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Originally Posted On: https://www.turmerry.com/blogs/dreamerry/buckwheat-pillow-guide
The truth is that buckwheat pillows can help you get a better night’s sleep. But there are some things to consider before buying one.
In this article we will tell you what to look for when shopping for a buckwheat pillow and how these pillows compare with other types of bedding in terms of comfort and support. When it comes down to it, buckwheat pillows or sobakawa pillows aren’t perfect for everyone—but if you’re looking for an eco-friendly alternative to memory foam or traditional cotton fillers, then read on!
As much as 70% of Americans suffer from some sort of sleeping disorder, which makes it hard for them to fall asleep or stay asleep throughout the night. The most common problem with sleeping is neck pain, which can be caused by many things like activities involving looking down for a long period of time (you know what we are talking about, the never ending social media feed stretching to infinity), improper pillow support, poor sleep posture or old age.
Buckwheat pillows are an excellent alternative to synthetic ones because they provide better comfort, durability and overall satisfaction without causing any harm to your health in any way! They have been used in Asia for centuries and their popularity has spread all over the world very quickly due to their effectiveness!
These pillows conform perfectly to your head and neck contours providing you with maximum support thus relieving headaches, migraines, neck pain, muscle tension etc. You can even use these organic pillows as a cervical pillow or even as an orthopedic pillow by adjusting its height according to your needs. The hulls inside this pillow can be adjusted easily so that you can customize it for any purpose of use.
These organic pillows are filled with 100% pure buckwheat hulls which were used in traditional Asian countries for centuries due to their effectiveness in providing relaxation and relieving stress from the body when placed under the head during sleep. These natural filling materials do not contain any synthetic material thus making them safe for people who have allergies or skin sensitivities since there is no need to worry about allergic reactions caused by chemicals.
Sleeping trouble
If you are still reading this article, you might have been having trouble sleeping lately. The old pillow you have might be too soft or low and the new one could be too hard or high. You are so tired of tossing and turning at night, but can’t find a comfortable pillow that will help you sleep better. It’s like Goldilocks and the Three Bears all over again!
Buckwheat pillows are made with real buckwheat hulls which make them provide firm support for your head and neck while also being soft enough to cradle it. This makes for great neck support while you’re sleeping on your side or back because they keep your spine in alignment throughout the night. If you’ve ever had issues with migraines or headaches, using a buckwheat pillow might be just what you need to finally get some rest every single night!
The problem is that they’re not always comfortable for everyone. Some people find them too hard, while others complain about the noise of buckwheat hulls. For some people, due to these reasons, it takes time to get used to it.
Traditional pillows are filled with synthetic materials that clump and flatten after time. Buckwheat hulls fill conform to your head’s unique shape, providing support where you need it most.
Turmerry buckwheat pillow is made from 100% natural materials fill that don’t break down over time like traditional pillows do. No more waking up with neck pain or head ache or having to fluff your pillow every morning!
Sleep apnea is caused by the collapse of your airway during sleep due to poor sleep position which results in low oxygen levels throughout the night. This can cause many other problems like high blood pressure, heart disease and even metabolic disorders! Although it is not proven, as per many users, sleep apnea is another disorder that can be alleviated by using this type of natural pillow.
They are also cooling, which is perfect for hot sleepers or suffer from hot flashes. Buckwheat hulls provide ventilation and promotes airflow where you need it most (just like memory foam pillows), but without creating a pocket of warm air.
Most buckwheat pillows don’t last very long, because the fill wear out quickly and fall apart. In fact, many buckwheat pillows only last 2-3 years before they start to break down.
Many complain about the fabric tearing or buckwheat fill breaking. Keep in mind that buckwheat pillows are very heavy and regular pillow covers don’t hold the weight so a heavy duty pillow cover specifically designed for buckwheat is required.
How long do buckwheat and pillows last?
Organic Buckwheat hulls
Although you see many brands claiming buckwheat pillows to last 10-20 years, this claim is not entirely true. Buckwheat hull comes from a grain and is a natural material and natural materials are supposed to break down over time! Synthetics can be built to not break down! It’s like real food – they go bad even in the refrigerator, but processed foods last longer, sometimes for a century. Does that mean processed foods are better?
Buckwheat hulls naturally break down over time when used daily and even with the degraded hulls, some people may not notice the break down. Depending on the usage, it can start breaking down in 1-2 years. Most of the people will not notice this and keep using them for many years.
Depending on your comfort, at some point if it does not feel right, you will have to replace the pillow or the hulls. In case you have a heavy duty pillow cover, it will reduce the breakdown of the hulls and can be used for many years.
Buckwheat hulls do slowly break down and flatten out over time depending on use and humidity. It generally is a matter of years before you’ll notice any substantial degradation, but flattened or crushed buckwheat hull can cause a couple (small) problems.
Crushed hulls are less able to support the head and the neck, so they can flatten more quickly. However, crushed hulls also have a tendency to clump together, which makes it difficult for air to circulate through them.
If you feel like your pillow needs extra buckwheat hulls, just dump the old ones out on a garden bed and refill with newly bought hulls. Many brands including us offer zippered covers so it is easy to refill them.
Are buckwheat pillow covers made differently?
A buckwheat pillow case must be well made in order to last many years. When you talk about the longevity of a buckwheat pillow it is the quality of the pillow case that makes all the difference. You must use buckwheat hulls in a tight weave cotton pillow case. The last thing you want is for your hulls to escape through an ill-fitting pillowcase.
A well-sewn, tight weave unbleached cotton pillow case will help to ensure that your hulls last for years.
It can be quite surprising to discover how many cotton pillowcases on the market do not meet these basic standards, and you will pay a high price for them.
Are buckwheat pillows heavy? What is a good size to buy?
Buckwheat pillows are very heavy. The weight of a buckwheat pillow is 2-3 times heavier than a regular pillow. Therefore it is important to have a heavy duty cover.
A regular pillow cover might not be able to hold the organic buckwheat pillow and can tear easily. You should always check the stitching of your pillow cover before buying. The last thing you want is your pillows spilling everywhere.
Weights
A regular down or foam pillow weighs anywhere from 6 oz for a travel pillow to 2 lbs for a king size. An organic buckwheat travel pillow weighs 2-3 lbs, a mini size buckwheat sobakawa pillow weighs 3-4 lbs, a standard buckwheat pillow weighs around 6-8 lbs, a queen buck wheat pillow weighs 8-10 lbs and a king size buckwheat pillow weighs 10-12 lbs.
A zafu and zabuton buckwheat pillow set can weigh 20-25 lbs so you get the idea of how heavy they can be.
How do I clean an organic buckwheat pillow?
Buckwheat pillows are fantastic for comfort and support, but they can get quite dirty after a while. Dirty is not a good look on anyone, so take proper care of your pillow today with these easy tips!
You probably want to know how often to wash a buckwheat pillow, so let’s start there. The quick answer is that it depends on how dirty your pillow gets and how often you use it. If it’s really sweaty from being in bed all night, then 3 weeks might be enough time for pillows to have some bacteria buildup.
However, if you only use the pillow for naps every couple of days, then you might be able to get away with washing it once or twice a year.
Buckwheat hulls cannot be washed or dried in the dryer. We only recommend air drying the hulls to refresh it for accidental spills. For cleaning a buckwheat pillow, remove the hulls and wash just the pillow cover.
The gentle cycle is the best way to wash your buckwheat pillow cover. It’s always better to use cold water for cleaning purposes because hot water can damage fabrics and pillows. You can try using a mild detergent in the water, but if you want to avoid any chemicals in your buckwheat pillow, you can also use baking soda or white vinegar instead.
We recommend buying an additional cover for your buckwheat pillow so you can avoid taking out the hulls for washing.
Are buckwheat pillows adjustable?
If the pillow case has a zippered opening like ours where you can access the hulls, you can adjust the firmness and loft. However, many buckwheat pillows do not have zippers so you cannot adjust the pillow.
What are the pros and cons of buckwheat pillows?
Pros
The pros of a best buckwheat pillow is that it lasts for years, provide proper support, and you can adjust the firmness by adding or removing hulls. Buckwheat pillows are also naturally mold/mildew resistant because of its tightly woven cotton fabric cover which is great for hot sleepers.
They’re also very supportive and will help you to sleep night long. They offer proper cervical spine aligned sleep position so it’s great to use if you have shoulder pain or head and neck problems. They are the best pillow that is naturally hypoallergenic unlike traditional pillows offering proper posture sleep, spinal alignment and neck muscles relaxation. They are environmentally friendly and helps with pressure points. They are fully adjustable as you can remove hulls unlike other pillows. Once you get used to it, this can become your best pillow. They are also chiropractor recommended in many cases and by many other medical associations.
Cons
The cons of buckwheat pillows are that they can be heavy and noisy, take time to get used to, and can lose their shape over time because of the hulls shifting. The pillow feels like a very firm pillow for people used to other pillow options. These pillows aren’t suitable for people with buckwheat allergies.
Washing a buckwheat pillow can be a tedious task because you will have to remove all the hulls before washing the pillowcase as you can’t get the hulls wet. However, this problem can be solved by buying an extra pillowcase. If you are into styling your bed like a pro, keep in mind that they don’t stand upright.
Does the weight of a buckwheat pillow make it better or worse for my neck?
The weight of your buckwheat pillow depends on the size you buy. A standard buckwheat pillow weighs around 6-8 lbs, whereas larger pillows like our king and queen sizes weigh 10-12 lbs and 12-15lbs. The heavier your pillow is, the more support it will provide. However, if you have trouble with heavy pillows, then you should try adjusting to a lighter weight before purchasing one of our larger sizes.
We would recommend choosing between the mini size and standard size. The mini size is 3-4 lbs and the standard size is 6-8 pounds. So if the mini one seems too light, you can try the standard one, but if it’s too heavy for your neck, then stick with the mini one.
Where are buckwheat pillows made?
Our Buckwheat pillow hulls are grown in United States. Based on the availability we sell organic or natural buckwheat hulls. Our product page is updated on whether the hulls are organic or not. Since buckwheat does not need any harsh chemicals the natural and non organic hulls also work well for you. The pillow cover is made from 100% organic cotton cover which is heavy duty.
What is the best material for pillow cases?
The most popular pillow case material is cotton. It’s thick and provides enough support to your neck. We have 100% organic cotton cases which are about 3-5 times thicker than the regular ones making it the best buckwheat pillow available in the organic market.
Do buckwheat pillows attract bugs?
Buckwheat pillow bugs
Best buckwheat pillows do not attract any bugs. They are naturally filled with hulls which are the outer shell of the buckwheat seeds that are clean, dry and contain no nutrients for the bugs. Thus, it is not likely that insects or other bugs will get attracted to them.
You should buy buckwheat filling from reliable sources. This can only happen if the filling wasn’t properly hulled or cleaned. The hulls sourced by us are properly hulled and cleaned.
Buckwheat pillow dust mites
Dust mites commonly live in pillows stuffed with synthetic materials like polyester or cotton. These dust mites can sometimes lead to allergies and asthma, making it more important for you to get a buckwheat pillow. Clean your pillows regularly to avoid dust, dirt and other allergens.
Can I heat or cool buckwheat pillows?
Buckwheat pillow cooling
You can put a buckwheat pillow in the refrigerator or freezer to get a cooling effect if you have problems with heat, however it’s not recommended because it could damage the pillow.
Buckwheat pillow heating
For heating, there are buckwheat neck packs which means you fill the pack with our buckwheat hulls and heat them in the microwave. Then you can put them on your neck or any part of the body to get a heating effect. Our pillows are not designed to be microwaved.
Are buckwheat pillows flame retardant?
Buckwheat pillows are not flame retardant nor are they treated with any toxic flame retardants. They do not catch fire easily but it’s recommended to keep them away from open flames or high temperatures.
Do buckwheat pillows stand upright?
Our hull pillows don’t stand upright because the buckwheat hulls would move away from each other and collapse. If you are into styling your bed like a pro, keep in mind that they don’t stand upright.
Is buckwheat hulls same as millet hulls?
No. Buckwheat hulls and millet hulls are not the same. We use buckwheat hulls as filling for our pillows because they provide constant support since they don’t flatten over time like most pillows.
Is buckwheat pillow good for stomach sleepers?
Yes, buckwheat pillows are good for stomach sleepers. Stomach sleepers can doze off completely on top of them since they don’t sink in much.
Is buckwheat pillow good for side sleepers?
Yes, buckwheat pillow is good for side sleepers. You need to keep your head on the pillow slightly to one side and not all the way in the center of it.
Is buckwheat pillow good for back sleepers?
Yes, buckwheat is good for back sleepers because it provides support to your neck.
