Types of Pillows

Sleeping

• Sleeping pillows support the head and neck while sleeping. How the pillow is stuffed affects comfort levels. Some stuffing harbor allergens and foster a restless night of sneezing and congestion. Foam is one of the most common fillers for pillows. It's hygienic, it's inexpensive and it molds to the body. It also has a tendency to crumble with age and exposure to heat. Fiberfill is clean and reasonably priced, but after a number of washings, it lumps together. Goose down is incredibly soft but also expensive. For those on a small budget, goose down is sometimes mixed with duck feathers. Sleeping pillows are rectangular and vary from standard to king size. Body pillows are meant for sleeping and are up to 5 feet long.

  Sleeping pillows are covered in cotton or a combination of polyester and cotton. The covering is to hold the stuffing in the pillow. The pillow itself is usually covered with a protective covering that zippers closed and should be washed on a regular basis. Pillow cases are used over the pillow covering.

Decorative

• Pillows are decorative when used as accessories for sofas and chairs. They bring in a pop of color without requiring a lot of change. Swapping out the toss pillows in a room changes the entire look in just a few moments.

  It's possible for a pillow to come in any three-dimensional shape including flora and fauna. Oblong pillows are sometimes called lumbar pillows because they are slipped behind the small of the back to support it. Decorative pillows also come in round shapes. Floor pillows are usually 36 inches square and are meant for lounging on the floor. Fabrics for decorative pillows come in cotton, polyester, blends and silks.

Medical

• Other pillows are used for comfort to rest a sore arm or leg or to elevate a body part. Some contour around the neck to ease strain. Knee pillows are meant to be placed between the knees when laying on your side so the knees don't press against each other. Medical pillows keep the body in one position and prevent rolling. There are doughnut-shaped pillows to sit on after surgery. Anti-reflux pillows are wedge-shaped and about 3 feet long. The high end is meant to go at the head of the bed and then the pillow tapers down. The head of the sleeper is kept significantly elevated and doesn't have a tendency to slide down because of the gradual descent of the anti-reflux pillow.

  Medical pillows may be disposable for one time use or one patient use. The stuffing maybe air, water or foam. Coverings are cotton, polyester or a blend.