Mattress & Pillow FAQ

Buying a new mattress is a big investment. It's something you'll spend a third of your life sleeping on for the next 10-15 years (as long as you choose the right one of course). We know that TEMPUR is unique and different from conventional mattresses. So to help you decide if a TEMPUR Mattress could be right for you, we've compiled a list of frequently asked questions.

A: The temperature-sensitive TEMPUR material conforms to the shape of your body, allowing your spine and joints to rest in their natural positions. Most other mattresses do not offer as good body conformity as a TEMPUR mattress.


A: By conforming to your body, the TEMPUR mattress reduces discomfort caused by pressure points by redistributing pressure so that you can immediately relax into your most comfortable sleeping position and remain fully supported throughout the night. The reduction of pressure points reduces tossing and turning, enabling you to enjoy longer deep sleep cycles and better quality sleep, so you’ll wake up feeling more refreshed.


A: The TEMPUR material is composed of billions of visco-elastic spherical shaped, open cells. The cells respond to your body temperature and weight, then shift and re-organise their positions to mould to the exact contours of your body. The material becomes softer in warmer areas (where your body is making the most contact with the surface) and remains firmer in cooler areas (where less body contact is being made). This results in the redistribution of pressure and the reduction discomfort caused by pressure points. In turn, you enjoy better blood circulation and less tossing and turning.


A: Yes. TEMPUR mattresses and pillows have been clinically proven to reduce tossing and turning from an average of 100 times a night, to around 17 times. A test done by the Institution for Clinical & Physiological Research at the Lillhagen Hospital in Gothenburg, Sweden on 23,000 patients for a period corresponding to approximately 8 years of clinical and in-home use concluded that the patients suffered from less pain and experienced greatly enhanced deeper sleep.


A: No particular maintenance is needed. Most of our mattress covers can be easily removed and machine washed in accordance with the washing instructions.


A: No, flipping is not required. Flipping of a mattress is required to prevent sagging or indentations in certain mattresses. It is not required for a TEMPUR mattress as the TEMPUR material will always return to its original shape.


A: TEMPUR pillows cannot be washed, however the covers can be removed and machine-washed in accordance with the washing instructions.


A: The TEMPUR material does not generate heat to make you feel hotter, it responds to your body’s temperature. The ‘heat’ that you might feel from sleeping on your TEMPUR mattress actually results from reduced tossing and turning and better blood circulation. For those who want a cooler option, we would recommend our CoolTouch TM mattress range.


A: The TEMPUR material was originally developed in the early 1970’s at NASA’s Ames Research Center, to relieve the pressure build up from the G-force experienced by astronauts during lift off. TEMPUR scientists realised the enormous potential of this material and began experiments in the early 1980’s to perfect it for consumer use. After millions of pounds in research, the TEMPUR Material we know today was perfected. TEMPUR was presented with an award by NASA in May 1998.


A: TEMPUR has a whole range of pillows suited to different sleeping positions. The pillows also come in different heights to suit various body sizes and preferences. To determine which pillow would be ideal for you, we recommend that you come down to our stores to try them out.


A. Designed to offer pressure-relieving support within a huggable, easily-shaped design, the Comfort, Traditional and Ombracio pillows are made up of shredded TEMPUR material, enclosed in a TEMPUR membrane.

Within the TEMPUR Ergonomic pillow collection, the Original, Symphony and Millennium pillows are made from TEMPUR material poured into moulds. This provides consistent, all night support, without the need for shifting or reshaping.


A. At TEMPUR, we do not outsource the manufacture of any of our pillows. This allows us to retain the highest manufacturing and design standards with each and every pillow we create. All TEMPUR pillows are made in Denmark.


A. TEMPUR pillows are made to last, which is why we offer a three year warranty on all of our pillows as part of our TEMPUR Guarantee. That means you can rely on your TEMPUR pillow to offer the same great level of comfort and support on day 1095 as it does on day 1.


A. While you may see conventional pillows on sale at ‘bargain’ prices, you should think about what a pillow should offer before you buy.

First, consider how much time you spend in bed asleep. Your head will rest on your pillow for around eight hours each night, or in other words, one-third of each day. With that much time in use, you need your pillow to offer durability, while also providing the support your head and neck needs to stay properly aligned throughout the night.

Cheap conventional pillows tend not to last long, and it’s unlikely they provide the support you need either. That means, not only will you have to spend more money to replace them sooner – creating waste that is not great for the environment – you may also not benefit from comfort or support over time.

On the other hand, TEMPUR pillows offer superior design, with options to suit various sleep styles and preferences. They are built to last, with each TEMPUR pillow offering a three-year warranty. Not only that, TEMPUR pillows are the only pillows to be endorsed by NASA.

So, are TEMPUR pillows worth it? While the initial outlay may be somewhat larger than cheap conventional pillows, TEMPUR pillows provide durability, quality and support from day one, allowing you to invest in your quality of sleep and your comfort over the long term.

A. Instead of simply asking what is the best TEMPUR pillow, you need to ask what is the best TEMPUR pillow for you. With a wide range on offer, TEMPUR pillows are designed to suit all sleep styles and preferences. So, to find the best TEMPUR pillow for you, you first need to think about how you sleep.

To do this, consider what you want from your pillow. Do you want an ergonomic pillow that is contoured to your head and neck? Within the TEMPUR Ergonomic pillow collection, you can find options that feature design shaping to offer contouring and support for the sleep position you favour most.

Alternatively, if you prefer traditional pillow shaping, you can choose from the TEMPUR Traditional pillow collection. Within this collection, you can choose your pillow according to your sleep style and your preferred level of firmness.  

A. When you get a new pillow, no matter what type of pillow you opt for, there is likely to be a period of adjustment as you get used to the way it feels.

How long it takes to get used to your new TEMPUR pillow will usually depend on the type of pillow you choose. If you opt for a TEMPUR pillow from the Traditional pillow collection, this will have the feel of a conventional pillow, so there shouldn’t be much of an adjustment period. You may find it softens up slightly over time.

If you opt for a pillow from the Ergonomic pillow collection, there will be a period of adjustment where you will need to allow for the cells within the TEMPUR material to open fully. As these cells open in response to body heat, you may find it helpful to sit on your pillow initially. Over time, the cells will open naturally, to allow for a softer feel.

A. If you have a stiff neck or neck pain, TEMPUR pillows may provide some pressure relief and support as you sleep. But, while TEMPUR pillows are designed to help provide comfort for your back and neck, it is always advisable that you consult a qualified medical practitioner for advice with neck pain.


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