We’ve switched to organic bedding, however natural pillows might be costly. One inexpensive resolution I’ve discovered is to make our personal natural buckwheat pillows. These use natural buckwheat hulls (and optionally available herbs) for a really comfy and pure pillow.
Should you can sew a (considerably) straight line, you may make these pillows and I really discover them extra comfy than common pillows. You may even make your individual buckwheat hull neck pillows and eye masks!
Desk of Contents[Hide][Show]
Advantages of Buckwheat Pillows
I’ve already talked about they’re a extra reasonably priced different to natural mattress pillows, however buckwheat pillows have another advantages too. Not like some choices (I’m taking a look at you reminiscence foam), buckwheat is extra breathable so it doesn’t really feel so sizzling. The hulls ship extra air circulation for a greater night time’s sleep.
A buckwheat hull pillow can also be an eco-friendly different to filling choices made out of plastic. And it received’t wiggle its means via the material and poke you within the neck like down feather pillows do.
Should you make a complete pillow, it’s firmer than a daily stuffed pillow but in addition helps with neck help to keep away from neck ache. Some individuals additionally find it irresistible for back pain and to assist with spinal alignment. You may even make a lumbar pillow or a neck roll with buckwheat for agency again and neck help.
What Do Buckwheat Pillows Really feel Like?
Buckwheat pillows supply agency help whereas having loads of airflow to really feel cool. The filling can also be extra moldable than lots of artificial pillows, so it adjusts together with your head and neck. They really feel similar to a millet pillow made with millet hulls (one other wholesome pillow choice).
The Greatest Buckwheat Pillows
There are some stories that buckwheat pillows are hypoallergenic, however that might not be true in all instances. A 2004 Korean research in contrast new artificial fill pillows with in style Korean buckwheat pillows. The researchers discovered the brand new buckwheat pillows had considerably extra endotoxins on them and over time had extra mud mites. They hypothesized it was due to the shortage of high quality buckwheat fill.
The endotoxin from the buckwheat husks almost definitely comes from buckwheat flour residue provided that in buckwheat pillow manufacturing in Korea, the husks are usually not usually cleaned. Buckwheat pillow producers in Korea don’t use detergents nor wash the husks, they only take away the effective mud from the husks and pack the pillows (private communications). In the united statesA., in contrast to Korea, buckwheat husks used for filling buckwheat pillows are usually extensively cleaned.
This flour residue is the right meals for mud mites to feed on. For this reason it’s vital to decide on high-quality natural buckwheat hulls when making your individual pillows. Which brings me to my subsequent level.
Washing and Cleansing Buckwheat Pillows
One of many largest downsides to buckwheat hull fill pillows is that they’re not machine washable. I all the time hold a clear pillowcase on these pillows.
I additionally don’t suggest utilizing them with potty coaching toddlers (I communicate from expertise… buckwheat and urine = not good collectively). About as soon as a month or so, I go away the buckwheat pillows out within the solar to ensure they don’t retain any moisture. The solar additionally helps naturally kill any micro organism that accumulates.
The Bronchial asthma and Allergy Basis recommends changing pillows about each 2 years. Over time sweat, filth, mud mites, and different yucky issues construct up. I’ve discovered that these handmade buckwheat pillows final for a number of years, which is similar time a pillow must be changed anyway.
Don’t Need to Make It?
Are you satisfied about the advantages of a buckwheat pillow however don’t need to make your individual? Whereas it’s a little cheaper to make it, there are some good-quality natural buckwheat pillows accessible. Since these pillows are historically in style in Asian international locations (like Japan), it’s straightforward to search out them in smaller Japanese-size pillows.
This organic one is out there on Amazon and made within the USA.
The way to Make a Buckwheat Pillow
Step one is to determine how massive (or small) you need your pillow to be. You might make a normal dimension or a travel pillow size (these are additionally good for toddlers). Some individuals even use buckwheat hulls to fill bean baggage!
A regular-size pillow is 20×26 inches, whereas a Queen dimension is 20×30 inches. A extra conventional Japanese-style pillow is smaller at 14×20 inches. I used an natural cotton cloth, however natural cotton twill is one other good choice. When you’re carried out making the precise pillow you should utilize (or make) a cotton pillowcase to maintain your pillow clear.
How a lot pillowfill you want may also rely in your sleeping place. Again sleepers can comfortably get by with a thinner pillow, whereas aspect sleepers want extra help. I discovered {that a} 5-pound bag of buckwheat hulls was the right quantity for a pillow that was simply barely smaller than a daily one and it nonetheless match right into a standard-size pillowcase.
Including Herbs
I take advantage of lavender in these DIY rice heat packs for a calming scent. I’ve discovered herbs additionally work properly in these do-it-yourself buckwheat pillows for extra stress-free sleep. I added about 1/2 cup every of lavender, chamomile, and yarrow for a mild scent and for his or her stress-free aromatherapy properties.
A good simpler resolution is to make a neck pillow that can be utilized with a daily pillow, or a watch masks with the herbs added to assist enhance sleep (and block sleep-disrupting light).
DIY Buckwheat Rest Pillow
These stress-free do-it-yourself buckwheat pillows are comprised of natural buckwheat hulls and herbs to assist enhance sleep.
Yield
Directions
-
Reduce the material into the dimensions and form you need your pillow to be (enable 1/2 inch further for seams). My cloth was about 20×24 inches.
-
Lay the 2 items of cloth on prime of one another with the correct sides dealing with one another and pin the sides collectively. The improper aspect of the material can be on the highest and backside.
-
Sew three sides and half of the remaining aspect. Go away a gap to fill with the buckwheat hulls and herbs (if utilizing).
-
Flip the pillow cowl proper aspect out and fill it with the buckwheat and herbs (if utilizing).
-
Fold the unsewn cloth edges down into the opening and pin the sides collectively. The pinned space ought to lay flush with the already sewn space.
-
Hand sew or use your stitching machine to seal the opening.
Notes
As a substitute of stitching the opening shut, you could possibly add a zipper if desired. This tutorial exhibits how.
Have you ever ever made your individual pillows? Going to do this? Share beneath!
