Deciding on the right pillow for your bed isn't as easy as you may think. Pillows come in many sizes and are filled with a variety of materials. It takes some research to decide on the best pillow to suit your needs.
First of all, pillows come in various sizes according to the size of your bed. You can buy standard, queen or king size pillows. The pillowcases for your sheets will fit the appropriate pillow size. Although, there is no "queen-sized" pillowcase, they do fill out a standard pillowcase more completely.
Pillow sizes vary as follows:
* Standard: 20 x 26 inches - Uses a Standard sized pillowcase.
* Queen: 20 x 30 inches - Also uses a Standard sized pillowcase.
* King: 20 x 36 inches - These pillows use a King sized pillowcase and are extra-long.
In addition, there are a couple of non-traditional pillow sizes:
* European: 26 x 26 inches - They are large and square. These are standard in many parts of Europe but are mainly decorative in the US.
* Travel: 12 x 16 inches - These are very small and often used for travel. They are often used on airplanes. They take a travel sized pillowcase.
You can also purchase pillows that are hypoallergenic. These pillows are specially designed to be hypoallergenic for those with allergies. These are usually filled down subsitutes such as cotton, alpaca wool or organic wool. Hypoallergenic does not guarantee allergy-free, but it can reduce symptoms. Getting a dust-mite cover for your pillow can also help.
For extra support, foam pillows are a good option. They are made of shape-conforming memory foam and offer more firmness than standard fill. This helps with better alignment for the neck and back during sleep.
Down pillows are filled with down from the underside of a goose's feathers. It may actually contain up to 30% feathers. Some pillows are simply filled with feathers. Down pillows are fluffier and firmer than feather pillows.
Synthetic fiber pillows are filled with filling that is not as soft as down. Although, synthetic fiber pillows can come in various firmnesses depending on preference. They are also good alternative for persons who are allergic to down and feathers, but tend to wear unevenly and can become lumpy.
Cotton pillows are natural but tend to be firmer and less moldable. They are a good choice if you prefer a flatter pillow.
Wool pillows are filled with warm, insulating wool and regulate temperature well. They do tend to flatten and become very firm over time, however.
Ultimately, pillow choice is merely a matter of preference and with so many to choose from, it is easy to find the perfect pillow so anyone can have a restful night's sleep.
