The perfect pillow is a treasure; hard to find without ‘x’ to mark the spot. Let us be your guide to the Perfect Pillow and sweet dreams will soon follow.
If you are like many, you have purchased an abundance of pillows over the years trying to find the one that fits you just right. But, as we learned in Goldilocks, what is comfortable for some, may not be for you. You may have found that some are just a little too hard, or a little too soft, or even a little too itchy! Nothing has been what you had hoped for after the hours of research you have spent trying to find the perfect pillow. Grrr… we know this can be frustrating!!
The most important factor when choosing a pillow is YOU. The purpose of a pillow is to keep your neck in line with your spine. Getting the proper support is important, but too much support will give you a kink in your neck and then you’ll be kicking the pillow to the guest room!
If you are petite or have a small frame, a softer pillow gives you the flexibility you need to fill the space between your neck and the mattress. Obviously, someone with a larger frame, will need a firmer pillow UNLESS they are a scruncher!
Scruncher? Yes. People who scrunch their pillows into whatever shape they need to fit their frame and sleeping position.
Which, brings up another important topic: your sleep position. Soft to medium pillows are good for people who sleep on their stomachs or backs because they have less space to fill from their mattress to their head. Firmer pillows help keep the neck in line with the spine for people who sleep on their sides, unless they are a pillow scruncher. (see above)
Despite what you may hear, size matters! Don’t just buy king size pillows because you have a king size bed. You may get some for aesthetics, but when it comes to sleeping, get personal. It is very difficult to have a firm king size pillow unless you fill it with memory foam or polyester or bricks. There is just too much space to move around for a loose fill, like down, to stay really firm. If you like firm pillows, go for a smaller size like a standard to prevent the fill from moving out from under your head.
As you know, pillow filling options are seemingly endless; from Ogallala® Blend, down and feather, wool, memory foam, polyester, and even buckwheat hulls, people have gotten pretty creative in what they will use to rest their weary heads. But, as we have learned so far, not every fill is perfect for everyone! What is important is to find YOUR preference.
Let’s take a look at some options:
1. Ogallala® Blend has been used in our pillows for over 30 years. It is a combination of 70% goose down and 30% milkweed fibers that come from the milkweed plant. The hollow tufts of fluff wick moisture away from the body and fully integrate with down to make Ogallala® more durable and breathable than down by itself. The milkweed fiber, a natural, cellulose fiber, also trap and suppress the dust and dander in down giving an allergy free sleeping environment. Our milkweed fibers are wild harvested through Monarch Flyway and help protect and encourage milkweed stands for a healthier Monarch habitat.
2. Down pillows are almost indistinguishable from Ogallala®; they are both flexible and have a luxurious feel. Goose down is considered high quality because they have large clusters and very little odor. On the other hand, duck down will have smaller clusters and is given away by the “foul” odor caused by the oils in the down. Note: If it does not state goose down on the law label, you are probably sleeping with a duck.
3. Feather pillows are similar to down, but consist of the feather, which are used as an outer layer of protection from cold and for flying. Unlike down, feather has a quill which can be pokey when you lay your head down. In addition, there is much more dirt and dander in feather products which can cause allergic reactions.
4. Wool is a hollow, natural fiber and certainly meets the criteria for being firm. One of the nice things about wool is it wicks moisture away from the body like a straw, so if you have a hot head, this maybe the fill for you. In addition, wool is a less expensive, natural alternative to down.
5. Memory Foam is normally synthetic, but recently some good Organic options have come to market. Memory foam conforms to your head and sleep position. If you consistently sleep in one position, it may be a good choice for you. If you change sleep positions or like to scrunch your pillow, it probably isn’t the best choice. Reviews also indicate that many people believe they are too hot and when you first open the package, they have a chemical-like odor. If you choose memory foam, opt for natural, organic ones.
6. Polyester is the pillow of choice for most Americans; simply because they are inexpensive and readily available at any major retailer. Are they convenient, yes. Healthy, no. Polyester is a petroleum-based, nonrenewable resource and contains toxins like, ethylene glycol, which are absorbed by your body while you breathe. That doesn’t sound like a perfect pillow to me!
7. Buckwheat Hulls are an agricultural by-product and some people swear by their buckwheat pillows. The filling moves easily and conforms to your head. When it is time to clean your buckwheat pillow, you do need to remove the hulls from the casing and only wash the covering. Some may feel buckwheat pillows are loud and crunchy, but others find both aspects very comforting and would never give up their buckwheat.
While there are many other fill options available, we have highlighted a few to help you in your quest for the “Perfect Pillow”. Out of the seven we highlighted, we would only discourage the use of polyester pillows due to the adverse impact on the environment and possible health concerns.
As you journey toward finding that perfect pillow, remember to think about your body frame, sleep position, and how you use your pillow. The purpose of a pillow is to keep your neck and spine in alignment so you can wake up happy, refreshed and ready to take on the challenges of your day.
Thanks for reading and wishing you the Sweetest of Dreamzzz.
- Debbie Dekleva
Photo Credit: <a href='https://www.123rf.com/profile_arthurhidden'>arthurhidden / 123RF Stock Photo</a>