ShareThisBy ANNA WALNER and KRISTINA MATISIC
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Are you waking up with a sore neck and a grumpy disposition? It could be time for a new pillow. And when it comes to pillow shopping, it's not the time to be bashful. As with buying a mattress, you really need to test the pillow in the store. That means lying down on the display bed (we know you're dying to) to ensure that the pillow fits you. Here's what to look for:
_ When lying on your back and side, it should fully support the space between your shoulders and your head.
_ Don't buy pillows solely based on those "side-sleeper" or "stomach sleeper" type labels written on the packaging. These descriptions vary among manufacturers.
_ Down is the most expensive type of pillow fill. Down pillows should be dry-cleaned once a year. Polyester is the least expensive fill and it can be machine- washed.
_ Goose down is considered the champagne of feather fills. The higher the fill, the firmer the pillow. Most pillows range between 500 and 700.
_ The fabric cover also plays into the price. Generally, the higher the thread count the more expensive the pillow.
_ If you're buying synthetic, don't worry too much about the fabric. You'll be placing a pillowcase over it as it is. But if you're going with down, then the fabric casing is important. Look for one with a minimum of 200 to 240 thread count or the feathers may poke through.
_ Allergic to down but like the feel? Try a Primaloft fill. It's a synthetic microfiber that feels a lot like down but costs less.
_ If you're looking for a lot of support, try a water-filled pillow. Some of our testers found they were just the ticket for a good night's sleep.
(Anna Wallner and Kristina Matisic host The Shopping Bags on Fine Living TV Network. Contact them at www.fineliving.com. For more columns visit www.scrippsnews.com)
