Which pillow filler is the best: tips for choosing, characteristics of fillers

The quality of sleep depends on many features: a mattress of suitable firmness, a warm blanket and a comfortable pillow allow you to get a good night's sleep, feel alert and rested in the morning without body aches. Choosing the right bedding is one of the main points. The stores offer a huge assortment, including pillows with various fillings. Each material is specific and has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it is advisable to study the characteristics of all types of “filling” before purchasing.

Which pillow is better to choose?

As part of a comprehensive study by Roskachestvo, the parameters of the quality and safety of products from 27 brands of pillows were studied. These are products under the trademarks AlViTek, Asabella, Belashoff, Comfort Line, Dream Time, Dargez, Ecotex, German Grass, Green Line, IKEA, Kariguz, Mona Liza, Nature's, Ol-Tex, Primavelle, Sortex, Togas House of Textiles, Verossa , A'Elita, Horizon, Every Day, Light Dreams, Lazyboka, Podushkino, Pierrot, Samson, TekStyle. The study involved the most popular pillows among Russians, with and without covers, filled with synthetic fibers, as well as mixtures of such fibers with artificial fibers. Pillows of all price categories, produced both in Russia and abroad, were tested. The cost of the products participating in the test ranged from 150 to 4,000 rubles at the time of purchase. But which pillows are best to buy?

Prices

The cost of a synthetic fiber pillow depends on two factors: size and filling. Standard product sizes: 50x50, 50x70, 70x70.

1. Synthetic fluff. The minimum price for the smallest pillow is 150 rubles. Large size products can cost from 200 to 300 rubles.
2. Sintepon. The quality of pillows made from synthetic padding and synthetic feathers is approximately the same, so the prices are not too different. A small synthetic pad costs about 150 rubles, a medium one costs from 200 to 250 rubles, a large one costs around 300 rubles.
3. Holofiber. A product made of this material measuring 50x50 will cost from 200 to 300 rubles, size 50x70 - about 400 rubles, the largest pillow - no more than 600 rubles.
4. Artificial swan down. The prices for this synthetic filler are higher than the previous ones. A 50x50 pillow can be bought for about 500 rubles, while a size 70x70 will cost up to 900 rubles.

Synthetic pillows successfully combine low price and excellent properties. They are easy to care for, and in terms of practicality and hypoallergenicity they are superior to natural products. But it is better to purchase synthetic bedding from trusted suppliers - then there is a guarantee that their quality will be truly high.

Russian quality system standard

The Roskachestvo standard, in comparison with the current GOST, has stricter parameters for the linear dimensions of the product, the content of free formaldehyde and paint resistance to various influences. In addition, the Roskachestvo standard included additional quality indicators by which the samples presented in the fan study were assessed. Such indicators are: specific surface electrical resistance and change in linear dimensions after wet processing of the upper fabric, the absence of a noticeable odor of the product.

The required level of production localization for awarding a product with the Russian Quality Mark is at least 45% of the cost of the product.

swansdown

Swan's down tops the ranking of synthetic fillers. These pillows instantly regain their shape while being soft and lightweight. The swan is a bird from the Red Book; natural swan down is not used in the manufacture of pillows and blankets. Manufacturers have replaced natural down with highly siliconized microfiber, which has good thermal insulation. A bed with such a filling is warm in winter and not hot in summer. Swan down is considered one of the hypoallergenic. Mites and fungi do not multiply in it. Therefore, a bed made from swan down is ideal for allergy sufferers.

Neutral, acidic or alkaline?

The well-known pH value from advertising characterizes the acidity or alkalinity of an aqueous solution.
A pH level of 5.0 to 7.5 units is considered safe for human skin. If the deviation is higher, we can talk about an increased content of alkali in the solution, and if the deviation is lower, it means acid. Until recently, the pH level for bedding was not standardized in any way by current standards in Russia. For the first time, the Roskachestvo standard puts forward such requirements for pillows, since these products regularly and for a long time (on average, sleep lasts 7–8 hours) come into contact with the delicate skin of the face. In order to establish the pH level in the fabrics of the upper of the product, experts in the laboratories obtained an aqueous extract from each sample. As a result of the research, a pH deviation from the requirements of the increased Roskachestvo standard was revealed in six products. In each of the identified cases, the pH value exceeded 7.5 units, which indicated increased alkalinity of the aqueous extracts of the products under study. AFTER REPEATED STUDY

One product was found not to meet the advanced standards. We are talking about pillows from the Dargez brand, in which an elevated pH level was detected. Despite the fact that this indicator is not standardized in any way by law, it is provided for by the Roskachestvo standard.

During laboratory tests, the following were also determined in each of the samples: the toxicity index of materials, indicators of color fastness to various influences, odor intensity and the presence of free formaldehyde in fabrics. According to the results of the study, these parameters in all samples were within normal limits.

What to look for when choosing?

To choose the perfect pillow, it will not be enough to take into account the quality characteristics of its filling alone. The height and rigidity of this accessory play an important role in how you feel when you wake up the next morning.

The height of the pillow should be approximately equal to the shoulder width of the person sleeping on it (on average, 10-15 cm). If you make the wrong choice, you may experience a headache or pain in the neck due to poor blood circulation. The firmness of the pillow matters depending on the position in which you prefer to rest. Soft pillows are good for stomach sleepers. People who prefer to rest on their back will feel good on a medium-hard product.

If you are used to sleeping on your side or have problems with your spine, a firmer padding will do.

It is worth paying attention to the material from which the cover is made: it is better if it is dense natural fabric (teak, calico, jacquard), microfiber is also popular. The purpose of the cover is to securely hold the filling inside the pillow, so check the quality of the sewing: nothing should fall out or come out of it, and the stitches should be even and strong.

A new pillow should not emit any unpleasant “chemical” odors if its filling meets all quality criteria. The exception is latex and polyurethane foam with memory effect: these materials have a specific odor that soon disappears.

Before purchasing, carefully study the quality certificate, the service life of the product and the features of its care.

Smoking is harmful

“Smoking in bed is a cause of fire.” This simple rule in Russia is included in any fire safety brochure. At the same time, the fire resistance of bedding is not regulated in any way by the standards in force in the country. Roskachestvo, also for the first time in Russia, introduced such a requirement in its own standard. The study of the flammability of products was carried out within the framework of the so-called “cigarette test”. During this test, a lit cigarette was placed on a pillow and contact lasted for 7 seconds. If during this time the fabric did not ignite, the test was considered passed. Almost all pillows participating in the study successfully passed this test. Only one sample produced in China failed the fire test. The pillow caught fire quickly enough to receive the status of a “highly flammable” product, which means it did not meet the increased standard of Roskachestvo.

Important criteria

In order for rest on a pillow to be truly pleasant and useful, it is important to fill it with material that will have the following quality characteristics:

• Hypoallergenic;
• Air permeability;
• Resistance to the action of microorganisms, fungi, etc.;
• Hygroscopicity;

• Ability to regulate heat exchange;
• Lightness and quick recovery of shape after removing the load;
• Durability and ease of care;
• Resistance to foreign odors and dust;
• The production of this material must be environmentally friendly.

Sleep hygiene

The hygroscopicity index is responsible for the sleep microclimate; it determines the ability of products to absorb moisture. In the case of pillows, low scores on this parameter will lead to a person waking up with a wet or damp head, which is unpleasant, unhygienic and even unsafe for health. The hygroscopicity indicator of top fabrics for pillows, as well as for top fabrics of blankets, was tightened by Roskachestvo by one and a half times. Most of the samples presented, with the exception of one product, met these increased requirements. But based on the results of independent laboratory tests, experts called products under the trademarks Podushkino, Pierrot, Every Day,

.

ViscoNeropur soy foam

Ultra-modern pillow filling, which today is produced only in Spain.

This material has several features:

• Firstly, a pillow made of such foam will be completely breathable, it is not afraid of moisture and can be washed in a washing machine.
• Secondly, it has shape memory, but does not “push” your head out during sleep, as many orthopedic pillows do.
• Another interesting feature of the filler is that during its production, Neuroli orange blossom oil, the most expensive oil in the world, is added to it; Neuroli essential oils have a beneficial effect on sleep and the pillow has a literally hypnotic effect.

Effective area

The dimensions of the pillows and the aspect ratio are not regulated in any way by current technical regulations. That is, a manufacturer can produce pillows of any size under one condition: information about the linear dimensions of the product on the labeling of such products must be reliable. Otherwise, consumers will face problems when "packing" the pillow into a pillowcase. Moreover, these difficulties can also arise when the actual size of the product differs from the declared size by only 1–2 centimeters. Manufacturers of the following products incorrectly indicated the dimensions of their products: AlViTek, Belashoff, Comfort Line, Ecotex, Ol-Tex, Podushkino, Pierrot, Every Day, IKEA.

In some cases, the deviation on one side was 3 centimeters. Obviously, with such a discrepancy, the pillow will “walk” freely in the pillowcase or will not fit into it, which is unlikely to please consumers. All detected facts of non-compliance with the declared sizes are regarded as a violation of the rights of consumers to reliable labeling of goods.

AFTER REPEATED STUDY

Pillows of the AlViTek Belashoff and IKEA brands, the actual sizes of which, according to the results of the previous study, differed from those indicated in the labeling, now correspond to the declared sizes.

Vote

What pillow filling did you choose?

Latex

8.33 % ( 3 )

Bamboo fiber

13.89 % ( 5 )

Wool

5.56 % ( 2 )

Feather or down options

2.78 % ( 1 )

Horsehair

5.56 % ( 2 )

Vegetable fillers

8.33 % ( 3 )

Silicone

16.67 % ( 6 )

Comforel

2.78 % ( 1 )

Microgel

22.22 % ( 8 )

Holofiber

5.56 % ( 2 )

100% natural lie

Today, various natural, artificial and synthetic materials are used as pillow fillers. People sleep on products “stuffed” with latex, buckwheat husks, medicinal herbs, hay and even algae. Let us remind you that the Roskachestvo study involved pillows filled with synthetic fibers - this is the most popular category of products among Russians. It has many advantages: for example, such pillows are hypoallergenic and relatively cheap. It is worth noting that recently consumers are increasingly paying attention to products that are sold in covers - they are more convenient to wash. These covers, in turn, just like pillows, have their own filling and top fabric. According to the laws in force in Russia, the manufacturer must accurately indicate the composition of all “components” of the product. As a result, a difference from the real composition was found in products of the following brands: Comfort Line, Ecotex, Green Line, Horizon, TekStil, A'Elita, Sortex, Verossa, Samson.

Some of these manufacturers have proven to be particularly resourceful.
Green Line
brand “promised” that the filling of the cover would consist of 90% natural fibers, in reality it consisted of 100% polyester fibers.
Also made from 100% polyester fibers was the filling of the Horizon pillow, billed as “made from 100% wool.” The manufacturer Sortex
stated in the labeling of its product that the filling of the cover is made of 50% cotton. Reality - 100% polyester fiber. All indicated facts can be considered a violation of consumer rights to reliable labeling. Information about each identified case of falsification was sent to the relevant control authorities.

AFTER REPEATED STUDY

Ecotex pillows, which were previously found to have discrepancies in labeling not only in the stated sizes, but also in the raw composition of the textile materials included in the pillow, have also been corrected.

The vast majority of the items studied had so-called “fantasy names.” The products were called “Linen”, “Linen and Cotton”, “With Sheep’s Wool”, “Merino” (a breed of sheep), etc. As a rule, “prints” (photo collages and drawings) on such pillows were used with corresponding images and images of plants or animals. In fact, all samples presented in the study were filled with polyester fibers, which have nothing to do with either wool or linen. Roskoshestvo recommends that buyers carefully study the information about the composition of the product and pay less attention to bright packaging. Although sometimes even the specified composition does not guarantee that the product will actually be made from the “promised” materials.

Operating principle and product design

Everyone understands what a pillow is. During sleep, it helps support a person's neck and head in an optimal position, relaxing the muscles of the shoulder girdle and giving the body the opportunity to rest without stress. In a word, these are its main tasks. The product also provides prevention of spinal curvature. Depending on the condition and characteristics of the body, you need to choose different types of pillows with different functions.

Advice! It is recommended to change any pillow, even the best one, at least once every 3-4 years. Also, over time, any product accumulates dirt, dust, sweat, and it must either be carefully put in order or replaced with a new one.

In addition to dividing into different types of products by filling, there are two main categories of pillows. They are discussed in the table.

Table. Main types of pillows.

Linen filler

Flax, used in the manufacture of pillows and blankets, is prepared using technology that preserves the beneficial properties of the material.

• Products made from linen padding breathe, retain heat, and are not afraid of high humidity. Maintains optimal temperature in both winter and summer.
• Linen fiber pillows can protect a person from the harmful effects of static electricity, protecting the nervous system.