How to Choose Pillows

A good pillow is not only comfortable but also supportive of your neck and back. Choosing one can be time-consuming, but if you decide ahead of time whether you need a soft, medium or firm pillow, you'll quickly eliminate two-thirds of the pillows out there. Check out these tips before you buy.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Allergy-free Bedding
• Pillow Slips
• Pillowcases
• Pillows

1. Read labels to determine what a pillow is made of. Pillow fills can be polyester, foam, goose down or a combination of feathers and down. Down is usually more expensive. It's very soft and is easy to shape or mold to your head and body. Polyester, which is less expensive, is comfortable too, depending on the quality, but it won't fluff up the way down does.

2. Check the amount of fill in the pillow (how full it is). The more fill, the firmer the pillow.

3. Select a soft pillow if you sleep on your stomach or frequently move around. This will prevent you from straining your neck.

4. Buy a medium pillow for good support if you sleep on your back.

5. Try a firm pillow for maximum support if you sleep on your side.

6. Choose a cover fabric that's soft and breathable.

7. Make sure the pillow's seams are tightly sewn to prevent fill leakage.

8. Look for labels that say "hypo-allergenic" if you have allergies to certain types of pillow fill. Most manufacturers make "allergy-free" pillows now.

9. Purchase a pillow cover with a zipper if you suffer from allergies. It goes under your pillowcase and helps protect you from dust mites.

Tips & Warnings

• Pillow costs vary by manufacturer but are generally determined by the type of fill, the thread count of the cover (a 310 thread count is the most expensive), and the quality of the stitching.

• Most allergy sufferers find they're allergic to down and may want to purchase a pillow made of polyester or foam.

• If you're allergic to down, note that some pillow manufacturers are now making pillows that separate the down into pockets or channels that keep the feathers from moving around.

• Pillows stuffed with buckwheat hulls are gaining in popularity. The hulls are said to provide good neck and back support and are supposed to stay warm in winter and cool in summer.

• Replace your pillow if it's lumpy, flat, or stained or has a bad odor.