Down pillows are a luxurious option for those interested in a soothing night of sleep, but there’s a lot to know about down pillows before you purchase

When it comes to selecting the right pillow for your unique sleep style, you’re going to want to spend some time doing a bit of research. The good news is, we’ve created a comprehensive down pillow buyer’s guide that can help take the guesswork out of the process. Down pillows are often the most expensive type of pillow you can purchase, so make sure you know what you really need before purchasing. You will also want to consider the benefits of synthetic down if allergies or budget are a concern. Let’s take a look at the main considerations to make when buying a down pillow.

 

First, Think “Shell”

Down pillows contain thousands of tiny, soft down feathers, and these diminutive elements can easily sneak out of a pillow that features a loose-weave cover. The outer shell should be constructed of at least 200 or higher thread count to ensure no stray feathers go missing.

 

Inspect the Fill Power

When shopping for a new down pillow, the fill power is an important factor to consider. Comb through the available options and look for a fill power number ranging from 300 to about 900 on the upper end of the spectrum. The fill power number indicates the amount of loft provided by a single ounce of down and so the higher the number rises, the more loft and resiliency you can expect from the same amount of filling as a pillow with a lower number.  Higher fill power numbers also cost more, so you’ll need to decide what you value more when choosing a pillow.

 

Identify Your Sleep Position

Your sleeping position plays a big role in determining what’s the right pillow for you. Stomach sleepers tend to demand a thinner, softer pillow than side or back sleepers. This is because they need to minimize the chance of neck strain during the night.  If you like to fall asleep on your back, you can get away with a much thicker down pillow - though aim for one with a medium firmness level. Side sleepers often seek a thicker or firmer pillow and so a down pillow should only be selected if it is very well filled or has a waterbase for optimum comfort and support.

 

Determine Your Budget

Down pillows come in a variety of sizes, fills, and quality levels. The one area that is important to all of us is budget, so don’t think that simply spending more is the answer to finding the right pillow for your needs. Goose down is a luxurious fill option but costs about $125-200, a serious investment indeed. If your budget doesn’t allow for goose down (and keep in mind, you’ll likely need two pillows for your bed), you should consider the Mediflow Down Plus Pillow which uses duck down in combinations with an adjustable waterbase, or the Mediflow Floating Down Alternative Pillow which uses the down-like Comforel® fiber also in combination with a unique responsive waterbase.

 

Consider Your Allergies

Before you invest in any down pillow, make sure you’re not allergic to it. If you experience an allergic reaction to dogs and cats, you may be allergic to down. If you do have allergies and still want to purchase a down pillow, the Mediflow Down Plus Pillow is specially washed and treated during manufacturing to make is hypo-allergenic and the Mediflow Floating Comfort Down Alternative Pillow is also hypoallergenic, allowing you to sleep comfortably all night long.

 

Take Pillow Maintenance Into Account

Down pillows are a luxurious option, but they can also require more care. Down pillows require maintenance to ensure a long life and you should ask yourself if you’re ready for this commitment before investing. You can wash down pillows at home, but they demand specific drying routines. If you’re already groaning at the prospect of having to devote more of your life to maintaining something in your home, you might want to consider a synthetic down pillow. Or, pay a dry cleaner to spruce up your down pillows periodically.

Down works amazingly well in high-end pillows, and the soft, fluffy, feather-like clusters have been used for decades as a luxurious and supportive fill material for discerning sleepers. If you’re ready to invest in down pillows for your home, make sure you keep this buying guide handy before you place an order!

In the U.S., nearly 18.4 million adults and 6.2 million children suffer from allergies. Mildew and Mold are two of the common causes of allergies. Mold and mildew can be found anywhere in your home including in the bedroom. They appear where there are damp, warm conditions which make bedding a common location. When mold and mildew form, they can cause allergies and breathing problems.

Thankfully, hypoallergenic bedding is available to those dealing with allergies from mold and mildew. Anti-allergen pillow covers protect your health by stopping the formation of mold and mildew so you don’t inhale the microscopic spores they emit during sleep.

Let’s look at the health effects of allergens and how covering your pillows can benefit you.

 

How Do Allergens Affect Your Health?

Dust mites feed on mold and mildew which are leading allergens that can cause allergies and other health problems, including:

• Watery, red eyes
• Runny or itchy nose
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Coughing and other breathing issues
• Skin itchiness
• Worsening of your asthma 

If your body is sensitive to these allergens, it will categorize them as disease-causing germs, producing antibodies to fight them off. This chemical reaction can create various types of discomfort. The health issues can be worse for those already with asthma or other respiratory conditions.

 

Benefits of Anti-Allergen Pillow Covers

Reduce Your Medication

While you’ll certainly want to consult with your allergy doctor before making any major changes, some people indicate they can reduce the amount of allergy medication they take once they introduce hypoallergenic pillow covers to the bedroom. This can help minimize drowsiness from allergy medication and it may save you money in the long run.

 

Protect Your Mattress

It’s a common misconception that dust mites and other contaminants simply hang out on our pillows or sheets, as they can easily make their way into our mattresses and box springs. By keeping your pillows clean regularly, you are cutting off their food supply so that dust mites won’t be as tempted to move into your mattress. This also helps protect you from the health problems caused by dust mites and allergens.

 

Keep Your Kids Healthy

Studies have shown that kids who sleep anti allergen bedding tend to sleep better at night and cough less. You can consult with your child’s pediatrician to see if lowering their prescribed dosage of allergy medicine is a possibility if you can introduce an anti-allergen pillow protector. Most kids sleep 8-11 hours a day, which makes a quality, hypoallergenic pillow cover a must.

 

The Best Solution in Anti-Allergen Pillow Covers

Anti-allergen pillow covers are a terrific option for anyone who appreciates a clean, healthy sleeping environment, not just those who suffer from allergies. If you’re looking for the ultimate sleep experience, consider a hypoallergenic water pillow. This option combines the total adjustability of a water pillow, with the low maintenance convenience and hypoallergenic performance of a top-quality fiberfill design. Simply add an anti-allergen pillow cover for a total solution to nighttime sniffling and sneezing.

Waterbase pillows are made up of more than H2O; in fact, they represent a finely-tuned system that blends several unique layers to deliver the ultimate night of sleep.

Have you considered the value and benefits of waterbase pillows? If not, there is a whole new world of comfort and wellness just waiting for you to explore.

A water pillow is comprised of three unique layers that work in harmony to create a supportive, comfortable and healthy pillow for back, side and stomach sleepers, alike. To help you understand the fundamentals of the water pillow, let’s look at what it takes to construct one, and the options available today.

 

 

Layer One: The Waterbase

The first section in the water pillow is the waterbase. This section is located on the bottom of each pillow, where the pillow meets the mattress. Though various manufacturers may configure their waterbase in a variety of ways, this component is, in essence, a big sealable bag that can be filled with a desired amount of water. The bag is designed to last for years on end, and will typically feature a rugged, screw-on fill cap that prevents unintended spills or leaks. This waterbase is fillable with a variable amount of water to create an adjustable level of comfort for any style of sleeper.

 

Layer Two: The Thermal Insulator

The next layer of a water pillow system is the thermal insulator. The thermal insulator is positioned between the waterbase and the upper layer of the pillow. It helps to minimize heat transfer between the two outermost layers. If this layer were absent, the ambient temperature of the water could cause heat loss from the head and feel cold during the night. The thermal insulator isn’t the most glamorous part of a water pillow, but it is an important one.

 

Layer Three: The Fill Material

Though the waterbase and thermal insulator do much of the work in a water pillow, the upper layer gets most of the attention. This is the part filled with one or more unique, cushioning materials. Medifow® offers several pillow fill options, just like you’d find with a traditional pillow. Three common fill materials are down, memory gel foam, and fiberfill pillows (this can be polyester or some type of proprietary fiber blend, dependent on the manufacturer). You’ll want to determine which fill type pairs best with your sleeping style, and then give it a try. Remember, softer thinner fills are best for back and stomach sleepers, while thicker and firmer fills are best for side sleepers. Of course, regardless of your fill type preference, with a waterbase pillow you can always customize your pillow to make it perfect by adjusting the water level in the waterbase to create the ideal firmness level for your sleeping style and unique physique.

 

Benefits of a Waterbase Pillow System

A water pillow is a sophisticated system that uses three unique components to create the perfect night’s sleep. But what are the benefits of these pillows?

• Adjustable firmness level without having to sample a dozen different pillows
• Everyone in your family can customize their pillow to their own maximum comfort
• Responsive support, which helps maintain proper head and neck alignment during sleep movement
• Customizable through a variety of fill materials, including memory gel foam, down, fiberfill and more
• Inherently durable and designed to deliver many years of dependable performance - water pillows represent a real value in the long term
• Clinically proven to reduce neck pain and improve quality of sleep in a John Hopkins study

When you’re ready to discover the health, wellness and comfort benefits of a water pillow, browse the wide variety of Mediflow water pillows available today. Each uses the rugged, reliable and comfortable Mediflow waterbase, a top-quality thermal insulator, and your choice of fill materials. You won’t believe the quality of sleep you’ll have every night - thanks to Mediflow.

Considering how many hours you spend sleeping each night, doesn’t it make sense to invest in an amazing comfort pillow? Discover the reasons why the Mediflow Waterbase sets itself apart from the rest.

If you spend more time tossing and turning each night than sleeping, it might be a sign to replace your pillow. There are several factors that contribute to a good night’s sleep, and your choice of pillow is certainly one of them. When you’re comparing the different pillow types, consider the water pillow benefits, specifically for the Mediflow Waterbase Pillow.

Let’s look at why the Mediflow Waterbase Pillow is the top choice for improved quality of sleep:

 

Responsive Support

The Mediflow Waterbase Pillow contains an adjustable waterbase that provides responsive support as you sleep. When you place your head onto the pillow, the waterbase responds to the weight of your neck, head, and shoulders. Instead of waking to fill and stuff your pillow every time you change sleeping positions, the waterbase adjusts as you move during your sleep. This helps maintain proper alignment of the head and neck and provides the ultimate sleeping comfort.

Since the pillow base is filled with water, you don’t have to worry about the pillow flattening out. Unlike traditional single layer pillows filled only with foam, feathers, and other common filler materials, the Mediflow Waterbase Pillow maintains its shape and form with continual use. You can expect the Mediflow Waterbase Pillow to provide dependable and responsive support every time.

 

Customization

A great feature about the Mediflow Waterbase Pillow is that it is fully customizable to your sleeping preferences. We recommend starting with 3 quarts of water and then adjusting the amount in the pillow base. Use less water for softer pillows and more water for firm pillows. Traditional pillows wear out over time, which means you have to replace them often to maintain your desired comfort level. With the Mediflow Waterbase Pillow, the only thing you need to change is the water level until it feels just right. It’s that simple.

 

Combed Fiberfill Comfort

Each Mediflow Waterbase Pillow uses a multi-layered approach to providing the ultimate comfort. It starts with a soft, hypoallergenic shell, followed by our adjustable waterbase, and then topped off with your choice of Combed Loft® fiberfill, our new Down Alternative Polyester fiber, natural Down, or Cool Gel Memory Foam. Our top selling Combed Loft fiberfill featured in our Floating Comfort® pillows is first combed into a sheet to eliminate any lumps. Then, a full seven feet of that sheet is rolled into a bun and inserted into each pillow to ensure ultimate comfort and long-lasting performance. Combined with the revolutionary Mediflow Waterbase bottom layer, the Mediflow Waterbase Pillow provides exceptional comfort and support all night long.

Not only is combed fiber comfortable to sleep on, it also promotes air circulation as you sleep. This helps keep warm air away from your head, so you don’t have to constantly flip your pillow for the cool side. Spend less time adjusting your pillow and more time getting a full night’s rest.

 

Clinically Proven Results

As mentioned earlier, one of the Mediflow Waterbase Pillow’s primary benefits is its responsive support. But, what really sets Mediflow apart from other pillows is the clinical study that supports this claim. According to the study conducted by John Hopkins University School of Medicine, the Mediflow Waterbase Pillow was clinically proven to reduce morning pain intensity, increase pain relief, and improve the quality of sleep.

Mediflow Waterbase pillows are leading international sellers on websites like Amazon, garnering exceptionally high customer reviews via thousands of verified purchases. Combined with tangible features, real benefits, and clinically proven results, it all adds up to a winning product that can reduce sleep-related pains, improve your overall quality of sleep, and even help you perform better throughout the course of your waking hours.

From firmness to fill type, overall size to thread count, we’ll outline the top considerations you’ll want to weigh the next time you shop for a new pillow.

 Nothing feels quite as satisfying as sliding into bed after a long, tiring day and plopping your head on a perfectly crafted pillow. But, what makes up the “perfect” pillow? For starters, it has to be supportive, comfortable, affordable, the right size, and designed for your own unique physiology. Choosing the right comfort pillow is more than awkwardly tilting your head on a plastic-wrapped pillow at a big-box store. Instead, realize that it takes a week or more to truly gauge whether a pillow is the right fit. Here’s what to look for when buying a quality pillow.

 

Determine Sleep Position

According to sleep experts, there are six unique sleep positions adopted by the general public. Each has an interesting name like “the Starfish,” “the Fetus,” and “the Yearner.” You’ll want to self-reflect or rely on the input of your partner to determine your sleep style. Based on your unique sleep position, select the pillow that will support your head and neck and deliver a comfortable night of sleep. Back sleepers tend to feel more comfortable with large, fluffy pillows, while lower-loft, firm pillows tend to work best for side and stomach sleepers. A water pillow is a great choice for all sleep positions, as better units can be customized to create the perfect loft and firmness for virtually anyone - and any sleep position.

Select Fill Type

There is about a dozen pillow fill options available today, but the most common ones are polyester, goose down/feathers, latex, memory foam, water, and microbeads or other loose fill. Polyester is cheap, machine washable, and generally comfortable, but doesn’t last very long. Goose down is well-suited to back sleepers, but it is challenging to clean and can be extremely expensive. Latex is firm yet soft and breathes well, but it can be expensive and may emit an off-putting odor. Memory foam used to be a top choice but isn’t quite as popular today due to its inherent lack of adjustability for those with neck or spinal problems.

Microbeads and loose fill can be quite comfortable, but washing them may be difficult and they might feel too soft for some - especially stomach sleepers. Finally, water pillows are becoming quite popular today, as they offer a unique blend of firmness with a soft, cushiony top layer, an affordable price point, and adjustable support. Start with a water pillow, and see why this fill option is great for your quality of sleep. In the end, the firmness is a big consideration to make, and the type of fill has a huge impact on this factor.

Decide on the Size

While this may not seem like the biggest consideration to make, you may find that a standard pillow is simply too small for your sleep style, or that a king pillow takes up way too much room on the bed. You’ll have to figure this one out by trial and error, but a jumbo or queen pillow size is often a good compromise. These are middle of the road in terms of size, but generally able to fit a standard pillowcase with ease.

Sizes are as follows:

• Standard: 20” x 26”
• Jumbo: 20” x 28”
• Queen: 20” x 30”
• King: 20” x 36”

 

Don’t Forget about the Extras

A pillow with a high thread count is nice, but you’ll likely put a pillowcase on the pillow. So, pay more attention to the pillowcase than the actual pillow. That said, a high thread count often translates into a smoother feel overall, even with a pillowcase on.

Another consideration to make is the basic “buy-then-try” warranty. Most pillows are non-returnable, meaning you’ll be stuck with it, whether you like it or not. A reputable company will offer a trial period lasting a month or more.

If you’re looking to get a better night’s sleep, then consider selecting a Mediflow Waterbase Pillow. Aside from being an international best seller on Amazon, these pillows provide responsive support for all sleeping positions, improving your overall quality of sleep. Choose from among fiberfill, gel-memory foam or down fill options to match your sleeping preferences. All Mediflow pillows are latex-free, hypoallergenic, and come with a 30-day money back satisfaction guarantee.