Pillows: types, properties, how to choose, manufacturers

Types of pillows

The main classification is carried out according to the following criteria:

by appointment;
according to the filler material.

Types by purpose

Sleeping pillows

The main function is to maintain the cervical spine and head of the sleeper in a comfortable position. The following sleep shapes are presented on the bedding market:

classical;
anatomical;
orthopedic.

The first category includes rectangular or square-shaped pillows. Anatomical and orthopedic pillows are products with a specific configuration that promotes the correct anatomical position of the body during sleep.

There is a recess for the head in the center, and small bolsters on the sides.

The main difference between an anatomical pillow and an orthopedic one is the fact that the first one adapts to the characteristics of the body, and the second one fixes the sleeping position in a comfortable position.

Sleeping on an orthopedic pillow refers to preventive measures and therapeutic measures for the following diseases:

scoliosis;
spinal osteochondrosis;
increased muscle tone;
injuries of the musculoskeletal system.

Decorative pillows

Used as an interior item. They can have a square, rectangular, round, oval geometric shape, or be made in the form of various objects, animals or plants.

Pillows for non-standard purposes

Non-standard products include:

Car pillows. Used while traveling. The product is made in the form of a roller or a horseshoe. The accessory, worn around the neck, supports the cervical region and prevents discomfort and fatigue in the cervical-collar area.

Maternity pillows. The main task of pillows for pregnant women and nursing mothers is to reduce the load on the spine and lower back during sleep and feeding.

Available in several configurations: C-shaped; U-shaped; I-shaped; wedge-shaped; in the shape of a broken ring.

Back pillow. Products that are designed to relieve tension in the lumbar area during prolonged sitting.

A pillow is placed between the back of the chair and the back of the person sitting. They are distinguished by their small size and flat shape.

Foot pillow. An accessory that helps relieve fatigue and alleviates diseases of the knee joints, arthritis, varicose veins and arthrosis, and muscle cramps.
Full body pillow. A large-sized product made of soft materials, made in the shape of an elongated horseshoe.

Pillow filler

The pillows use natural and synthetic fillers; each material gives the product individual properties.

Natural fillers are:

animal origin;
of plant origin.

Synthetic materials include:

padding polyester;
comfort;
holofiber;
silicone;
polystyrene;
fiberlon;
memory.

pros

The main advantages of synthetic materials:

Hypoallergenic - due to the lack of a nutrient medium in synthetic materials, there are no prerequisites for the development of pathogenic microorganisms - viruses, mold, fungi.
Hygienic – polyester fibers do not absorb odors and do not accumulate dust.
Elasticity - materials do not wrinkle or cake, have the ability to adapt to the shape of the sleeper’s head, and quickly restore their original shape.

Air permeability – the hollow structure of synthetic fibers gives the filler the ability to “breathe”; the material does not accumulate moisture and odors.
Thermoregulating ability - in cold weather the material retains heat for a long time, and on summer days it retains coolness.
Lightness – despite their large volume, synthetic fillers are lightweight.
Easy to care for – products with synthetic filling can be washed in an automatic washing machine and dry quickly.
Affordability – artificial fillers cost an order of magnitude lower than natural materials.

Positive qualities of natural materials:

light weight;
environmental cleanliness;
ability to absorb moisture;
low thermal conductivity;
healing properties.

Minuses

Negative properties of bedding based on synthetic materials:

electrostaticity (most synthetic materials tend to accumulate static electricity);
unnaturalness of the material;
low hygroscopicity.

Disadvantages of natural fillers:

allergenicity;
stallability;
require special care (cleaning, drying);
relatively short service life;
relatively high price.

What types of pillows are there?

Classification of pillows: decorative, bed - regular and orthopedic

Choosing the head of the bed requires close attention. The condition of the spine depends on how correctly a person’s head is positioned during sleep. Before purchasing one or another option, you should understand the existing types of products.

Pastel sleeping pillow.
Orthopedic.
Children's room.
For pregnant women.
Sedentary.
Pokhodnaya.
Decorative.

In addition to this classification, there are others. Different sizes of products are selected depending on the purpose, as well as the place of use. The nature and composition of the internal filler of the night head support also has its own nuances. Modern manufacturers offer a wide range, starting from artificial materials and ending with natural animal and plant fillers.

How to choose a pillow

You should choose a bedding accessory based on the following parameters:

rigidity;
height;
breathability;
quality of tailoring.

Rigidity

There are three degrees of hardness:

soft;
medium hardness;
tough.

The choice of bedding accessory according to the degree of rigidity depends on your favorite sleeping position. A soft pillow is ideal for those who like to sleep on their stomach.

To sleep comfortably on your side, you need a firm pillow. The product is of medium hardness and is intended for the “lying on your back” position.

Cushion height

The height varies in the range of 5-15 cm. An incorrectly selected parameter can cause headaches after sleep, disruption of normal blood circulation, and stiffness of the neck muscles.

The ideal height of the pillow is equal to the width of the sleeper's shoulder.

Breathability

This criterion is especially important for users prone to excessive sweating. Products with better breathability include down pillows, mattresses and bed linen filled with holofiber or comforter.

Latex-based pillows are characterized by low breathability.

Tailoring quality

The quality of tailoring affects the service life. When choosing a bedding accessory, pay attention to the condition of the seams.

Criteria for assessing seam quality:

smooth continuous line of small stitches;
no punctures in the fabric;
when pulled lightly, the seam should maintain its integrity.

Why do we need a pillow

We sleep with a pillow because of the structure of the human body. In order for us to get a good night's sleep and sleep to bring health benefits, the spinal column, including the cervical spine, should be in a calm, straightened position during rest. A well-chosen pillow provides ideal support for both the head and neck. If you constantly sleep on a flat bed without using a pillow, then there is a high risk of getting a curvature of the upper spine, headaches and back discomfort.

If a person regularly sleeps on the wrong pillow, the body sends him certain signals. For example, if you are lying with your head on a pillow and intuitively reach out to put your hand under your head, it means that the height of the selected model is too small for you. The height of the pillow is important for those who snore. It is not recommended for them to use low pillows. Feeling muscle tension or other discomfort after waking up is a sign that the pillow you are using is too high. If you experience neck pain in the morning and your shoulder girdle feels like wood, this indicates errors in the bed configuration, such as a low pillow height in combination with a hard mattress.

Care

Fluff and turn your pillows in the morning.
Periodically (preferably at least once a week) dry in the fresh air.
Do not make the bed immediately after sleeping, let the accessories air out.
Maintain a normal humidity level in the room (no more than 65%).
To prevent the appearance of dust mites in natural litter, regularly clean and ventilate the bedroom.
Replace down and feather pillow covers annually.
Wash pillows according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Main washing recommendations:

It is better to entrust the cleaning of natural-based pillows to specialized dry cleaners. The frequency of processing is once every 1-2 years.
Bedding made of latex and polyurethane foam cannot be washed. Clean with a sponge soaked in water and a small amount of liquid detergent.

After cleaning, dry it, avoiding direct sunlight and away from heating devices.

Pillows with synthetic filling can be machine washed in the “delicate wash” mode at a temperature of 40-600. It is better to use a liquid detergent for washing. The product must not be twisted.

Choosing a pillow wisely

This type of bedding, like a mattress or blanket, should be selected taking into account the individual characteristics of the user. You cannot purchase the same models for all family members without taking into account the age, physiological and other characteristics of each member. Only by selecting a targeted pillow can you achieve deep, healthy sleep and a full, restorative night’s rest. A well-chosen pillow will eliminate the risk of morning headaches or back pain, and you won’t wake up with a feeling of fatigue in your neck.

When purchasing a pillow, you cannot skimp on its quality. And after the service life established by the manufacturer has expired, it is advisable to change the pillow, even if it seems that it is still quite suitable for use. You don't have to throw it away, but find another use for it. You can put it under your feet, make it a sofa cushion, by pulling on a beautiful cover. But the dimensional parameters of the product are not so significant; you can take the option that is preferable to you. The main criteria for choosing a pillow are its shape, filling, height and hardness.

Pillow manufacturers

Bradex

The company's head office is located in Israel, the official representative of the Bradex brand on the Russian market is.

The company's catalog includes bedding with an orthopedic effect and bedding for special purposes - seat cushions, for pregnant women, pillow toys for children.

Comfort Line

The company specializes in wholesale supplies of goods from famous European brands to Russia. Sells Turkish-made orthopedic bedding on the domestic market.

DG Home

The company's activities are related to the sale of designer furniture, exclusive products and accessories from leading foreign manufacturers on the domestic market. The range includes decorative art pillows made in the USA, China, England and France.

Fancy

The company offers a wide variety of pillow toys for children and decorative accessories. The products have been presented on the domestic market since 1993; safe, certified materials are used for the production of products.

OL-Tex

The company's product range includes a wide variety of bedding models. The catalog offers bedding accessories for a comfortable sleep with different fillings:

wool;
fluff;
seaweed;
bamboo;
eucalyptus;
angora;
silk.

Primavelle

Russian trademark. The company's product range includes a large selection of bedding accessories with wool, down, vegetable and synthetic fillings.

Smart

The company became a laureate of the “One Hundred Best Products of Russia 2015” award. Engaged in the production and sale of textile products and bedding, as well as the introduction of new developments in this area.

The catalog of sleep accessories includes:

products with aromatic herbs;
with buckwheat husk;
with camel and sheep wool;
with synthetic materials;
pillows filled with cedar shavings.

In addition to bedding for sleep, the company offers:

molded relaxation pillows;
accessories for expectant mothers;
transformable pillows.

Rules for choosing a pillow

For better sleep, you need to know the following nuances:

Having allergies. Do you have a reaction to animal fur? Please read the annotation to avoid any surprises.
Orthopedic medical problems with the spine, the surface of the bed, including the pillow, must have combination features.
Sleeping position – the choice of height depends on this.
Conditions of everyday use, cost, material. If it is not possible to wash it regularly (take bedding to the dry cleaner), discard natural fillers.

Material of manufacture

As mentioned earlier in the article, manufacturing materials can be natural or synthetic. For a more convenient perception of information, the characteristics of each of them are given below.

Natural

This group includes fillers of plant and animal origin. The following are used as packing:

down and feather;
wool;
horsehair;
buckwheat husk;
bamboo;
cotton;
silk;
herbs;
seaweed;
latex.

Buckwheat

Buckwheat husk, which has a massage effect, is most often placed in small pillows

Buckwheat husk is used for medicinal purposes. This product will retain its shape for a long time. The massage effect has a beneficial effect on blood circulation in the head and brain. The disadvantages of this material are the inability to wash, as well as the noise that occurs when turning over on its side while sleeping. But the advantages clearly outweigh the disadvantages. Buckwheat filling does not accumulate dust deposits, absorbs moisture well, and has a pleasant aroma. The contents are breathable. This is very important, as excess moisture that has accumulated in it is partially removed while you are away. Buckwheat is hypoallergenic and hygienic. The well-known bed tick will not be able to settle in such a filling. The service life is about two years.

The sizes of linen with buckwheat are most often made small. This is necessary in order to add as little husk as possible, while maintaining the required density. The husk has considerable weight, so the dimensions here are: 40x40, 40x50.

Bamboo

Bamboo fiber is a hygroscopic, wear-resistant material with an antibacterial effect, used as a filler for pillows of all sizes.

Bamboo fiber is gaining popularity among modern manufacturers, as well as buyers. This is not surprising, because made using special technologies that eliminate the use of chemicals and additives, the pillow is environmentally friendly. The undoubted advantages are:

absorbent properties;
air throughput;
soft surface and plasticity;
antibacterial properties;
absence of allergens in fibers;
long service life (up to 7 years);
Possibility of delicate washing in a machine or by hand;
ability to retain heat and cool.

The bamboo filling must be whisked frequently to prevent clumping. Due to the fact that bamboo fiber is light, the dimensions are selected relatively small. 40x40 or 50x50 is quite enough. This way it will be possible to maintain the required elasticity.

Latex

Latex is most often found in orthopedic pillows, which are rectangular in shape and small in size and provide the most comfortable position for the head and neck of a sleeping person.

This filler has ideal orthopedic properties. It is able to maintain elastic shape for up to 8 years. Very often you can hear people say that latex is synthetic. This is a completely false statement. Latex is obtained from the sap of a plant, which subsequently undergoes a special heat treatment, foams and is poured into a specific form. Extraordinary lightness and elasticity are especially valuable characteristics of latex.

Caring for the product does not require much effort. It can be washed in an automatic washing machine. Latex does not absorb foreign odors or moisture. An obvious disadvantage is the high price.

Other materials

Seaweed, cotton and grass are used as bedding quite less often than latex or bamboo. This is due to the short service life (1-2 years). The main characteristics here are the same as those of other natural materials:

low allergenicity;
breathability;
environmental friendliness;
affordable price.

Seaweed also has a high content of minerals, such as iodine, zinc, manganese and others. This has a beneficial effect on the health of the human body as a whole.

Seaweed pillows have a healing effect on the scalp of a sleeping person and do not attract dirt and dust.

Products made from plant herbs are used less frequently, and mainly as an additional element of a sleeping area. The pleasant aroma calms the nerves and promotes sound sleep.

Silk products are popular due to their unique structure. Pleasant, thin threads that form the basis of this material can cool your head on hot summer nights, as well as warm you up on long winter evenings. The service life is from 10 to 15 years. The only downside is the need for dry cleaning, as well as the price.

An amazing property of silk is its ability to adapt to the temperature of the human body.

Animal fillers

The well-known down and feather padding 70x70 used to be considered the best option. Undoubtedly, such products have advantages. High air permeability, softness, heat retention - these are the characteristics of down and feathers. But there are also a number of disadvantages:

excessive softness;
the possibility of bed mite reproduction;
difficulty in care;
strong adhesion to foreign odors;
Possibility of pen falling out.

Classic down-feather pillow filling

Modern manufacturers have begun to treat the feather base of the bib to protect against ticks. But now people tend to purchase modern products such as bamboo and latex, so the down and feather base fades into the background.

You can often find pillows stuffed with sheep's wool on the counters. They are very useful (indicated) for people who have problems with the cervical spine. For osteochondrosis and rheumatism, doctors specifically prescribe such a foundation. The disadvantages include a high degree of allergenicity, the inability to wash, the proliferation of moths and mites, as well as a number of medical contraindications.

Pillows filled with wool have a specific smell and require special care.

Synthetic base

Synthetics are becoming increasingly popular. This type of material is characterized by the absence of allergic reactions, a high degree of orthopedic properties, and the possibility of washing. The most common materials are:

Holofiber.
Comforel.
Gel.
Sintepon.
Expanded polystyrene.
Foam material.

Products made from holofiber are recommended for newborns. This foundation meets all international quality standards. Ease of care, durability, lightness, hygiene are the main characteristics of this filler.

Hollow fiber balls are a modern and popular filler, widely used in the textile and furniture industries.

Holofiber and comforter also have sufficient elasticity, which is especially important for small children. Service life – 5 years.

Comforel is a modern, new generation synthetic filler used to fill bedding.

Sintepon is the predecessor of comfortel. The disadvantage here is the low degree of elasticity, and as a result, a shorter service life (up to two years).

Synthetic filling - comfortable, lightweight and does not cause allergies

Expanded polystyrene is ideal as pillow filling for pregnant women. This design can also be found in products labeled “anti-stress”.

Pillows with polystyrene balls are filled approximately 90%, thanks to this you can adjust it to suit yourself - by moving the balls inside the pillow, you can adjust the height

The helium base of the headboard is an innovation. Such fillers are especially good in the hot summer (they have a cooling effect). Massage functions of the neck vertebrae are also performed here. The disadvantage of this option is the high price.

Gel pillows are a combination of the most innovative developments in the field of healthy and comfortable sleep

Foamed polyurethane foam is used for orthopedic purposes. It is distinguished by a good degree of support for the spine, as well as the ability to remember the anatomical curves of the body. Since this substance does not absorb moisture and odors, it does not need to be washed. Simply wash with warm water.

An orthopedic memory foam pillow is made of synthetic foam that responds to weight and heat

Pillow sizes - standards and materials of manufacture