We’ve switched to natural 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 snug and pure pillow.
If you’ll be able to sew a (considerably) straight line, you may make these pillows and I truly discover them extra snug than common pillows. You may even make your individual buckwheat hull neck pillows and eye masks!
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
Benefits of Buckwheat Pillows
I’ve already talked about they’re a extra inexpensive different to natural mattress pillows, however buckwheat pillows have another advantages too. Unlike some choices (I’m 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 be an eco-friendly different to filling choices made out of plastic. And it gained’t wiggle its manner by means of the material and poke you within the neck like down feather pillows do.
If you make a complete pillow, it’s firmer than an everyday stuffed pillow but in addition helps with neck assist to keep away from neck ache. Some individuals additionally find it irresistible for again ache and to assist with spinal alignment. You may even make a lumbar pillow or a neck roll with buckwheat for agency again and neck assist.
What Do Buckwheat Pillows Feel Like?
Buckwheat pillows provide agency assist whereas having loads of airflow to really feel cool. The filling can be extra moldable than loads 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 possibility).
The Best Buckwheat Pillows
There are some stories that buckwheat pillows are hypoallergenic, however that will not be true in all instances. A 2004 Korean examine in contrast new artificial fill pillows with widespread 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 dearth of high quality buckwheat fill.
The endotoxin from the buckwheat husks almost definitely comes from buckwheat flour residue on condition that in buckwheat pillow manufacturing in Korea, the husks should not usually cleaned. Buckwheat pillow producers in Korea don’t use detergents nor wash the husks, they only take away the positive mud from the husks and pack the pillows (private communications). In the usA., 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. This is why 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 Cleaning Buckwheat Pillows
One of the most important downsides to buckwheat hull fill pillows is that they’re not machine cleanable. I all the time maintain a clear pillowcase on these pillows.
I additionally don’t advocate utilizing them with potty coaching toddlers (I converse 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 verify they don’t retain any moisture. The solar additionally helps naturally kill any micro organism that accumulates.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation recommends changing pillows about each 2 years. Over time sweat, grime, mud mites, and different yucky issues construct up. I’ve discovered that these handmade buckwheat pillows final for a number of years, which is identical time a pillow ought to be changed anyway.
Don’t Want to Make It?
Are you satisfied about the advantages of a buckwheat pillow however don’t need to make your individual? While it’s a little cheaper to make it, there are some good-quality natural buckwheat pillows out there. Since these pillows are historically widespread in Asian nations (like Japan), it’s simple to search out them in smaller Japanese-size pillows.
This natural one is out there on Amazon and made within the USA.
How to Make a Buckwheat Pillow
The first step is to resolve how huge (or small) you need your pillow to be. You may make a normal measurement or a journey pillow measurement (these are additionally good for toddlers). Some individuals even use buckwheat hulls to fill bean baggage!
An ordinary-size pillow is 20×26 inches, whereas a Queen measurement is 20×30 inches. A extra conventional Japanese-style pillow is smaller at 14×20 inches. I used an natural cotton material, however natural cotton twill is one other good possibility. Once you’re performed making the precise pillow you should use (or make) a cotton pillowcase to maintain your pillow clear.
How a lot pillowfill you want also can rely in your sleeping place. Back sleepers can comfortably get by with a thinner pillow, whereas facet sleepers want extra assist. I discovered {that a} 5-pound bag of buckwheat hulls was the right quantity for a pillow that was simply barely smaller than an everyday one and it nonetheless match right into a standard-size pillowcase.
Adding Herbs
I take advantage of lavender in these DIY rice warmth packs for a calming scent. I’ve discovered herbs additionally work properly in these selfmade buckwheat pillows for extra enjoyable sleep. I added about 1/2 cup every of lavender, chamomile, and yarrow for a mild scent and for his or her enjoyable aromatherapy properties.
An even simpler resolution is to make a neck pillow that can be utilized with an everyday pillow, or an eye fixed masks with the herbs added to assist enhance sleep (and block sleep-disrupting gentle).
DIY Buckwheat Relaxation Pillow
These enjoyable selfmade buckwheat pillows are created from natural buckwheat hulls and herbs to assist enhance sleep.
Yield
Instructions
-
Cut the material into the dimensions and form you need your pillow to be (enable 1/2 inch further for seams). My material was about 20×24 inches.
-
Lay the 2 items of material on prime of one another with the fitting sides going through one another and pin the perimeters collectively. The incorrect facet of the material shall be on the highest and backside.
-
Sew three sides and half of the remaining facet. Leave a gap to fill with the buckwheat hulls and herbs (if utilizing).
-
Turn the pillow cowl proper facet out and fill it with the buckwheat and herbs (if utilizing).
-
Fold the unsewn material edges down into the opening and pin the perimeters 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
Instead of stitching the opening shut, you can add a zipper if desired. This tutorial exhibits how.
Have you ever made your individual pillows? Going to do this? Share under!