6 best organic pillows for a good night’s sleep

Last updated: September 25, 2024

Ideally, we sleep 8 hours every night. That means we spend about 240 hours a month with our heads pressed against pillows.

What you sleep with is important. This includes what kind of pillows you use. Many traditional pillows are made from synthetic materials such as polyester. This can be problematic for a variety of reasons.

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First, polyester isn’t very breathable. This fabric doesn’t regulate your body temperature or absorb moisture well, so you may feel too hot or too cold.

Additionally, synthetic pillows release microplastics over time due to wear and tear. Additionally, there are few recycling options, so it may end up in a landfill.

But perhaps most important is our health. Synthetic materials such as polyester can contain carcinogens that can cause skin cancer, lung cancer, heart cancer, and respiratory problems. Polyester can also worsen existing skin problems such as rashes, itching, redness, eczema, and dermatitis.

Here are some recommended brands for those who want to switch to organic pillows made from natural materials.

What is the healthiest pillow?

The healthiest types of pillows are those that contain little or no synthetic materials. Synthetic materials such as polyester and memory foam pillows have a property called outgassing.

This is when newly manufactured products release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other harmful chemicals into the air after opening.

This happens because the product absorbs gaseous chemicals during manufacturing and releases them into your home. The odor is often felt immediately, but even after the odor has subsided, the smoke can linger for months or even years.

Ethylene glycol is a chemical found in polyester pillows that causes off-gassing. Memory foam is another name for polyurethane (PU), which can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

When you sleep on these pillows, you can inhale these chemicals. They can also be absorbed through the skin and can cause a number of problems, including skin and eye irritation, damage to the nervous system and kidneys, and respiratory irritation.

Additionally, polyester is attractive to dust mites as it has many places for them to hide. Their feces can worsen allergy symptoms.

Instead, the healthiest pillows are those made from organic, natural materials such as cotton or natural latex. Organic cotton is pesticide-free, and natural latex regulates heat and circulates air while inhibiting mold growth.

Are organic pillows worth it?

Yes, organic pillows are valuable for your health, your wallet, and the environment. That’s because organic pillows are made from high-quality ingredients that don’t deteriorate as quickly as synthetic materials.

Several brands also offer organic pillows in different styles to suit your needs. For example, the Avocado Mattress (listed below) offers four different styles of pillows, and they even have a pillow finding quiz to help you make the best choice based on your preferences and needs.

So you not only get high quality raw materials, but also great design and support to meet your needs.

Upfront’s organic pillows may be pricey, but they’re built to last and will pay for themselves over time.

What makes a pillow organic?

Whether a pillow is organic or not depends on whether it is made using certified organic materials. Organic pillows tend to be made using natural materials for both the shell and filling.

For stuffing, you can use shredded latex, cotton, wool, silk, kapok fiber, down, feathers (goose or duck feathers), or buckwheat husks. Not all of these options are vegan-friendly, so carefully check the materials used before choosing. Many brands also make organic vegan pillows.

gzw approved organic pillow

Here are some brands that sell organic pillows and have the Going Zero Waste seal of approval. Most of these brands also sell sustainable bedding options such as mattresses and sheets. Many offer vegan options.

While we have highlighted some of the key characteristics of each brand, this is not an exhaustive list. Be sure to check out their website for more information.

Which of these organic pillows would you like to try? Let me know in the comments!