. Knighton.

Why you should still air pillows and bedding outside in a heatwave

Moisture, not microbes, is the real reason to hang your pillows, comforter, and bed sheets out to air during a heatwave. You aren’t UV-sanitizing, you’re UV-dehydrating.

Every night as you lie in bed sweating away during a heatwave, your bedding acts like a giant sponge. It drinks up sweat, saliva (drool), skin oils, dead skin cells, and not to mention skin and hair products. During a heatwave, that sponge becomes extra thirsty and absorption rockets.

“Putting pillows and bedding out in dry moving air pulls that dampness back out and cuts the odor that comes with it,” Dr. Knighton notes. “That is what airing does. It dries and freshens between washes. It does not sanitize anything.”

How pillows and bedding become ‘moisture bombs’ in hot weather

All those hot, sticky summer nights spent sweating away in bed drive moisture down into your mattress, pillows and bedding.

“A dense pillow or comforter holds onto moisture far longer than a thin sheet does,” explains Dr. Knighton. “After a hot night, it’s carrying sweat, skin oil, and shed skin cells, and the warmth stays in the fill.

“Warmth, moisture, and organic material with no airflow is exactly the condition that lets bacteria and fungi persist and lets odor build, and the bedding doesn’t have to look dirty for this to be happening.”

So even though your crisp white sheets still look clean after nearly a week of sleeping under them, what’s infiltrated the sheets tells a different story.

To be clear, a heatwave won’t conjure dangerous new organisms overnight, says Dr. Knighton: “What the heat does is drive more sweat and trap more moisture, and moisture is the thing most microbes need to survive.”

The washing temperature that actually kills dust mites and more

Now that we know ‘sun washing’ draws out moisture, but doesn’t sanitize, it’s time to look at what will: your washing machine.

A standard wash cycle won’t cut it during a summer heatwave (or during any other time of year) — especially if you suffer from allergies or asthma.

“For temperature, use the warmest water the fabric can safely tolerate,” Dr. Knighton advises. “The benchmark most allergy guidance uses for dust mites is 130°F / 54.4°C.

“One study found that washing at 140°F / 60°C killed all dust mites, while a warm wash at 104°F / 40°C killed only about six per cent of them.”

While dropping your laundry down to a cool or warm cycle protects the fabric and saves energy, from an infection prevention standpoint, the hotter the wash the better.

Check your bedding’s care labels to ensure it will withstand a hotter wash. And if you have asthma, allergies, or a chronic health condition, consider swapping to pillows, comforters and bedding that can be safely washed at 130°F / 54.4°C.

"Hospital laundry runs hotter and longer than that, but that is validated industrial processing, not something a household needs or should try to copy,” Dr Knighton explains.

“The practical message is simple: wash often, use detergent, use the warmest safe setting, and dry the item all the way through."

How often you should wash pillows and bedding in summer vs a heatwave

A weekly bed sheets wash is common in most homes, but according to Dr. Knighton you might need to clean them more often during a heatwave.

During extreme summer heat your body is working overtime to cool itself down at night (heat spikes can cause 3 a.m. wake-ups and other middle insomnia issues).

As a result, sweat, facial skin oils, dead skin and more all seep down into your pillows and bedding at an accelerated rate.

Dr. Knighton recommends stepping up your laundry schedule significantly if you match any of the following criteria:

• You sweat heavily during the night or experience night sweats.
• You prefer to shower in the morning and go to bed with daytime skin buildup.
• You have oily, acne-prone skin, eczema, or environmental allergies.
• You share your bed with dogs, cats, or other pets.
• You work a high-exposure job (such as healthcare, childcare, sanitation, or repair work) where you actively carry the day's grime home with you.

Here, Dr. Knighton breaks down exactly how often you should machine wash different types of bedding during hot weather to keep the microbial load under control:

Bed sheets and pillowcases: Once a week (minimum)

You should wash these at least once a week in hot weather, but "more often for a lot of people," says Dr. Knighton.

Duvet covers: Every one to two weeks

To combat fungi, dust mites, allergens and more, you should hot wash your duvet cover once a week during summer – more if you don’t shower before sleep then sweat in bed.

Using a top flat sheet as a barrier between you and the duvet cover buys you a bit more time – up to two weeks, but check your cover for odors.

Pillows and comforters: Every three months (or sooner)

Always follow the care label on your pillow or comforter, but generally you should be washing them every few months. However, in a heatwave you need to wash them immediately if they are damp with moisture, stained, musty, or visibly soiled.

“A tidy bed should not outweigh a dry bed,” says Dr. Knighton.

By using ‘sun-washing’ to reduce daily moisture build-up between washing your pillows and bedding on as safe a hot wash as they can handle, you’ll get the microbial load under control and enjoy much cleaner sleep in the hot summer months.

I have a lot of hair, I’m a hot sleeper, and I have on and off neck pain, so summer sleep is pretty miserable for me unless I’m laying on a comfy cooling pillow. The Saatva Latex Hybrid, down to $290 (was $330) for a pair at Saatva, is the highest-scoring natural cooling pillow my team has tested, earning a full 5/5 for its ability to wick away excess heat and sweat. It also earned full marks for pressure relief.

The lead tester for our Saatva Latex Hybrid Pillow review declared it ‘the best pillow I’ve ever slept on’, raving about how it delivers ‘hotel-style comfort and support’. That’s because, while shredded latex is naturally cooling, it also delivers a subtle cradling effect. So Saatva's pillow will gently nestle around the base of your neck for better support and spinal alignment.

Here’s a closer look at the deal, and why there’s no need to wait until the 4th of July mattress sales if you need a new pillow sooner and fancy the Saatva…

A natural cooling pillow for better summer sleep

The Saatva Latex Hybrid is plush and cool to the touch (thanks to a breathable organic cotton cover). The feel is responsive too, so you won’t have to re-shape it through the night to make it support your head and neck properly.

The Saatva Latex Hybrid Pillow comes in two sizes (queen and king) and two heights (standard and high). If you’re a side sleeper like me, choose ‘high’. For back sleepers, choose ‘standard’.

I’d recommend a different pillow entirely for stomach sleepers – the Tempur-Cloud Pillow, which is on a ‘buy one, get one free’ deal for $79 at Tempur-Pedic.

The build quality and finish of Saatva's luxury hotel-style pillow is excellent, as we’d expect from the brand behind the top-rated bed in our best mattress of the year guide, the Saatva Classic (read our Saatva Classic mattress review to find out why it’s our number one choice).

It's pretty easy to care for too: you can machine wash and dry the cotton cover and the outer fill layer, but not the shredded latex foam core layer.

The Saatva Latex Hybrid Pillow comes with a one-year limited warranty, free shipping, and you have a 45-day window within which to arrange a return if it isn’t right for your sleep needs.

Smaller budget? Try this…

More pillow and bedding sales to browse

• Helix Sleep: 20% off bedding and other accessories
• Avocado Green: 10% off pillows, bedsheets, protectors, and more
• Birch Organic: 20% off sitewide, including bedding
• Brooklyn Bedding: 25% off sheets, mattress protectors, and pillows
• Brooklinen: bedding bundles up to 30% off
• Company Store: 30% off sitewide semi-annual sale
• Parachute: up to 15% off bedding bundles
• Tempur-Pedic: BOGO free pillow and sheet bundles

Helix Talalay Latex Pillow: Review in brief

Here at Tom's Guide, we're familiar with the line-up of products from Helix Sleep, having tested everything from the brand's luxury mattresses (see our best mattress guide) to affordable mattress toppers. The Helix Talalay Latex pillow caught our eye thanks to its simple build and natural support, so we decided to test it out to see how it compares to the best pillows you can buy.

For two weeks, I slept on a standard-size Helix Talalay Latex Pillow in a low loft to suit my preferred stomach-sleeping position. (A high loft is also available for side sleepers.) While it took a few nights to adjust to the bouncy feel, once settled in I was impressed by the relentless support of the latex core. Any which way I moved my head, my neck stayed supported.

The low loft and gentle cradling puts it among the best pillows for back sleepers and based on my experience, I suspect the high loft version could rival many of the best pillows for side sleepers. However, the Jell-O-esque feel won't be for everyone, and there's no way to make even tiny adjustments to the loft as the core is one single slab of foam.

The natural materials are both hypoallergenic and breathable, while the overall build is easy to care for. There's no plumping required and you can machine wash the cover (even the interior can be spot cleaned.)

There's always a sale on at Helix so you can ignore the $110 MSRP — you're likely to pay around $88 per pillow in the regular 20% off sale. That's a competitive price for a latex design and the naturally breathable design makes it a compelling choice for hot summer nights.

• I tested the Helix Midnight's slighter softer sibling to see if it could top the best-selling bed's side sleeper appeal — here's what I think after sleeping on it for a month

Helix Talalay Latex Pillow: Price & deals

• A standard pillow has an MSRP of $110.66 but there's always 20% off
• More affordable than many latex pillows, but not cheap
• Benefits include a 30-night trial, 1-year warranty and free shipping

Helix Sleep sells a variety of pillows and the Talalay Latex model sits around the middle of the line-up, with an MSRP of $110.66 for a standard size and $124 for a king.

However, the Helix mattress sales run year-round and these sitewide deals include price drops on pillows. You can typically save 20% on the Talalay Latex pillow, which reduces a standard size to around $88 and a king to $100. To save further, keep an eye out for the 25% off Helix sale — this discount tends to occur around holiday weekends and reduces a standard pillow to $83 (or $80.79 with code TOMS27).

Helix offers a 30-night sleep trial with all its pillows (this is time to test the pillow at home and see if it's right for your needs.) This is a decent benefit; we have seen longer trials, but it's not unusual for even premium pillows to come with no testing period. The one-year warranty is average but competitors Saatva, Coop and Tempur-Pedic all offer longer warranties.

Latex is one of the more expensive pillow fills but at $88 for a standard size in the regular sale, the Helix Talalay pillow is among the more affordable options. In comparison, the Adjustable Latex pillow has an MSRP of $149 at Coop while at Saatva the Natural Latex pillow is $165.

Helix Talalay Latex Pillow: Design & materials

• Core is made using natural Talalay latex
• It comes with a removable TENCEL cover
• Available in two lofts: high loft (7 inches) and low loft (5.75 inches)

The core of the Helix Talalay Latex pillow consists of a block of Talalay latex foam, which is softer and more breathable than Talalay but doesn't have the coveted Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) certification. This is a natural material that's known for its hypoallergenic and responsive properties (in other words, it's bouncy.) The latex core features air channels molded into the foam.

Wrapped around the core is a quilted cover made from TENCEL and polyester. It features a zip for easy removal and can be machine washed.

The Talalay Latex pillow isn't adjustable but it is sold in two heights (or lofts), which increases its versatility. The high loft sits 7" tall and is aimed at side sleepers, with a gusseted design to accommodate the extra height. The low loft pillow is 5.75" tall and is designed for back and stomach sleepers.

While the latex interior is natural it isn't certified organic. If you prefer an organic build, check out our Birch Organic Pillow review.

Helix Talalay Latex Pillow: Performance

I slept on a low loft Helix Talalay Latex pillow in a standard size for two weeks, conducting a series of objective and subjective tests following our pillow testing methodology. Below are the overall results.

Set-up

The Helix Talalaly Pillow came vacuum wrapped, rolled, and boxed. The packaging was minimal with just a single layer of plastic keeping the pillow contained.

The packaging was easy to remove and once out of the plastic, the pillow immediately bounced to its full size. Despite having spent at least several days in its packaging, there was no wait to use it. Within the hour I was able to sleep on it (which was good, as I'd accidentally waited until late evening to start the unboxing process.)

The only issue was a slight smell, but that's expected from a latex product. It wasn't the chemical off-gassing odor of memory foam but a mild and almost sweet aroma that reminded me of graham crackers. The smell faded quickly and it never disrupted my sleep.

Score: 4.5 out of 5

Comfort and support

I'm a stomach sleeper, which is why I opted for the low-loft version of the Helix Talalay Latex pillow. Stomach and back sleepers both benefit from a low build pillow as it prevents the head and neck from being pushed upwards (something I know from experience results in neck strain and headaches.)

The Talalay Latex pillow neatly fills the gap between my neck and the bed when back or stomach sleeping. The materials don't immediately yield to the head, which means a bit of wriggling is required to create a 'cradled' feel, but the more I used the pillow, the quicker I found myself settling into position.

Let's talk about that bounce. The Helix Talalay Latex pillow is hugely responsive with the foams returning to shape as soon as any pressure is removed.

To test this, I placed a 10lb weight (roughly equivalent to a human head) on the pillow for five minutes. Once the weight was removed, the foams sprang back to their original shape with no delay. In comparison, it took the Birch Organic Latex Pillow over five minutes to regain form in the same test.

When you're sleeping, this means any time you change position the pillow immediately moves to your new shape. This is great for maintaining support in the night.

However, it's not the cozy, squishy, sink-in feel of a memory foam pillow like the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud pillow. Instead I'd compare it to a bounce house pumped full of Jell-O, which is a feel not everyone will enjoy.

I haven't tried the high loft build but based on my experience, I suspect it will suit most side sleepers as the medium-firm feel and bouncy finish hold the head aloft to prevent neck strain. However, some side sleepers might prefer a firmer feel to keep the head more elevated.

Score: 4 out of 5

Temperature control

I slept on the Helix Talalay Latex pillow during a heatwave where temperatures reached around 91°F and my bedroom turned into a sauna.

It was a stress test for my pillow but the temperature regulation impressed. While it wasn't cool to the touch, there was minimal heat build-up during the night. With a breathable percale pillowcase in place, I never had to search for the cool side (and I had an eye mask and sleep headband warming my head.)

But for chronic hot sleepers, this neutral feel might not be enough to keep a cool head. In this case, I recommend an alternative such as the Casper Hybrid Pillow with Snow Technology pillow which features active cooling.

Score: 4 out of 5

Helix Talalay Latex Pillow: Durability & care

We recommend replacing your pillows roughly every two years but some low-quality builds start to sag with only limited use. Here's how the Helix Talalay Latex pillow performed in our durability tests.

Build quality

Latex foams are generally known for their durability (although Talalay isn't as long-lasting as Dunlop latex foam) and the Helix Talalay Latex pillow has a dense feel that suggests it should stay supportive until you hit the two-year mark.

The responsive build also indicates decent longevity; it doesn't hold onto dips and sinks where your head has been resting.

However, the one-year warranty is on the short side for a pillow in this price bracket and might suggest the Helix Talalay Latex pillow won't last as long as premium alternatives from brands such as Saatva and Avocado.

Score: 4 out of 5

Care and maintenance

The day to day upkeep of the Helix Talalay Latex pillow is minimal. There's no clumping or sagging which means no fluffing is required.

The cover is also removable and machine washable on a cool cycle, for easy care, and the latex interior can be spot cleaned.

It's worth noting the cover itself is thick, which gives extra protection to the foam core. Despite getting olive oil on my pillow (it's an ear drop situation, not an antipasto in bed situation), the interior remained completely clean.

Score: 5 out of 5

Should you buy the Helix Talalay Latex Pillow?

The Helix Talalay Latex pillow has a spring-y, bouncy support that keeps you gently cradled, rather than holding your neck in a 'hug.' Even the most restless sleeper will find their head stays supported throughout the night, as the material instantly returns to form when pressure is removed.

With two lofts available the Talalay Latex pillow can suit a lot of sleep styles. As a stomach sleeper, the low loft was ideal for me and based on my experience, I suspect the high loft will appeal to many side sleepers.

However, it's a feel not everyone will enjoy, particularly those used to traditional plush pillows. And as the core is just one block of foam, there's no room for adjustment; you can't move the fill around to suit your needs. But you do have a 30-night trial period to see if the build is right for you.

Naturally breathable, the pillow maintained a neutral feel even during a heat wave. It's not actively cooling but for most sleepers, it should prevent sweaty nights.

Overall, the elastic support is ideal for restless sleepers while the neutral feel stays comfortable even on a hot night. Plus it's naturally hypoallergenic and easy to care for, making it a good choice for everyday use.

Buy the Helix Talalay Latex Pillow if...

✅ You move around in the night: The Helix Talalay Latex Pillow moves with you to keep your head and neck supported, even if you toss back and forth throughout the night.

✅ You live in a warmer climate: Latex is already naturally breathable and with the addition of air channels, the Helix pillow prevents heat from gathering in your sleep. It's a neutral feel, even on sweltering nights.

✅ You want a pillow that's easy to care for: The Helix Talalay Latex pillow requires no fluffing, has a machine washable cover and the interior can be spot cleaned.

Don't buy the Helix Talalay Latex Pillow if...

❌ You want an organic pillow: Some people assume latex means organic but while the Helix Talalay pillow is natural, Talalay latex isn't GOLS-certified like the organic Dunlop latex found in the Birch pillow.

❌ You're a chronic hot sleeper: This is a breathable pillow but the feel is neutral rather than cool. For chronic hot sleepers, a pillow with active cooling (like the Casper Snow Hybrid) might be better at fighting night sweats.

❌ You like to adjust the loft: As one solid block of foam (albeit, one sold in two lofts) there's no way to change the height of the Helix Talalay Pillow.

Helix Talalay Pillow alternatives

I've tested foam pillows and slept on ones stuffed with polyester — but I've never tried the feather and down pillows that luxury five-star hotels swear by. All that changed when I got my hands on the Helix Down & Feather Pillow, now $72,03 (was $98.66) at Helix with code TOMS27, and I don't think I'll ever be tempted by cheap fiberfill again.

Our team has tested all the best pillows on the market and adjustable shredded foam is the fill favored by sleep brands right now. But the Helix Down & Feather Pillow proves that nothing beats a classic. The natural fill provides the perfect balance of cloud-like softness and structural support that rarely needs fluffing for the right feel.

Now is the time to buy, too. Our 27% off discount code TOMS27 only crops up during big federal holiday sale events, so this may be your last chance to save on the cool, supportive Helix Down & Feather Pillow before the extended Memorial Day mattress sales officially end and summer begins.

To test if your pillow has lost its support and need a new one, try this 30-second pillow test.

3 reasons why I love the Helix Down & Feather Pillow

1. It offers great neck support

The Helix Down & Feather Pillow may be soft, but it offers stable support thanks to its clump-free natural fill. I've found in the past that shredded foam can lump together, creating an uneven surface that forces my head out of its natural alignment.

In the Helix Down & Feather Pillow, however, the fill is evenly distributed so my head and neck feel supported and remain properly aligned. From the first night of using I've been waking up neck pain free.

2. It's cruelty free

Natural down and feather pillows do use fill from birds but rest assured, the Helix Down & Feather Pillow is cruelty-free. Its certified by the Responsible Down Standard, which confirms that ducks and geese were treated humanely in the making of the pillow.

This certification means that no live plucking or force feeding is involved in the production of the pillow.

3. It sleeps cool

Paired with a breathable, moisture-wicking cotton cover, the airflow-boosting down feather fill provides a cooler sleep experience. I pair my down and feather pillow with a cotton percale pillows case or a natural silk cover for enhanced cooling synergy.

I've been using my pillow during a heat wave and so far, the cooling has impressed me.

If you want a hotel-style down-alternative pillow...

While Helix's down and feather pillow provides support and clump-free durability, pillows made with this fill tend to sit in the premium price tier. Down-alternative pillows are great budget-friendly alternatives, made with hypoallergenic synthetic fill that mimics down feathers.

If you're looking for a low-cost down-alternative pillow, check out our Beckham Hotel Down Alternative Pillow review. We found it to be breathable and instantly plush, suiting side and back sleepers best. Here's a closer look at the budget price and extras...

If you want to really optimize your sleep set up, I'd recommend taking a look beyond mattresses and pillows. It's easier than ever to add an array of sleep accessories to your sleep arsenal, with incredible sleep deals landing as part of today's Memorial Day sales. My favorite one? The Bedsure Satin Pillowcase now at just $6 on Amazon.

Paired with the best mattress for your sleeping style, the below list of accessories, including breathable pajamas, a cooling table fan and a huggable knot pillow, can all help to enhance your sleep.

You can still explore our Memorial Day mattress sale to snap up great discounts on top-quality beds, pillows and bedding. But for now, check out my top six sleep product picks...

Memorial Day pillow deals: Quick links

• Coop Original Adjustable- best overall: From $71.20 (was $89) at Coop Sleep Goods
• Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow- best pillow for side sleepers: From $107.99 (was $134.99) at Eli & Elm
• Utopia Bedding Pillows- best value: From $21.24 (was $23.74) at Amazon
• Tempur-Pedic Tempur Cloud Pillow- best pillow for stomach sleepers: Buy One Get One Sale at Tempur-Pedic
• Naturepedic Organic Adjustable Latex Pillow: From $111.20 (was $139) at Naturpedic
• Coop Cool+ Adjustable- best cooling pillow: From $119.20 (was $149) at Coop Sleep Goods

Today's best sleep accessory Memorial Day deals

If you're looking for a luxury cooling pillow, the Saatva Latex Pillow is an ideal option, but unless you plan to buy multiples, you can't find it on sale. If you only need a single cooling pillow to get you by this summer, I recommend the Coop Sleep Goods Cool+ Adjustable Pillow, which is down to $119 after 20% off in the Memorial Day sales.

The Coop Cool+ shares a lot of traits with the Saatva Latex Pillow, which we consider one of the best pillows you can buy. But not only does the Coop come at a lower price point, but you can also adjust the fill to get the loft right where you need it. (However, the Saatva Latex Pillow comes in a choice of two lofts.)

Looking for a full sleep upgrade? Explore our Memorial Day mattress sales hub, where we're tracking the latest deals on beds, pillows, sheets, and more.

Memorial Day pillow deals: Quick links

• Coop Original Adjustable [best pillow overall]: From $71.20 (was $89) at Coop Sleep Goods
• Eli & Elm Side Sleeper Pillow [best pillow for side sleepers]: From $107.99 (was $134.99) at Eli & Elm
• Utopia Bedding Pillows [best value pillow]: From $21.24 (was $23.74) at Amazon
• Tempur-Pedic Tempur Cloud Pillow [best pillow for stomach sleepers]: Buy one, get one free sale at Tempur-Pedic
• Naturepedic Organic Adjustable Latex Pillow [best organic pillow]: From $111.20 (was $139) at Naturpedic

What makes the Coop Cool+ Adjustable Pillow worth it?

Formerly known as the EdenCool+, the Coop Cool+ is similar to the Coop Original Adjustable Pillow I tested a while back, but it has a couple of touches that make it a more versatile option for hot sleepers.

The build includes a ventilated phase change memory foam material on one side, which transfers heat away from the body while providing firmer support. The other side is where you'll mostly feel the Oomph Cool+ fill, which is a blend of microfibers and hypoallergenic plus-shaped memory foam. It's wrapped in a cool-touch cover and a heat-wicking inner liner.

In our Coop Cool+ Adjustable Cooling Pillow review, our tester remained bone dry during the two weeks she slept on this pillow during the summer. The adjustable design, along with the option to flip onto a more "supportive" side, allowed her to use it comfortably for side and back sleeping.

Her one main gripe with this pillow was the amount of fluffing it needed. The fill doesn't keep its shape after a night of use, so you'll need to be diligent about fluffing it every morning. A small price to pay for nighttime relief from the heat.

Meanwhile, if you want the Saatva Latex Pillow at a discount, there's a catch...

Want a supportive, breathable pillow you don't have to re-fluff all the time? That would be the Saatva Latex Pillow.

During our review, our combination-sleeping tester (side and stomach) found it plush and comfortable, thanks to the combination of responsive latex core and cushioning microdenier fibers. In her own words, it felt like "sleeping on a cloud."

This isn't an adjustable pillow like the Coop, although it does come in a standard or high loft. Make sure you choose the right pillow loft for your sleep position; our tester tried the high-loft version, which felt a bit too elevated for back sleeping. (Choose that one if you're a side sleeper.)

Temperature regulation is Saatva Latex Pillow's forte, earning a solid 5 out of 5. The main reason is the latex core, which, combined with the moisture-wicking organic cotton cover, is a blessing for sleepers prone to night sweats.

Want a Saatva Latex Pillow on sale? Here's how you get it...