How to choose a pillow for sleep? Types of pillow fillers
Today, the market has quite a lot of different options for pillows, so that the buyer is able to get lost in choosing it. So, how to choose a pillow for sleep?
Types of pillows
There are classic pillows, which are so familiar to most: they have the shape of a square, or a rectangle.
Relatively recently, orthopedic pillows appeared on the market, from the pillows to which we are accustomed, they differ in that they have a special roller that is distributed under the neck, thereby allowing the muscles to relax.
Anatomical cushions have a notch in the middle, forming around the platen. This design optimally repeats the shape of the neck and head. A wide range of such goods can be found in any store pillows. There is an opinion that such a pillow is necessary for children with diseases of the musculoskeletal system, or prone to such.
In addition to the form, it is also worth paying much attention to the contents of the pillow. There are many fillers, they can be divided into 2 groups: natural and synthetic. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages.
Natural fillers
Filler "feather-down"
There are plenty of such fillers. Here, the feather-to-fluff ratio may vary. The higher the percentage of fluff content, the more the pillow is valued, but the cost thereof also increases. Just as important is the origin of the material itself. In this case, only the feather of waterfowl is used, it is ideally suited for its properties: it has an excellent moisture absorption capacity, while retaining the heat and shape of the product. In such pillows, there is a free circulation of air, so that on a pillow a person feels comfortable in the warm and cold season.
The big disadvantage of this filler is the care. Once a season, such a pillow requires washing. At home, it is difficult to produce a high-quality cleaning of the filler, because, in addition to washing itself, thorough drying of the filler is also required. It is best to give the product for cleaning professionals, but here you need to consider that the pillow can be subjected to chemical cleaning, which in the future can cause an allergic reaction. Also, you can dislike the pillow for fluff because it is an excellent "home" for dust mites. These pillows are also dangerous for people prone to allergies. If you do not have the opportunity to constantly give the product to dry cleaners, then you can use the cleaning method, which our grandmothers resorted to. Hold the pillow in the open air, let the sun go to it, the ultraviolet will quickly remove it from the ticks.
Wool pillows
Wool - a material environmentally friendly, as well as a bird's feather. In the production of such a filler, there are also some nuances. So, the wool of not every animal is suitable for producing a good pillow. It is generally accepted to use the camel, lam-alpac or sheep. They create a good volume, lightness and keep the shape of the product. Unlike feather pillows, woolen have a unique property. In the process of contact of fibers, they create an electrostatic field, which makes them perfect for people suffering from rheumatism, and these pillows produce beneficial effects for joint and muscle pains. Of course, in this case, in addition to the pillow, it will be useful to use a blanket on a wool base.
Buying such a product, you can often meet with the negligence of the manufacturer, which, for the sake of economy, can use poor-quality wool, which in turn very quickly slides into a coma.
Pillows on the basis of buckwheat husks
The product is quite rare for our market, and he came to us from Japan, where there is an opinion that such raw materials relieve snoring and prevents headaches. The undoubted advantage of such a filler in its hypoallergenicity. Here you can be sure that it does not have dust mites, unlike a feather filler. It well repeats the anatomical shape of the head, thereby allowing you to relax the entire upper body.
Manufacturers can also add a collection of natural herbs: lemon balm, peppermint, St. John's wort, they will help provide a comfortable sleep, especially useful for people suffering from insomnia.
The minus of such a filler is fragility. If the feather pillows with proper care have a shelf life of about 5-10 years, then their "colleagues" on the basis of buckwheat husks will last about 3-4 years. This is due to the fact that the husks, with constant contact, rubs, forming dust. Also it is worth considering that such a composition is "noisy", with unaccustomed use it may be inconvenient to use, because with each your head movement, the granules will be poured, forming a kind of rustling that can irritate. You can refer to the cons and the fact that it is effective to wash and disinfect such a pillow only in dry cleaners. The maximum that you can do to care for such a product is to do regular vacuuming through the napernik. It is worth paying attention to the specific smell, fortunately, after you unpack the product, the odor will erode within 2-3 weeks.
Latex cushions
Despite the fact that this cushion is a rubber product, latex still refers to a product of natural origin. Latex - rubber, which is extracted from the milky juice of the tree of the Brazilian Gevea. This material is hypoallergenic, it keeps shape well, but, not looking at it, it is not rigid. Very durable when used properly, a latex product can last more than 10 years. In contrast to natural material, latex does not require frequent cleaning. Once in several years, such a pillow can be washed and for this it is not necessary to give it to specialists, it is fairly easy to do and at home. In itself, this filler has a porous structure, which allows the product to "breathe", and thanks to this, the moisture does not stay long and evaporates quickly. In such a pillow, insects will never be caught.
The disadvantages are the following: the price of such a product is quite high, of course, if it is a question of natural latex. It's also worth mentioning that it takes time for addiction to such a rubber base. With unaccustomed you can "lie back" the ear, and maybe just do not fall asleep. Well, the smell, which is present in the new product, is able to irritate the sensitive nose of the owner of such a pillow for the first time, but as the producer of natural latex promises, the specific aroma quickly disappears.
Synthetic fillers
Synthetic cotton pillow
Synthetic - Synthetic fiber is the cheapest material among synthetic fillers. It is very light, easy to clean, it never gets insects, it keeps the heat well, lets the air calmly circulate, has no smell.
A big disadvantage is the fact that the pillow on the sintepon can quickly lose shape, such filler is knocked down, forming lumps, dents, which is difficult to restore.
Hollofayber
Hollofayber - a synthetic material, is a hollow fiber of special twist. Excellent keeps the heat, does not cause allergic reactions, takes well and keeps the form, is easy to take care of at home, does not stray into clods and does not fall down. It is a synthetic substitute for such filler as a "feather-down", but much cheaper. It is almost ideal, but it has a small minus - a product with such a filler will not suit people who prefer a fluffy, soft pillow.
Silicone
Pillows made of silicone have a nice feature - the more they are beaten, the more magnificent and voluminous they become. This material is light, well-shaped, easy to clean. As well as all synthetic fillers, unlike natural fillers - it is inexpensive. Minus silicone - it is able to accumulate static electricity.
Which pillow to choose
When buying a pillow, pay attention to the quality napernika, check the reliability of seams, evaluate the integrity of the package. Also pay attention to the manufacturer of the pillow. The choice of a pillow is a serious matter! Each member of the family must choose their own pillow, taking into account their preferences, particularities of the types of pillows and their fillers.