What is the best filler for a pillow
The pillow can be safely called the most important bedding, since your good rest depends on it in many ways. In the morning you can wake up with a stiff neck and a sore head, and then the whole day will be ruined. Or you can get up rested, full of energy and ready to implement many brilliant plans. Both in the first and in the second case, it's all about Her Majesty, the pillow! How to choose a sleeping accessory? Which filler should you give preference to?
Criterias of choice
What are pillows made of? Today, thanks to the variety of materials, the pillow can be made from both synthetic and natural fibers. Moreover, this applies to both the filler and the cover.
How high quality the pillow will be depends largely on its filling. What characteristics should you pay attention to?
- Hypoallergenic.
- Air permeability.
- How favorable the environment is for the reproduction of harmful microorganisms, mold and mildew.
- Hygroscopicity.
- Possibility of heat exchange regulation.
- A light weight.
- Ability to quickly regain shape.
- The duration of the service life.
- Ease of maintenance.
- Resistance to foreign odors.
- Environmental friendliness.
Varieties of fillers
All the variety of fillers can be divided into two groups: natural and artificial. At the same time, answering the question of which filler is the best, everyone is guided by their own preferences.
Natural
These fillers are classified as plant and animal materials.
- Down and feather of waterfowl. Most often, duck and goose down and feathers are used. Pillows with this filling are soft and light.
Down and feathers are the most popular natural pillow fillings. They keep their shape well and keep warm. If the pillow is slightly deformed, it is enough to "beat" it with your hands and it is ready for use again.
It is easy to whip such a filler just by hand. With proper care, pillows serve for a very long time. The cost is influenced by the ratio of feather and down: the more the latter, the softer and, accordingly, the more expensive the pillow will be. If there are too many feathers, the pillow becomes stiff and heavy. The main disadvantage of feather pillows is that mites and other microorganisms are introduced into them, as well as dust accumulates. All of these can cause allergies. It is extremely difficult to take care of such pillows at home: you cannot wash, and it is recommended to clean only in specialized services. In addition, both down and feathers perfectly absorb extraneous odors, which is also not good for overly sensitive users.
Feather pillows are difficult to care for. - Camel and sheep wool. The main distinguishing feature of this filler is that it perfectly retains heat and also has a healing effect. Wool is very soft to the touch, while it absorbs and evaporates moisture well.
Wool filler is also natural. It retains heat well, but is short-lived. Unfortunately, this material can also cause allergic reactions.Also, the disadvantages include the fragility of pillows with wool, because over time it "falls" into lumps, which are almost impossible to separate. Finally, just like in feather pillows, various microorganisms can grow in wool pillows. And you can't wash such pillows either.
Wool-filled pillows cannot be washed. - Bamboo. Recently, this filler is gaining more and more popularity. It turns out as a result of processing young shoots.
One of the most common pillow fillers is bamboo. Bamboo has practically no flaws when used correctly. The material is environmentally friendly, has bactericidal properties, is resistant to the appearance of microorganisms and mold, does not cause allergic reactions and has a long service life. These pillows are very comfortable to sleep on and can be machine washed on a delicate cycle.
Bamboo filler is environmentally friendly material, easy to machine washable. - Silk. According to the majority, this filler has no equal. The only drawback is the high price, however, with such an impressive list of advantages, this is quite understandable. It is comfortable to sleep on pillows, they do not cause allergies at all, have their own microclimate and serve for a very long time - up to 15 years.
Silk-filled pillows have a huge number of useful properties. They can be machine washed on a delicate wash, then gently whisk, and the pillow is ready for use again.
It is easy to wash such a pillow on a delicate cycle in a washing machine. - Eucalyptus (or lyocell). These are cellulose fibers obtained from the eucalyptus tree using a special technology. The material combines the softness of silk and the softness of cotton. The material is breathable, so that the greenhouse effect does not threaten the user. Pillows with lyocell are light and resilient. Environmental friendliness, hypoallergenicity, air permeability, antiseptic properties and thermoregulation - these are not all the advantages of such an innovative filler. When washing on a delicate cycle and gentle spinning, the pillow will last for many years. And the only disadvantage is the high cost. Therefore, in order to reduce the cost of pillows with such a filler, lyocell is used in combination with synthetic materials, but, unfortunately, in this case, the quality characteristics are also slightly reduced.
Eucalyptus or lyocell is a rather unusual filler. This filler has medicinal properties and does not require frequent cleaning. - Buckwheat husk. This filler is obtained as a result of processing buckwheat and subsequent special processing of the husk. The material is ideal for those with allergies. In addition, thanks to buckwheat husk, pillows acquire orthopedic properties, are characterized by high air permeability and resistance to the appearance of harmful microorganisms and dust. The husk does not get into lumps and easily takes the shape of the body.
Buckwheat husk filler is perfect for allergy sufferers and has orthopedic properties. The disadvantages of pillows with buckwheat husk include a characteristic rustle, which takes time to get used to, as well as a short period of use (no more than 5 years) and the inconvenience of washing (the husk must be removed). In addition, regular airing of pillows with such filling is recommended.
Recommendations for those who have purchased a buckwheat husk pillow - ventilate it more often, since it cannot be washed. - Cotton. Affordable material represents fluffed cotton threads. Differs in hygroscopicity, good thermal conductivity, air permeability and hypoallergenicity. There is only one drawback - a short service life.
Cotton is a natural natural filler. It absorbs moisture well, soft, comfortable material. It is good to sleep on such a pillow in winter. - Natural latex.Due to the many air bubbles, it has orthopedic properties. Resistant to mold and other microorganisms, hypoallergenic, does not absorb odors and has a long service life. Very easy to care for - washable in warm water. The main disadvantage is the high cost.
Latex pillows are considered orthopedic. These pillows are chosen on the recommendation of a doctor. - Herbs. The composition of such a filler can be very diverse, at your discretion. Most often they use chamomile, lemon balm, mint, thyme. These pillows are soothing and relaxing. Usually, they are used in tandem with the main sleeping accessory.
Herbal pillows come in a variety of sizes and shapes.
Synthetic
The range of synthetic fillers is quite large. All materials are united by a number of indisputable advantages: fillers do not absorb dust and odors, are moisture resistant, and do not cause allergies and serve for a long time.
Synthetic fillers differ in structure, degree of wear resistance, and in some quality characteristics.
- Sintepon. The cheapest synthetic filler. It is inferior to all others in terms of breathability and elasticity. The advantages include the softness of the material, the ability to wash at home and the budget cost. Also, the synthetic winterizer does not absorb odors. The main disadvantage is a short service life.
Sintepon pillows are soft and very light. The disadvantage of such pillows is their fragility. - Holofiber. A non-woven fabric made of spiral fibers interwoven in different directions. Thanks to this method of connection, many air chambers are formed between the fibers, therefore holofiber is a very warm material.
Holofiber is a synthetic material. In its production, formaldehydes and various toxic substances are not used. Main advantages: strength, elasticity. The pillows keep their shape perfectly, the filler does not roll into lumps. Since the pillows are so "airy", they do not have a greenhouse effect and guarantee a comfortable rest. Holofiber does not start microorganisms, does not accumulate dust, it is ideal for people with allergies or asthmatics. These pillows can withstand multiple washes, dry quickly and retain their original shape. Since no glue is used in the production of holofiber, this material does not contain toxic substances and is comparable in safety to natural fillers.
The service life of a pillow with holofiber is quite long. This material is breathable and washable. - Fiber. This filler can be safely called a close "relative" of the previous one. The only difference is that in structure it is a lot of polyester balls. In the pillow, these balls move freely and take the shape of the head of a sleeping person. Thanks to this feature, a very comfortable stay is provided. To the touch, a pillow with fiber is very similar to a pillow filled with fluff. Moreover, the material is hypoallergenic. The pillows are machine washed and dry quickly. They are easy to transport as they take up a minimum of space when folded.
Fiber differs from holofiber in the structure of the fiber - these are small balls. In the pillow, they move and adapt to the shape comfortable for your sleep. - Holfitex. It is also a kind of polyester fiber with a silicone coating, thanks to which the filler is elastic and soft. Similar fillers are holofiber, synthetic fluff, fiber. The differences between all these materials are only in the production technology. As a result, the fibers are different in structure, length and thickness. Holfitex is a fluffy, springy mass.
Holfitex makes a pillow or blanket light and warm. Air passes freely. - Microfiber (microfiber).Very thin polyester fibers, reminiscent of natural fluff in properties, are just as light, soft, with high thermal insulation performance and breathability. And thanks to modern technologies, the material is hypoallergenic, does not absorb odors, and does not accumulate dust. Microfiber retains its useful properties and shape over a long service life.
Microfiber does not absorb odors and is easy to wash.
Care advice
Any item will last much longer if you follow the care recommendations. And pillows are no exception. There are a number of simple rules that will help your pillows give you complete rest for much longer.
- Periodic ventilation. Ideally, any pillow, regardless of filler, should be taken out into fresh air at least once a week.
- Every morning pillows should be fluffed and flipped from one side to the other.
- Carry out regular wet cleaning in the room where you sleep, and ventilate this area. This point is especially important for pillows with natural filling.
- If you are using a feather pillow, it is recommended that you change the cover at least once a year.
- Any natural filler should be dry-cleaned at least once a year. In extreme cases - once every two years.
- Pillows with synthetic filling are machine washed at 40 degrees, and special detergents are used. It is not recommended to twist the pillows.
- Cushions with polyurethane foam and latex are cleaned with a damp sponge and liquid detergent. Dry away from direct sunlight and heating appliances.
Pillow fillings can be very different. But when choosing an accessory for sleeping, it is better to focus on your own preferences. Buy pillows from trusted manufacturers, if possible, check out customer reviews. And do not forget, saving on a sleeping accessory, you run the risk of being left without quality rest.
Video: how to choose the right pillow?
