Pillows

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 little firmer than feather and down pillows.

The different types of synthetic pillow include hollowfibre, memory foam, cool and anti-allergy.

Memory foam pillows

Memory foam pillows offer unrivalled support. They respond to the imprint of your body, ensuring maximum support for your head, neck and shoulders.

Anti-allergy

Anti-allergy pillows are made from hypoallergenic materials. This makes them great for those who suffer from allergies as they help to prevent build-up of dust, pollen and other nasty allergens.

Hollowfibre

Hollowfibre pillows are a type of pillow which provide excellent bounce back. They're super springy and known to offer high levels of support, making them great for those who suffer with neck or back pain.

Cool

Cool pillows, as the name suggests, are the type to thermo-regulate and keep your temperature down as you sleep. If you often wake up with a hot and sweaty face or hairline, these pillows are ideal. They're made from materials which have breathable properties such as 100% cotton.

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, to a firm pillow such as memory foam. Choosing the best comfort grade for you depends largely on your sleeping position.

Pillows for side sleepers

Pillows for side sleepers are typically a medium to medium-firm comfort grade. This is to offer optimum support to your head and neck while keeping the natural curve of your spine.

Pillows for back sleepers

Pillows for back sleepers are most often a medium comfort grade. They help to avoid craning your neck yet at the same time keep you gently cushioned.

Pillows for front sleepers

Pillows for front sleepers are generally a soft/medium comfort level. This is again to keep the natural alignment of the spine without raising your head too much. The soft natural fillings ensure your head sinks into the pillow as opposed to remaining in an unnatural angle through the night.

Additionally, for those that overheat during the night, we offer pillows with cooling properties. Our range of cool pillows are there to help keep you cool during the night due to their innovative technology and advanced materials. They can absorb heat and help to regulate body temperature, which will help you achieve a good 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 your 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’d like more information on our pillows, take a look at our handy pillow buying guide to help you choose the best one for your sleeping position.