
Why natural pillows are better than synthetic pillows
By The House of Pillows Editorial Writers
Are natural pillows better than synthetic ones? Most people’s experience and scientific studies tend to point to “yes”. But how exactly are they better?
In this article, we will learn about 6 ways that natural pillows are better than synthetic pillows!

#1 – Natural pillows are better than synthetic pillows, because they regulate your body temperature
So, has this ever happened to you? You wake up hot, sweaty and uncomfortable in the middle of the night, and struggle to get back to sleep?
If so, you’re not alone.
Because most pillows are filled with synthetic or synthetic blend materials, they have a tendency to overheat.
Why?
Because synthetic materials like polyester, do nothing to regulate your body temperature while you sleep.
What’s more, most synthetic materials are “water resistant”.
What do we mean by “water resistant” mean?
It means that, unlike organic wool and organic cotton, synthetics don’t absorb any moisture away from your body, and they don’t let air circulate through their fibres.
So, synthetic pillows don’t breathe like natural pillows. And thus, synthetic pillows will very often leave you feeling too hot, or too cold in bed.
#2 – Natural pillows are better than synthetic ones, because they’re easily adjustable in hight
Yes, this is also another reason why natural pillows are better than synthetic ones: you can actually adjust them whenever you want.
Most synthetic pillows you buy on the high-street are sewn shut. Meaning, whatever filling is inside, can’t be removed and can’t be added to.
However, at The House of Pillows, we want you to be able to personalise your pillow. Because, we know that everyone sleeps slightly differently, and we want to make it easy for you to sleep perfectly.
So, with The House of Pillows, you are able to:
- remove the natural pillow filling in order to have a lower loft pillow (ideal if you sleep on your back)
- or add extra pillow filling in order to have a higher loft pillow (ideal if you sleep on your side).
And that, at no extra cost!
Having the right pillow hight is very important. Why? Because if your pillow is too high or too low, your spine will not be properly aligned while you sleep.
Misalignment of the spine during sleep can exacerbate or cause chronic back, neck and shoulder pain!
So, here are some adjustable natural pillows you can discover today:
#3 – Natural pillows are better than synthetic ones, because they’re naturally anti-bacterial
Remember when we were saying that synthetic pillows don’t really breathe? Like… at all?
Well, this is a closely related topic.
Because dust mites like living in areas that provide them with moisture and warmth, popular places for mites to gather include pillows, mattresses, and carpets.
Dust mites are especially drawn to polyester pillows. See the scientific research on this here.
On the other hand, organic wool is especially impressive at keeping your bed bacteria-free!
Thanks to organic wool’s ability to absorb a whopping 30% of its weight in moisture without feeling damp, organic wool naturally repels moisture, letting it pass through its fibers without retaining it.
Indeed, organic wool creates this very dry “microclimate” that makes it next to impossible for allergens, dust-mites and bacteria to survive.
Also, according to a British Medical Journal research article from 1996, people who have asthma are more likely to experience allergic dust mite reactions if they use synthetic pillows.
Finally, a scientific study conducted on how much bacteria was absorbed by synthetic vs. clothes workout clothes, found that cotton grew very few smelly germs, while the microbes continued to swarm over polyester.
So, if you want to sleep healthily, try avoiding synthetic materials that attract bacteria and allergens. Instead, select a natural pillow that will promote healthy living!

#4 – Natural pillows are better than synthetic ones, because they’re naturally safe (for you & for the environment)
This might be obvious, but: synthetic materials are bad for the environment. But they’re also bad for your health. Why?
Synthetic materials like polyester carry carcinogens, that can generate problems such as skin, lung and heart cancer, among others.
What’s more, research has shown that polyester can cause respiratory issues. See research paper on this very topic here.
Also, polyester has also been shown to cause, or to make existing skin problems worse, affecting or causing rashes, itching, redness, eczema and dermatitis. So, if you already have sensitive skin, it’s clear that polyester shouldn’t be in your bed.
Finally, not only is polyester very harmful for people, but also it is dangerous for the environment. Can you believe it can take up to 200 years for polyester to completely biodegrade?
So, need another reason why natural pillows are better than synthetic ones? Natural pillows don’t contain any harsh, potentially dangerous chemicals*, and don’t leave a negative, long-lasting effect on the environment.
*Make sure they’re organic, as some companies can still treat their natural materials with pesticides and chemicals, or blend their natural materials with synthetic ones in order to reduce their costs. The House of Pillows uses only 100% organic farmers wool, which hasn’t been treated with pesticides. Our natural latex is not blended with synthetic latex, and has the highest percentage of natural rubber possible, which is 97%.
Learn more about polyester and why it shouldn’t be in your bed right here.
#5 – Natural pillows are better than synthetic ones, because they have a natural “massaging” effect and can reduce chronic back pain
Pretty cool, right?
Natural buckwheat pillows have a lovely “massaging” effect on your head, due to the triangular shape of the buckwheat hulls.
In fact, many people who sleep on natural buckwheat pillows, report having less back, neck and shoulder pain and even fewer headaches.
What’s more, some medical professionals even advise their patients with chronic headaches and back pain to buy a natural buckwheat pillow, thanks to its therapeutic effects.
#6 – Natural pillows are better than synthetic ones, because they help you sleep better
All in all, it’s almost guaranteed you will sleep better with natural pillows. Why?
- Natural pillows regulate your body’s natural temperature, so you’re never too hot or too cold in bed;
- they’re naturally anti-bacterial, anti-dust mite and hypoallergenic;
- natural pillows are also easily adjustable;
- they don’t contain any potentially dangerous chemicals;
- natural pillows can relieve chronic back, neck, shoulder pain, and even reduce headaches;
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