Monday, November 7, 2016

Intellibed Coupon Code

Get up to $400 off an Intellibed mattress with coupon code “CLARITYSAVE”.  This coupon is good for 10% off any mattress, any size, and any other products from Intellibed (including mattress protectors and pillows).

This is guaranteed the highest discount available for Intellibed, we will update this page to reflect seasonal offers as well.

Intellibed Coupon Code

If you’re still undecided, make sure to check out our full Intellibed mattress review.  Or check out our other mattress reviews to see how it compares.

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Mellanni Brushed Microfiber Bed Sheets Review

The Brushed Microfiber Bed Sheets from Mellanni Fine Linens come in more than 30 colors and are easy to care for, but are they as amazing as they claim to be? Read on for my full review.

Key Features:

  • 100% Brushed Microfiber (100% Polyester)
  • Queen Sheet Set: 1 flat sheet 102″ x 90″, 1 fitted sheet 80″ x 60″ and 2 pillowcases 20″ x 30″
  • Available in 33 different colors and patterns
  • Wrinkle, Fade and Stain Resistant
  • Hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites
  • Deep Pockets (fits up to 16-inch mattress)
  • Lifetime Guarantee
  • Soft Feel
  • Easy Care: Machine wash cold, low tumble dry, no iron

Who Makes It?

The sheet set is made by Mellanni Fine Linens, a bedding company that also sells 1500 Brushed Microfiber sheets, 1800 Brushed Microfiber Duvet sets and Hypoallergenic mattress protectors.

The company says they pride themselves on having the best customer service in the industry. They offer a 100% money back lifetime warranty.

Mellanni Brushed Microfiber Bed Sheet Review

Pros

  • Wide range of color options
  • Soft fabric
  • Light material – dries easily
  • Affordable prices (based on color)
  • Easy care
  • Prompt customer service

Cons

  • Thin material – feels less luxurious/lower quality
  • Questionable marketing claims
  • Cheaper looking top sheet hem compared to nice pillow hems
  • Not true to color in natural light

Mellanni Brushed Microfiber Bed Sheet Review

My Experience

I reviewed the 1800 Brushed Microfiber sheet set in Pink. The sheets are indeed soft, but some of the other bigger claims that Mellanni Fine Linens makes about their products did not live up to my expectations.

The sheets are described as being wrinkle, fade, and stain resistant, as well as hypoallergenic (and dust mite resistant).

I followed the care instructions to the letter. I washed the sheets in a delicate cold cycle and a low tumble dry. Compared to other sheet care, this is very easy.

I removed the sheets promptly and draped them on the bed right away as instructed. As you can see from the photo – while they did not fade – the sheets are not wrinkle-free.

Mellanni Brushed Microfiber Bed Sheet Review

The instructions also indicate that you should not iron these sheets.

Mellanni Brushed Microfiber Bed Sheet Review

The two pillow cases that come in the set have a special hem (on one half of the pillow) with thread that makes the sheets look more luxurious. However, the top flat sheet does not have a matching hem, but rather a simple hem that makes the sheets look cheaper.

Mellanni Brushed Microfiber Bed Sheet Review

The microfiber sheets are truly very soft and have a unique feel that I haven’t experienced in a sheet set before. The actual material is very thin (a note echoed in other reviews I read). Thin sheets are not always associated with high quality, but this characteristic does give them a lightweight feel and they were easy to dry as advertised.

mellannimicrofibersheetreviewquality

The care tag fell at the top of the flat sheet, so that when I pulled the sheet up to my face to sleep, the tag irritated me. I wish they had placed the tag at the bottom of the top sheet.

Mellanni Brushed Microfiber Bed Sheet Review

I had no fading or stain issues with the sheets, however, other reviewers found their sheets stained when extra oils (like from lotion) were absorbed into the sheets.

mellannimicrofibersheetreviewstain

The sheets are also supposed to be hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites. While I can’t personally test for dust mites, I had no skin issues or irritation while testing the sheets.

I did like how soft the sheets were. They were not as light as many of the bamboo sheets I have reviewed, but they did not feel any heavier than cotton sheets.

I did wake up overheated once during the three nights I tested the sheets. I did not feel like the sheets breathed very well.

I really like that the sheet set comes in so many colors. They even offer Hot Pink sheets and patterned sheets as well. This and their affordability could make them a good option for those looking to match a specific comforter or duvet cover.

Mellanni Brushed Microfiber Bed Sheet Review
3.6 Reviewer
Summary
The Mellanni 1800 Brushed Microfiber Bed Sheets come in more than 30 colors and are easy to care for but they are not wrinkle-free as advertised and their thin material draws their quality into question. I felt the fabric was soft and unique but did not breathe well. Their affordability and comfort level makes them a good fit as a second pair of sheets or sheets for a guest bedroom.
Durability3.4
Style3.5
Weight3.8
Comfort3.3
Value (Price)4

Things to Consider Before Buying

Based on my experience, the sheets are not wrinkle resistant as promised. They are actually fairly wrinkly and instructions say not you should not iron your sheets. I am not sure how you would remove the wrinkles entirely.

The thin material of the sheets does not provide a luxurious feel. Many reviewers commented on the cheaper quality of the set while others liked how lightweight it made the sheets.

mellannimicrofibersheetreviewthin

The sheets were not true to color in some light. They looked like a different shade of pink than advertised when I viewed my sheets in natural light. They looked closer to the color advertised when I closed my shades and put my lights on. Keep this in mind if you are looking for a very specific shade of pink.

mellannimicrofibersheetreviewcolor2

Mellanni Brushed Microfiber Bed Sheet Review

The sheets did not breathe well for me, I woke up hot during my review.

Finally, Mellanni Fine Linens says that their 1800 Brushed Microfiber Sheet Set is the “#1 Bed Sheet Set on Amazon.” They also direct you to purchase sheets off Amazon.com. But nowhere on the actual Amazon page does it say that these sheets are best sellers.

microfiber sheet review; microfiber sheet reviews; mellanni sheet review; mellanni sheet reviews; brushed microfiber review; brushed microfiber reviews; sheet review; bed sheet review

Price

The affordable price of these sheets is one of the biggest assets to the sheet set. A queen sheet set in Pink is currently sold on Amazon for $29.70. The White color is only $17.00 for a queen set. The sheets also come in sizes from Twin to California King.

Based on my experience, I think these sheets could be a great back-up set of sheets. I am not sure if their quality would allow them to hold up long if used every day.

The could also be a nice set of sheets for a guest bedroom or for a bedroom with a very specific color scheme.

I would recommend these brushed microfiber sheets for people who are looking for an inexpensive set of soft sheets and want to try something that isn’t cotton or another material like bamboo.

The customer service team at Mellanni Fine Linen were quick to address many negative reviews and comments on Amazon. They were very open to offering refunds or exchanges.

Mellanni Fine Linens offers a Lifetime Guarantee on their sheets and offer a full refund if you are unhappy with your sheets.

The post Mellanni Brushed Microfiber Bed Sheets Review appeared first on Mattress Clarity.

Amerisleep Liberty Bed Mattress Review

Amerisleep is a popular company that sells a line of memory foam mattresses online. One of their most popular models is the Liberty mattress. I have tried the Colonial and Revere before, and overall I enjoyed my experience with them.

I was excited to see how the Liberty felt and compared to the other mattresses from Amerisleep that I’ve tried.  Read on for my full Amerisleep Liberty Bed review.

Firmness/Feel

The company states that the Liberty has a medium firmness level. I would tend to agree with that. You can see from the video below that I can push my hand into the mattress somewhat easily at first, but it isn’t overly soft at the same time.

You can also see that the mattress has a memory foam feel but is probably more responsive than most other memory foam mattresses. As a result, I felt like I got good pressure relief without the feeling of sinking in too much or feeling stuck.

Click for $50 any Amerisleep mattress

Construction

The construction begins with the cover. What makes the cover unique is that it is made in part with celliant. I would encourage you to look into celliant technology, as there are certain studies that show it can have numerous health benefits. I can’t personally vouch for those claims, so definitely do some research on your own and see what you think.

Amerisleep Liberty Bed Cover

The Liberty bed layers are:

  • Top layer is 3 inches of 4 lb. density bio-based memory foam
  • Transition layer is 2 inch transition of 1.5 lb. density polyfoam
  • Base layer is 7 inches of 1.5 lb. density polyfoam.

The company constructed this mattress in order to cater to side sleepers and combo sleepers with a medium firmness level.

Amerisleep Liberty Bed Mattress Construction

You Will Love The Amerisleep Liberty Bed If…

  • You Want The Benefits Of Memory Foam Without Some Of The Drawbacks– The Liberty has great pressure relief and contouring, which is something memory foam is known for. However, the mattress does not sleep hot, and because the foam is fairly responsive, you don’t ever really get the feeling of being stuck (which is a common memory foam complaint).
  • You Value The Extras Put Into The Construction– Amerisleep puts some nice extras into their construction. The celliant cover is one example. I would encourage you to look into the science behind celliant, but the claims are that it can have numerous health benefits. The company also uses bio-based foams and takes extra effort to make sure their mattresses won’t sleep hot. The cost of the materials in the Liberty are definitely more than almost all other mattresses at this price point, meaning you can really get a great value.
  • You Sleep On Your Side Or In Multiple Positions– I agree with the company when they state it has a medium firmness level. For me, the pressure relief was great when I slept on my side. It was also still supportive on my back and stomach, so I think it’s a good fit if you sleep in multiple positions. If you just sleep on your stomach or back, then there are other models that would be a better fit.
  • You Sleep With A Partner– The Liberty does an amazing job at isolating motion. That means if your partner moves around, you typically won’t be disturbed.

Amerisleep Liberty Bed Review

You May Not Like The Amerisleep Liberty Bed If…

  • You Sleep Just On Your Stomach Or Back– While the Liberty is really great for side sleeping and combo sleeping, it may be a little too soft for people who just sleep on their stomach or back. Amerisleep has other models that might be a good fit for you if you fall into this category of sleeper.
  • The Memory Foam Feel Isn’t For You– I’ve found that the memory foam feel is typically a love it or hate it type of thing. While the Liberty is more responsive than most memory foam mattresses, it still retains that slower-moving, gradually sinking feel. If you don’t like that type of feel, then you would probably want to look elsewhere.
  • You Want A Bouncier Mattress– Latex or innerspring mattresses will provide more bounce and response than the Liberty does. This is typically just a matter of personal preference, so figure out whether you like your mattress to have more or less bounce. If you want more bounce, then maybe consider a latex or innerspring mattress.

Amerisleep Liberty Bed Mattress

Price

For a Queen, the Liberty is $1,199. However, you can typically get $200-250 off your purchase as the company is usually running some sort of promotion.

Amerisleep Liberty Bed
4.6 Reviewer
Comfort4.7
Support4.5
Value (Price)4.7
Doesn't Sleep Hot3.9
Motion Transfer4.9
Edge Support4.6
Materials/Durability4.7
Company Reputation4.7
Return Policy/Warranty4.8
Overall Sleep Experience4.5

Motion Isolation

The Liberty does a very good job at isolating motion. As you can see from the video below, when someone moves on one side of the bed, the other side of the bed barely gets disturbed at all. That makes this option a really good mattress for couples.

Sleeping Hot / Lack Thereof

Amerisleep mattresses sleep cool, and they do so perhaps more than any other memory foam mattress I’ve slept on. The combination of celliant and bio-based foams is perhaps what does it, but I think most would agree the Liberty does sleep nice and cool.

Overall

I think the Liberty is a great option for side/combo sleepers who want a memory foam feel without the main drawbacks memory foam is known for. I think the mattress is a great value and is definitely worth taking a hard look at.

Click for $50 any Amerisleep mattress

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Friday, November 4, 2016

Comfort Master Travel Pillow Review

The Comfort Master Travel Pillow, with its memory foam filling and soft removable cover, will certainly ease the strains of travel. But is it anything special? Read on for my full review.

Key Features

  • U-Shape neck pillow
  • 12 X 11.5 X 3.5 inches
  • Approximately 12 oz in weight
  • Removable and hand washable cover
  • Soft velour cover fabric
  • Thermo-sensitive memory foam filling
  • Three available colors
  • $20.75 price
  • Elastic strap to attach to luggage

Comfort Master Memory Foam Travel Pillow Review

Pros

  • Soft, velour microfiber fabric 
  • Memory foam filling is a good firmness
  • Easy to attach to luggage
  • Excellent customer service

Cons

  • Not machine washable and/or dryer friendly (handwash only)
  • Care instructions recommend line drying the pillow in the shade
  • Foam filling pushes head forward in high-backed seating
  • Difficult to remove and put the cover back on

Comfort Master Memory Foam Travel Pillow ReviewMy Experience

As far as traditional U-shaped neck pillows go, the Comfort Master pillow is definitely soft and comfortable but doesn’t have any extra bells or whistles that set it apart from the others.

The memory foam filling is nice, but nothing about the pillow gave me an indication that it was “thermo-sensitive” like its packaging describes. To be honest, it just looked like a piece of memory foam. I would have loved to have more information about this special feature.

The packaging also indicates that this pillow is “therapeutic”, and “ helps maintain proper head and neck alignment.” I’d like to know more about how this specific pillow that makes it so beneficial for my posture.

Comfort Master Memory Foam Travel Pillow Review

Unlike the TravelMate neck pillow, the memory foam filling in this pillow is one piece. The foam in the back of the pillow pushed my head forward when I was in a high-backed seat. If you are taller than me – I’m 5’7” for reference – or if your head reaches above high-backed chairs, I can see this foam adding extra support. Otherwise, it has the potential to be uncomfortable.

In general, I thought the firmness of the pillow was at a nice level. It wasn’t too soft or too firm for me. That being said, there just wasn’t enough filling to support my neck when I rested my head to the side in my car. My head still hit the window and my neck began to feel stiff from lack of support in the pillow. But sitting upright, I did feel supported.

Comfort Master Memory Foam Travel Pillow Review

I really like the soft, microfiber outer cover and the light purple color of the pillow. It is a nice change from you standard options (which this pillow also comes in). It’s not too loud or attention grabbing like my pink Evolution pillow!

What I did not care for was the detailed care instructions for the pillow cover. It says you need to hand wash it cold and separately from other items and you cannot soak it or rub it (or add bleach).

You can also only line dry it but it specifically says to do so in the shade. I hung it up in my bathroom and it took about 15 hours to dry completely.

Comfort Master Memory Foam Travel Pillow Review

I also had trouble getting the zipper to smoothly zip and unzip so I could take the cover off and put it back on.

It took me close to five minutes to get the cover back on. The memory foam has a sticky feel to it and the cover back sort of clings to the foam and makes it hard to fit the cover back onto the pillow properly.

Comfort Master Travel Pillow Review
4 Reviewer
Summary
Overall, I thought the Comfort Master Travel Pillow by CraftyWorld was a soft and comfortable neck pillow. While the pillow is straightforward in its design and doesn't have many added bells and whistles, it is supportive and can be attached to luggage easily.
Comfort3.9
Support4
Durability3.5
Style4
Weight4.3
Space4.3
Versatility3.9
My Experience3.9
Value (Price)4

Things to Consider Before Buying

Based on other reviews I read, people seem to really like this neck pillow. Of over 1,800 reviews on Amazon, 65% were positive. For those who don’t, the reasons seem to very with a few trends.

From what I saw, taller individuals felt that the pillow was too tight or too small, with not enough support for their head and neck.

comfortmastertravelpillowreviewtighttall

comfortmastertravelpillowreviewtight6ft

Although the cover is removable and washable, you must do it by hand and allow time for it to air dry after each cleaning. The cleaning requirements are actually pretty specific and include not soaking the pillow or tumble drying. The cover may also require ironing.

Unlike the Evolution pillow, this travel pillow doesn’t have adjustment capabilities, or any connectors to allow it to stay on your neck and adjust the tightness.

Price

CraftyWorld, the maker of the Comfort Master travel pillow, directs you to purchase their pillow on Amazon, where it is currently priced at $20.75. Amazon says the regular price is $45.50.

They offer a full 5-year 100% moneyback guarantee and several reviewers said they got a full refund simply because they didn’t love the pillow.

comfortmastertravelpillowreviewcustomerservice2

comfortmastertravelpillowreviewcustomerservice1

If you’re in the market for a soft but simple neck pillow I would recommend considering the Comfort Master Travel Pillow.

The post Comfort Master Travel Pillow Review appeared first on Mattress Clarity.

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Intellibed Mattress Review

Intellibed is a company that offers a very unique line of mattresses. The most unique thing about the company is that it uses a gel material in the comfort layer that they say is better than foam at pressure relief and durability. I was excited to give one of their mattresses a try because all that I’d read about the company pointed to their mattresses being quite unique.

I ended up trying out one of the higher-end options, the Posture Perfect Lo-Motion mattress.  Read on for my full Intellibed review.

Construction

In the Intellibed Posture Perfect Lo-Motion model, the construction is as follows. The top layer is the Intelli-Gel. The next layer is a high-density polyfoam. The support layer is a pocketed steel coil system.  Though I’ve only tested the mattress for a few weeks, the quality of the materials gives me confidence that this mattress is very durable and will last quite a while.

The key to the construction is of course the Intelli-Gel. This material stands out because of its durability and its ability to reduce pressure points (claimed by company, but also true in my experience).  Check out my video in the Firmness/Feel section to get a better visualization of the material at work.   Intellibed Mattress Construction

You Might Want To Get An Intellibed If:

  • You Want Your Mattress For A Long Time– The materials used in Intellibed mattresses are very high quality and they will last a long time. The company has a 30 year warranty, which to me is a big indication that the company really believes in the long-term durability of its product. All of the durability tests I have seen and my research into the individual components lead me to believe an Intellibed mattress will last you a very long time.
  • You Don’t Like Sleeping Hot– The Intelli-Gel in the mattresses make them temperature neutral. Most people complain about foam mattresses sleeping hot. It’s not that you will sleep cool with an Intellibed. The mattresses are just temperature neutral, so you won’t sleep overly hot or cold.
  • You Want A Unique Balance Of Comfort And Support– In most cases, comfort comes at the expense of support. This Intellibed is one of the few cases where I got amazing pressure relief and support at the same time. The Intelli-Gel layer felt both firm and soft at the same time. It’s very hard to describe the feel without you actually trying it out for yourself, but it’s definitely a great, unique feel.

Intellibed Reviews

You Might Not Want To Get An Intellibed If:

  • You Have A Particular Feel That You Love– Some people absolutely love the memory foam feel or the feel of a pillowtop mattress. Intellibed mattresses have a very unique feel that is different from traditional innerspring, latex, or memory foam mattresses. If you happen to love a certain type of feel, then perhaps you won’t want to take the plunge with an Intellibed.
  • You Don’t Plan On Having Your Mattress For A Long Time– Intellibed mattresses are definitely pricey, but they have great value because they are so durable. If you don’t plan on having your mattress for a long time, then the value of getting an Intellibed is lessened.

Intellibed Mattress Review

Firmness/Feel

This Intellibed is very unique in that it felt firm and soft at the same time. It’s very hard to describe, but there is an initial firm feeling and then total pressure relief immediately after.

To me, I think the mattress is good for any sleeping position. It has great pressure relief for side sleepers and felt firm and supportive for me on my stomach and back. Again, this was a very unique feeling mattress in this regard.

Intellibed Mattress Sleeping Position

The mattress is also very responsive, maybe even more so than latex. As a result, it had more of a sleeping “on” the mattress feel rather than a sleeping “in” the mattress.

You can check out a visual representation of the firmness and feel in the video below.

Motion Isolation

You can see how well the mattress isolates the motion in the video below.

You can see that the mattress does a pretty good job at isolating motion, but there still is some motion transfer. It’s not quite as good as a high-density memory foam mattress, but it still does a decent job.

My Experience

I ended up sleeping on the Intellibed for just under 3 weeks.  I had previously tried the Purple mattress, exposing me to a similar gel comfort layer that I really liked.  Note: Purple would be most similar to the Gel+ from Intellibed, full comparison coming soon.

I honestly found it a little weird when first moving around the first night, but by night two I had already adjusted to the feeling.  As a side sleeper, I first noticed the pressure relief from the Intelli-Gel.  It’s definitely a novel feeling laying in the bed (especially the first time), but whether you like the feeling or not, there is no doubt that the pressure relief is some of the best I’ve tried.

What’s nice about this mattress as well is that the springs provide great support as well, making the mattress feel good in any sleeping position.  Fine for stomach, side, and back sleepers.

Only down side was the motion transfer – my partner is extremely sensitive to motion, and even though I thought it was minimal (and better than most innerspring mattresses I’ve tried), she said that I ended up waking her up once or twice a night.

Intellibed
4.4 Reviewer
Comfort4.2
Support4.8
Value (Price)4.1
Doesn't Sleep Hot4.8
Motion Transfer3.6
Edge Support4.5
Materials/Durability4.7
Company Reputation4.1
Return Policy/Warranty4.9
Overall Sleep Experience4.4

On durability – naturally I didn’t get to try out the mattress for 30 years (or any long period of time to gauge it), but it definitely has a sturdy and well-crafted feel.

Overall I enjoyed the sleeping experience, and was sad to move onto the next mattress after this sleep trial (especially because the next one was so bad, just wait for that review coming soon!)

Price/Value

For a Queen, the Posture Perfect Lo Motion is just under $4,000. There may be some sticker shock when you first see the price (especially compared to other mattresses I’ve reviewed), but I would offer an alternative outlook.  The mattress is extremely durable, and if you start thinking about the value you get from it over many years, the price shouldn’t seem that bad.

Intellibed Mattress Cover

Overall

Intellibed offers a unique product in the crowded mattress market. The pressure relief was really remarkable and it had a feel unlike any other mattress.  I would encourage you to do independent research into the materials they use, and if you are looking at your next mattress purchase as a long-term investment, then I would certainly give Intellibed a hard look.

The post Intellibed Mattress Review appeared first on Mattress Clarity.

Malouf Woven Bamboo Bed Sheet Review

There’s no doubt that Malouf’s Woven Bamboo Bed Sheets are soft and silky, but are they worth the extra care? Read on for my full review.

Key Features

  • 100% Rayon from Bamboo
  • 1 flat sheet, 1 fitted sheet and 2 pillowcases
  • Universal Fit (ultra-thick elastic and deep pockets for secure fit)
  • Queen Sheet Size – 60 x 80 inches (fitted sheet)
  • Deep pockets for mattress depths 6”–22”
  • Available in sheet sets or pillowcase sets
  • Available in six colors
  • XL and Split sheet sizes available
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Odor-resistant

Malouf Woven Bamboo Bed Sheet Review

Pros

  • Silky, soft fabric
  • Multiple color options
  • Drapes easily with oversized flat sheet

Cons

  • Detailed (and potentially time consuming) care instructions
  • Wrinkles and creases easily
  • Heavier fabric than other bamboo sheets
  • Heavy and stiff when wet

Malouf Woven Bamboo Bed Sheet Review

My Experience

Overall, I thought the Bamboo sheets by Malouf were very soft and I slept comfortably during the three nights I tested the sheets. My sheets were a Queen sized set in the Ash color.

My husband (the volunteer reviewer) and I had no skin sensitivity issues and neither of us woke up uncomfortably hot or cold during the nights we reviewed the sheets.

I personally really loved the Ash color and I really like the oversized flat sheet. It made it very easy to make the bed and I wasn’t worried about the sheets pulling out overnight.

The pillowcases also seemed a little oversized. I wasn’t as big of a fan of how they fit my standard pillows – they emphasized the wrinkles in the fabric.

The care instructions are very detailed and very specific. Each sheet set comes with a card folded into the sheets with printed instructions and you can also find a PDF of the instructions on the Malouf website.

Malouf Woven Bamboo Bed Sheet Review

Some of the care requirements that stuck out to me include:

  • Separate sheets from other items in the wash
  • Use in warm water on a gentle cycle with a cold water rinse
  • Use a mild, non-alkaline detergent
  • Line drying is recommended
  • Shake out the damp sheets before tumble drying
  • Tumble dry until sheets are slightly damp to avoid wrinkling
  • Smooth and fold and use iron if desired

I understand that bamboo fibers are different than others and should be treated accordingly, but I am not always able to stick around while I wash and dry my sheets so I can pull them out at the right time.

I also live in an apartment and there just isn’t enough room for me to air dry a Queen sized set of sheets. Also, my washer doesn’t offer a warm/cold wash and rinse option.

I washed and dried the sheets in two ways. The first time I washed and dried them like I would any other set of sheets. I used a gentle cycle with cold water (with Seventh Generation detergent) and a low tumble dry until the sheets were completely dry.

After the first wash and dry, my sheets were very wrinkled when I got them on my bed.  They continued to crease and wrinkle as I slept in them. However, the sheets draped on the bed well and I had no issues with shrinking or size.

Malouf Woven Bamboo Bed Sheet Review

The wrinkling was especially heavy on the edges of my pillows. I had this same wrinkling experience with Linenspa bamboo sheets.

Malouf Woven Bamboo Bed Sheet Review

During the second wash and dry, I washed them again in cold water and a gentle cycle. After I pulled the sheets out of the wash I shook out the damp sheets before putting them in a dryer.

It was time-consuming to constantly check the sheets to see if they were somewhere between damp and dry. I was able to pull them out when they were about 95% dry.

Malouf Woven Bamboo Bed Sheet Review

The fitted sheet and flat sheet appeared slightly less wrinkly after following the care instructions very carefully. The pillowcases, however, were even more wrinkly than the first time I washed and dried them.

Malouf Woven Bamboo Bed Sheet Review

The wrinkles, as with many bamboo sheets, seem unavoidable. The wrinkles at the end of my pillowcases seemed extreme compared to wrinkles on the rest of the bed and I think I’d feel compelled to at least iron them if I were to use these frequently.

Malouf Woven Bamboo Bed Sheets
4.1 Reviewer
Summary
Overall I thought the sheets were very soft and silky. I liked the color (and the other color options). The oversized flat sheet made it easier to make the bed and keep the sheets tucked in during the night. I did not like how easily the sheets wrinkled, especially around the edges of the pillowcase. The detailed care instructions felt like a lot of work to me.
Durability3.7
Style4.2
Weight3.9
Comfort4.5
Value (Price)4

Things to Consider Before Buying

These sheets require extra care in order to keep them in their best shape and less wrinkly. This type of care is not always an option.

Other reviewers had issues with pilling and wear issues not long into using their sheets.

maloufbamboosheetreviewscreenshot

The sheets are not as lightweight as other bamboo sheets I have reviewed (like the Cariloha Classic and Cariloha Resort sheets). When I pulled them out of the wash they were very stiff and heavy, similar to the Linenspa sheets I have also reviewed.

The color of the sheets didn’t 100% match what they looked like online. They seemed more blue-grey or at least a lighter grey in natural lighting.

The sheets are made with rayon from bamboo and the chemical process in which these fibers are produced is not environmentally friendly. The Federal Trade Commission warns customers that when bamboo is processed into rayon, “no trace of the original plant is left.”

This makes me wonder whether or not the sheets are actually antibacterial or odor resistant. If these qualities are as important to you, it may be worth learning more about how your sheet fibers are manufactured before purchasing.

Price

I found the Queen sheet set in a range of prices. They retail at $189.99 on Malouf’s website. I also found the sheets on Amazon for $114.99. The Ash Queen sized sheets are available for $119.99 on Overstock.com as well.

Malouf Woven Bamboo Bed Sheet Review

I would recommend these sheets if you can find them at a discount. I really liked the oversized nature of the flat sheet, as well as the silky feel of the sheets. I didn’t care for the detailed and time-consuming care instructions or the intense wrinkling on my pillowcases.

I think the Cariloha Classic and Resort sheets may be a better option if you’re looking to splurge on sheets, but for less than $120 these could also be a good alternative.

Malouf’s Woven collection of bed sheets comes with a 5-year limited warranty that might be worth checking out before considering.

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Monday, October 31, 2016

SkyRest Travel Pillow Review

The SkyRest Travel Pillow is as big as it is comfortable and can make a great travel companion. Just make sure you’ve got the room for it. Read on for my full review:

Who Makes It

SkyRest is designed and manufactured by DAC Innovations Inc., based in San Jose, California. You may have seen SkyRest featured on your local news, or in the Sky Mall catalog on many planes. DAC Innovations also makes a cover for their pillow as well as the leguP bolster pillow.

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Key Features

  • Inflatable pillow
  • 14 x 13 x 17 inches when inflated (slopes to 12 inches)
  • 6 x 9 x 3 inches when deflated
  • Weighs approximately 1lb
  • Hand-wash and/or sponge clean only
  • One available color
  • Crushed velvet fabric
  • Built-in pocket for hands to rest when wrapped around the pillow
  • Comfortable for travelers from 4’10” to 6’6″

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Easy to pack in carry-on
  • Versatile – can be used in several positions
  • Hand-pocket for resting hands

SkyRest Travel Pillow Review

Cons

  • May not be allowed in an Emergency Exit Row
  • Hand-clean only
  • Bulky
  • A little awkward looking on plane
  • Snug in economy seating
  • Smells right out of the package – may need to be aired out
  • Blue dye transfers easily

My Experience

While the SkyRest Travel Pillow packaging certainly had me intrigued, I was happily surprised to find the inflatable pillow truly comfortable. The shape of the pillow, with its sloped front and soft fabric, makes it easy to fall asleep while traveling, especially in a car or train.

SkyRest Travel Pillow Review

Similar to the Travelrest Ultimate Inflatable pillow, the SkyRest pillow is easy to pack away until you want to use it. The inflation device comes with detailed paper instructions (that are folded into the pillow when you first open it) as well as printed instructions on the pillow itself.

The pillow easily deflates and the air nozzle is capable of holding air in as you blow it up, so you don’t lose air in between breaths. The instructions say to unfold the pillow into its cube shape, which will allow it to fill up with air on its own, from there they say you only need about half a dozen breaths to fill it up.

Maybe I just have terrible lung capacity but it still took me roughly 15 breaths to fill up the pillow completely. But I was really happy that I could inflate it without having to worry about losing air between breaths.

You cannot machine wash or dry the pillow, but you can hand wash it in a sink using mild soap. I would definitely recommend washing this pillow before use because I noticed a decent amount of blue dye transfer onto a wet paper towel that I rubbed over the pillow when I first inflated it.

SkyRest Travel Pillow Review

The pillow may shrink or balloon in size due to cabin pressure, so be sure to inflate it once the airplane has taken off. You can easily adjust the firmness of the pillow with the nozzle as well.

A few notes about the size and shape of the pillow. The SkyRest pillow packaging features a photo of a gentleman using the pillow on the folding tray on a plane. You can see pretty clearly that it is a big pillow. I personally feel like I would be hesitant to blow this up and use it unless I had no one sitting next to me, or was in an economy size seat or higher.

I do think this pillow is probably a great fit for a car trip in the back seat. I would imagine this could be harmful if you are using it in a front seat and an air bag goes off in an accident. But in the back seat you can easily put it on your lap or lean it against a window and rest.

You can also place the pillow under your feet. The sloped feature creates a nice angle to rest your feet and legs. Others used their pillow as a back bolster in bed, as well.

The pillow also comes with pockets for you to rest your hands and arms in while using the pillow. You end up looking like you are hugging the pillow when using it, but having a place to put your hands was a nice option in my experience.

Individuals who naturally sleep on their stomachs may benefit from this pillow (and the Ostrich Pillow as well). I think this pillow can provide comfort on longer flights or train/car trips where they would like to get as much rest as possible.

SkyRest Travel Pillow
3.8 Reviewer
Summary
Overall the SkyRest Travel Pillow is comfortable and especially good for trips where there is space to fully inflate the pillow. It is not machine washable or dryer-friendly but can be hand washed in a sink. It is easy to inflate and deflate and compacts into a small size for travel.
Comfort4
Support4.2
Durability3.5
Style3.3
Weight4.1
Space3.3
Versatility3.6
My Experience3.9
Value (Price)4.3

Things to Consider

Reviewers found it tight in economy seating and I can understand why. The pillow takes up a good amount of space in front of you and your arms need to wrap around the sides, so there is a chance you’d interfere in other’s personal space.

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One passenger said it turned on the touch screen TV in his seat and the brightness of the screen interrupted his rest.

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SkyRest says that certain airlines may not allow you to use the pillow in an emergency exit row and to check with a flight attendant before being seated to ensure you can use the pillow.

The dye does transfer so wash in a sink with mild soap before use (especially if you’re planning to wear light clothing).

You would need to feel comfortable inflating this and using it in public. It is fairly large so I would imagine you would draw some attention to yourself while using it.

SkyRest Travel Pillow Review

Price

You can purchase the SkyRest pillow off their website for $29.95. It is also available on Amazon for the same price. I think for the right trip, this pillow would be a great investment.

If you are comfortable sleeping on your stomach, have a long trip ahead and plenty of space around you (large airplane seat or roomy car/train space) then it is possible to really enjoy this pillow and get rest. I would not recommend this pillow for tight spaces.

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