FAQ

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Answers to common questions we receive about our products.
If you have other questions, please feel free to contact us!

What is a Mette Vangso spa pillow?

Mette’s luxurious therapeutic spa pillows are filled with buckwheat/flax seed and 100% natural herbs.

They can be heated or chilled and used similarly to the way you would use an ordinary heating or cold pad, except that the heated buckwheat pillow will eventually cool. That can be an advantage, as you don’t run the risk of falling asleep and letting the heating pad heat longer, and perhaps hotter, than you intended.

The buckwheat pillow can also be chilled and used as a cold pack only it will never reach the frozen uncomfortable state due to the natural properties of grains. This too can be an advantage as you don’t have to worry about putting a painful inflexible piece of ice on your bones or muscles, but rather a soothing cool sensation of grains contouring to your body.

Can Heat Therapy work as an alternative to painkillers?

Heat therapy is great for those low-grade aches and pains because it can be applied externally and doesn’t interfere with enzymes, or cells, or your central nervous system.

Most people are probably familiar with heat therapy as a common home remedy for pain or sickness. Maybe you’ve applied a pharmaceutical heat pack to a strained muscle, or indulged in a hot stone massage at the spa.

According to the book Therapeutic Modalities: The Art and Science, superficial thermotherapy, the application of heat to the body in the form of hot packs, increases the flow of blood, allowing tense muscles to loosen up and relax. Muscle soreness is generally caused by tissue damage or inflammation. Muscles need nutrients in order to function properly or heal from injury. Increased blood flow helps deliver more oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, allowing them to grow stronger and more resilient. Heat therapy, instead of interfering with your normal physical processes, simply helps facilitate those processes that the body uses to heal itself.

Mette’s pillows are designed for just this purpose. Warmed in the microwave for a minute or two will maximize the soothing, therapeutic benefits, leading to an increased sense of well-being without that icky-sounding list of side-effects from painkillers.

Can I use Mette’s pillow while I am pregnant?

While you are pregnant your entire body adapts to the new life growing inside of you. During this time you need and deserve support, both emotionally and physically. Mette’s line of spa pillows are designed to soothe some of the discomfort you will experience during this time. The Classic pillow line has been promoted in maternity classes as a support device for some of the pain and aches you might experience. It is, however, always very important to check with your health care provider before taking any alternative therapies such as heat therapy.

What are some of the most common ailments?

Over the years we have learned about many untraditional success stories of how to use the pillow. Here are some of the most common uses:

  • Relief from stress
  • Cramps
  • Back Aches
  • Stomach Aches
  • Chest Pains
  • Shoulder Tension
  • Headaches
  • Migraines
  • Cold Feet
  • Carpel Tunnel
  • Puffy Eyes
  • Sleepiness
  • Inflamed joints/muscles

Another popular use of the Eye Catcher is while relaxing after yoga class.

Do note that we recommend that you always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen.

Why do we use lavender and chamomile flowers as the herbal filling?

Lavender has been known for centuries for its calming effect. And the combination of moist heat and the soothing lavender aroma provided by both the Neck Hugger and The Classic pillow has shown to be an amazing combination for stress relief and anxiety. Chamomile additionally has calming elements but is mainly used for its anti-inflammatory properties. Chamomile is only included in the Eye Catcher. The cool luscious pack combined with lavender and chamomile flowers may do wonders for a headache, puffy eyes, skin irritation or just a great spa experience after a long day.

Can I heat the pillow in a conventional oven?

We do not recommend ever heating your pillow in a regular oven. And when you use the microwave oven, only heat for a few minutes before checking the warmth, as heating speed varies greatly from one microwave to another.

What if my Neck Hugger or Classic is not warm enough?

Start with a minute or two on your microwave’s high heat setting, then continue heating in 10 second increments, until the pillow has reached its desired temperature. Once the pillow has reached the prefect temperature you will notice it to be hot and moist. That is the way you would want it to be. Please note: we do not recommend heating the Eye Catcher pillow. You might not want to expose the eyes and face to high temperatures.

How do I chill my pillow?

Any of Mette’s three pillow styles can be used as a soothing cold pack. Place your pillow in a plastic bag in the freezer for a few hours or overnight. Your pillow will not freeze solid like a traditional cold pack, so you don’t have to worry about leaving it in the freezer for too long.

How long will my pillow stay warm/cold?

The Classic and Neck Hugger pillows, depending on how long they are heated in the microwave, can retain their heat for 30-45 minutes. Much longer if you use your pillow under covers in the bed. When chilled, the pillows can stay cold for 30-40 minutes.

What's inside my pillow?

Mette only uses the finest certified organic grain fillings, which are maintained in a sterile environment in-house. Your pillow will be filled with whole buckwheat, buckwheat hulls, flax seeds and 100% pure herbal flowers. Zero additives.

Why do you use buckwheat AND hulls and flax seed?

Buckwheat hulls are lightweight and durable, adjusting easily to fit the contours of your body. Their unique shape allows the hulls to lock together and provide firm, even support. Buckwheat hulls also facilitate air circulation through the pillow. Buckwheat hulls alone will not allow for heating as the grain is not moist enough for heating. Buckwheat grains contain water, which allows them to conduct heat and cold efficiently. That is the reason for the combination of both hulls and grains.

Flax seed was chosen for the Eye Catcher due to the delicate nature of the skin in our face. The seed is small with a very smooth surface. The size and smooth surface allows the seed to move around and form to the contour of your face naturally. Further advantage with flax seed is that as filling it exerts enough pressure without a heavy uncomfortable feel to it. Finally, flax seed will never reach the frozen level that can feel almost painful to the touch (brain freeze).

How long is the life span for my pillow?

Buckwheat and flax seeds are durable and can give you years of luxurious relaxation with normal regular use of your pillow and with you maintaining the pillow. However, the natural aroma-therapeutic flowers will lose their fragrance over time. That is the way of nature especially since we do not add any oils or other additives. The lasting aroma depends on how often you use it in the microwave. At first you will experience a stronger lavender aroma as the fragrance is activated but after a few uses it will mellow out and become a soothing relaxing aroma therapeutic experience.

For longer lasting care you would microwave or freeze the pillow at least once a month, while the remaining of the time you should store it in a cool dry place. For the most luxurious aroma therapeutic effect you can replace the inside pillow regularly depending on how often you use it.

Do the pillows ever get bugs/mites/fungus?

Any natural pillows filled with organic grains kept in storage for long periods of time that are not in use may provide a habitat for any number of organisms, therefore if you are going to store a pillow for long periods of time it is recommended to keep the pillow in a freezer at least for one day per month or microwave it for a couple minutes as a preventive measure, especially if you live in a hot and humid environment.

Mette’s pillows are filled with organic grains and 100% natural herbs only. This is preferable to adding chemical agents to the pillow. We believe that people should not be exposed to chemicals when enjoying a luxurious spa treatment at home. There are no chemicals or additives used in the growing of grains for our pillows, and the only cleaning agent used is oxygen. If your buckwheat pillow ever becomes unusable due to any natural cause, we will provide you with a free replacement pillow.

I have an allergy to wheat. Can I use a buckwheat pillow?

Buckwheat is not wheat. In fact it's not even a true grain. The buckwheat seed is actually the achene, similar to sunflower seed, of a grass-like plant (related to rhubarb) thought to have originated thousands of years ago in Asia. It contains no gluten and is safe for those with gluten allergies. Those with allergies to feathers or synthetics will appreciate the fact that buckwheat is hypo-allergenic. A very minimal amount of people have a reaction to buckwheat pillows. However, those who do experience this very rare reaction can expect itchy throat, watery eyes, and runny nose. If you experience any of the above symptoms, discontinue use.

How do I clean my pillows?

Pillow covers are removable for laundering. Simply remove the cover from the filling and wash cold or dry clean as instructed. NEVER wash the grain filling inserts. Care and safety instructions are sewn into the pillow so make sure to read before use.

I don't see a certain product or fabric on your website anymore. Can I still order it?

If you’ve ordered with us in the past, but you don’t see your favorite pillow featured on our website, it is possible that the pillow is no longer available. Most of Mette’s pillows are limited edition and we like to keep it that way. Some pillows are part of the core production at the Mette Vangso studio, however, so please do feel free to inquire.

I am interested in carrying Mette Vangso product at my business.
Where can I find information about wholesale opportunities?

Feel free to contact us via phone or go to our wholesale page for further information. We welcome partners sharing our vision and philosophy of health and wellness and would love to hear from you.

What is Mette Vangso's Domestic and International return policy?

RETURNS

  • Products may be returned for a refund within 30 days FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE.
  • Sorry, products are not refundable after 30 days FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE. Items that have been damaged by use cannot be returned.
  • Additionally, products returned in a dirty / soiled condition will not be accepted.
  • Defective items may be returned for exchange (no handling fee will be charged for defective returns) within 15 days FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE.
  • If a product is returned due to wrong / undeliverable shipping address provided, the account will be credited the cost of the product only, not the cost of shipping. Online specials are subject to the same return policy. Free items are excluded from return policy and are not eligible to be returned.
  • A $10.00 handling fee will be assessed on each returned item (except defective product exchanges). Shipping charges on returns are not refundable.
  • We are unable to refund any fees imposed by third party entities such as customs fees (on international shipments as an example).

REFUNDS
You should expect to receive the refund (less shipping and handling fees) within 5 days of us receiving your pillow. In many cases refunds are processed and completed more quickly however.

Does Mette Vangso ship outside of the US?

Currently, we offer international shipping only on wholesale orders.

Flat Rate Shipping!