Best Natural Stuffing For Pillows

When we are buying a pillow, the first thing we always consider is the level of comfort the pillow will offer. That is why we often check what kind of stuffing the manufacturers used in the pillow whether it is made from synthetic or natural filling.

However, people who are into eco-friendly stuff usually seek natural fillings for pillows. Hence, listed below are the best natural stuffing for pillows.

The best natural stuffing for pillows includes organic cotton, natural latex, the Kapok, the wool, organic hemp, and the buckwheat hulls. These are a great choice for people who are sensitive to chemicals since they are known to be hypoallergenic and do not give off a strong odor, unlike synthetic ones.

Choosing the type of pillow filling takes a lot of consideration since you will be gauging the quality and the level of comfort it can give.

Aside from comfort, you must also look for sensitivity reaction since there are other pillows off in the market that can make you sweat all night, or can cause you some skin blemishes.

Hence, many sleepers shifted from synthetically made filling into natural filling materials stuffed in pillows due to the following reasons you may read below.

Why Use Natural Pillow Stuffing

Investing in the right pillow can help you get your everyday good night's sleep since the type of filling materials stuffed inside the pillow will dictate the quality of sleep you will have.

That is why people come across with the so-called organic pillows, on which the name implies came from natural materials such as cotton, wool, buckwheat, and other organic materials. According to some users of organic pillows, these pillows come with numerous benefits.

Hence, to know these benefits, let us state them one-by-one so that you will know what you need to learn if ever you wish to shift to organic pillows.

Organic pillows are best for people with sensitive skin

I don't if you also think this way, but we always connotate the word "organic" to something that is sensitive. For example, if you use a bar of organic soap, it always suggests that it is good for all skin types.

Well, that also applies to organic pillows since these came from natural filling materials, they do not undergo a series of manufacturing processes and chemical reactions just like those synthetically-made pillows that may harm and harsh to the skin.

Thus, organic cushions are said to be hypoallergenic because they came from a natural source UNLESS you have an allergy to wool or other organic fillings itself.

They are safe for the environment

For people who are OC with stuff that is eco-friendly, well, I humbly introduce to you these organic pillows.

One of the great benefits this type of pillows offers is their environment-friendly feature; therefore, it means that they are safe for our mother Earth because they do not contain strong and harsh chemicals that are dangerous for our health and to our nature.

What is also good about organic pillows is that the fillings are recyclable wherein, for instance, your pillow has lost its natural fluff and shape, instead of throwing them away, you can still use the fillings inside in making beddings for your pets, or even throw pillows, and so on.

They are naturally durable

Since these pillows are made from natural fibers, they can usually last for longer years and can withstand normal wear and tear from pressure while you are asleep.

To keep these pillows stay longer, you must have an extra cover so that you can transfer the fillings regularly, as this can help prevent damages, and another way to keep them clean and fresh.

They offer superb comfort and support

Another notable benefit these pillows offer is their comfort and support. Since organic pillows are made from high-quality fibers that can be adjusted and conform to your sleeping position.

These pillows are naturally soft that can support your head and neck, and thus can keep the proper alignment of your spine.

Aside from this, organic pillows are known to be breathable; therefore, they are a perfect choice for hot sleepers by trapping heat and keeping the pads cool, giving you comfort and a night of good-quality sleep.

They promote good night's sleep

Well, according to people who used organic pillows on their sleep, sleeping on a natural and organic pillow improves the quality of their sleep.

Not to mention, but thanks to their natural ability to conform to any sleeping positions, whether you are a traditional back sleeper, a stomach sleeper, or even a side sleeper.

This pillow will give you the level of support you will need, at the same time, keeping you comfortable while you are sleeping. 

Let's say you are spending an average of eight hours of sleep in your bed, and you are getting the most out of it. When you wake up in the morning, you will feel energized and lively since you had a good night's sleep every single night.

Unfortunately, no one is perfect as so organic pillows do. They also have some downsides but just minimal. Nonetheless, these disadvantages can never outweigh the benefits these pillows offer. Hence, listed below are just some minor downsides of organic pads.

Downsides Of Organic Stuffing For Pillows

• They are more expensive than synthetic pillows in the right way since organic pillows are more durable. Therefore, you can save money for always replacing your synthetic pillows with a new one.
• Some organic fillings cannot be washed such as buckwheat hulls and need professional cleaning
• Some consider natural wool fillings as inhumane (but you can check for the manufacturer's cruelty-free protocol for obtaining wool)
• Some organic fillings hold too much moisture that makes them hard to dry when washed like organic cotton
• Organic pillow made from buckwheat hulls may create noise that is bothersome for some sleepers, especially when you shift or turn around and change your sleeping position

Types of organic pillows

There are varieties of organic pillows available in the market today, such as pillows stuffed with organic cotton, organic latex, organic wool, kapok, and buckwheat hulls.

So, let us go deeper to learn more about these types of organic pillows, their benefits, and the best brand for each type of organic pillows available.

Organic Cotton

As the name suggests, it means that the cotton fillings used in stuffing pillows came from the cotton plant grown without the use of pesticides, insecticides, and other harmful chemicals such as synthetic fertilizers.

This will assure you that the pillow you will sleep on is free from chemicals that can affect the natural fiber of the tree. Hence, what you will get is a comfortable and chemical-free pillow to support your head.

Pros:

• They are remarkably durable
• Odor-free
• Do not contain toxic materials
• Biodegradable

Cons:

• They clump and flatten over time
• They cannot hold their shape (not moldable)
• Lacks  support

Here are the well-rated brands of organic cotton available on Amazon.

Natural Latex

This type of pillow is made from pure 97% of natural and organic latex, which offers great comfort and support without sinking your head down the pillow compared to memory foam bedding.

In addition to this, these pillows are known to be breathable that can cool your head while you are asleep. To learn more about latex pillows, you may check this article.

Latex may be manufactured into two known processes, namely: Dunlop and Talalay process. These two different methods have an impact on the quality of latex that is produced; therefore, make sure you know their differences.

Pros:

• Offers great support
• It stays cool

Cons:

• Heavy and somehow too dense
• It cannot be molded
• Has a "slight" rubber odor that will fade away over time

Here are the well-rated brands on Amazon for organic latex pillows

Organic Kapok

What is kapok?

Natural kapok came from a tropical tree that produces seed pods that look like cotton fibers, yet they are silkier than cotton fibers.  That is why kapok is known as "silk cotton" because of its airy, silky, and soft fabric protection.

This pillow stuffing is naturally organic since it is free from harsh chemicals and can resist moisture and growth of certain types of skin allergens such as dust mites, molds, and bacteria.

What is also good about organic kapok pillows is that they are less denser than cotton, which makes it cool and more breathable.

Pros:

• Free of potentially toxic chemicals
• It is biodegradable
• It is considered as cruelty-free

Cons:

• It is flammable
• It is not moldable and cannot hold its shape
• It becomes lumpy

Here are the well-rated brands on Amazon for organic kapok pillows

Organic Wool

When it comes to being organic, nothing will beat a sheep's wool.

Due to its good insulating properties, wool helps in regulating temperature whether the weather is hot or cold and it is also breathable that makes it suited to use in a variety of products such as in making pillows, clothing, upholstery, and blankets.

It is also resistant to dust mites and other types of allergens; therefore, it is an appropriate choice for people with sensitive skin.

This type of pillow has a multi-part complex fiber that makes it durable and can retain its original shape, even put with a lot of pressure. Moreover, wool fiber is extremely soft and comfortable.

Pros:

• It is free of potentially toxic chemicals
• It is breathable and cold

Cons:

• Some people complain of foul odor
• Wool becomes lumpy over time
• It cannot hold its shape, and it is not moldable unlike down and buckwheat hull fillings
• Some people consider it inhumane

Here are the well-rated brands on Amazon for organic wool pillows:

Organic hemp

This amazing plant material can be used in stuffing pillows that are as soft as cotton fillings.

These pillow fillings become soft and soft over time, but they are firm for those sleepers who prefer a medium-loft pillow. Organic hemp fillings are durable and can resist bacteria, dust mites, and mold, which makes them ideal for people with allergies.

Hemp is one of the best breathable materials that help you stay cool at night because it can wick off moisture from your skin. Hemp has a similar care label, just like those cotton fillings.

Pros:

• Naturally resistant to mold
• It is sustainable and renewable
• It is breathable and cool

Cons:

• They are expensive
• Not the softest material (not good for back support)

Buckwheat hulls

This type of pillow stuffing is perfect for people who love to sleep on their sides since it is firm that can fill the gap on your shoulder while you sleep on your side to avoid pain and pressure.

These pillows are also ideal choices for sleepers who usually have night sweats since they are breathable due to the micro-fill style and triangular shapes of buckwheat shells that can allow air to circulate freely.

In addition to this, buckwheat hulls are totally free from toxic chemicals, and they are extracted in a cruelty-free method.

Pros:

• They generally have long life-span
• They offer great support
• Promotes air flow (ideal choice for hot sleepers)
• It can hold its shape, and they are moldable
• Made from all-natural and eco-friendly materials

Cons:

• Some sleepers are bothered with the rustling noise they produce when you move around your pillow
• Some people find them too firm
• They are heavy and denser weighing an average of 8 pounds

Here are the well-rated brands on Amazon for buckwheat hulls pillows

How To Care For Natural Pillows

Most of the well-known feature of organic pillows is their ability to resist the growth of dust mites, bacteria, molds, mildew, and other types of allergens.

However, these pillows also need extra effort to keep them clean and fresh all the time. The key point that must be remembered is that these pillows are not designed to be washed regularly just like your synthetic pillow.

Instead, we must stick with the non-wash method such as spot-cleaning or bring your pillows to professional dry-cleaning in order to keep them clean and free from dust, sweat, stains, and allergens.

Therefore, for best results, you may follow the care label instructions attached on the side of your pillow to avoid such incidents from happening. Otherwise, you may check these simple care tips that are applicable to any type of pillow we sleep on.

1. To ensure that your pillow is always clean fresh, make sure you cover them with pillowcases. However, you must also wash and replace your pillowcase once a week to avoid the build-up of dirt, dust, and bacteria.
2. Some pillows already have a built-in pillowcase made from cotton canvas that can be removed. Hence, make sure you wash the pillowcase (NOT the pillow) with warm water and use mild liquid detergent. Hang the pillowcase to dry completely.
3. Fluff and air out the pillows regularly. You can do this by air-drying them outdoors in a shady area and avoid placing them in direct sunlight as this can ruin the fillings inside the pillow. For instance, buckwheat hulls can make them crispy and brittle when placed on direct sunlight.
4. If your pillow has a lingering smell or strong odor, you may try using baking soda by sprinkling it all over the surface of your pillow. Leave it for 30 to 60 minutes and then dust off the powder using your vacuum. To add more freshness, you may want to add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to help in masking the smell.
5. For accidental stains, pretreat the stains by wiping it with baking soda paste made from mixing baking soda, water, and a liquid detergent. Wipe off the paste with a clean cloth and repeat the process until no soap residue is left on the pillow.
6. To increase the loft, you may try fluffing it by massaging the sides of the pillow. Some people consider tossing them in a household dryer together with two tennis balls wrapped in socks (as this will help in fluffing the pillows). Set the dryer on the coolest setting as possible for a 10-minute cycle.

Instructions Specific for Different Types of Organic Pillows

• Organic Cotton: Spot-clean only. Do not try to wash the pillow
• Natural Latex: Do not wash. Spot-clean the pillow regularly
• Kapok: Never wash the pillow. Spot-clean as needed
• Buckwheat hulls: Spot-clean only.
• Wool: Air-dry them regularly and spot-clean only

Image by Małgorzata Smożewska from Pixabay

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