In a 1965 episode entitled "The Case of the Pillow", Dick Van Dyke Show characters, Rob and Laura Petrie, sue a man for selling them a set of fraudulent bed pillows. The sleazy salesman had convinced wide-eyed housewife Laura that she was buying a product filled with fine Eiderdown. Turns out, the things were actually stuffed with chicken feathers. Silliness perhaps, but when the Petries' eagerly plopped their weary heads into what they thought would be the pinnacle of 1960's luxury, they were repulsed by an awful smell. In turn, Rob was allergic to chicken feathers. Unlike Laura, Mr. Petrie was a side sleeper as Mr. Van Dyke's hilarious gesticulations make clear. After having lost a night's sleep, Rob is angry as only the lack of slumber can make a man.
For those of you born unfamiliar, Eiderdown is the soft, fluffy feathers that come from the Eider duck. The female Eider duck plucks these feathers from her own breast in order to line a nest. Once the ducklings leave the nest, the feathers are harvested and used as filling for quilts, coats and pillows. Duck down resides under the harder, surface feathers of the bird and makes for a lofty pillow because down is capable of holding air pockets. Eiderdown is practically unheard of these days because of the prevalence of factory farming. The down used in most pillows is collected in less than kind ways. Either the animal is killed and plucked or the plucking is done while the creature is alive.
Therein lies the problem for the green-minded. The pillows normally available at the mall are filled with materials that either involve cruelty, a lack of sustainability or could cause allergic reaction. Foam rubber is made from polyurethane. Exposure to latex can cause contact dermatitis. Polyester fiber is not biodegradable. Down stuffing means that a duck or chicken was either slaughtered or painfully plucked. Furthermore, a pillow is more than decoration. Pillows give us comfort. They cradle our weary heads through the night. They support our backs, our legs and our necks. Most folks cannot rest if their pillow is uncomfortable. Even a Green Home needs a good pillow.
Green pillow searchers, you are in luck, lots of luck. There are numerous pillow fillings that are cruelty free, made from sustainable materials and will not cause allergic reactions. Even better, these fillings are comfortable and in some cases, far superior when it comes to supporting our bodies. When shopping for pillows that are as good for the Earth as they are for you, look for these materials:
Buckwheat is a plant that will grow in acidic soil. The fruit of the plant is encased in a shell, much like a sunflower seed. Those shells are called Hulls. Buckwheat hulls hold up under pressure and won't get hot like synthetic stuffing can.
A Kapok is a tree that grows in Central America, South America, Mexico and the Caribbean. The seed pods of the tree contain a fiber similar in consistency to cotton and with the loftiness of down. Both hypoallergenic and resistant to mold.
Flax seed is also known as Linseed. The fibers of the Flax plant are used to make fine linen, lace and Damask. Flax seed absorbs heat and retains it for a long time, making it excellent for soothing aching backs, relieving headaches and the small seeds conform to your shape.
Organic cotton is a mix of good and not so good. While pesticide-free farming is great for consumers and the land, cotton farming requires an enormous amount of water. As with all natural fibers, one must also be wary of chemicals used in processing and manufacture.
Wool is mildew and mold resistant. It resists both cold and heat plus it absorbs moisture – a nice benefit for menopausal women suffering from hot flashes. Wool is flame-resistant and whereas a very few people are allergic to the lanolin oil, most of the time, that itching is due to its rough texture. Despite that, not all wool is cruelty free. Some sheep live their whole lives, treated horribly.
Where can you purchase pillows that comply with your green standards? Here are few places:
Pillow Company
Neck pillows. Head pillows. Bolsters and more. You can even purchase refill buckwheat hulls.
Harvest Pillows
FOKaL Recommended! Crack-milled Buckwheat hulls. Pillows designed with care by Elizabeth Delange.
Plumeria Bay
Featuring authentic Eiderdown pillows.
Bioproducts
All sizes from baby to King. Order unscented or with lovely aromas such as Lavender and Rose.
White Lotus
Kapok-stuffed pillows for sleep, travel and decoration.
Eco Bedroom
No chemicals, no bleach and cruelty free filling called Pure Grow Wool.
Rawganique
100% organic filling and available in three different lofts.
You are a normal human being with a busy life, who is just trying to get some rest without harming the world around you. Take a moment to purchase the right pillow, not just for mother Earth but for your own peace of mind. You deserve to rest your head on a pillow that doesn't rack you with guilt. You don't want to wake up grumpy and angry like Rob and Laura Petrie. You want to sleep sound and face a better tomorrow.