Buying a new pillow can take a lot of time and research. This 'How To' guide is meant to be an aide in your pillow selection process covering both down pillows and down alternative pillows.
There are several important factors to consider when buying a new pillow:
- Density or Firmness
- Filling Material
- Fabric Choice
- Thread Count
- Extra's
- Size
Pillow Density (Or Firmness)
Quite simply a pillows density is how soft, medium or firm the bed pillow is. Typical stores will recommend that the pillow density you buy should relate to how you sleep. Sleeping positions are broken into three styles: Side Sleeper, Back Sleeper and Stomach Sleeper. The side sleeper is a position which due to the angle of your shoulder and neck requires a 'firmer' pillow. Side sleepers require a firm density bed pillow. The back sleeper requires a 'medium' density pillow to allow for the smaller space between your neck and your back. Finally, the stomach sleeper is a position that requires a 'softer' pillow due to the fact that the sleepers face is towards the pillow while lying on their stomach or at an angle. Stomach sleepers require a soft density bed pillow.
With all that said it is worth noting that how you fall asleep at night is not how you sleep through the night. But since you fall asleep in your 'preferred' position you might as well buy a pillow density the way you think you may sleep.
Some consumers also prefer to have 'multiple' pillows that add up in density to how they sleep. It is common for folks to have a medium and a soft density pillow in combination. In the end, be sure to pick a pillow that gives you the proper support so that your neck, shoulder and back feel great and get the rest they need at night.
Pillow Filling
There are so many choices when buying pillows including down and feather, polyester, foam, memory foam, organic fills and more. Down pillows are considered the gold standard - but they are more expensive and require special care to keep them fluffy and amazing feeling. Polyester pillows really separate into two groups cheap polyesters and luxury down alternatives. Foam pillows have a sponge like consistency and a very specific 'bounce' to them. Memory foam pillows contain special advanced polymers which mold or contour to your body heat and weight. Organic fill options include cotton, silk, wool and other 'natural' fibers.
Down pillows are considered the best pillow filling material because the filling is a sustainable byproduct of duck and goose farming in Europe and China. Consumers in Eastern Europe and Asia like duck or goose meat, and down and feathers are a byproduct of the poultry industry. Down is a three dimensional 'cluster' which is extremely soft and light. Feathers are more two dimensional and usually are associated with being stiff or pointy. A down pillow by law has to have 75 percent or more down clusters within it. The remaining percentages can include more down, down fibers and small feathers. A fairly typical question consumers ask is why down pillows are so much more expensive then feather pillows and the answer is simply that down clusters are much more expensive to harvest then feathers. Down is like platinum and feathers are like silver in cost comparisons.
Polyester pillows range from entry level styles to luxurious down alternatives like PrimaLoft. Most people associate polyester pillows as one in the same, which is a shame because there are really big differences in how they feel and act. We consider a loose blown polyester to be a down alternative [loose meaning the polyester is filled into the pillow using a reverse vacuum]. Whereas a garnetted or batted polyester pillow feels sponge like and not at all like down. Consumers are creatures of habit and if they grew up with a stiff polyester pillow that is what they tend to love later on in life.
Pillow Fabric
With options ranging from microfibers to egyptian cottons - does it really matter what fabric is used on your pillow? We say say that yes it does - because it is this layer of fabric which keeps the contents in - night after night, wash after wash. The fabric options for pillows usually runs the gamut from basic 180 thread count cotton to high thread count exotic fibers. What really matters is that the fabric is soft and durable enough to keep the contents on the inside where they are. Consumers who have night sweats or just don't like warm pillows should consider high performance fabrics like Tencel Lyocell Cotton blends. This special fabric wicks away moisture, feels cool to the touch and remains silky. Some pillow fabric coverings have added benefits like allergen blocking treatments to block dust mites and hence their allergy causing feces - yuck! A little known fact is that most down pillows have to have tightly woven fabrics to prevent the down from leaking out - which by the way also block most dust mites and hence allergies. So that down pillow you thought was going to cause you allergies actually helps block them and they feel better in general.
Normally we recommend high performance smart fabrics like Tencel Lyocell cotton then egyptian cotton which is more of a marketing story.
Pillow Thread Count
Realistically you want a pillow covering to have a thread count higher then 230. Furthermore, we recommend plain weaves - like cambric's as being dust mite proof and allergy friendly. You could get a pillow with a 1,000 thread count covering - but it won't feel any better under that pillow case. Ironically enough, some of the best Tencel Lyocell fabrics feel amazing in low thread counts of around 300.
Thread count in a pillow fabric does not really matter as long as it is over 230 (which keeps the down or polyester inside).
Extra Pillow Purchase Information
Pillow Protectors
Some nicer pillows have a bonus pillow protector that zip off to help make washing the pillow easier [Because you basically just need to wash the pillow protector versus the pillow]. You can also buy ala carte pillow protectors - they range in price from $3 to $15. Usually the nicer the fabric and or allergy reduction treatments - the more expensive the pillow protector becomes. We tend to favor a thicker cloth weave like a twill - this helps also cushion the pillow even more - especially if you have a feather blend style pillow. Pillow protectors come in several shapes including: Standard, Jumbo, Queen, King and Euro size.
How Long Will A Pillow Last?
Generally polyester pillows can last 2-3 years, while a good down pillow should last 5-7 years. Memory foam pillows tend to breakdown and or loose their shape much faster.
How do you care for a new pillow?
Generally you can take the new pillow home and start using it - never pre wash them. If you bought a down pillow you can wash them whenever you have the urge - maybe every few months? Even easier is to simply wash the pillow protector if it came with one or if you bought one. Polyester pillows are a little trickier because depending on the style they can clump up from the washing/drying process. One of the few polyester materials we know of that does not clump up is PrimaLoft [which actually improves with drying]. Memory Foam pillows should never be washed except for their covers.
When it is time to wash your down or feather blend pillow - load into a home washing machine with a teaspoon of DAWN soap. Wash in cold water, normal cycle. Then when drying - place in dryer for at least two cycles [fluff in between to make sure the fill is not clumped in the center]. WE do not recommend dry cleaning down, feather blend or polyester pillows as the dry cleaning process will ruin the materials and its expensive. To get more bedding care tips go to beddingcare.com.
Pillow Size
There are 5 basic pillow sizes in the American consumer market:
- Standard - measures 20 x 26 inches
- Jumbo - measures 20 x 28 inches
- Queen - measures 20 x 30 inches
- King - measures 20 x 36 inches
- Euro - measures 26 x 26 inches
Years ago stores would carry and stock three sizes: standard, queen and king. Due to space constraints and the desire to offer less options - stores now primarily keep two sizes: jumbo and king. What really matters is the size of your pillow cases you purchased as part of a set or ala carte.
Most sheet and duvet sets feature jumbo or king pillow cases. A luxury pillow case always measures longer then the size of the pillow to prevent pillow peek-a-boo. You can always insert a smaller pillow into your larger pillow case - simply fold the excess material inside ala hotel style. What you want to avoid is having your pillow show through on the end of the pillow case for aesthetic reasons. Older sheet sets and fine european linens typically are based on the standard, queen and king size pillows. You can always look inside the pillow case and find the size tag or just measure again. We recommend that the pillow be two inches or less in length as the pillow case. Duvet shams generally mimic sheeting pillow case guidelines.
Euro pillows are pretty standardized and always measure 26 inches square. They are primarily used for decorative purposes at the head of the bed. Some duvet sets include bonus euro shams which need to be filled with these size specific pillows.
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