A beautiful, neat pillow is pleasant to look at, but how comfortable will it be for sleeping? How to choose a pillow? Filler, reviews of which would be unambiguous, no. Each of them has pros and cons, but that is why it is important to understand all this diversity and choose exactly what will best suit your needs.
The main parameters
Now in any store selling home goods, you can find many options for different pillows of different price categories. You should not choose only on this parameter. Even a relatively high price does not guarantee that you will receive a thing that fully meets all the needs of a person resting on it.
The main qualities of a good pillow should be comfort, the ability to pass air and absorb moisture. People suffering from diseases of the cervical spine should pay attention to products that ensure that the head is in the right position throughout the night.
For a decorative pillow, the filler does not have any significant value, so the cheapest one is most often used. For children, one should choose not only comfortable and suitable pillows, but also take into account the hypoallergenicity of the materials used by the manufacturer or the lack thereof.
In a word, focusing solely on price, it will be difficult to understand what are the disadvantages and advantages of certain materials.
Synthetic or natural?
What are pillow fillers? They can be conditionally divided into synthetic and natural. For many, the word "synthetic" causes bad associations, so the question of what to prefer is very relevant. Natural, as a rule, is environmentally friendly, however, it can cause allergic reactions.
Since the assortment in the modern market is quite large, the buyer has plenty to choose from. The prices for pillows with natural filling are, as a rule, somewhat overpriced. Here the stereotype that the natural is always better works very well. A person also forgets that such products need regular care. They will have to be cleaned either independently with opening and subsequent stitching of the pillow, or from specialists for money. Yes, and the life of some synthetic materials is much higher.
Fluff
As a filler for pillows and blankets used for a very long time. He deserved attention due to his softness, ability to keep warm. Fluff quickly and easily restores its original shape. Down (duck, goose, chicken, eider) is great for pillows made of thin natural fabrics, such as silk. However, such pillows can be attributed to a rather high price category, in addition, fluff can cause allergies in some people. Periodically, products with this filler require cleaning, since a moist and warm environment promotes the growth of microorganisms. However, such a pillow serves with proper care for at least five years.
Pen
It can be called a classic pillow filler. Such a product must necessarily have a napper, which is made of a down-proof cambric. The wrong side must be waxed. The feather pillow is easy to beat, it does not lose its volume, and is considered very comfortable for sleeping. As a filler, the pen does not cake and does not roll, unlike cheap synthetic ones, and the price is at an average level. Its disadvantages are that the feather accumulates dust and can become a breeding ground for harmful microorganisms.
Buckwheat husk
Such pillows are well known to almost all people suffering from various problems with the cervical vertebrae. Buckwheat husk is known for its orthopedic effect, moreover, it is highly durable and easily takes the shape of a body. This material is used for prophylaxis by people who suffer from osteochondrosis and scoliosis. On a pillow filled with buckwheat, even in hot weather, your head does not sweat. Among the shortcomings, a rather large weight of the pillow can be distinguished.
Sheep's wool
This material is known for its heat-insulating properties and excellent air permeability. Sheep wool has a certain antiseptic effect, therefore, the risk of the spread of various microorganisms is reduced (compared with fluff pillows). Pillows filled with wool are believed to be suitable for people suffering from rheumatic diseases and joint or muscle pain. Pillows and blankets stuffed with fleece are very warm and incredibly light.
Bamboo
As a filler, bamboo is becoming increasingly popular. One of the main properties is hypoallergenicity. This puts bamboo in the first place in the list of environmentally friendly fillers that can be safely brought to the children's bedroom. In addition, bamboo has excellent hygroscopicity, so this pillow does not damp even in humid climates. Antibacterial properties prevent the growth of microorganisms. This is a very suitable pillow filler for a baby.
Quite interesting is the production of this filler. The raw material used is bamboo, which has grown over three to four years. The fence is made only in ecologically clean areas of China. Fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals are not used, because bamboo is already growing very fast. Through modern technology, cellulose is extracted from the barrel, from which yarn is produced. In turn, a cloth is woven from this yarn, which then goes on stuffing pillows, blankets and other products.
Synthetics
Polyester is a modern synthetic filler. It is hypoallergenic and, importantly, does not absorb odors from the environment. This pillow is easy to wash in a conventional washing machine. They are also able to quickly return to their original shape even after prolonged compression.
Comfort - like natural materials, this pillow filler allows air to pass through but retains heat. Comfort is a set of elastic balls made of thin, hollow and very durable synthetic material. It does not absorb odors. Like many synthetic materials, it is hypoallergenic and easy to clean. The comfort pillow can be washed and wrung out in the washing machine without fear.
Fiberlon is another synthetic filler. It perfectly restores its shape, passes air well, and is easy to wash.
Hollofiber is also a synthetic filler. Like its "cousins", it does not cause allergies. By the way, the most common cause of allergic reactions is the down-feather tick, which is found in pillows and blankets. In synthetics, this mite fails to survive.
Hollofiber retains heat well, does not burn and does not damp, but is less durable than more expensive synthetic fillers.
The non-woven pillow is very soft. Stacked, as a rule, in several layers. This filler is poorly restored after compression and the service life is short.
The synthetic winterizer is most often used for decorative pillows. This is one of the cheapest fillers, while having all the advantages of more expensive analogues. Pillows on a padding polyester are soft, do not cause allergies. The synthetic winterizer does not absorb moisture well and dries very quickly, but it is short-lived. Each wash of such a pillow quickly brings it closer to wear.
Foam rubber - this filler has two options: solid or cut. In the cheapest products, manufacturers even use foam rubber. Foam rubber crumbles, so you definitely need an inner cover. For sleeping, such pillows, as a rule, are rather inconvenient, because the filler is crumpled, but just right for interior decoration.
Polystyrene granules are another filler, quite non-standard. He is well known to many mothers, because it is he who is often used in the production of children's soft toys. A pear chair or a bean bag chair is another item where you can often find polystyrene granules. It is an excellent filler for sofa cushions. Rolling balls help to take the most convenient shape for a person.
Granules can coalesce over time, so they need to be replaced periodically, however, as a temporary measure, simply adding more granules will do. As a stuffing pillow for sleeping, the material is not always suitable, since the creaking of polystyrene can interfere with sleep.
Kapok
What are pillow fillers? Kapok, which is positioned in stores as a new generation of material, however, it has long been known in Indonesia. It is also known as ceiba and plant silk. This is a natural material that is lighter than cotton several times. It does not cause allergies, and the antiseptic properties will prevent microorganisms from making your pillow your home. Handbills say ceiba is the best material. It is durable and environmentally friendly, and moisture resistant. However, everything is easy to understand if the buyer knows how to choose a pillow and a filler. Reviews about the cup are pretty straightforward. Owners say that after a while the product loses its softness and ability to restore its original shape, in a word “crush”. In this case, washing is out of the question. Given the rather high price of kapok, relative to synthetic analogues, it is not surprising that most people prefer the latter.
The indisputable advantage of kapok can be called naturalness. It will be appreciated by people for whom environmental friendliness is the main factor, because when processing ceibes it is practically not processed with chemical materials.
Vata
The cheapest pillow filler, but the most durable. She loses shape very quickly, but this will only bring inconvenience. More importantly, cotton wool easily absorbs moisture and dries for a very long time, so a fungus can easily form in it, but this can already be hazardous to health. Pillows and blankets on cotton wool are not recommended for allergy sufferers, children and people with sensitive skin.
General recommendations for selection
We have already figured out which filler to buy a pillow with, however, there are other parameters by which to choose this household item. An improper pillow can cause pain in the neck and spine, and even cause migraines.
First of all, size. As a rule, standard pillows have parameters of length and width 70 x 70 cm or 50 x 70 cm. This is enough to fit both the neck and the head, so the sizes are usually not focused on. It is more difficult to deal with height, because it needs to be selected individually. If the pillow is large for you, then the chin during sleep will inevitably fall to the chest, as a result of which the cervical bend is flattened. This can lead to neck pain.
A person normally gets enough sleep only if all the muscles are relaxed, and this is where the pillow helps, it allows the spine to relax. The optimal position can be called such when the back of the head is slightly raised above the lower part of the body.
Take into account the compression ratio of the pillow and choose the best filler for this parameter. How to choose a pillow for sleeping? Reviews from doctors will help with this. Firstly, when choosing the height of the pillow, it should be borne in mind that the same position of the head should be maintained when turning on its side. As a rule, the average pillow height for most people is 7-10 centimeters. For people with broad shoulders, this figure increases to 14-17 centimeters.
Doctors recommend sleeping with a pillow over 17 cm high for people with breathing problems, such as chronic bronchitis, pneumosclerosis, or bronchiectasis. The reason is that when people suffering from such diseases are placed in a horizontal position, the tongue can sink into the larynx. It’s extremely difficult to breathe, but the problem can be solved if you lift the upper body higher.
About form
In stores, you can mainly find square or rectangular pillows. This is a form that has been tested for centuries, and doctors consider it optimal for most people. A person can take any pose in a dream, nothing will stop him from turning around. This is very important, because simple side-to-side flips during sleep are necessary to prevent the muscles from leaking.
In addition to the traditional now on the shelves you can find modern options, they are called "ergonomic". In such pillows, the bends of the human body are ideally repeated, a notch under the nape and a roller under the neck is provided. A well-made ergonomic pillow can be very comfortable, but it is not always useful to use for a long sleep, as the rollers and notches can interfere with a change in posture during sleep.
There is an opinion that sleeping on ergonomic pillows helps to avoid problems with the spine in the future. This is not entirely true. Orthopedic pillows are made, first of all, for people who already suffer from diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Such a product is made of dense materials and fully reproduces the position of the body of a person lying on his back. Thus, to settle in a more comfortable position or roll over on one side on such a pillow will be problematic. Many patients do not sleep on such pillows all night, but simply lie on them for some time for medicinal purposes, after which they take the usual models.
Is a pillow required?
Many people see in the pillow a comfort item that is comfortable, but not necessary. Some even believe that without it, sleep is no worse, and abandoning this household item a person ceases to be pampered. It is believed that failure about pillows is good for health. Is it so?
Sleeping without a pillow can cause discomfort and discomfort, but not only at first. People who are used to sleeping on an uncomfortable flat bed without a pillow often complain that they feel discomfort from touching their head and a hard mattress. Not everyone can sleep well in this position. Complaints about tension in the neck are also not uncommon. This is due to the fact that, in the absence of a pillow, the cervical spine has to be in tension, providing support for the head. There are also cosmetic problems: due to the fact that the head is below the level of the chest, swelling under the eyes is not uncommon in the morning.
The only category of people who find it helpful to sleep without using a pillow is babies. This is absolutely normal for them, because the structure of the spine at this age is such that during sleep the neck does not need support. Sleeping with a pillow for a baby can even be harmful, since the lack of neck support during sleep helps strengthen the cervical muscles and contributes to the proper formation of bends of the spine in the future. In the first months, the child is shown to sleep without a pillow, and at six months, he needs to start putting a folded sheet under his head. At the age of about a year, a child can buy a small orthopedic pillow.