The filling of a pillow is an important indicator of its quality. Today, both natural and synthetic materials are used for its production. They all have their advantages and disadvantages, so you should familiarize yourself with their characteristics in detail.
Natural
Animal origin
- down and feather. Our grandmothers used this material to fill pillows. Feather and down pillows are expensive, but is this an indication of their high quality? Not really. This filler is a strong allergen. Over time, it “falls off” and the pillow does not support the neck and head well during sleep. Down and feathers absorb moisture and can therefore emit an unpleasant odor. They often harbor fungus and mites and require constant care. An undoubted advantage is the structure of the filler. Air passes between its elements, so it is comfortable to sleep on the pillow both in summer and winter;
- silk. Silkworm cocoons are used not only to make bed linen, but also to create fillers. The material is elastic, soft, can withstand repeated washing and at the same time retains its properties. The only drawback of silk filler is its high price;
- horsehair. The material is elastic, has a high level of airtightness and hydroscopicity. It is not suitable for people suffering from asthma and allergies. A pillow filled with horsehair cannot be washed by yourself. To clean it from dust and dirt and give it a fresh look, you will have to go to the dry cleaner;
- wool.Unlike other natural fillers, the material is not very popular. However, it is also bought. Camel or sheep wool is mainly used for filling. The filler retains heat well, so it is suitable for a comfortable sleep in winter. Wool quickly absorbs moisture, which contributes to the rapid development of microorganisms.
Plant-based
- algae. The material has a high level of hygroscopicity. It is suitable even for asthmatics and allergy sufferers. But for people suffering from spinal diseases, such a pillow is not suitable, since it is very soft. The pillow requires delicate cleaning, it cannot be washed at home, since it will quickly lose its shape;
- buckwheat husk. A big advantage of this filler is its low price. It is very pleasant to the touch, makes a slight rustling sound. Pillows with buckwheat husk are not suitable for people who have a light sleep. A pillow with a plant filler is hard. During sleep, you will feel not only rustling, but also a distinct smell of buckwheat. Microorganisms can multiply in the pillow;
- bamboo. Bamboo filler is made from young shoots, so it is soft and pleasant to the touch. Another plus is the low price. But since the demand for bamboo filler is constantly growing, its cost may increase over time. The material quickly absorbs moisture. On the one hand, this is good, because the head and neck on such a pillow will not sweat. On the other hand, the collected moisture is an environment for the development of fungi and mites. Over time, a pillow with bamboo becomes denser and loses its shape.It can be washed on a delicate cycle;
- cotton. Not the best material for pillows, despite its hypoallergenicity and naturalness. The products quickly lose their shape and cannot be washed in a washing machine. However, pillows with cotton filling must be cleaned regularly, as microorganisms quickly develop in them. The price of the pillows is low, but there is no point in buying them, since they will not last long.
Herbal fillers
Pillows filled with herbs deserve special attention. Every day their popularity is growing rapidly. And this is connected with the fashion for everything natural. People believe that pillows with medicinal herbs can relieve insomnia, strengthen the immune system, and relieve stress. There is some truth in this, but still the beneficial properties of herbal fillers are exaggerated.
Herbal pillows are not very soft. The pungent odor of the filler can cause dizziness and an allergic reaction. Microorganisms develop in them. Therefore, you need to be very careful when choosing a filler. What herbs are used to fill pillows?
- yarrow. The plant has immunostimulating and antibacterial properties. It is used to prevent influenza and increase blood pressure;
- thyme. It is a strong antiseptic with mild hypnotic properties. It helps with depression, apathy, weak immunity;
- common oregano. The herb has a special aroma that calms the nervous system and promotes sound and long sleep. A pillow with oregano should be used with caution by men, as it reduces sexual excitability;
- meadow geranium.The plant has pronounced antiviral and antibacterial properties, so it is used to strengthen the immune system. They have a pleasant aroma, calm the nervous system, and help you fall asleep quickly. Small children and pregnant women should not sleep on a pillow with meadow geranium.
Synthetic
In the minds of many people there is a strong belief that synthetic materials are harmful to the body. But it is not so. Compared to natural fillers, they have a number of advantages:
- they are easy to care for;
- suitable for allergy sufferers and asthmatics;
- Microorganisms do not develop in them as quickly and not as often.
Types of synthetic fillers:
- padding polyester The material is very light and airy. A padded padding pillow is soft, elastic, and has a uniform structure. The filler quickly absorbs moisture and therefore quickly loses its shape. Even washing will not help correct the situation. On the contrary, it compacts the padding polyester even more. To produce high-quality fillers, the temperature method of gluing fibers is used. Unscrupulous manufacturers use glue for this purpose. Because of this, the pillow becomes toxic and harms human health;
- polyester. The material is soft, lightweight, does not absorb moisture and foreign odors, retains heat, and is easy to clean at home. Another advantage is dust repellence. Polyester is durable, but over time its particles begin to “break through” the pillow and cause discomfort during sleep. Polyester pillows are not suitable for summer because they do not absorb moisture well;
- holofiber.The filler has high elasticity, so it hardly deforms over time. To bring the pillow into proper shape, just shake it thoroughly a couple of times. The material has the same disadvantages as polyester;
- comfort. The filler consists of a large number of elastic balls. The balls are made of durable, thin and hollow material. Thanks to this, they do not absorb foreign odors. Comforel is hypoallergenic. Pillows filled with it can be washed and wrung out in a washing machine. This will not affect its appearance or positive properties in any way. Comforel is the most durable synthetic material. At the same time, it costs much less than natural fillers.
The choice of fillings for pillows is very wide, so the modern buyer will be able to choose the one that best suits his needs.
