Recently, a lot of attention is paid to the right choice of mattress. This is undoubtedly very good. The bad thing is that many people forget to ask how to choose a pillow for sleeping. In the store we superficially evaluate a few models that came to our attention and choose what our inner voice will point at, and it is often guided by our desire to save money.
Is it the right approach? Not really, because with the wrong pillow qualities of even the most high-quality and correct mattress will be manifested only at 80%. The result of regular sleeping on an inappropriate pillow – neck and back pain, headaches and allergies. What parameters are important to pay attention to in the first place?
Pillow types and shapes
From familiar earlier square pillows we gradually moved to rectangular, and then – to orthopedic. It does not hurt to understand the features of each type and shape. Pillows for sleeping can be divided into two groups:
- classic;
- orthopedic.
Pillow height
If the dimensions of pillows for sleep are more or less standard, but the height can vary significantly. Choosing takes into account the peculiarities of the sleeping body and the preferred positions for sleep.
Pillow rigidity
The rigidity of the pillow for sleeping is also chosen depending on the preferred position at rest. The rigidity depends on the filler. To make the pillow stiffer use horsehair, latex and some synthetic fillers, to ensure the product softness use down, feather and sintepon. In the medium-rigidity pillows combine several fillings.
Type of filler
It’s time to figure out what filler for the pillow is better. It determines the degree of rigidity, the ability to support the head and neck, as well as durability and the risk of allergies. There are a lot of options, but for convenience we will divide all materials into natural and synthetic.
The most popular natural fillings are:
- Down and feather, until recently, was the only filler option. The material is good air permeable, absorbs moisture, so it regulates the heat exchange. Swan, goose, duck and chicken down and feathers are usually used;
- Filling from sheep and camel wool conducts air well, absorbs sweat and maintains a normal body temperature. Sheep’s wool pillows are too soft, but they have therapeutic effect against colds and migraines;
- Horsehair is rarely used, it is very hard and is often mixed with other fillings to increase the rigidity of the pillow;
- Bamboo fiber does not cause allergies, breathes, conducts air, and can be washed in a machine. The material is of medium rigidity, gives good support for head and neck, and does not bunch up.
Synthetic fillings are cheaper, do not cause allergies and are easier to care for, the most popular include:
- Polyester – a cheap material, repels dust, but over time, it will fade, it becomes flat, and threads begin to stick out of the seams;
- Sintepon is also inexpensive, does not absorb odors, and is machine washable, but over time you will notice a squeezed spot on the pillow from the head, so the product is not durable.
Now you can choose a coral pillow or any other pillow using our guide.