Affordable high-quality pillow available for just 8 euros.
Ignoring the importance of the right pillow for a sound sleep is quite common, yet it plays a significant role in ensuring a peaceful night. Besides, it should be simple to clean and devoid of harmful substances. Öko-Test shares some insights on this.
When it comes to sleep aids, people usually focus on the mattress and possibly the blanket. However, a suitable pillow is equally crucial for a good night's rest. In fact, Öko-Test tested 20 pillows measuring 80 x 80 centimeters, priced between 8 and 109 euros, evaluating their washability and lack of harmful substances. Most of the tested pillows (17) had a filling of polyester or polyester/lyocell, making them completely washable. The remaining three pillows, filled with organic cotton or lyocell, had only the cover that was washable.
Unfortunately, not all tested products proved to be truly wash-resistant. Some go flat or develop lumps upon washing. Sadly, no pillow in the test achieved the top rating of "excellent" - at least 11 were declared "good". Even the cheapest good pillow in the test, priced at just 8 euros, can be found at Woolworth ("Belday Home Pillow Polyester Fiber Filling").
The 5 worst pillows in the test showed significant issues after cleaning. For instance, the "Lileno Home Pillow Medium Filling, 80x80, 2er Set" from HHL Trading and the "Siebenschläfer Pillow with Microfiber Filling, 80x80" from Dejo-Commerce were faulted for developing more pronounced lumps post-cleaning.
Fortunately, the harmful substance residues in the pillows were generally minimal. Only two pillows filled with polyester were criticized for containing soluble antimony. Antimony, a toxic semimetal, can be absorbed by the body through sweat or dust particles. Antimony compounds are still used as catalysts in polyester production, but no major concerns were raised during the test.
Lastly, Öko-Test recommends three more affordable and "good" pillows: the "Lidl Livarno Home Pillow Tecfill 25, 80x80" for 16.99 euros, the "Ikea Skogsolvon, 80x80", and the "Paradies Softy Top medium Bio, 80x80" (both priced at 39.99 euros each).
An additional tip from Öko-Test is to wash the pillow at 60 degrees to minimize environmental impact, despite a care label permitting washing at 95 degrees, as this temperature kills dust mites effectively as well.
After discovering that some pillows lose shape or develop lumps after washing, it's important to carefully consider the washing instructions to ensure a good night's sleep continues uninterrupted. Additionally, although a few pillows containing polyester were found to contain soluble antimony, the overall risk of harm is minimal, emphasizing the importance of choosing a pillow that meets both comfort and health standards.
