Types of pillows

There are many different types of pillows, categorised by their fillings. These fall into two main groups, natural and synthetic pillows.

Natural pillows include feather and down pillows and wool pillows. Feather and down combines duck feather and duck down to create a supremely luxurious and comfy headrest. Wool pillows use thick, yet breathable, wool fibres which are a littl e firmer than feather and down pillows.

The different types of synthetic pillow include hollowfibre pillows, memory foam pillow and anti-allergy pillows. Hollowfibre pillows blend hol lowfibres with polyester to make a bouncy and comfortable pillow. Memory foam pillows contain visco-elastic material, which moulds to the contours of your head and helps with any neck pain. Finally anti-allergy pillows may be best if you have sensitive skin or regularly suffer from irritation throughout the night.

Choosing the best pillow for you

While pillows differ depending on their fillings, they can also be graded by their comfort. This is similar to mattress comfort grades and can range from a soft/medium pillow, such as a feather and down, or a firm pillow. Choosing the best comfort grade for you depends largely on your sleeping position.

• If you tend to sleep on your side, it's best to opt for medium or medium/firm pillows. This is to offer optimum support to your head and neck while keeping t he natural curve of your spine.
• For those who sleep on their back, a medium support pillow is also best to avoid craning your neck and at the same time keep you gently cushioned.
• Finally for people who sleep on their front, a soft/medium pillow is better. This is again to keep the natural alignment of the spine without raising your head to o much. Opt for soft natural fillings for a comfortable night's sleep.

How many pillows should you sleep with?

Once you know which type of pillow is best suited to you and your sleeping habits, an important thing to consider is how many pillows you need. While many people swear by taking two pillows to bed, it's advised to only stick to one. This is again due to you r posture.

Whatever your sleeping position, it's always advised to keep the natural alignment of the spine to avoid any long-term damage and keep you comfortable throughout the night. This is why it's best to keep your head level with the rest of your body by only using one pillow.

How to care for your pillows

Like everything, pillows have a lifespan, and the average pillow should be replaced every 2 years. However, if your pillow is noticeably discoloured or you wake up with neck pain, it's probably time to look for an upgrade.

To keep your pillow healthy for longer, wash it every 2 -3 months. At Dreams, all our pillows are machine washable except for our memory foam pillow collection which have removable and washable covers. If in doubt, refer to the care label on your pillow.

If you would like more information on our pillows or any of our other products, feel free to give us a call on 0800 652 5090 and one of our friendly customer service team will be happy to help.