
How often do people feel weak in the morning, have a headache, and at night they sleep poorly, snore, and cannot find a comfortable position for a long time? Many are looking for the cause in stress at work, seasonal flu, or age, not suspecting that all problems are instantly solved by replacing bedding. If you choose the best filler for the pillow, which will ensure the correct position of the body during sleep, the quality of rest will improve, as well as the health of the spine.
Content:

Introduction
So that every day starts well and joyfully, and the night goes well - choose a pillow that is suitable in size and content. There are orthopedic and classic models designed for babies, children, adults. Products are also divided into groups according to purpose, functionality.

Good sleep depends on quality bedding

What are pillows

Orthopedic products
When choosing an instance, it is wrong to look only at its filler. What matters is the shape and purpose of the product. All models are conditionally divided into:

Classic shape

Orthopedic option
They are standard or ergonomic. The latter, among other things, repeat the shape of the head, gently enveloping the body. Some fillers "know how" to remember the contour, the outlines of the owner.

Horseshoe pillow
According to the form of the product are:
- rectangular (length in cm from 40 to 90, width in cm from 30-50)
- square (with a side in cm from 40 to 60)
- rounded
- in the form of a roller (for the lumbar region)
- crescent shaped (for travel)
- free contour (for pregnant women, feeding)
- with a notch in the central part (for babies)
Pillows can be used:
- for home sleep
- for relaxing in a seated position, e.g. in an airplane, car
- for meditation
- for unloading the lumbar region (with a sedentary lifestyle)
- for the back. The pillow is placed between or under the knees when sleeping on the side. It helps to unload the lumbar region
- for interior decoration, can have non-standard shapes, in the form of a heart, candy, star, triangle
- for comfortable sleep during pregnancy. These are designer products that fold into a comfortable position, later transform into a model for breastfeeding, into a side for a baby

Pillow Selection Criteria

Pay attention to the quality of tailoring, cover fabric, packing density
So, we figured out what pillows are. While not even affecting 17 types of fillers. But already got confused.
Consider the main points to consider when buying.
- The height of the product should correspond to the shoulders. Broad-shouldered people are better off choosing taller specimens
- Size: There are no clear rules here, so choose the model you are used to. Some people like to sleep on large pillows, others like small ones. There are lovers of lush specimens or flat "pancakes"
- Case material. A good model is made of natural, environmentally friendly fabric, which is dense and durable. It does not allow filler particles to pass through, but allows air to circulate freely.
- Seam quality. The line should be small, strong, without gaps, protruding threads
- Posture also matters. If you sleep on your side, choose firm models, if on your back - medium elasticity. For those who sleep on their stomach, hugging a pillow, the softest options are suitable.
Types of fillers

Don't be afraid of synthetic fibers
After the shape, function, size and quality of the finish have been sorted out, it's time to choose the best filler. All of them are divided into natural and artificial. The first, in turn, are divided into products of plant and animal origin.
What properties should an ideal stuffing material have?
- Practical care. We use the pillow regularly, intensively, for a long time. It needs to be washed, cleaned, protected from dust
- Hypoallergenic. People come into contact with the product every day, touch it with their bare skin. It is important for allergy sufferers to find a suitable filler that will not cause irritation.
- Heat exchange regulation. After all, at night it is so cozy to sleep in warmth, comfort
- Provide air exchange. Let the material breathe. This will eliminate the occurrence of dampness, mold, the appearance of parasites.
- Keep in shape. Do not clump, do not fall apart into shapeless parts, but evenly distributed inside the case, easily straightening when shaking

Synthetic fillers

Different types of stuffing
The most famous materials of artificial origin are different. Among them there are both budget and expensive options. The higher the cost, the better and healthier the health accessory.
Raw material name | How to produce | Average service life | Price for an average model (60 cm * 40 cm), rub. |
---|---|---|---|
Sintepon | Non-woven fabric made of synthetic fibers joined by glue or high-temperature method. | 1-2 years | 150-250 |
Comfortel | Elastic balls made of polyester fibers treated with antiseptic and silicone. The diameter of each sphere is not more than 5 mm. The texture is very fluffy and soft. | 5 years | 300-500 |
holofiber | Delicate material, consisting of polyester fibers.Each villus has a spiral shape, with empty cavities filled with air. This provides airiness, softness of the mass. | 5 years | 400-600 |
Silicone | Siliconized hollow mesh fabric made from polyester. It is very light, elastic, does not stray into lumps, quickly fluffs up from simple shaking. The fibers are like a whipped foamy mass. | 3-5 years | 300-500 |
Memory Foam | Elastic (foamed) polyurethane foam in consistency resembles children's dough for creativity. It is soft and elastic. When pressed, it wraps around the outlines of the head, remembers its shape. | 5-7 years | From 1500 |
Styrofoam | Dense balls with a diameter of 5-7 mm, reminiscent of polystyrene, but more elastic. They do not tightly fill the cavity of the cover, leaving room for pressure. Thus, the filler pliantly flows around the head, body (in large pillows for pregnant women) | 2-3 years | From 1000 |
Gel | Modern filler made of latex or viscous foam. Tight to the touch, but pliable when pressed. Gently conforms to the shape of the head and neck, providing an effective orthopedic effect. | 5-7 years | From 3000 |
Consider the pros and cons of each synthetic filler.
Sintepon

Sintepon
The forerunner of all modern artificial fillers. The cheapest, but quickly failing.
- Soft
- Breathable
- Doesn't absorb odors
- Hypoallergenic
- Hygienic (machine washable in cold water)
- Quickly clumps
- Does not support the spine in the correct position
Hollofiber and Comfortel

holofiber
The materials are similar in structure and physical properties, they are, in fact, an identical substance. The different names are due to the fact that they were patented by two companies.
As a result, production technology has led to slight differences between materials in appearance. Hollofiber is a little more rigid, it costs a little more. All other qualities of both types of raw materials do not differ much.
- Pass air;
- Hypoallergenic;
- Elastic, soft, light;
- They keep their shape for a long time, spring well;
- Provide an average orthopedic effect;
- durable;
- They can be washed in the machine (at t ° not higher than 40 °, in the delicate wash mode);
- Do not conduct static electricity;
- Doesn't pick up odors
- High hygroscopicity
- The material quickly absorbs moisture, dries for a long time
- Over time, the filler gets lumped
Silicone

Silicone granules
Siliconized fiber is very warm, voluminous, at the same time light and airy. This material is very similar to holofiber and cotrout, but more crumbly. The more intensely you beat such a pillow, the more it becomes.
It is this material that is called swan down.
- Breathability
- Thermal conductivity
- Hypoallergenic
- Supports the head in a natural position
- Doesn't clump
- Not afraid of frequent washes (can be wrung out at high speeds)
- Inexpensive
- Conducts static electricity. It is recommended to wash the product with a powder with the addition of antistatic
Memory Foam

The product remembers its "owner"
Synthetic foam is one of the best fillings with orthopedic function. It follows the contours of the head, neck, spine, gently supporting the musculoskeletal system in a physiologically correct position. Remembers the "owner", thereby allowing you to immediately find a comfortable, favorite position.
- Hypoallergenic
- Therapeutic effect
- Durability, strength
- Raw materials are not washed, it is enough to change the pillowcase
- The material is dense, so it passes air worse than previous options.
- The pillow is not airy, it is not whipped
- Rigidity. If you've always slept on soft bedding, get ready for some uncomfortable sleep at first. As the temperature decreases, the hardness increases
- Slight smell of new plastic. Will fade over time
- Low hygroscopicity, which causes inconvenience when sweating
- High price
Styrofoam

Balls have an "anti-stress effect"
Loose, pleasantly rustling material is suitable for pregnant women. It is they who fill the pillows-letters "U", "S", "L", so that you can put the product under the head, lower back and knees at the same time. After childbirth, the accessory is used as a side in the crib for the baby.
- Well support the body
- Keep warm
- Hypoallergenic
- hygroscopic
- They cannot be washed. Can only update the pillowcase
- Slightly synthetic smell
- Expensive, but serve a maximum of 3 years
Gel

gel model
The material belongs to varieties that can remember the outlines of the body. Effectively relieves stress on the spine and joints, which is important for overweight people suffering from osteochondrosis and pregnant women.
- Hypoallergenic. Suitable for babies
- Hygiene. The product does not get dirty, does not absorb dust. To clean it, just wipe the surface with an antibacterial wipe.
- Safe for people with bronchopulmonary diseases, asthma
- Unlike foam, gel does not trap air.
- Pillows are cool, pleasant to the touch
- Carry out massage
- Adapt to the anatomical nuances of the body
- High price
- To the gel, as a filler, you need to get used to
- Tougher than polyester
- When sweating, discomfort is felt, as the gel does not absorb moisture

Natural fillers of animal origin

Animal wool and down stuffings
Natural stuffing is the traditional content of our pillows. The material is considered environmentally friendly, but not always hypoallergenic. The raw material is very warm, absorbs moisture well.
Raw material name | How to produce | Average service life | Price for an average model (60 cm * 40 cm), rub |
---|---|---|---|
Duck, goose down-feather | Classic bird feather stuffing. The more fluff in the pillow, the softer it is. The more feathers, the denser. | 5-7 years | From 800 |
Sheep or camel wool | Obtained naturally by shearing animals. Sheep wool contains healing natural wax - lanolin. It effectively treats joint pain, rheumatism. | 3-5 years | From 1200 |
Horsehair | Rarely acts as a single filler, most often it is combined with natural wool or silicone. Adds rigidity and elasticity to the product. | 5-7 years | From 1200 |
Feather

goose down
Down to feather ratio may vary. The softness and elasticity of the product depend on this. The composition can be mixed, or both components are placed in separate compartments inside the cover.
Goose down, by the way, is softer than duck down.
- air structure
- Heat resistance
- Hygroscopicity
- Restores fluffiness after vigorous beating
- Lasts over 5 years with proper care
- Dust and parasites easily accumulate inside
- No orthopedic effect
- Raw materials are contraindicated for allergy sufferers
- The pen needs to be cleaned and dried regularly. Washing is possible only in dry cleaning
- Feathers prick
- The material absorbs odors well
Sheep and camel wool

Sheep's wool
Woolen specimens are not as airy as down ones. They differ in medium elasticity and rigidity. Do not collect dust, dirt, very warm, cozy.
- Breathability
- They absorb sweat well without spreading an unpleasant odor
- Elasticity
- Perform anti-rheumatic therapeutic action
- Poor antiseptic treatment can lead to the appearance of moths, fungus, mites
- Contraindicated for those suffering from asthma, allergies, bronchial diseases
- The filler collects in lumps over time, crushes
- It needs to be dry cleaned, can not be washed by yourself. Dry and air regularly
Horsehair

Horsehair
This raw material allows you to turn an anatomically unusable down pillow into an effective orthopedic accessory. It is also combined with sheep wool to make the product more dense and voluminous.
The pillow turns out to be very tight, perfectly retaining its shape, durable. Requires care, as in the case of the previous two options. Does not interfere with air circulation, absorbs liquid.
It is not an anti-allergic raw material, but it has an antibacterial effect. In such a pillow, the likelihood of bed bugs, ticks or moths is much lower.

Natural herbal fillers

Vegetable stuffings
Vegetable fillers are just as popular as those from synthetic or wool sources.
Raw material name | How to produce | Average service life | Price for an average model (60 cm * 40 cm), rub |
---|---|---|---|
Cotton (cotton) | Cotton fibers of different lengths are intertwined and processed using a special technology. | 1-2 years | 150-300 |
Buckwheat husk | Buckwheat grains are cleaned, steamed, polished. The dried mass is placed in a case. | 2-3 years | From 800 |
Bamboo | The core of the bamboo stalks is crushed, subjected to heat treatment. They are pulled into fibers and woven into an airy mass. | 7-10 years old | From 1500 |
Latex | Natural hevea juice is vulcanized, foamed, cooled and poured into a mold. | 5-7 years | From 2000 |
Seaweed | Dried sea plants and polyester fibers are glued together with steam. | 3-5 years | From 500 |
Silk | Natural silk threads are intertwined and processed using a special technology. | 10-15 years old | From 7000 |
Medicinal herbs | Herbal collection of thyme, cones, hops, lemon balm, chamomile, mint, lavender is dried and placed in a case. | 3-6 months | From 200 (you can do it yourself) |

latex model
- Cotton breathes well, absorbs liquid, hypoallergenic. But it gathers in lumps, quickly loses its shape, does not serve for a long time
- Buckwheat the husk performs an orthopedic and massage function. It does not start bugs, it does not cause allergies, it smells good. Among the shortcomings - it is hard, heavy, they do not wash it, but vacuum it (sift, dry, ventilate)
- Bamboo - the most environmentally friendly filler with antibacterial qualities. Its fibers are elastic, lush, resilient. It is recommended to wash and dry the product in dry cleaning
- Latex - stuffing with the highest quality orthopedic properties. It adapts to the shape of the body, does not stray into lumps, does not cause allergies. Doesn't absorb moisture well
- Seaweed - A pillow with such stuffing has healing properties. During sleep, a person breathes in the smallest particles of iodine, manganese, selenium, zinc and other elements.
- Silk – the most durable filler, thin, delicate, airy, hypoallergenic
- Herbs - they do not sleep all the time, but such a pillow can be kept next to the bed. The aroma helps to relax, calm down, relax
When choosing a filler for a pillow, consider not only its cost and expected service life. Be sure to keep in mind that natural ingredients can cause allergies and are a favorable environment for the appearance of parasites.
Always lean towards low-maintenance orthopedic pillows. Evaluate the quality of the product itself, the strength of the seams, the reliability of the material from which the cover is sewn.Ask the seller to let you lay your head down for at least 5 minutes.

A good rest will give you a charge of vivacity for the whole day.
Shop in reliable stores and don't save money on your health.
Watch a video to help you choose the perfect filler:
VIDEO: Useful tips when choosing a pillow with filler
How to choose the right pillow for a comfortable sleep: 17 best fillers from natural and synthetic raw materials + Reviews
Very often we do what our friends or just acquaintances recommend to us. I'm not an exception. About two months ago, I found out that my friend had booked for the weekend, a mobile workshop for the restoration of pillows. I already have old, feather pillows, which I decided to “update” and disinfect. On Sunday, our yard (10 floors) cleaned their pillows together. And in the evening it was a complete disappointment. The new pillowcases did not match the size, of course the pillowcases did not fit. As a result, the pillows are hard, it is not comfortable to sleep, pain in the shoulders and neck. There was a question about buying new pillows!) After a thorough study, I purchased pillows with filler - Hollofiber, very convenient! After reading the article, I was convinced that I made the right choice!
Tell me, please, which filler is the softest?