When to buy a new bed pillow
A comfortable bed pillow is essential for a good night’s sleep, but sleeping with an old pillow is not good for your health. It’s important to invest in a new bed pillow every two to four years, so if you think you’re due a new one, here are a few tell-tale signs:
Neck pain:
If you suffer from neck pain each morning, your bed pillow may no longer be supporting you correctly. Otherwise, you may have the wrong pillow firmness for your needs. It may be useful to test out a few of the different filling types listed below.
Stained appearance:
If your bed pillow is not as white as it once was, it could be hoarding a lot of bacteria, which is not good for the skin. Bed pillows are slept on every night, and during this time we produce sweat, which makes discoloring and staining very common.
Respiratory problems:
If you regularly suffer from a blocked or runny nose, your pillow may be full of dust mites, which can cause allergic reactions. Investing in a fresh bed pillow could prevent you from waking up with respiratory problems.
Cushion Filling
Natural
Natural cushions are normally made from high-quality feathers, down, or a mixture of the two. Although comfortable and breathable, they are not recommended for individuals who suffer with respiratory allergies.
Down:
Filled with fluffy down feathers from the bird’s breast area, down cushions are naturally soft and light, offering a medium firmness. These luxurious cushions are breathable and perfect for a relaxed night’s sleep.
Feather:
Filled with bird feathers that are larger and more course, feather cushions are firm and great for support. Less expensive than down cushions, feather cushions are comfortable and do not lack in quality.
Mixed feather and down:
Filled with a mixture of feathers and down, these cushions are an affordable combination of the two. Often filled with duck feathers and covered with a goose down surround, mixed filling cushions offer medium support and are a popular choice for comfort.
Synthetic
All synthetic cushions are hypoallergenic, meaning they are perfect for those who suffer with respiratory allergies. Synthetic cushions come in a variety of different forms, and are no less quality than their natural counterparts.
[Microfibre]:
Filled with highly breathable microfibre, these cushions are designed to replicate natural down filling. Microfibre cushions contain temperature regulating elements, which means they provide a restful night’s sleep.
Memory Foam:
Filled with a special foam that moulds to the contours of the head and neck, memory foam cushions are extremely supportive, making them ideal for sufferers of neck and back pain.
Silk:
Filled with100% silk, these luxurious cushions are hypoallergenic, making them a great choice for allergy sufferers. Firm and dense, silk cushions offer ultimate support for a comfortable sleep.
Silk/polyester:
Filled with a combination of 50% silk and 50% polyester, these cushions have a hollowfibre core to help retain shape. They offer medium support, are naturally hypoallergenic, and are also machine washable at 30°C.
Latex:
Filled with 100% latex, and protected with a microfibre cover, latex cushions stand the test of time. They feature a highly breathable advanced airflow system and specialist supportive shape that optimises posture, offering back and neck support.
Size and shape
Standard size bed pillow:
48 x 74 cm
King size bed pillow:
48 x 91 cm
Special shape:
Bolster cushions:
Perfectly shaped to offer neck and shoulder support, bolster cushions are great for sufferers of neck and shoulder pain.
Orthopedic cushions:
V-shaped to offer support when sitting or sleeping upright in bed, orthopedic cushions are ideal for sufferers of bone and muscle difficulties.