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Pillows Buying Guide

Find the right resting place for that weary head

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A good pillow (one that’s suited to your needs) can make a huge difference to the quality of your sleep. That’s why we have over 40 pillow types to help you find your dream match.

Our broad range includes specialised items like memory foam pillows for responsive comfort, orthopaedic V-shaped pillows for support when sitting, and anti-allergy pillows to actively combat dust mites. Plus, we have a great collection of brands to choose from, including our own Dunelm pillows to Fogarty, Hotel and luxurious Dorma, all available online and in-store.

Our pillow buying guide will help you identify the and filling and support you need to provide ultimate comfort for the perfect night's sleep.

How do you sleep?

If you can identify your usual sleeping position, this will help you narrow down your perfect pillow. Soft support pillows are ideal for front sleepers, medium support pillows are best for back sleepers, and firm support will feel just right if you snooze on your side.

Support recommendation

FRONT - We recommend white duck or goose down & softer polyester fillings

BACK - We recommend a feather & down mix, and medium polyester fillings

SIDE - Firm pillows for spine alignment

UPRIGHT - We recommend white goose or duck feather, and memory foam fillings

Pillow fillings

Pillow firmness is created by the type of filling. For a more comfortable night, you need the right level of support, i.e. firmness, to keep your head, neck and spine aligned and ultimately leave you refreshed and ache-free.

Are natural fibre pillows better than synthetic fibre pillows?

There are great benefits for both kinds, and it’s possible to get every firmness level in either natural or synthetic pillows. If you sleep on your side you might benefit more from the full head and shoulder support of a memory foam pillow, or a well-filled down pillow. It’s all about keeping your spine aligned in your usual sleeping position, and since side-sleeping creates a larger gap between head and mattress, a fuller pillow has the added depth to support your body in that position.

A front-sleeper’s body creates a smaller gap between the head and the mattress, so will likely be more comfortable with a shallower pillow like down or extra soft synthetic filling. Back-sleepers are usually most comfortable with something fuller to provide more support between the shoulders and head, so the medium firmness of either mixed feather and down or a medium synthetic pillow should work.

Natural fillings

Down - A cosy, light choice made from the softest, fluffiest feathers. Usually light support.

Feathers - Heavier than down but less expensive, the feathers are larger and more substantial. Usually firm support.

Feathers & down - A mixture of delicate down and larger feathers. Usually medium support.

Wool - A natural temperature regulator, our wool pillows provide medium support.

Synthetic fillings

Polyester Fibre - Available in all firmness levels, polyester is warm, comfortable, easy to care for and durable.

Hollowfibre - Hollow fibres are more lightweight, great for retaining warmth and will remain fuller for longer. Available in all firmness levels.

Mircrofibre & Down Touch - These extra-fine fibres are designed to mimic the natural down feel and hold on to warmth. A great alternative if you’re allergic to feathers but want down-like luxury.

Spiral Polyester Filling - The fibres are crimped during the spinning process, which gives them more texture, bounce and durability. Ideal for medium and firm support.

Memory foam - Known for their pressure relief and orthopaedic qualities, memory foam pillows gently cradle your head for full support. They’re also great for temperature regulation, and if you get too hot there are cooling options that can help.

Cover Fabric Breakdown

The fillings create the support, and the covers keep it in place, but what else can they do for you? As with the insides, there are different options for the outers too in both natural and synthetic textiles. The thread count can also make a difference to the feel of your pillow, giving it a smoother, higher quality feel while also helping to keep the fibre fillings from escaping. The term thread count refers to the amount of threads which run horizontally ('weft' threads) and those that run vertically ('warp' threads), within a 1-inch square of the fabric. If a fabric has a 200 thread count, it means there are 200 threads per square inch of the fabric.

Thread Count - Our cover fabric thread count makes a difference to the smoothness, quality and feel. We often use high thread counts so that fillings do not migrate through the cover.

Cotton - A natural, durable and easy to care for fabric that’s breathable and cool feeling.

Polyester Micro Fibre - Made from 100% Polyester, microfibre is durable, soft and easy to care for, with fast drying properties.

Poly-cotton mixes - Made from a blend of durable polyester and soft cotton for a balance of comfort and easy cleaning and drying.

Tencel ™ - Sustainable cellulose fibre, derived from wood pulp that is soft and has moisture management, that will help to regulate your body temperature.

Bamboo - Using fibres from the fast-growing Bamboo plant, this fibre is soft, breathable, and naturally anti-bacterial which can help minimise skin irritation and allergies.

Temperature Regulating Fabrics - Perfect for year-round use, these fibres can absorb and store or release heat as needed to keep you at a steady temperature.

Other Product Benefits

Our anti-allergy duvets have been finished using an Aegis Microbe Shield treatment, which provides dust mite and allergen protection, and will still be effective for up to 10 machine washes. For more into, check out Anti-Allergy guide.

Scented - Designed to help you relax, our range of scented pillows feature comforting scents such as lavender, eucalyptus and fresh linen to help you drift off to sleep.

Teflon™ - Dunelm’s Teflon-treated pillows provides a water-resistant layer to help protect the fabric and filling from spills and stains.

Pillow sizes & shapes

Pillows come in standard and specialised sizes. For most beds standard sizes will look and feel about right, but if you have a king sized bed you might want king sized pillows to match as they’re longer than usual to give broader coverage.

One pillow at the perfect height is ideal for most people as it’s more likely to stay in place and provide consistent support, whereas two pillows can slip beneath the weight and movement of your head.

We have bed linen to fit all the sizes of bedding we sell including more unusual shaped items, like our v-shaped pillows and bolster cushions.

Standard - 48cm x 74cm (19" x 29") - The most common pillow size, fits inside any standard pillowcase

Kingsize - 91cm x 48cm (36" x 19") - Longer for the added width of king size beds. Requires size specific pillowcases.

Body or Bolster - 137cm x 48cm (54" x 19") 152cm x 48cm (60" x 19") and 90cm x 48cm (36" x 19")- Body length support, great for back pain sufferers & pregnant women. Requires size specific pillowcases.

V-shaped - 54cm x 77cm (21" x 30") and 33cm x 84cm (13" x 33") - Orthopaedic support for sitting up in bed or sleeping upright in a chair. Requires size specific pillowcases.

Continental Square - 65cm x 65cm (26" x 26") - Perfect for all sleep styles or to be used as a large decorative cushion. Requires size specific pillowcases.

Memory Foam - Memory foam pillows don’t follow the standard pillow sizes, so they need their own special pillowcases.

Children's pillows

Pillows are not recommended for children under 12 months old.

Once they're ready to move into their toddler bed, at around 18 - 24 months, they will be able to use a pillow as long as it's a small, firm toddler pillow. The big fluffy ones adults use are not suitable for little ones.

For children over 12 months, it’s best to use pillowcases made from breathable fabrics, and avoid any plastic or rubber coatings as this can cause discomfort.

Caring for your pillows

You can also take care of your pillows with these tips:

Always follow the care instructions found on a label sewn into a seam or on the original packaging.

We recommend washing mattress protection regularly to keep it in pristine condition and hygienically clean.

Keep light and dark coloured washes separate to avoid dulling. To help keep your whites brilliant white use a 'white' washing powder with optical brightening agents.

Dry and air your pillows thoroughly before returning it to your bed

Please note, natural fibre bedding cannot be dry cleaned as chemicals will damage the fillings.

Tumble drying on a low setting will help regain the fibre

The temperature on the care label is a reference to the highest temperature your linens can withstand, so consider washing at a lower temperature which is kinder on your product and the planet. Running a prewash may be necessary for heavily soiled linens and most modern detergents provide excellent results at low temperatures.

It is recommended to replace pillows every 2 years due to bacteria that may build up within the pillow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why has my pillow become flat in use?

After long term use, fibres within your pillow may become flat. Plumping and laundering will help regain the fibres to ensure fibres remain lofty with every use.

What is OEKO-TEX Made in Green?

OEKO-TEX Made In green is a traceable product label for textiles that verifies that a product has been tested for harmful substances. It also guarantees that the product has been manufactured using sustainable processes under socially responsible working conditions.

What is OKEO-TEX Standard 100?

OEKO-TEX Standard 100 verifies that a product has been tested for harmful substances. If a product carries the STANDARD 100 label you can be certain that every component (thread, button, zip etc) has been tested for harmful substances and is therefore harmless in ecological terms

Returns

For health and hygiene reasons we are unable to offer refunds or exchanges on pillows unless they are returned sealed and unopened in their original packaging. This does not affect your statutory rights. For further details of Dunelms return policy can be found here: /info/help/returns-and-cancellations