Choosing the Right Pillow
Your body depends on your mattress for support and comfort. Your head and neck, however, depend primarily on your pillow.
Try this simple test to see if you need a new pillow: Fold your pillow in half and let go. If it doesn't spring right back to it's original shape, it's time to find a new one.
If you find yourself constantly fluffing, squeezing, or fold your pillow to get comfortable, you should consider a new purchase.
Selecting the right pillow for you is a matter of three factors: firmness, fill and size.
Firmness
The right pillow for you depends on the position you sleep in.
- Side Sleepers: A firm, high pillow will fill out the space between your shoulders and your head.
- Stomach Sleepers: A soft, low pillow will allow your head to comfortably rest aligned with your body.
- Back Sleepers: Pillows with medium firmness and height offer ideal support.
Filling
Down: Traditionally, down pillows are considered the most luxurious and softest. Some newer pillow designs use a feather core to increase firmness. When considering down, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Down consists of the soft, fine feathers found under rougher, exterior feathers.
- "Pure down" consists only of these feathers; other downs include rough feathers.
- Goose down is preferable to duck down.
- People are most often allergic to the chemicals used in cleaning down, not the feathers themselves. "Hypoallergenic" treatments super-clean feathers to reduce allergic reactions.
- Down traps heat and is an excellent insulator.
Synthetic: Synthetic fillings can offer firmer support and help avoid allergic reactions. Synthetic filling most often consists of polyester, but latex and memory foams are also popular.
- Back and side sleepers generally receive better support from synthetic pillows.
- "Down alternative" fillings like Primaloft® trap heat and relieve allergies, while mimicking the feel of goose down.
- Comfort foam pillows made of visco memory foam protect against mold, bacteria, and mildew. These pillows are hypoallergenic and usually very firm.
Size
| Size |
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Dimensions |
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Pillow Case Recommendation |
| Standard |
|
20"W x 26"L |
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Use one for a twin bed, two on a full or queen bed, or three on a king. |
| Queen |
|
20"W x 30"L |
|
Since there is no such thing as a queen-size pillow case, you will want to use a standard, they are long enough to accommodate a queen pillow. Again, use one for a twin bed, two on a full or queen bed, or three on a king. |
| King |
|
20"W x 36"L |
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King-size sheet sets will come with two king pillowcases. If you like a really full look, you can use two king pillows on a queen-size bed. |
Caring for Your Pillow
Rejuvenate your pillow: Old pillows can often regain their original shape in the washing machine. Even feather pillows can be washed and then dried, on "fluff". Throwing a tennis shoe or tennis ball into the dryer can help perk up the pillow.
Pillow Protectors: Since even down pillows are washable, pillow protectors may be overkill. However, if your pillow has some pin feathers in it, you may want to use a pillow protector to keep the pin feathers from coming out and poking you. If you do choose to use protectors, make sure you choose a style that has a synthetic inside layer and a natural outer layer, or you may find yourself fighting to keep your pillowcases in on the pillow.
 
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