I hate buying pillows. I always think they cost so much and go bad on you, WAY too quickly. We bought some expensive pillows last time and it seemed that they fagged out on us, shortly after we got them. I finally had to go back to the old pillows, because they offer more support than the newer pillows. I was starting to get right-sided neck pain, right where my neck meets my shoulder. Ouch! Now, that I'm using the older pillow, the pain is gone!

So, what do we look for, in a new pillow? I hate that you can't really tell what a pillow is going to feel like until it's been on your bed for a few weeks!

By Cocoabutter on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 - 07:18 pm:

I hate buying pillows, too. I got lucky about 3 years ago and went to Meijer and found them on sale, like $4 each. We are still using them.

Although they say you are supposed to change them every year because you never know what is in them (unless you use those special pillow cases that zip up around the pillow and seal it) because no one ever washes their pillow, right?

By Trina~moderator on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 - 07:27 pm:

Definitely use allergy pillow cases! We do, especially after watching this. Ewww!

Dr. Philip Tierno talks about what's living in your pillows

By Colette on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 - 08:10 pm:

I wait for white sales and then buy down/feather pillows. You can wash them and throw them in the dryer and they come out as good as new.

By Breann on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 - 08:48 pm:

Does anyone have the memory foam pillows? We have looked at them several times, but have opted not to buy them because of the price, and we don't know anyone that has used them. Just wondering if they are good?

BTW, I don't like pillow shopping either. The pillows don't stay fluffy for too long, and that's annoying

By Kateg on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 - 09:01 pm:

I used to sell pillows for a few years. Buying them isn't easy, and selling isn't either. It really is a trial & error process. You have to have an idea of what you like - firm, soft, mushy, etc.

I have a latex / memory foam mix pillow that I love. I paid a handful for it & have had it for 4 or 5 years. My DH & I though - with that said - sleep with 4 pillows each. We are tall & large boned (6'7" & 6'4") so the distance from our head to the bed while sleeping on our side is further, so we need fluffier pillows - doesn't happen with pillows that are soft, yet firm.

Memory foam pillows are good, but they are something to get used to because they are different. A lot of people I dealt with that bought them have neck problems - the pillow would help immensely. They also make one of the memory pillows now that are memory foam inside that fluff like a pillow. I haven't tried that one (and haven't sold pillows in a few years).

My DH has a latex pillow - it is the only one to hold up for him.

Down/feather pillows are great for fluffiness, but if you like something firm, you need to get something different.

There are pillows out there that have a polyester fill inside that feels like down, but doesn't have the allergy issues that you can face with down/feather. These tend to be firmer & give you the best of both worlds.

If you sleep on your side, that's another thing to consider...a lot of factors go into it. Something to consider would be finding a specialty bedding shop near you & go in & just shop. Have a sales person talk to you about pillows. Find one you like - lay on the beds in the store (it's okay) and see how they feel. Then if $$ is an issue look for the same thing on sale or at a discount store.

I may not have answered your question and I'm sorry if I didn't. If you have something specific to ask, I may be able to help a little better.

Our store where I worked, I encouraged people to lay on the beds in the position they sleep in to test the pillow. See how it feels. It always made a world of difference.

Good luck!

By Hol on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 - 09:07 pm:

I am very fussy about my pillows. I only like foam pilllows, and they are getting hard to find. 20-30 years ago, you could get them anywhere. They are made of foam rubber with lots of little holes in them. They come with a nice washable, zip-off cover. The last time I bought them, a couple years ago, I got them in JC Penney catalog. They are nice and soft.

I don't like fiber-fill pillows (for me). I tend to be a side sleeper and they must bunch up or something, but my outer ear gets very sore. And they DO flatten out awfully quick.

They have memory foam pillows in Sam's Club that are pretty decent. I got one and paid $17.00 for it. I think they are cheaper now. I only bought one because I thought if I don't like it, I'll let DH try it. It was just okay. I went back to my JC Penney pillow.

I also sleep on a satin pillowcase. I get very warm when I sleep and it helps keep me cool. It is also supposed to be better for your complexion and it reduces hair breakage. I have long hair, and I used to wake up with it in my eyes. I get them from amazon.com.

By Hol on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 - 09:11 pm:

Fiber-fill, to me, feels like a brick after you have laid on it a few hours.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 - 09:46 pm:

Can't have down pillows. DH and I both have allergy issues. I'm a side-sleeper. DH is all over the planet. He can sleep anytime/anywhere, in any position, etc!

I think being a side-sleeper kills my pillows faster and I sure feel it in my neck, when the pillow doesn't support me anymore.

Pillow buying will be this weekend's project.

By Wandilu on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 - 09:53 pm:

I bought one at a discount specialty mattress store ,where they sell the very good name brand mattress' at a fraction of the original price.I think my pillow is a Sealy Posturpedic,like my mattress,and it is WONDERFUL ! I have had it for 3 years and it feels exactly the same as it did when I bought it.I also have to zip-up allergy cover on it also. It cost $30 and worth every penny.

By Kaye on Thursday, January 25, 2007 - 09:41 am:

On rachel ray the other day I caught a segment on pillows. It said two things, first you should replace them if you bend them in half and they don't bend back. And then she talked about dustmites. Have you ever noticed how older pillows are heavy? Their explanation was dust mite doo....ewww! It made me go buy new pillows. Penny's was having a buy one get one for a dollar sale last week.

By Kate on Thursday, January 25, 2007 - 09:55 am:

Can someone explain exactly what the 'right' pillow protector is? Should it say 'dust mite proof' or 'allergy case' or something?? We just have plain cotton ones that I know don't really protect from anything....so what should I be looking for and what should I expect to pay?

By Juli4 on Thursday, January 25, 2007 - 10:59 am:

I have bought all my pillows at TJ Maxx. I paid no more than 10.00 and they are really nice brands like Ralph Lauren and Laura Ashely with the nice covers on the outside and not the cheap ones. I like firm pillows though and so if the go down a bit it doesn't matter.

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, January 25, 2007 - 02:23 pm:

The pillows we most recently bought, and are now wanting to replace, were Laura Ashley pillows. I think I'm going to stick to cheaper pillows this time around. I almost think they last longer.