MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 20 OCTOBER 2010
ALARMING RESEARCH SENDS A WAKE UP CALL TO ALL AUSTRALIANS
Tontine, Australia’s leading pillow manufacturer is waking up tired hygiene habits around the nation with
the launch of its Fresh Pillow Campaign, which recommends that the lifespan of a synthetic pillow be
approximately two years.
Over time, a pillow can grow a complex ecosystem made up of dead skin cells and the things that feed on
them¹.
According to Pacific Brands Group General Manager – Homewares, Holly Kramer, “Tontine is introducing
Australia’s and maybe the world’s first pillow with a freshness stamp, providing our customers with a
reminder of when they need to look at replacing their pillow.”
“Like changing the batteries in your smoke alarm, the freshness stamp is a visible reminder of the
recommended date to replace your pillow,” Ms Kramer said.
Tontine’s research into pillows, spanning some 53 years, is supported by new research from a partnership
with Galaxy Research to better understand Australian’s consumer behaviour with pillows.
This research shows…
There is an average of 9 pillows in every Australian home, with the average age of the oldest pillow
being 5.7 years².
Among the households with nine or more pillows, the average age of the oldest pillow is 6.3 years3
.
83% of main grocery buyers say they’d be concerned if they found out that bacteria and mould had built
up in their pillow
4
.
85% of all pillows have stains from age or sweat
5
.
Dr Heike Neumeister-Kemp, CEO - Mycologia Australia and Chairperson of the Indoor Air Quality Special
Interest Group for the Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand says, “Most of us spend up to a
third of our lives in bed and nasties build up inside our pillows which creates a hygiene issue.”
“Fungi love to grow in the warmth and moisture we sweat from our bodies. They use the nutrients from
our dead skin cells to grow right under our noses,” she said.
1
Cambridge Medical Entomology Centre for Tontine August 2010
2
Galaxy Research for Tontine August 2010
3
Galaxy Research for Tontine August 2010
4
Galaxy Research for Tontine August 2010
5
Galaxy Research for Tontine August 2010
Dr Neumeister-Kemp says that Australians need to use better pillow hygiene practices by regularly
replacing their pillows or by removing the allergens from them.
Tips from Dr Neumeister-Kemp include:
1.
Regular washing of your pillow
2.
Making sure you dry it well
3.
Using a HEPA vacuum on your pillow
4.
Keeping pets away from your pillow; and
5.
Replacing it regularly.
The Tontine Fresh Pillow Campaign starts on the evening of 20 October and freshly stamped pillows will
be available from major department stores, discount department stores and specialty stores across
Australia from Thursday 21 October.
-
ends -
For further information, imagery and/or interview requests please contact:
Zoe Carr
Zarr Marketing (03) 9429 1305 or 0413 300 722
zcarr@zarrmarketing.com.au
NEWS 
