Pillow Materials

• Down: Filled with tiny goose or duck feathers, down pillows are soft and plush. White goose down is considered the best quality natural fill for bed pillows. They are expensive and require frequent fluffing, but they adjust to sleeping positions.
• Down-and-feather mixture: This mix is soft but not as plush as pure down. This fill combines the softness and resilience of down with firm support of feathers. It is an affordable alternative to down.
• Feather: Goose feathers are best quality; duck feathers are second. Feather pillows are more flexible than down. Fluff the pillows occasionally in a dryer set at the hottest setting for dust mite control.
• Synthetic fiber: This is a good choice for people who are allergic to down. Quality synthetic fills are durable and inexpensive. Polyester puffs mimic the performance and resiliency of down.
• Latex: These economical pillows are resistant to dust mites and mildew but less comfortable than down or synthetic pillows.
• Buckwheat hulls: This fill, which has been used abroad for centuries, is relatively new to the United States. The pillows are generally smaller than standard pillows, they mold easily to form, and they are not conducive to dust mites, making them a good choice for allergy sufferers. Some people find them annoying and noisy to sleep on, however, so before buying one, ask if it is returnable, or consider purchasing a small size to try out the feel.
• Foam rubber: This inexpensive pillow is considered hypoallergenic and can be sculpted for specific sleep style support. Foam rubber wears out quickly and will need to be replaced every year or two. If you prefer the plush softness of down pillows, the extra firmness in a foam version will probably prove to be uncomfortable.