The Best Eco Friendly Pillows for Greener, Healthier Sleep

Most people spend their nights resting their heads on a combination of cotton, polyester fill, and petrochemical based memory foam or down feathers. Although you may think you’re being natural if you use cotton or down feather pillow, there are much better eco-friendly pillow options that are natural and actually good for you and the planet. Ordinary cotton is one of the worst offenders, using a multitude of pesticide, herbicides and water in excess in order to grow. Most people think that polyester is a safe fabric, even though it’s not natural. This is not true. Polyester is a petroleum-based, non-renewable resource, It’s production is very energy intensive, using 63% more energy than the production of cotton. The main toxic chemical in polyester is ethylene glycol, this gets absorbed by our bodies through inhalation and our skin. It can damage your kidneys and central nervous system – most definitely not the best thing for a rejuvenating sleep! Down feather pillows maybe natural but are one of the worst fillings to harbour dust mites in abundance, the fillings stay warm and moist so are equivalent to dust mite heaven! Most down and feather pillows can’t be opened for the fillings to be cleaned. The other latest invention is polyurethane foam based memory foam pillows, these release VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds ) into the air whilst you sleep. The main bi-products of polyurethane foam production are benzene and formaldehyde, hardly healthy for workers or the planet. To begin with the most eco-friendly pillows are organic pillows, because all the fibres and fillings are either wild grown, or grown without using pesticides or herbicides and nasty chemicals. With an organic pillow you can be assured that the top cover on which you rest your head, is made of organic cotton, not regular eco unfriendly cotton! 1. Kapok Pillows – Kapok Pillows are very popular and is great eco-friendly alternative to poly fill pillows. Kapok is wild grown and comes from the seed pods of the kapok tree, it is an entirely renewable vegetable based fibre and as the tree is pest free, pesticides are not needed in the growth of this wonder fabric. It’s soft and lofty producing really comfy pillows which are hypoallergenic, water and mould resistant and quick drying. 2. Grain Pillows – Grain pillows such as Spelt, Millet and Buckwheat have been used for centuries to create pillows that have healthy and beneficial effects for mind body and soul due to the high level of Silica in the grain. The grains move freely allowing perfect cushioning of the head and neck. They are hypoallergenic and easy to clean. The only thing that might take some getting used to is the crunchy feel and the rustling sound when you move. 3. Natural Latex Pillows – Natural Latex comes from the milk of the rubber tree and if bought from a reputable source has no additives or chemicals added to it. Totally renewable, the tree starts to regenerate in an hour! Latex is the best fillings as it is bouncy, comfy and comes as little flakes in pillows which move around freely. They have antibacterial, antimicrobial properties and are dust mite resistant and biodegrade naturally 4. Organic Cotton Pillows – Organic cotton is much healthier for you and the planet than non- organic, , organic farming techniques are used and the cotton tends to be grown in high rainfall areas making it less water inefficient, but it’s not for everyone as a pillow stuffing because it flattens over time. Great for people who like flat pillows though! 5. Organic Wool Pillows – Wool is a fabulous filling for all bedding, and pillows are no exception. Wool has great insulating properties that keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. As a filling it is dust mite, mould and mildew repellent, It is naturally wicks away moisture and is also naturally fire repellent. Totally renewable, the sheep are raised organically and re grow their coat year after year. Once removed the coat is not treated with any toxic chemicals after. The added bonus with BuyOrganics organic pillows is that they are zipped allowing the filling to be removed for cleaning and the cover to be machine washed separately. You can even adjust the amount of filling to suit your needs!! None of our pillows have fire retardant chemicals on them or in the fillings and rely on wool as a natural fire retardant.