What are pillow fillings?

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

A beautiful, neat pillow looks nice, but how comfortable will it be for sleeping? How to choose a pillow? There is no filler, reviews of which would be unambiguous. 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.

Main parameters

Now in any store that sells 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 satisfies 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 throughout the night ensure the maintenance of the head in the desired position.

For a decorative pillow, the filler does not have anysignificant value, so the cheapest one is most often used. For children, you should choose not only comfortable and suitable pillows, but you need to take into account the hypoallergenicity of the materials used by the manufacturer, or the lack of it.

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 fillings? 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 is generally environmentally friendly, but may cause allergic reactions.

Since the assortment on the modern market is quite large, the buyer has plenty to choose from. Pillows with natural filling tend to be a bit overpriced. Here the stereotype that natural is always better works very well. A person also forgets that such products need regular care. You will have to clean them either on your own with ripping and subsequent stitching of the pillow, or from specialists for money. Yes, and some synthetic materials last much longer.

Fluff

As a filler for pillows and blankets has been used for a very long time. It has earned attention due to its softness, ability to retain heat. Down easily and quickly restores its original shape. Down (duck, goose, chicken, eiderdown) is great forpillows made of thin natural fabrics, such as silk. However, such pillows can be attributed to a rather high price category, besides, fluff can cause allergies in some people. Periodically, products with this filler require cleaning, as a humid and warm environment promotes the growth of microorganisms. However, such a pillow with proper care does not serve less than five years.

Feather

It can be called a classic pillow filler. Such a product must have a breastplate, which is made of downproof cambric. The underside should be waxed. A feather pillow is easy to fluff, does not lose its volume, and is considered very comfortable for sleeping. As a filler, the feather does not cake or roll, unlike cheap synthetic ones, and the price is at an average level. Its disadvantages are that the pen accumulates dust and can become a breeding ground for harmful microorganisms.

Buckwheat husk

Such pillows are well known to almost all people suffering from certain problems with the cervical vertebrae. Buckwheat husk is known for its orthopedic effect, besides it is highly durable and easily takes the shape of the body. This material is used for prevention by people who suffer from osteochondrosis and scoliosis. On a pillow filled with buckwheat, even in hot weather, the head does not sweat. Of the shortcomings, one can single out the rather large weight of the pillow.

Sheep wool

This material is known for itsthermal insulation properties and the ability to perfectly pass air. Sheep wool has a certain antiseptic effect, so the risk of spreading various microorganisms is reduced (compared to down pillows). Wool-filled pillows are said to be well suited for people suffering from rheumatic diseases and joint or muscle pain. Pillows and blankets stuffed with sheep's wool are very warm and at the same time incredibly light.

Bamboo

As a filler, bamboo is becoming increasingly popular. One of the main properties is hypoallergenicity. This puts bamboo at the top of the list of eco-friendly fillers that are safe to bring into a child's bedroom. In addition, bamboo has excellent hygroscopicity, so this pillow does not get damp even in humid climates. Antibacterial properties prevent the growth of microorganisms. It is a very suitable pillow filler for baby.

Quite interesting and the production of this filler. The raw material used is bamboo, which has been growing for 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 grows very quickly anyway. Using modern technologies, cellulose is extracted from the trunk, from which yarn is produced. In turn, a fabric is woven from this yarn, which is then used to stuff pillows, blankets and other products.

Synthetics

Polyester is a modern synthetic filler. Hehypoallergenic and, importantly, does not absorb odors from the environment. This pillow is easy to wash in a regular washing machine. They are also able to quickly return to their original shape even after prolonged compression.

Comforel - Like natural materials, this pillow filling allows air to pass through, but retains heat. Komforel is a set of elastic balls made of thin, hollow and very durable synthetic material. It does not absorb foreign odors. Like many synthetic materials, it is hypoallergenic and easy to clean. Comfort pillow can be washed and wrung out in the washing machine without fear.

Fiberlon is another synthetic filler. It retains its shape well, is breathable and easy to wash.

Hollofiber is also a synthetic filler. Like his "brothers", he does not cause allergies. By the way, most often the cause of allergic reactions is the feather mite, which starts in pillows and blankets. In synthetics, this tick cannot survive.

Hollofiber retains heat well, does not burn or dampen, but is less durable than more expensive synthetic fillers.

The non-woven pillow is very soft. It is usually applied in several layers. This filler does not recover well after compression and the service life is short.

Sintepon 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 synthetic winterizer are soft, do not cause allergies. The synthetic winterizer poorly absorbs moisture and dries very quickly, but is short-lived. Each wash of such a pillow rapidly brings it closer to wear.

Foam rubber - this filler has two options: solid or cut. In the cheapest products, manufacturers even use foam rubber chips. Foam rubber crumbles, so you definitely need an inner cover. For sleep, such pillows are usually quite uncomfortable, because the filler is clumped, but for decorating the interior - just right.

Polystyrene granules - another filler, rather non-standard. It is well known to many mothers, because it 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 most often find polystyrene granules. This is a great filler for sofa cushions. Rolling balls help to adapt to the most comfortable shape for the person.

The granules can clog over time, so they need to be replaced periodically, but as a temporary measure, just adding new granules is also suitable. As a stuffing for sleeping pillows, the material is not always suitable, as the creaking of polystyrene can interfere with sleep.

Kapok

What are pillow fillings? Kapok, which is positioned in stores as a new generation of material, but it has long been known in Indonesia. It is also known by the names "ceiba" and "vegetable silk". It is a natural material that is several times lighter than cotton. He doesn't callallergies, and antiseptic properties will prevent microorganisms from making your pillow their home. The brochures say that ceiba is the best material. It is durable, environmentally friendly, and moisture resistant. However, everything is easy to figure out if the buyer knows how to choose a pillow and filler. Reviews about kapka are pretty unambiguous. The owners say that after a while the product loses its softness and the ability to restore its original shape, in a word, "crushes". In this case, washing is out of the question. Given the relatively high price of kapok compared 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 ceiba, it is practically not processed with chemical materials.

Wadding

The cheapest pillow filling, but the most short-lived. 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 fungus can easily start in it, but this can already be dangerous to he alth. Wadded pillows and blankets are not recommended for allergy sufferers, children and people with sensitive skin.

General recommendations for selection

We have already figured out what filler to buy a pillow with, but there are other parameters by which you need to choose this household item. The wrong pillow can cause pain in the neck and spine, and even causemigraines.

First of all - the size. As a rule, standard pillows have length and width parameters of 70 x 70 cm or 50 x 70 cm. This is enough to fit both the neck and the head, so they usually do not focus on sizes. The height is more difficult, because it must 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 curve is flattened. This can lead to neck pain.

A person gets enough sleep only if all the muscles are relaxed, and this is where the pillow helps, it allows the spine to rest. The optimal position can be called when the back of the head is slightly raised above the lower body.

Consider the degree of compression of the pillow and choose the filler that is optimal for this parameter. How to choose a pillow for sleeping? Reviews of 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.

Sleep on a pillow more than 17 cm high doctors recommend people with breathing problems, such as chronic bronchitis, pneumosclerosis or bronchiectasis. The reason is that when people suffering from such diseases lie down in a horizontal position, the tongue can sink into the larynx. It is extremely difficult to breathe this way, and the problem can be solved by lifting the upper body higher.

About form

In shops, mainly, you can 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 position in a dream, nothing will prevent him from turning around. This is very important, because simple rollovers from side to side during sleep are necessary to keep the muscles from numb.

In addition to the traditional ones, you can now find modern options on the shelves, they are called "ergonomic". In such pillows, the curves of the human body are ideally repeated, a notch for the back of the head and a roller for the neck are provided. A well-made ergonomic pillow can be very comfortable, but it is not always useful for long sleeps, as bolsters and indentations can interfere with changing positions 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 primarily 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, it will be problematic to get into a more comfortable position or roll over on your side on such a pillow. 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 regular models.

Is a pillow required?

Many people see ina pillow is a comfort item that is convenient but not essential. Some even believe that even without it, sleep is no worse, and refusing this household item, a person ceases to be pampered. It is believed that giving up pillows is good for he alth. Is that right?

Sleeping without a pillow can be uncomfortable and uncomfortable, but not only at first. People who are accustomed to sleeping on an uncomfortable flat bed without a pillow often complain that they feel discomfort from the contact of the head and the hard mattress. Not everyone can sleep well in this position. It is also not uncommon to complain of tension in the neck. This is due to the fact that in the absence of a pillow, the cervical spine has to be in a tense state, providing support for the head. There are also cosmetic problems: due to the fact that the head is below chest level, swelling under the eyes is not uncommon in the morning.

The only category of people who benefit from sleeping without a pillow are babies. For them, this is absolutely normal, because the structure of the spine at this age is such that during sleep the neck does not need support. Sleeping with a pillow can even be harmful for an infant, as the lack of support for the neck during sleep helps strengthen the neck muscles and contributes to the correct formation of the curves 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 small orthopedic pillow can be bought for a child.