​Choosing the Best Pillow for You

Did you know that pillows only have an average lifespan of about 18 months? Reason being: pillows receive a lot of use (7-8 hours per night adds up quickly!) and can collect all kinds of dirt, sweat, and bacteria during that time. If you pillow is nearing the end of its life we're here to help! It can be incredibly challenging to gauge if a pillow is right for you whether you’re purchasing online or in-store. Sleeping position, fill type, and personal preference all need to be taken into account when choosing a pillow. We’ll offer some guidelines to demystify the pillow purchasing process!

Pillow Fill 

Although they’re initially a bigger investment, purchasing a pillow that is made from the highest quality materials means that you can expect to keep that pillow for longer and have an overall better sleep experience. Example:  Down pillows last 2-3 times longer than their polyester counterparts. Add on a pillow protector and you can extend the life of that pillow even longer! 

If you prefer a down pillow, you’re in the right place! At DOWNLITE, we go to great lengths to ensure that our down products are of the highest quality, so you can rest assured that a pillow with our name on it will be worth every penny. 

If you think you’re allergic to down, you might just be allergic to low-quality down pillows. Lower quality pillows contain down that is not cleaned or sterilized as well as higher-quality down pillows. We goes to great lengths to ensure that the down used in our pillows is clean and free of any chemicals that may trigger an allergic reaction. 

Sleep Position

If you know you’re a side sleeper, you might enjoy a firmer down pillow that is filled with 600 fill power or more. Fill power (or FP) in down pillows is generally a rating for how firm a pillow is. Where budget allows, we suggest goose blend down (600-800 FP) vs. duck down (525-600 FP). Consider the Downlite Firm Density 600 FP White Goose Down Hotel Pillow. This firm pillow has everything you need to sleep soundly as a side sleeper by offering greater support so your neck stays in alignment while sleeping on your side.

Back sleepers tend to have similar needs as stomach sleepers. The pillow should be soft, but still offer some support in order to keep the back and neck in alignment. We recommend the PrimaLoft® Down Alternative Hotel Pillow. PrimaLoft® is a specially engineered luxury down alternative fiber that mimics the properties of down bedding, offering you a great night's sleep. This pillow is used exclusively for some of the best properties in the world. It features a very durable cambric cotton fabric and can be machine washed and dried over and over for many years.

If you’re a stomach sleeper, you most likely need a pillow that is a bit thinner so you can keep your head and neck in alignment while you sleep. Some stomach sleepers even prefer to have an additional extra soft pillow under their hips in order to keep their back in alignment. Our Downlite Low Profile 525 FP White Down Pillow is a fantastic option. This pillow is specifically designed to create a comfortable flat surface for sleepers who suffer from neck and back issues. With minimal fill, this extra soft down pillow has none of the loft associated with most down pillows. The RestAssured™ Hypoallergenic Down fill is machine washable, helping cut back on allergens from all angles.

Add a Protector

Most of the pillows available for purchase at Downlite are easy care. Wash and dry at home to reduce allergens without affecting the life of your pillow. However, we still recommend adding a pillow protector to extend the life of your investment! Pillow protectors will help minimize the amount of dirt, allergens, and bacteria that can build up over the years. Plus, a protector is easier than a pillow to wash and dry!

Concerned with thread count of a pillow protector? Keep in mind the main function of the pillow protector is to act as a secondary layer for keeping germs and dirt out of your pillow. A pillow protector with a thread count 230 and above will serve. This thread count ensures that the filling of your pillow won’t escape. 

If you have additional questions about what kind of pillow might be best for you, don’t hesitate to  reach out to our friendly customer service team.