Sleep Better: Choose the Right Pillow for You
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Side Sleeper
High and firm. Gusseted, memory foam, or a 3-chamber down pillow
Back sleeper
Medium height, medium give. Microfibre, wool, or feather blends.
Front sleeper
The flattest you can find. Soft feather and down, or low-profile microfibre.
Allergies
Microfibre - a down alternative that's washable and resists dust mites.
Test it: lying down, your nose, chin and breastbone should line up straight.
How much height you need:
Loft is how high the pillow sits once your head is on it — the one spec worth getting right
Choosing the right fill for you:
Microfibre
Microfibre
The down alternative: fibres three times finer than usual, so they trap air and hold generous loft. Hypoallergenic, resists dust mites, washable, in a downproof cotton percale cover.
Microfibre gusset
Microfibre gusset
A gusset is a side panel sewn between the top and bottom panels. It holds the height and shape instead of doming - the answer for side sleepers who can't have feathers.
Micro ball fibre (Hollow Puff)
Micro ball fibre (Hollow Puff)
Polyester spun into tiny round clusters, so it doesn't flatten the way ordinary hollow fibre does. Firm support with a soft surface, in a quilted casing. Machine washable and quick to dry.
Feather & down
Feather & down
Mouldable and quiet, with that sink-in feel. Needs a shake every morning. Blends with microfibre add loft and hold their shape for longer. Not for allergy sufferers.
Memory foam
Memory foam
A solid block that moulds to the head and holds the neck aligned - the best answer for neck pain. Choose medium or firm density; the firm sits slightly higher. An aerated cover keeps the heat down.
Shredded memory foam
Shredded memory foam
The same foam broken into pieces, so it breathes better and reshapes as you turn. You can add or remove filling until the height is right.
When to replace
Most pillow inners should be replaced every 1 - 2 years.
Spring test: fold the pillow in half and let go. If it doesn't spring back, it's done.
This doesn;t apply to memory foam, which recovers slowly by design, so cehck for cracking, crumbling or a flattened centre instead.
Washing & care:
How to wash by fill type:
Microfibre & polyester fibre
Microfibre & polyester fibre
Machine washable. Warm water, mild detergent, tumble dry on low.
Feather & down
Feather & down
Dry clean, or machine wash on a cool gentle cycle with dryer balls to keep the loft. Dry fully.
Memory foam
Memory foam
Spot clean only, with mild detergent and a damp cloth, then air dry. Never wash, bleach, iron, tumble or dry clean.
Wool
Wool
Spot clean or hand wash. Don't wring - press the water out and air dry flat.