Pillow Buying Guide
You spend an average of a third of your lifetime sleeping, so choosing the best bedding for your body, health, comfort and sleeping habits is so important. Using our expertise, experience and extensive research, we have collated a guide to help you choose the best bedding for you.
Finding the right pillow for you is just as important as selecting the correct bed. Many people don’t realise the effect the wrong pillow can have on sleep quality, posture and health. From our experience, everyone is different; from their body shape, to their health requirements, so there is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to choosing your pillow, or your bed for that matter.
Let’s begin by asking you a few questions:
What position do you sleep in?
Side Sleepers
If you sleep on your side, you should be considering the correct depth of pillow for the shape of your neck. The broader you are, the deeper you need it. The correct depth of pillow for you ensures that you’re not having to overextend your neck in either direction when sleeping. Consider a baffled edge pillow or a pillow with more fill to suit your side sleeping style.
Back Sleepers
As a back sleeper, opt for medium thickness to prevent having to arch your head too far forward or if it’s not deep enough, too far backward.
Front Sleepers
Although back specialists don’t recommend sleeping on your front, we still speak to customers who enjoy sleeping in this position. If that’s you, you should be looking at a thinner pillow to allow your neck to be supported in a neutral position.
Which pillow filling best suits your sleeping requirements?
Goose Feather and Down
For those who prefer a slightly firmer feel, the feather and down option could be good for you. Goose feather and down is a perfect filling for all seasons thanks to its breathability features. Goose feather and down pillows are a more affordable option if you’re looking for a natural pillow.
Goose Down
Goose down is one of the best quality down fillings available, lasting up to 3 times longer than synthetic alternatives. It provides the softest feel available when comparing it to other filling options and is light and malleable, holding its shape while offering support for your head and neck. Goose down pillows are naturally breathable.
Microfibre
Microfibre pillows are extremely popular due to their all-encompassing benefits and versatility. Unlike some synthetic pillows, the makeup of microfiber means the clusters are individual, allowing it to breathe and keep you cool in the summer. The microfibre pillow acts as an insulator in the colder temperatures, while they are also easy to clean and lightweight. The microfibre option is perfect for allergy suffers and many can be washed at 60c, killing dust mites and bacteria.
Wool
Wool is naturally hypo-allergenic and helps regulate your body temperature, wicking away moisture from your head and neck while you sleep, and is also known for managing the sleep microclimate. This filling is often a favourite due to its longevity and resistance to mould and dust mites. Wool pillows tend to be more firm than others, so if you are wanting the benefits of wool, but a little softer, take a look at Alpaca wool below. If you love to wash your pillow this is the one for you.
Alpaca
Alpaca is one of the softest, yet strongest fabrics, and like wool, is favoured due to its temperature regulating properties, absorbing moisture from your skin, keeping you dry and comfortable throughout your sleep. Alpaca filling is hypo-allergenic and 100% natural. We have designed our pillows in a soft, medium or firm, to suit everyone’s comfort needs.
Memory Foam
Designed to actively cushion and support your head, neck and shoulders and relieve any pressure. Ergonomic memory foam pillows are specially shaped for specific sleeping positions to help relieve discomfort in your head, neck and shoulders. They are naturally hypoallergenic inhibiting the growth of bacteria and mould. This is an advantage for those with allergies to dust mites, feathers, or other natural pillow materials. Memory foam pillows retain their shape and do not go flat like traditional pillows. The foam conforms to fit the neck and head, but as it cools, it reverts to its original shape. They also have a longer lifetime than traditional pillows. The covers are also usually washable.
Do you suffer from allergies?
For allergy and asthma sufferers, choosing a pillow filling can have a huge impact on your quality night sleep and health. If you are an allergy sufferer, we recommend considering either a memory foam, wool or microfibre filling, due to their anti-bacterial and hypo-allergenic properties.
As everyone suffers from allergies differently, we advise that you get in touch with us to discuss your requirements and allergies further so we can ensure you are safely matched with your ideal pillow, giving you the best night sleep possible.
How many pillows should you have?
While it is recommended to only sleep with one pillow, many people sleep with two or three pillows. If you’re needing more than one, it’s a sign that your pillow isn’t suitable for you; either too soft or due to be replaced.
And finally, what size pillow should you go for?
You should choose the size of your pillow based on your bed size. Here are the size guidelines:
- Standard size pillow: 50cm x 75cm. Ideal for a small single (2’6/75cm width) mattress or a pair for a king size mattress (5’/150cm) or bed.
- Extra-long pillow: 50cm x 90cm. Perfect for a 3’0 single or a pair on a 6’0 superking mattress or bed.
But all my bed linen is made for a standard size pillow?
That’s no problem! If you have a single bed or a superking and would like your pillows to fit the mattress but want to keep your bedlinen, an ideal solution could be to use plain good quality pillowcases to fit your new pillow, while keeping your standard pillow with your design of pillow case on top, adding to the look of your bed.