Pillow filler

A competent pillow selection is a guarantee of a healthy sleep. Everything is important in this attribute for sleep: size, shape, and, of course, pillow filler. With today's diversity, it is easy to find exactly the object of comfortable sleep that will correspond to its main purpose - to be a support for the head and neck of a sleeping person in the most convenient physiological position. To make it easier for you to decide which pillows are better to buy, with which filler, today we will analyze the most popular of them and tell you what their advantages are.

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What are the pillows?

A person spends about 8 hours a day sleeping, and in order for the rest hours to be as comfortable as possible, you need to have a comfortable bed, a mattress and choose a pillow that will allow the spine to take the correct position.

By appointment, all pillows are divided into:

• Decorative - used to decorate the interior.
• For sleep, relaxation.
• Massage.

Pillows also vary in size - if massage or decorative can have different shapes and sizes, then leisure items have clear formats.

Important! In the CIS countries, the most popular are square pillows with dimensions of 70x70 cm. In European countries, the format of 70x50 cm is adopted. However, if you want to order a custom format, then select an item for sleep, based on the width of the shoulder.

In the old days, our ancestors had one filler for pillows - goose down. With today's diversity, you can choose a filler according to your preference. It can be both natural materials and synthetic. And each of them has its advantages and disadvantages, so it is very difficult to say which pillow filler is better. We will consider the most popular of them, and the choice is yours.

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Natural fillers - characteristics and features

There are several types of natural materials and each of them has its own characteristics. But the main advantage of all these items is their environmental friendliness, although some materials can cause an allergic reaction in people.

Important! A common drawback is the higher cost compared to synthetic materials.

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Natural fillers of animal origin

This type of material includes:

• Fluff and soft feathers of birds. These are not only traditional pillow fillers, known since antiquity - the down and feather of geese, ducks, hens, but also the exotic down of swans or eiders.
• Wool. Pillows made of camel and sheep wool are considered healing. They have a positive effect on human health and are prescribed for joint diseases and rheumatism.
• Horsehair.

Feather

Pillows made from this material are very light and soft.

Important! If you prefer a soft object for sleeping, then get a pillow made of this material, because it has so many advantages.

Main advantages:

• Hygroscopicity. The material absorbs and evaporates moisture very quickly.
• Breathability. Since the fluffs do not touch tightly, you will not suffocate, even if you bury your nose in the pillow.
• Lack of smell. Quality filler is odorless.
• Excellent thermoregulation. Fluff protects equally well from cold and heat.
• Noiselessness. The material does not creak, does not rustle, perfectly absorbs external sounds.
• It keeps its shape well. Fluff perfectly holds and restores shape.
• Durability. Pillow made of natural material will last more than 5 years.

Important! Pillow filler is considered to be pillow filler with a ratio of feather to fluff 15/85.

Material disadvantages:

• Allergenicity. Feather and down pillows are contraindicated in people prone to allergic reactions.
• Favorable environment for the reproduction of various microorganisms. Over time, the fluffs accumulate dust, become a source of reproduction of dust mites.
• Possible pain in the cervical spine. The softness of fluff can provoke neck pain.
• High price. Down pillows are considered the most expensive (along with latex and Memorform foam).
• Difficult care. This material must not be washed. Feather and down pillows need regular cleaning (2 times a year) in specialized salons. A pillow made of natural material must be periodically dried in the sun and aired in the open air.

Important! Feather pillows are less comfortable because the sharp tips of the feathers climb through the bed and can scratch the skin. Therefore, do not place feather pillows on children. When purchasing such a product, make sure that the napkin is sewn from a very dense fabric.

Wool

The main advantage of natural wool is its excellent fluffiness and hygroscopicity. Wool pillows will warm in the winter and give coolness in the summer.

Important! These products are best suited for people who suffer from pain in muscles, joints and have problems with the musculoskeletal system.

Advantages of the material:

• Breathability.
• Hygroscopicity - the special structure of the wool helps to remove excess moisture.
• Excellent thermoregulating properties.
• The healing properties.
• Good dirt repellent.

Cons of the material:

• Allergenicity. Pillows with wool filling should be used with caution for allergy sufferers and asthmatics.
• Badly holds a form. Wool has a peculiarity to roll, but to beat it will not work.
• Difficult care. Wool pillows cannot be washed - they are only allowed to dry clean.
• Short service life. Since the wool rolls over time, the average life of the product is 3-5 years.

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Natural plant origin

As a vegetable “filling” pillows can be used:

• Buckwheat husk.
• Bamboo.
• Cotton.
• Seaweed.
• Eucalyptus.
• The silk is natural.
• Latex.
• Herbs.

The main advantages of natural materials include:

• Aromatherapy properties.
• Massage effect.
• Hypoallergenicity.
• Antibacterial. Natural materials inhibit the spread of bacteria.

Common disadvantages include:

• Short service life.
• High price.

Buckwheat husk

Husk is a shell of buckwheat kernels. The material is environmentally friendly. It has an orthopedic effect.

Material advantages:

• Perfectly let in air.
• Orthopedic effect. Buckwheat husk filler stably supports the head and neck in a physiologically correct position.
• Therapeutic effect. Buckwheat pillows relieve neck pain. You can use the product for preventive purposes.
• Hypoallergenicity. Husk causes allergies and itchy skin in very rare cases.
• Massage effect. Sharp buckwheat flakes perfectly massage the scalp and improve blood microcirculation.
• Easy care. Pillows made from husks cannot be washed, but can only be periodically vacuumed and dried in the sun.

Cons of the material:

• Noisiness. Buckwheat pillows rustle and creak from any touch.
• Heavy weight. Buckwheat accessory can weigh up to 5 kg.
• Smell. Buckwheat aroma does not completely disappear even with time.
• Rigidity. Not everyone likes to sleep on a noisy and hard pillow.
• He does not like humidity.
• Does not keep warm.In winter, it will be cold on a buckwheat pillow, but in summer it will be fine.
• Quickly losing shape.
• Not durable. The service life of the product is 2-2.5 years.

Important! Buckwheat husk pillows are the most affordable orthopedic option, but it will not work for people sensitive to smells and noise.

Bamboo fiber

This plant material is obtained from fluffy cellulose fiber of bamboo stems. This material is vaguely reminiscent of cotton, but at times its more useful.

Advantages of the material:

• Environmental friendliness.
• Breathability. Due to the porous structure, such a pillow filler quickly evaporates moisture and does not damp.
• Lack of smell. The material does not smell and does not absorb extraneous odors.
• Noiselessness. Bamboo fibers make no sounds.
• Comfort Pillows made of bamboo are light, soft and comfortable.
• It has antistatic and antibacterial properties.
• Wear resistance.
• Hypoallergenicity. The filler does not cause allergies and is not a source of reproduction of microorganisms.
• Easy care. The product withstands numerous washings.
• Durability. The term of operation is 5-7 years.
• Affordable price. Bamboo pillows cost as much as polyester fiber products.

Important! Pillows made of bamboo fiber can also be used for children, but you must choose the right height.

Cons of the product:

• Bad support. Bamboo filler does not support neck bends well.
• Crushability of fiber. After cleaning and washing, the product must be thoroughly dried and not stored in a wrinkled form.

Important! Bamboo pillows are suitable for people who prefer natural materials, but are not subject to osteochondrosis and protrusion, since the softness of the filler can cause pain in the cervical spine.

Cotton filler

Cotton has always been and remains a leader among natural materials. Cotton pillows are environmentally friendly, do not cause allergies, perfectly absorb moisture and have high thermoregulatory properties. Perhaps this is the best pillow filler that is suitable for people with excessive sweating.

Latex

Latex is a natural material. It is produced from rubber milk of Brazilian hevea.

Latex products are elastic, but at the same time, soft. They perfectly support the body during sleep.

Product advantages:

• Great support. The natural properties of rubber - resilience and elasticity, allow it to be used in orthopedic products.
• Noiselessness. Latex pillows make no sound.
• Therapeutic effect. The material alleviates pain in the neck and serves as a preventive measure.
• Hypoallergenicity. Latex possesses not only hypoallergenic, but also antibacterial properties.
• Comfort Sleeping on such a pillow is very comfortable, but due to its elasticity, it takes some time to get used to.
• Easy care. The latex pillow does not need care - it is enough only to change the pillowcase if necessary.
• Durability. Pillows made of natural latex do not lose their qualities even after 20 years of operation.

Minuses:

• A specific odor that disappears after 1-2 weeks.
• High price. The price of such products is comparable to the price of pillows made of fluff and foam Memorform.

Important! A latex pillow is a great choice for people who care about their health, and its high price will pay off with a long service life.

Silk

Silk pillow filler is a VIP material.

Product Advantages:

• Hypoallergenicity. Dust mites do not start in the silk filler due to the presence of sericin in it.
• Excellent thermoregulating properties.
• Hygroscopicity.
• Wear resistance.
• Maintains a suitable microclimate for humans.
• It has a beneficial effect on the whole body.
• Softness and firmness at the same time.
• Easy care. Gentle wash allowed. After drying, the filler must be beaten to restore shape.
• Long service life.The life of the product is 10-15 years.

Minuses:

• High price. Silk-filled pillows are more expensive than all other similar products.

Seaweed

Algal filler for pillows today is one of the most interesting and popular.

Advantages of algae products:

• Hygroscopicity.
• Antibacterial.
• Hypoallergenicity.

Minuses:

• Too soft pillow.
• Requires delicate cleaning. Algae pillows cannot be washed. Only dry cleaning using delicate products is recommended.
• Short service life. Algae pillows will last you 3-5 years.

Herbal pillows

In ancient times, pillows based on herbs were invented. Instead of filler the following were used:

• Cereal straw.
• Hop cones.
• Lavender.
• Mint.
• Thyme.

Important! Herbal pillows are recommended for people with insomnia. It is only necessary to remember about individual tolerance, because an allergy to one of the herbs is possible.

For night sleep, such pillows are not recommended, but for daytime rest - just right. Herbal pillows are small (slightly larger than the palm), so they are often called “sleepy”.

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Artificial Fillers

Polyester fibers include:

• Hollofiber.
• Comfort
• Ecofiber.

Important! The manufacturing technology of new-generation artificial materials, their quality and properties are approximately the same. Therefore, their advantages and disadvantages can be considered comprehensively.

Advantages:

• Hypoallergenicity. Materials do not irritate the skin, do not create conditions for the reproduction and vital activity of pathogenic microbes.
• No noise. Artificial fibers are silent, they do not creak or rustle.
• Hygroscopicity.
• Lack of smell. Polyesters do not have their own smell and do not absorb strangers.
• Good thermoregulation. Due to the porous structure, artificial fillers do not overheat.
• Comfort. Pillows made of polyester fibers are soft, comfortable and smooth.
• Simple care. Products can be washed in a machine at a temperature of 40 degrees. In addition, synthetics dries very quickly.
• Affordable price. The price of such products is comparable to the price of feather pillows.

Minuses:

• Poor head and neck support. The softness of the filler does not allow to maintain the body in a physiologically correct position.
• Neck pain may increase.
• Fragility. Pillows with artificial filling will last 3-5 years.

Important! Products made of artificial materials are very practical, comfortable and inexpensive. They are suitable for any person who is not prone to neck problems.

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How to choose a pillow with artificial filling?

If you decide to give preference to the artificial version, you need to more carefully consider the proposed fillers for pillows.

Hollofiber

The filler is ideal for people who love soft surfaces. Hollofiber does not cause allergies, is hygroscopic, has excellent thermoregulatory properties, elasticity and sufficient wear resistance.

Komfortel (expanded polystyrene)

Komfort consists of a hollow siliconized fiber. As a result of heat treatment, balls with a diameter of 7 mm are obtained from fiber.

Important! The pillow made of balls is more rigid than with holofiber, but its advantage is that it takes the shape of a person’s head during sleep.

Synthetic winterizer

Sintepon pillows have the following advantages:

• Breathability.
• Does not absorb odors.
• Hygroscopicity.
• Not too hard and not very soft.
• Perfectly keeps heat.
• Hypoallergenic - mites and germs will not start in the pillow from this material.
• Ease of maintenance - you can wash the product in the car.
• Low price.

Minuses:

• Quickly losing shape.
• Lost in clods.

Important! The average period that such a pillow filler will last is 1-2 years.

Silicone

Silicone products are characterized by softness, hypoallergenicity, elasticity, breathability and excellent thermoregulatory properties.Pillows made of silicone perfectly hold the desired shape, and are quite simple to care for: they can be washed at a temperature of 40 degrees, and after washing, they quickly restore shape.

Important! The disadvantages of such products include a short service life (5-7 years).

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Which pillows are better?

As you can see, the choice of accessories for sleeping is huge enough and choosing the best filling for pillows is almost impossible, since each of them has its own characteristics. It all depends on personal preferences, health, body characteristics and the thickness of the wallet.

Important! For people suffering from diseases of the back and neck, you can offer the latest fashion - orthopedic pillows. Their purpose is to create maximum comfort for the head and neck of a sleeping person.

Such pillows have not only healing, massage properties, but also a cooling effect. For example, a gel-filled pillow allows air to pass through perfectly, does not heat up, it is easy to clean and always maintains its shape.

General recommendations for choosing the right pillow for sleeping:

1. Before buying, test the pillow: lie on it, make sure that the shape, height and rigidity are suitable for you.
2. Pay attention to the height of the pillow - it is determined by the width of the shoulders. The wider the shoulders, the higher the pillow should be.
3. Choose the right product size for yourself. The optimal pillow size for an adult is 50x70 cm, for a child - 40x60 cm.
4. Always pay attention to the quality of the seams - so that the filler does not come out, the stitches should be frequent.
5. Pay attention to the smell of the attribute for sleep. The pillow should not have an unpleasant and pungent smell.
6. Choose a product with a natural cover. It can be high quality cotton or natural silk.
7. Give preference to products with a case that has a zipper. Thus, you can adjust the height and stiffness of the pillow, removing excess filler.
8. Choose the attribute for sleeping so that you are comfortable sleeping in your favorite position. For example:
   • if you like to sleep on your stomach, then choose a softer product;
   • if on the back - a pillow of medium stiffness;
   • if on your side - buy a hard pillow.
9. For hard mattresses, choose a pillow lower, and for soft - higher.

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A person spends a third of his life in a dream, therefore, the choice of pillows, as well as other attributes of sleep, must be taken seriously in order to spend this third happily and comfortably. Healthy sleep is the key to well-being and success in life. We wish you health and success with all our hearts!