What Pillows Are Made Of

Most Common Materials in Pillows

It is unimaginable what pillows are made of. Providing a complete list is not feasible. Here are the main materials:

• Down and feathers

• Polyester

• Polyether

• Latex

• Cold foam

• Memory foam

• Loose filling versus block forms

• Other materials

Down and feathers

Pillows made of down and/or feathers are easily moldable as long as the pillow is not overstuffed. They are also reasonably shape-retaining. However, when the body twists during sleep, which happens several times a night, the self-molded shape gradually disappears and no longer fits well.

Polyester

Polyester is used in various forms as pillow filling, such as balls, fibers, and fiber balls. All these forms are referred to as synthetic filling. This is less moldable than down and feathers, and also less shape-retaining.

Polyether

The core of polyether pillows is soft polyether foam. The cell structure is closed, which means the material ventilates moderately and can feel stuffy and warm. Polyether is available in both flakes and block form.

Latex

Latex is a natural product: sap from the rubber tree. Various rubber products are made from it, including pillows. The term natural rubber can be used if the material consists of at least 70% latex.

A variant with hollow holes made in the rubber is marketed under the name Perfolatex. The advantage of this is that there is more air circulation in the pillow and moisture problems are less likely to occur. A latex pillow is more resilient than polyether and also more durable. It retains its shape well, but is not moldable. The pressure is distributed less evenly than with memory foam.

Additionally, there is synthetic rubber, which is made from petroleum.

Cold foam

This material is made from polyurethane, also known as PU foam. It has an open-cell structure. Therefore, the moisture permeability is better than that of polyether. Cold foam conforms well to the shapes of the body.

Memory foam

This material is also made from polyurethane (PU foam), just like cold foam. It conforms well to the body and the pressure in the material is well distributed. Memory foam is also known as viscoelastic foam, NASA foam, or memory foam. The name memory foam indicates that the material retains its shape for a while when the pillow is unloaded. If pressed with a hand and then removed, the fingers remain visible for a moment as an imprint. Memory foam reacts to temperature, which is why it may feel hard in a cold bedroom and only becomes softer after a few minutes due to body temperature.

There are memory foam pillows with open cells and with closed cells. The latter material is not moisture-permeable by itself, which is why this material is only suitable if sufficient anti-moisture measures have been taken, such as channels or perforations. Open-celled memory foam has the disadvantage that moisture can penetrate deep into the pillow and can only be released again when the pillow is aired out well and for a long time. With closed cells, moisture remains on the surface in the channels and can be released more easily later. But like any pillow, a closed-cell pillow must also be aired out properly.

Memory foam pillows are available in both flakes and block form. Pillows with memory foam flakes are reasonably moldable and also reasonably shape-retaining.

Loose filling versus block form

Several of the materials mentioned above are used for both pillows made from a single piece and for pillows with loose filling material. In the latter case, the material is shredded or otherwise processed into small pieces. The advantage of a block form is that an ergonomic contour can be created and that it is much more shape-retaining. By turning and shifting, the shape remains more or less intact. The disadvantage is that the pillow is not easily adjustable to personal preferences. With a pillow with loose filling material, it is exactly the opposite: it is (usually) well moldable and can be shaped into a form of your choosing. But by turning and shifting, the shape usually does not remain for long.

Other materials

There are many more materials from which pillows are made. It would be too extensive to go into detail on each material. Here is just a (limited) list: wool, cherry pits, barley, rice, wheat, sunflower seeds, straw, and water.

Pillows from Mikoala

With Mikoala, we contribute to a better environment. The pillows from Mikoala are made from, among other things, memory foam. Most of the materials we use are recyclable and have the international Oekotex certification. The filling of the body pillows consists of recycled fibers and the protective cover is made from recycled plastic.