Natural Pillow Fillings
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is not a medical site. You should always discuss medical matters with your doctor.
With the increasing affordability of memory foam, many people today are choosing memory foam pillows. However there are still people who are sensitive to artifical pillow fillings or who simply prefer to sleep with traditional natural fillings. Some people find natural fillings to be kinder and claim that they last longer. They also allow you to "refluff" the pillow which is difficult or impossible with some man-made fillings.
When using a natural filling it is essential that the pillow casing be made of a suitably strong material, otherwise you could end up with a bed full of filling! As always, shop around and invest in quality.
Some of the most popular natural pillow fillings are:
Down
Down is the fine layer of soft, fluffy feathers found under the main feathers of birds and goose down is a popular choice for pillows. For allergy sufferers it is possible to buy Hypoallergenic pillows filled with specially cleaned goose down. Many people consider down filled pillows the ultimate in natural luxury however that luxury comes at a price - down filled pillows are not cheap. Many down filled pillows need professional cleaning.
Feathers
The larger bird feathers can also be used to fill pillows. Feathers are less luxurious than down but also less expensive. It is possible to get pillows containing various mixtures of down and feathers. These combined feather and down pillows are often a good compromise between quality and affordability.
Cotton
Cotton filled pillows can be an excellent choice for people with certain allergies and chemical sensitivities. However cotton does tend to suffer more from compaction than some other fillings, so your pillows might need to be replaced more frequently.
Husks and Seeds
Less common but very popular with some people are pillows filled with husks and seeds, often buckwheat or millet. These are said to provide a firmer support whilst also moulding themselves to your individual shape. They are also less prone to mites than some other pillow fillings. These pillow fillings tend to make a slight rustling sound which many people find soothing but a few find irritating.