Refresh Your Bedroom | Choosing the Right Pillow
One of the most important items in your bedroom in regards to getting a good nights sleep, is oftentimes overlooked.The pillows you lay your head on at night are almost as important as the proper mattress. DownLinens knows that pillows can make a huge impact on the quality and comfort of sleep, that’s why they offered to let me review a set of pillows.
DownLinens sells high quality down, comforters, featherbeds and alternative fill bedding products online, at great prices. The company procures its own down and manufactures all its own products, so DownLinens is able to provide luxurious products at the quality you would likely find in a major department store or specialty bedding boutique – but at lower prices.
Choosing the perfect pillow can be confusing. There are so many factors to take into consideration, here are a few that should be taken into account:
Pillow Fill. The most common fills for pillows are down, feather and synthetic/polyester fibers. Natural goose down pillows are soft, durable, and very comfortable for sleeping, really the height of luxury. You can buy down, or synthetic fiber pillows for that matter, with different “fill powers” or firmness. Fill power (or loft) is the ability of down to regain its original volume after being compressed during shipping, storage or use. You might like to have a softer pillow for sleeping and a firmer one when you want more support for sitting up. The softest pillows contain just down, while if you want that extra firmness, look for a pillow containing both down and feathers.
Another option would be synthetic/polyester fiber pillows, many of which are less expensive to buy and machine washable. Several alternate fills are available, to suit different price points. Gel pillows are rather new to the market, and deliver a feeling much like down. One caution, alternate fills do not last as long as down.
Fluffiness. A fluffier pillow provides better cushioning for either sleep or sitting up and is longer lasting. A fluffy pillow also means that fresh air is able to travel through it. Contrastingly, a lifeless pillow that is deflated and flat can no longer trap air, rendering it not ideal for significant support.
To test the fluffiness of pillows you currently own, fold the pillow in half and see if it unfolds on its own or squeeze it and see if it fluffs back up. If not, you might be time to look for a new pillow.
Pillow Cover. When you buy new pillows, purchase a pillow cover with a zipper to immediately go on the pillow, under the pillow case. This will protect the pillow from body oils that naturally accumulate over time as well as adding an extra level of protection from dust, helping anyone in the family who has allergies. For down pillows, a down-proof pillow cover is ideal in order to minimize leakage.
Pillow Case. Simply put, the higher the thread count in a pillow case, the softer the material will feel and the more durable it will be in protecting your pillow. The minimum recommended to ensure you get a comfortable sleeping experience is a 233 thread count. Alternatively, if you’re looking for something more luxurious, go with a pillow case with a 500-800 thread count.
DownLinens offers a chart to help consumers buy the pillows that will be right for their family. No two sleepers are alike, and DownLinens’ meter system is designed to help choose the product that will best accommodate individual sleeping needs. This chart can be found here.
How to Determine the Best Pillows for Each Member of the Family:
Identify the Normal Sleeping Position. How a person positions themselves in bed determines the type of pillow that will be best for the sleeper. For example, if a member of your family sleeps on his or her back, buy a fluffier pillow that will lift the head and chin off the mattress. A fluffier pillow will also help with breathing and is a great aid to reduce snoring.
If a different family member sleeps on his or her side, choose a thick pillow for them, one that can be bunched up under the neck, but is also soft, so as not to elevate the head to an uncomfortable level.
Children should not be given a pillow until the move from the flat surface of baby beds into their own normal bed. Choose soft, lower fill products that will support the head but not into an unnatural, elevated position.
I am a side sleeper and have determined several years ago that down pillows work best for me. Firm fiber filled pillows left me with a crick in my neck, memory foam pillows gave me a headache and if I can’t squish my pillow, forget it. Unfortunately the pillows I had were worn out and lost most of their loft. I was excited to try DownLinens Deluxe Down Pillows.
The Deluxe Down Pillows provide the softest feel under your head whether you’re sleeping or propped up reading your favorite book. Unlike other pillows that seem to flatten a little more each day, the Deluxe Down Pillow is built to always seem to have the fullness you see in a brand new pillow. The unique design of the Deluxe Down Pillow offers you a separate pillow cover in a high 330-Thread count,which includes a zipper for easy removal. The Deluxe Down Pillow allows you to easily remove the cover periodically for cleaning, which will add to the life of these already long-lasting pillows.
When I removed the pillows from their boxes, I could immediately tell that they were extra squishy and had a great loft to them. Two important factors for my comfort. They respond well to a quick fluff and plump and I couldn’t wait to sleep on them.
I sometimes equate my sleep routine to that of a dog. I don’t walk around in circles before laying down, but I do have a set routine with my pillows. I have a couple that I use to prop me up (I don’t sleep well flat), I have one for between my knees, another that I hug and one that I squish & squoosh under my head. I decided to try the new pillows (1) behind my head/neck and (2) hugging. The pillows are easy to manipulate and form to just the right contour for my neck. They are just squishy enough to give a little resistance while I am hugging them but not so squishy that I feel like I need a second one to hug. I slept well on them and was incredibly pleased with how well they bounced back the next morning with a quick pumping. I’m hoping to get another set for my husband so that we have matching sides of the bed… but until then, these are mine 
.
BUY IT:
Use discount code PILLOWS4ALL25 to receive 25% off your DownLinens.com order valid July 15 – 29, 2013!
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Disclosure: The product(s) reviewed and the content for this post was sourced from DownLinens, online resources and family traditions. All opinions are 100% my own.
Speaking of pillows I could use a new one! Mine is getting kind of flat :/ I also have to have my pillows just so, I like one for my head and one for between my knees!
I love my memory foam pillow because it really supports my neck and helps me sleep good. I am a side sleeper, and I find this pillow to be very comfortable. Sometimes I switch off to a regular foam pillow. It does make a difference in paying for good pillows in the bedroom.
Gosh, I’ve never had a down filled pillow but I can only imagine how great they must feel. Some of their products aren’t really to bad cost wise. I love their ALL SEASON DOWN COMFORTER
I am the same way with pillows and have had one down pillow for I’m sure way too many years, but don’t have the heart to throw it out since it’s my favorite! I had to laugh about the “these are mine” comment. When I have replaced pillows, for some reason, the older ones migrate to hubby’s side of the bed! LOL
nice! i need new pillows mine are getting a little old…
I have also recently discovered paying a little extra money for a good squishy pillow it worth it and don’t go flat so fast I would buy the cheap $3-$5 ones at walmart and they would go flat within a month drove me crazy I could never get a good sleep on a flat pillow. But I had never thought of using a pillow cover to protect them that will be my next buy for my pillow
Thanks for the great tips, I can really need them. I have been in a fight with my pillows, ever since I gave birth a few months ago, and I just cannot get a good night’s sleep because of it.
I thought I was the only one who had a million pillows and manipulate them in every way possible for a good night’s sleep. I like to enter sweeps in bed, so I am propped up, stacking all the pillows and they I have to start eliminating them as I get ready to go to sleep. Then I am flipping and turning and moving them to get them right. My daughter does the same thing ;o)
Very helpful post on selecting the perfect pillow. My husband loves his down pillows!
Ohhh thanks for the discount code!
Great post! And thanks for the discount code!
Good work…. Choosing a right kind of pillow becomes a hassle if not researched properly.
I really need to replace my pillows. We’d have to go for synthetic fill though because I’m allergic to down. Lots of good info to think about.
You know, I have been buying pillows blind my whole life. Thank you for the buying guide. I’m a side sleeper and I love down, but I think I’ve been choosing pillows that are too thin because they feel too flat to me after a few weeks.
This is a great post because so many people just think a pillow is a pillow! They can be missing out on an affordable “luxury” of a pillow they truly love! I found out more about pillows from when I started making them, and then also shopping for a pillow. However my fav is my pillow from when I was a little kid! It isn’t in that good of shape, but I would feel adrift without it!
I LOVE pillows! In my opinion there can never be too many
I have to have fluffy pillows and can’t stand sleeping on a flat one..and i also have to have pillows under my leggs when i sleep..
My husband’s neck has been stiff and sore lately, so maybe its time for us to get some new pillows, preferably good ones that will provide better support.
thanks so much for this post! memory foam pillows give me a headache too and i need something that will support my neck. i will look into getting one of these.
I have bought so many foam pillows because Down was so wxpwnsive but if I had put all the money in the purchases of foam together I could have had down. Thank you for this blog . I’m buying a down pillow next cahnce I get.
This is a great post about pillows. I still have a pillow from when I was a kid, and it needs to be replaced. I like to feel pillows and get a sense of one I could handle giving up my old pillow, I need to try this over the holiday – again!
Choosing the right pillows is very important. How are they holding up after a few months?
NICE REVIEW ON PILLOWS –I NEED A COUPLE OF NEW ONES MYSELF…
Deluxe Down! I’ve never had a fancy pillow like that in my life! But it sounds so good – being able to get it in JUST the right position for comfort. I need to save up for this!
Pillows make such a big difference in a nights sleep. I hate it when my pillows get flat and hard. Thank you for this post
I am in the process of redoing my bedroom and I need all new bedding. Thank you so much for the suggestions.
I am pretty picky about what pillows I like. I have never liked synthetic pillows! I usually have to settle for a down/feather mix because down is so expensive. It’s about time for new ones, I would love to be able to get a couple of these!! I have bookmarked this Down linens site, maybe I’ll catch them on a sell soon. Thanks for the review.
I have 2 pillows I really like. They are memory foam pillows. I wouldn’t change them for anything.
I have 2 memory foam pillows and love them. I never slept so well. I don’t think I’ll ever give them up.
I really need to check into their pillows. All my kids need new ones and want to get something that will last not flatten.
I certainly need to replace our pillows, they are old and have lost their shape. Thanks for the post and information
I love my memory foam pillow but I am always looking for the rest of my family. Thanks for the review.