While buying the right pillow for you may seem like a simple task, there are some new terms you will discover while shopping around.
Two terms you will likely come across when comparing pillows are plush and firm.
Don’t panic. You don’t have to learn a new vocabulary just to buy the perfect pillow. The definitions are as simple as follows:
- Plush Pillow – A soft pillow that your head sinks into.
- Firm Pillow – A solid pillow that supports your head.
You will often find these words following loft of a pillow (the height).
A low loft firm, would refer to a thin supportive pillow. On the other end, a high-loft plush would refer to a soft, thick and fluffy pillow that your head would sink into.
While many pillows will state whether they are plush or firm on the packaging, it is always best to test it for yourself. One persons definition of firm is another persons plush.
At the store you can simply test the pillow with your hand. However, when shopping online, you will have to trust the manufacturer or other shoppers who have left a review.
While the shell of the pillow does contribute to whether pillow can be classified as plush or firm, it is the filling that is the deciding factor.
Plush pillow fillings
Unsurprisingly, plush pillow fillings are soft and light.
- Feather
- Cotton
- Wool
- Polyester
- Low-density Foam
Firm pillow fillings
Interestingly enough, you can make a firm pillow out of just about any material. Even plush ones.
Confused? It’s actually really simple. Think of it like packing your luggage for holiday.
Your clothes on their own are quite soft and if you don’t completely fill your luggage, you will be able to squeeze it and feel some give.
But if you pack your luggage to the point where you struggle to zip it up, it will feel firm and dense.
The same concept can be applied to pillows. While feathers may be soft, if you densely pack enough of them into a pillow case, the pillow will be firm and supportive.
Despite this, there are some types of pillow filling that will always be classified as firm. Any pillow filling that is hard cannot be made softer.
Firm pillow fillings include:
- Buckwheat hulls
- Millet
- Flaxseed
- Polyester pellets
- Dense foam
Whether you choose plush or firm will all come down to your personal situation. Many of you will be able to choose your personal preference (mine’s plush). Others may have to choose a one or the other to accommodate and injury or medical condition, as per your medical practitioners instructions.
But whichever one you choose, your pillow should be comfortable enough that you can sleep snug through the night.
What type of pillow do you prefer to sleep on? Plush or firm? Let me know in the comments below!
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