Yes! We package your Mila Pillow in eco-friendly packaging! It’s 100% is recyclable, and the box is high enough quality to be reusable and/or re-purposed (we hear cats like boxes!). There is also a personalised label with your name on it, and a special little message inside The House of Pillows signature blue envelope. Every package is made personal. Details: Only the box handles are (recyclable) plastic – we’re looking for a better solution! In the mean time, please keep them on the box for further use, or recycle them. The labels are made of biodegradable, natural and recycled paper. They use a natural, water based glue which is more eco-friendly than normal glues. As for the paper and envelopes, they are also sustainably sourced from the UK.

Certifications give us a higher level of certainty about what kind of materials & supply chains we’re supporting. We currently have the following three certifications. Here is what they mean.

Oeko-Tex 100, Class 1

Oeko-Tex certifies that the materials have been scientifically tested in independent labs, and are certified safe for humans. Certified Class 1 products, are safe enough for babies and toddlers up to 3 years of age (learn more here). The labs test for all possible levels of toxicity. They make sure the materials don’t contain anything dangerous that would cause harm to a person coming in contact with them. Oeko-Tex labs tests for over 200 toxic elements, including some that aren’t even required by state law to test.

GOTS

GOTS is the Global Organic Textile Standard. The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibres, including ecological and social criteria. They are backed up by independent certification of the entire textile supply chain. The goal of the standard is to have world-wide recognized requirements that ensure organic status of textiles, from harvesting of the raw materials, through environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing up to labelling to provide a credible assurance to the end consumer.

Fairtrade

The International FAIRTRADE Certification Mark is an independent certification mark used in over 50 countries. It appears on products as an independent guarantee that a product is produced according to Fairtrade political standards.

Natural latex is a very supportive. It conforms to your head and neck, offering support to help keep your spine aligned. It is very adjustable and elastic, meaning that you won’t need to fluff up your pillow as much. Natural latex is also dustmite, mildew, and mold resistant. If you are allergic to dustmites choosing a natural latex pillow can often relieve allergies, and will let you have much sounder sleep.

Synthetic latex pillows (& blended latex pillows) can be quite smelly. This is because there are a lot of chemicals in them, and only a very small percentage of natural rubber. In some cases people with MCS Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, have reported getting headaches because of their synthetic latex pillows, due to their chemical content. Natural latex has a light natural scent that has often been described as sweet and vanilla-ish. This pillow is OEKO-TEX certified, so you can be sure that you’re not breathing anything toxic. If you would like to order a sensitivity pack, simply contact us! To learn more about natural latex pillows, visit this page.

The rubber latex used for bedding, is all tapped from rubber trees. The latex is manufactured into a consistent product through a “Dunlop” or “Talalay” process. Before the finished latex mixture is poured into the mould, the latex can have fillers, such as polyurethane and chemicals added to the latex to cut down on cost. When these fillers are added, synthetic latex is the final product. Synthetic latex is a blend of latex and fillers which make the synthetic latex cheaper, less durable and more carcinogenic. Most “natural latex” bedding on the market contains fillers. Unfortunately, companies can call latex “Natural Latex” as long as there is a percentage of natural latex in the synthetic blend. So when shopping for truly natural latex bedding, it is best to make sure it is 90% natural latex or more, as opposed to say 50% natural latex, disguised as just Natural Latex. The cost of 100% Natural Latex is always higher, but the durability, sustainability, and health benefits are worth every penny. It is also important to know that 100% natural latex does not exist. Because 100% natural latex is just pure rubber sap, and cannot be made into anything. Natural latex needs at least a little bit of additives, because the sap alone cannot mould into any shape on its own. Our natural latex is 97% natural, according to sample tests performed in Germany. Learn more about Natural Latex Pillows here.

Organic cotton is one of the best material for bedding and sheets! Indeed, organic cotton is very breathable and transmits moisture away from your skin. This allows you to feel fresh and dry all night. Organic cotton can absorb ⅕ of its weight in moisture, and still feel completely dry. What’s more, organic cotton provides breathable insulation. It keeps you cool in the summer, and thermal insulation during the winter. And unlike synthetics, organic cotton is hypoallergenic. Indeed, it doesn’t cause skin problems, or make preexisting skin problems (such as eczema, dermatitis) worse. Our high thread count organic cotton, makes our Mila Pillow incredibly soft, super breathable and very durable.

Organic wool is a natural insulator – like down and feathers only way more ethical, healthy and hygienic! Indeed, healthy, chemical-free organic wool not only helps you stay warmer in the winter, but it also helps regulate your body temperature and moisture – every night of the year! What’s more, organic wool is also dustmite repellant, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and hypoallergenic. Organic wool is flame resistant, too – no artificial flame retardants needed! If you would like to read more about the benefits of organic wool, head over here! Read this blog post to read why we don’t do down & feather pillows.

At The House of Pillows, we’re only interested in using cozy, eco-friendly, ethical, healthy, and cruelty-free materials. And that’s why we use local organic farmers wool. We source our organic wool from small, local farms, located near our Design Studio. The sheep raised on the farms, are cared for in a very humane way, and live healthy long lives! They are raised solely for their wool and for grazing the land, and not for the meat industry, making the wool cruelty-free! We regularly visit the farms we work with, to control that their processes and standards remain high, and withhold the values we want to maintain. Learn all about the difference between organic sheep and industrially raised sheep here. Learn why we don’t make feather & down pillows here.

Our wool is 100% organic, chemical-free, very resistant against potential allergens. Organic wool creates a very dry “micro-climate”, which makes it very difficult for allergens and bacteria to develop. Organic wool also contains a natural protein called lanolin, that also helps repel parasites. What’s more, organic wool is able to absorb up to 2/3 of its weight in moisture, while still feeling completely dry! To learn more about the benefits of organic wool bedding, visit this page.

Yes! In fact, natural latex pillows are easier to maintain healthy and hygienic, than say, feather and down pillows. Indeed, natural latex pillows are antibacterial, antimicrobial, hypoallergenic and anti-dustmite. The only case where natural latex can pose problems for you, is if you get them wet. A little moisture in the air won’t hurt them of course, but definitely don’t take them for a swim in the pool! What’s more, the wool layer around the latex in this pillow, also helps keep the natural latex perfectly dry with little to no special attention!

All 100% natural pillows – when actually 100% natural – shouldn’t be washed, and in reality, really can’t be washed. But that shouldn’t scare anyone away from making the swap to an organic and natural pillow! (Read more about all the benefits of natural pillow materials here). Compared to synthetic pillows, a natural and organic pillow is still much more hygienic than a synthetic one – even without constant washes. Because synthetic materials (and even down & feathers) are very inviting to bacteria, mould and dustmite colonies, synthetic pillows need to be washed regularly. And, not only does washing synthetics prove to be bad for the environment (see this article about micro-plastics & their effect on our planet), it is also bad for your health. Synthetic materials contain chemicals, which you rub against your skin and breathe while you sleep. Read more about natural materials in bedding here!

We have material resources here, an ultimate pillow guide here, a guide to choosing the perfect duvet here, and a blog with regularly updated resources here. But don’t worry, if you need any personalised advice on how to choose the perfect bedding that’s right for you, you’re welcome to contact us! Our little team will get back to you as soon as possible with the advice you need!