Pillow Q&As

What is the difference between hypoallergenic and anti-allergenic?

Wool, cotton and silk are recognised for their hypoallergenic properties and can help allergy sufferers get a better night's sleep.

What pillows are best for sensitive skin/eczema?

Eczema and sensitive skin flare-ups can be caused by overheating and contact with irritants, so your pillow choice may have a bearing on your skin health.

Because natural fills such as cotton, wool and silk are naturally temperature regulating, these will help prevent the overheating that can trigger flare-ups. Using and regularly washing a pillow protector will help keep irritants at bay for fewer flare-ups.

What pillows are best for arthritis or back pain sufferers?

Make sure you choose a pillow firmness that complements your sleeping position. You should aim to rest your head at the same level as the rest of your body, so a pillow that's too soft or too hard can aggravate arthritis by putting your neck in an awkward position. Many people with arthritis find firm memory foam pillows provide good support.

Some people with back, shoulder and neck arthritis find supporting their arms with extra pillows at night makes sleeping more comfortable. You could also consider a body pillow to support your body's sleeping position for extra comfort. We'd recommend you seek advice from your doctor or other healthcare professional for advice tailored to your particular situation.

What pillows are best for asthma sufferers?

Evidence about the best pillow fill for asthma sufferers is inconsistent, so specific recommendations are difficult to provide. We'd suggest asthma sufferers use natural or synthetic pillows. Encasing your pillow in a zipped dust-proof pillow protector and regularly washing your protector will help keep dust mites and other allergens at bay.

What pillows are best for sweating/hot sleepers?

If you're the type of person that gets hot in bed, you'll fare better with a natural-fill pillow. Wool, cotton or silk are all good choices as they help you regulate your body temperature by wicking away excess moisture. Natural-fill pillows feel less fluffy and bouncy than synthetic or feather & down pillows. If you prefer a fluffy pillow, then you may prefer a pillow with a blend of natural and synthetic fills - such as our wool and polyester pillow or microfibre and silk pillow.

What pillows are machine washable/easy to care for?

Synthetic fills made with polyester microfibre and hollowfibre - are the easiest to care for as they're simple to wash and dry without special detergents or specific drying instructions. But it's good to know that all of our feather and down pillows and wool-fill pillows are washable. Our memory foam has washable cases to help you keep them in good condition. Regardless of the pillow you choose, you'll get the best results if you carefully follow the care instructions.

Investing in a pillow protector is the best thing you can do for your pillow. That's because they're much easier to wash and dry than the pillows they protect and will help keep your pillow in good condition for longer.

How often should you change your pillows?

It's tricky to tell when you're ready for a new pillow because you'll have become so used to the way it feels and will have forgotten how good it felt when new! Pillows are ready to be replaced any time from 6 months to 5 years after purchase.

As a general guide, synthetic pillows lose their support the fastest, whilst feather & down-filled pillows last much longer. If a pillow has gone through a lot - spilt drinks or a make-up and hair product overload for instance - then you'll need to replace it sooner.

You can help your pillow last for longer by using a regularly-washed pillow protector and plumping up your pillow every morning. This airs out the fill inside the pillow and helps it regain its original structure for longer life.