Written by KC Ennis
Consumers are becoming much more discerning about exposure to possible allergens and chemicals in their sleeping environment. If you are waking up in the morning with a stuffy nose, it’s very possible that your bedding may be the culprit, particularly your pillow. Some of our most popular pillows, including feather pillows, are a haven for dust mites and their droppings. For a long time, people with allergies and asthma have been encouraged to avoid feather pillows because they were thought to aggravate allergies more than the synthetic alternatives, which are often referred to as "hypoallergenic" pillows. However, some studies have shown that more dust mite allergen can be found in synthetic pillows than in feather pillows. Recent research reported at the 56th Annual Meeting of the
A warm, moist environment can harbor dust mites or molds and mildews and play havoc with your sinuses and allergies. Many known irritants can contaminate our bedding, including our pillows, and some chemicals with well documented health risks will be absorbed by our bodies. Here’s what the National Geographic Green Guide has to say “…if not filled with petroleum-based polyester or polyurethane foams, which deplete non-renewable resources, "natural" pillows can be made with conventional cotton, which is responsible for billions of pounds of pesticides and synthetic nitrate fertilizers. Synthetic fillings also absorb moisture, providing an optimal breeding ground for dust mites: Ten percent of the weight of a two-year-old pillow can be composed of dead mites and their droppings. As for moisture- and stain-resistant finishes, they employ everything from perfluorooctanoic acid or PFOA to formaldehyde, both likely human carcinogens according to the EPA.”
Fortunately, a wide variety of truly natural and organic pillows are available, including pillows filled with organic wool, natural latex and alternative materials such as kapok and buckwheat. Many of these pillows are sold to those with allergy problems. However, we will all reap the benefits of cradling our heads on a pillow that is chemical free and hypo-allergenic. This is particularly true for your children, who are just developing their immune and respiratory systems. Because of its proximity, nothing influences the air we breathe while sleeping more than our pillow. In many cases we actually breathe through our pillows as we sleep, making a pure, clean pillow critical to a comfortable night’s sleep.
One of the finest materials for a pillow is natural latex, a highly durable material which will keep its shape for years. All natural latex pillows utilize a sustainable resource that is hypo-allergenic, anti-microbial and resists mold, mildew and dust mites. Available in different firmness levels, natural latex pillows are molded with a pin-cushion construction that creates a pillow that breathes and absorbs very little moisture. Shredded latex also creates a very effective pillow with a filling that can be shifted for thickness and latex distribution for that “just right” feel.
Covering a latex pillow with a layer of wool sewn inside an organic cotton cover offers you the best of both worlds, with wool not only repelling dust mites and other allergens, but also wicking away moisture for a dry and fresh sleeping experience night after night. The natural insulating properties of wool regulate body temperature and alleviate problems such as overheating, your head feeling sweaty or restlessness.
A quality pillow is every bit as important for a comfortable night’s sleep as your mattress. Remember that your pillow provides the most direct access to your sinuses and breathing passages when you are sleeping. A natural pillow should protect you from mold, allergens, bacteria, chemical off-gassing and dust mites. Make your pillow your first line of defense against any contaminants in your sleeping environment and wake up clear-headed every morning.
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