Why Do We Need Pillows?

It's hard to imagine a bed without a plush  pillow  or two. But do we really need these fluffy furnishings? At Secret Linen Store, we want you to have the best sleep possible, so we've taken it upon ourselves to gather our best bed experts and solve this mystery for you. 

In this guide, we'll explore the benefits of a good pillow, how many pillows you need, which pillow is best for which type of sleeper, and plenty more.

Pillows are an absolute must for keeping your spine aligned and supported. Sleeping on your back or side without a pillow can overextend your spine, meaning you’ll wake up in the morning with all manner of aches and pains that we’re sure you’d rather avoid.

Of course, the better your pillow, the better your sleep. Not all pillows are the same, either. Different pillows work better for different types of sleepers. 

A well-maintained pillow also promotes better sleep. Although your pillow might grow flat over time, it can be kept in good condition with cleaning and care before it’s time for a new one. 

A lumpy pillow can be so uncomfortable! The annoying lumps are usually caused by dampness, causing down or feathers to clump together.

The best way to avoid this is to ensure your pillows are completely dry before popping them back on your bed. For down pillows, this can be done by air-drying for a day, while synthetic pillows should be tumble-dried on low heat and shaken intermittently. 

You can keep a pillow plump and comfy with a helping hand from some tennis balls in your dryer or with some classic hand-plumping by compressing and decompressing the pillow. 

It’s also important to wash your pillow, which you can learn to do like a pro in our bedding care guide.

Choosing a perfect pillow depends on your sleeping style. 

A back sleeper needs a completely different type of pillow to a side sleeper to keep that spine in harmony. See our top ten pillows for a good night’s sleep to learn more about all the different fab pillows available.

For a side sleeper, a firm and thick pillow under the head is the best choice. Then, for extra spinal alignment and hip and shoulder relief, add another pillow between the knees. Not to mention, this knee pillow also boosts your circulation. 

Trust us, your body will thank you!

If you sleep on your back, a pillow with a medium comfort grade is your match made in heaven.  Hollowfibre  and wool are good pillows as they aren’t too bouncy. Then, for that extra spinal TLC, slip another pillow underneath the knees.

A thinner, softer pillow works wonders for a stomach sleeper. Feather or down are perfect soft options to prevent you from lifting your head too much, helping you to avoid a backward spine arch.

Then, slip a second pillow under your pelvis to relieve the pressure on your spine even more … Ah, so comfy. 

Piling up pillows can create the cosiest look, but you only need one pillow under your head for your back to be in bliss. As mentioned above, that second pillow is far more handy between or below the knees or under your pelvis, depending on how you sleep. 

So, it’s fair to say that pillows are important for you, your sleep and your body. So what are you waiting for? 

Explore our pillow collection and find your dream pillow today! Need a little more advice? Just give us a ring, and we’ll chat about pillows, bedding, and more until you have everything you need to know.