When choosing bedding, it is important to look not only at the size and shape of the product. Comfort and convenience during sleep provides a pillow filler, which can be different. Sometimes a product with the best reviews is completely unsuitable for a particular person. Therefore, before buying it is worth considering the features of each material, identifying their advantages, taking into account disadvantages.
Pillow requirements
The main requirement for any bedding is their safety for health, hypoallergenicity, softness and comfortable location. In addition, pillows, especially for children and pregnant women, must be hygroscopic and breathable. Pillow filler gives shape to the product. During sleep, she should maintain her neck in the correct position, otherwise the head will hurt in the morning and there will be problems with her back.
If a pillow for a child is chosen , then the internal material should be moderately rigid and durable. The product itself will appeal to the baby if it has an attractive appearance. These properties depend on the characteristics of the material the pillow is stuffed with. Modern pillow fillers for sleeping are divided into two types: artificial and natural.
Often you can hear the opinion (especially of the older generation) that natural material is better, has a lot of useful properties and is optimal for healthy sleep. However, artificial components have characteristics that for many would be preferable.
Best Filler Criteria
Considering the material, its advantages and disadvantages, it is easy to choose the best for yourself. But the best will be one that matches personal preferences. However, the following requirements are imposed on the best filler:
- It should be hypoallergenic.
- Do not create an environment for the reproduction of insects.
- Possess good breathability and hygroscopicity.
- Have a long service life.
- Regulate heat transfer.
- To weigh a little.
- Rebuild quickly.
- Maintain the neck in a proper position during sleep.
- Easy to clean at home.
- Cost inexpensive.
Unfortunately, all fillers have a number of disadvantages, but among them it is possible to choose the appropriate option that meets the needs of the user.
Natural fillers. Feather
If our grandmothers needed a pillow, filler fluff was considered the best. Even now, there are many families who specifically choose such products, because they are considered classics and the most healthy.
In addition, if goose down is used, then such bedding also warms in the winter. A swan's down was generally used in the royal chambers. Therefore, pillows with down-feather filling are considered the standard of prestige and luxury. They are comfortable and light in weight.
However, such material is not without drawbacks. The main one is the possibility of the appearance of linen mites. In addition, over time, the pen begins to wrinkle and the product loses its shape. Feather pillows strongly absorb odors, and their cleaning at home is quite difficult.
Wool filler
This is a rare option that is just starting to conquer the market. Often you can find on sale products where sheep filling for pillows is only 50% of the total volume. The rest is man-made fiber. However, the optimal ratio is 80/20. Therefore, when choosing such a product, you must pay attention to this information.
Judging by the reviews, pillows based on wool:
- well keep heat and warm in a cold season;
- hygroscopic and promote natural air exchange;
- possess healing properties and warm painful parts of the body.
But the filler is rather capricious in leaving, besides it is scratchy. Therefore, many can not use such products for a comfortable sleep. The material is natural, therefore, insects can breed in it. It also has a specific odor that some people cannot tolerate. When exposed to moisture, the wool falls off, no longer return to its previous shape.
Silk filler
When deciding which filler is best for a pillow, it is worth considering a product obtained from silkworms. Silk material is produced from cut cocoons, which has a number of positive qualities.
- Protein sericin, contained in cocoons, does not allow insects to multiply and has hypoallergenic properties.
- The filler gives the product durability, elasticity.
- A favorable microclimate is created inside.
- Pillows are washable.
- They easily restore their shape after cleaning.
Silk pillow fillers reviews were mostly positive. Their quality satisfies most consumers. However, the product is expensive, so not everyone can afford to buy it. In addition, some pillows seem too soft to some.
Bamboo material
Bamboo pillow filler quickly gained popularity and is considered the most popular. Its advantages are highlighted by many consumers, and the most common reviews are as follows:
- Pillows do not form static electricity.
- Do not cause unwanted skin reactions.
- Bamboo gives the product bactericidal properties and a hygroscopic effect.
However, the last point is also a drawback. The plant grew in a humid climate and is able to instantly absorb moisture. Therefore, pillows with such a filler have increased hygroscopicity, they are not recommended for use in homes with high humidity.
Latex options
If you choose the best filler for pillows, then latex can be safely called one of them. It has high elasticity, is able to follow the contours of the body and has a memory effect. That is why latex filler is used for the production of orthopedic goods and anti-stress pillows.
The reviews on products based on foamed rubber say that they are very comfortable for sleeping, provide an optimal position of the neck and head. With it, you can give the pillow the necessary shape.
Among the disadvantages are the impossibility of washing such products and a high price.
Cotton filling
Vata does not cause allergies and is inexpensive. However, pillows based on it are very hard and uncomfortable. People who slept on similar ones note that in the morning the neck went numb. In addition, the cotton wool quickly lumps into lumps, which makes the operation of the product as intended not very comfortable.
But due to the peculiarity of the material, dense and high-quality decorative pillows are made on its basis. In addition to practical properties, they are also inexpensive.
Plant components
Fans of plant materials often look from the side of the following fillers:
- Buckwheat.
- Hop cones.
- Cedar husk.
- A mixture of medicinal herbs.
Such pillows have the ability to relieve stress, provide pleasant aromas during sleep and are able to alleviate the condition during colds.
However, it is worth knowing that the operational life of such pillows is short. The rustling also annoys many, so sleeping on them will not work.
Variety of synthetic fibers
Do not be afraid of the word "synthetics". Modern materials have a lot of advantages, in addition, they amaze with variety. Among the main advantages - in such pillows the reproduction of insects is excluded. Synthetic fillers:
- They have many modifications.
- Hygienic.
- Endowed with good performance.
- Inexpensive.
The most popular are the following:
- Fill for pillows - balls (comfort). It is a fluffy small lumps that have a memory effect. The plus is that the material can be washed and it does not cause allergies.
- Sinteponovy material. Inexpensive, practical and lightweight. It is allowed to wash in a typewriter, but with frequent washing it gets into lumps. The pillow is soft and comfortable, according to some reviews, it is not elastic enough.
- Hollofiber. Polyester fibers twisted into flagella. If you are interested in the question of which filler for the pillow of the child to choose, then this option is most optimal. It is quite soft, but has elasticity. It has an increased level of strength and can withstand repeated washing. Completely hypoallergenic, suitable for babies and pregnant women.
- Silicone According to user reviews, it is very elastic filler and quickly restores shape.
Products for babies of their mothers
With particular care, they choose bedding for the smallest children and pregnant women. Therefore, it is so important to understand with which filler it is better to buy pillows. Reviews about the material and its properties will help future buyers make a choice.
Expectant mothers often have trouble sleeping. They are uncomfortable to lie down, and sensitivity increases many times. Baby's sleep can also be very sensitive. Therefore, the problem of choosing a pillow and its filler is acute.
A good orthopedic effect and margin of safety have pillows made of holofiber. For nursing mothers, it is worth considering products based on polypropylene balls. However, it is worth considering that they are slightly rustling.
To relieve stress and to play the child, you can purchase pillows with polystyrene balls. They are nice to sort out for both kids and adults.
conclusions
Before choosing a filler, you should decide in order to purchase a pillow. For daily sleep, a product with orthopedic properties is needed. In this case, latex, wool or expanded polystyrene would be an ideal choice.
For pregnant women and nursing mothers, it is better to choose an artificial filler that has sufficient elasticity. An inexpensive holofiber or polystyrene balls will do. Such products are convenient to bend at any angle, they are soft, but the head does not fall through.
For a crib, you should purchase a pillow with an antibacterial and hypoallergenic filler. Silk passes air well. Bamboo fiber will provide bactericidal properties and the necessary elasticity. You can offer a latex option, but not all children love it. It is impossible to beat the material with your hands and conveniently place it under the ear.
For cushions, you can buy a cotton version or a product from holofiber. The latter is much more comfortable and more resilient. Such a pillow will be most convenient to put under your back while watching TV.