Home Pillows Buying Guide

Pillows Buying Guide

Pillows Buying Guide

Choose the right Pillow for you

The saying 'rest your weary head' ties in perfectly with the type of pillow you choose. Whether you like your pillow to be soft, fluffy or firm, the most important thing is your comfort. How many of us have slept on either a flat surface, too many pillows or not enough pillows and woken up the next morning with a crick in your neck or that awful strained feeling - many of us underestimate the support that a pillow can give. The pillow is used for both rest and support - during sleep your muscles relax, and your pillow is there to keep your head in alignment with your spine as you sleep. Choosing the right pillow for our needs can make the world of difference to a good night’s sleep. The support your pillow offers you determines your comfort during the night - and the next day!

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How do you sleep?

You may not know this, but the way you sleep determines what type of pillow you should choose. You sleep most comfortably when the muscles in your head, neck and back are relaxed, which is why you should think about the type of sleeper that you are when purchasing your pillow.

Side Sleeper - If you tend to sleep curled up on your side, your head and neck need to be in a higher position than they would be if you sleep on your front or back. Your head needs to be kept straight to ensure it is aligned with your spine. Side sleepers need to make sure that the space between your head and neck is filled. For people who sleep on their sides, we would recommend a firm pillow to keep your neck aligned with your spine.

Back Sleeper - If you tend to sleep on the flat of your back, we would recommend a pillow with medium support to your shoulders, helping to maintain a comfortable sleeping position. Soft pillows with natural filling such as goose feather or down tend to be the best choice for back sleepers as these types align your neck and head perfectly, giving you the best night’s sleep.

Stomach Sleeper - If you sleep on your stomach, your head should be in a lower position to avoid straining your neck while you sleep. If the pillow is too high your spine will not be in alignment with your neck which could cause problems when you wake up. A pillow with soft support is recommended for you as this reduces muscle tension and pressure on your neck.

Types of Fillings

Hollowfibre, microfibre or a blend of both are both hypoallergenic and extremely easy to care for. People who tend to suffer from allergies or are sensitive to dust are likely to choose a synthetic pillow due to its hypoallergenic material. Natural fillings include duck and goose feathers and down. These types of pillow fillings breathe easily and mould around the shape of the head to create a comfortable and cosy sleeping experience.

  • Natural - Natural pillow fillings include duck and goose feathers and down - these types of fillings breathe easily and mould around the shape of the body to create a comfortable and cosy sleeping experience. Due to the nature of the feathers that blend together, natural fillings keep you cool when you are warm as they keep moisture away from the body, and keep you warm and comfortable when cool due to the insulation and softness that feathers offer.
  • Down - Down is the soft coating that acts like an insulator, or jacket, underneath the bird's feathers. When these soft feathers are put into a pillow, they provide a soft, natural and comfortable support. As these feathers do not have the quill like other feathers, they have an extra soft, luxurious feeling.
  • Feather - Pillows filled with feathers - such as duck or goose feathers - are an extremely popular choice due to their lightness, softness and comfort. The natural properties of feathers allow them to blend together and trap air, giving a lightweight and soft pillow. When down and feather are blended together, the result is an ultimately luxurious, soft feeling pillow that can be easily plumped to wherever the support is required, providing comfort and practicality.
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  • Synthetic - Hollowfibre, microfibre or a blend of both, are both hypoallergenic and extremely easy to look after. People who tend to suffer from allergies or are sensitive to dust are likely to choose a synthetic duvet due to its hypoallergenic material. These types of duvets can be cared for easily as they can be machine washed and tumble-dried. As microfibre is silky and soft, it is as close to a natural filling as possible while having the benefit of being hypoallergenic.
  • Hollowfibre - Hollowfibre is a hypoallergenic material which is very light and fluffy. Due to the lightness of its filling, hollowfibre can be washed regularly and still has a soft and lightweight feel.
  • Microfibre - Microfibre is a very fine man-made fibre, and its components make it twice as soft as silk. When used as a filling in a pillow, the result is a silky, soft, luxurious filling that still has warm and a lightweight feel.
  • Memory Foam - Becoming increasingly popular among sleepers, memory foam is made from a substance called visco-elastic. Originally designed by NASA as padding for astronauts’ plane seats, memory foam has now become an everyday household product. Memory foam moulds to the shape and contours of your neck and head, evenly distributing weight while responding to the body’s heat and pressure points. When not in use, it reverts back to its original form. Memory foam can help support your weight evenly helping to avoid painful pressure in one particular spot. It can retain body heat and is extremely soft and comfortable.

    • Sizes

    Although sizes may vary from pillow to pillow, exact measurements of the pillow will be stated clearly on the packaging. The approximate standard size is 48cm x 75cm.

    Pillow Care

    Always protect your pillow with a pillow protector case - soft and comfortable, pillow protectors are fitted around your pillow, protecting your pillow further as well as adding extra comfort. It is recommended you replace your pillow every 6 months to 1 year - however this depends on the filling of the pillow and how comfortable a night's sleep is.

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