We’ve switched to natural bedding, however natural pillows might be costly. One cheaper answer I’ve discovered is to make our personal natural buckwheat pillows. These use natural buckwheat hulls (and non-obligatory herbs) for a really snug and pure pillow.
When you can sew a (considerably) straight line, you can also make these pillows and I truly discover them extra snug than common pillows. You possibly can even make your personal buckwheat hull neck pillows and eye masks!
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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. In contrast to 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 be an eco-friendly different to filling choices made out of plastic. And it gained’t wiggle its approach by the material and poke you within the neck like down feather pillows do.
When you make a complete pillow, it’s firmer than an everyday stuffed pillow but additionally helps with neck assist to keep away from neck ache. Some folks additionally adore it for again ache and to assist with spinal alignment. You possibly can even make a lumbar pillow or a neck roll with buckwheat for agency again and neck assist.
What Do Buckwheat Pillows Really feel Like?
Buckwheat pillows supply 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 along with your head and neck. They really feel similar to a millet pillow made with millet hulls (one other wholesome pillow choice).
The Finest Buckwheat Pillows
There are some experiences that buckwheat pillows are hypoallergenic, however that is probably not true in all circumstances. A 2004 Korean examine in contrast new artificial fill pillows with well-liked 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 certainly comes from buckwheat flour residue on condition that in buckwheat pillow manufacturing in Korea, the husks aren’t usually cleaned. Buckwheat pillow producers in Korea don’t use detergents nor wash the husks, they simply take away the tremendous 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 proper meals for mud mites to feed on. For this reason it’s essential to decide on high-quality natural buckwheat hulls when making your personal pillows. Which brings me to my subsequent level.
Washing and Cleansing Buckwheat Pillows
One of many greatest 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 suggest 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 depart 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, dust, 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 must be changed anyway.
Don’t Wish to Make It?
Are you satisfied about the advantages of a buckwheat pillow however don’t need to make your personal? Whereas it’s a little cheaper to make it, there are some good-quality natural buckwheat pillows obtainable. Since these pillows are historically well-liked in Asian international locations (like Japan), it’s simple to seek out them in smaller Japanese-size pillows.
This natural one is offered on Amazon and made within the USA.
The best way to Make a Buckwheat Pillow
Step one is to determine how huge (or small) you need your pillow to be. You might make a regular measurement or a journey pillow measurement (these are additionally good for toddlers). Some folks 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 cloth, however natural cotton twill is one other good choice. When you’re completed making the precise pillow you should use (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 assist. I discovered {that a} 5-pound bag of buckwheat hulls was the proper quantity for a pillow that was simply barely smaller than an everyday one and it nonetheless match right into a standard-size pillowcase.
Including Herbs
I exploit lavender in these DIY rice warmth packs for a soothing scent. I’ve discovered herbs additionally work nicely in these home made 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.
An excellent simpler answer 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 mild).
DIY Buckwheat Leisure Pillow
These stress-free home made buckwheat pillows are constituted of natural buckwheat hulls and herbs to assist enhance sleep.
Yield
Directions
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Reduce the material into the scale and form you need your pillow to be (permit 1/2 inch further for seams). My cloth was about 20×24 inches.
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Lay the 2 items of cloth on high of one another with the proper sides dealing with one another and pin the perimeters collectively. The fallacious aspect of the material will probably be on the highest and backside.
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Sew three sides and half of the remaining aspect. Depart a gap to fill with the buckwheat hulls and herbs (if utilizing).
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Flip the pillow cowl proper aspect out and fill it with the buckwheat and herbs (if utilizing).
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Fold the unsewn cloth edges down into the opening and pin the perimeters collectively. The pinned space ought to lay flush with the already sewn space.
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Hand sew or use your stitching machine to seal the opening.
Notes
As a substitute of stitching the opening shut, you may add a zipper if desired. This tutorial reveals how.
Have you ever ever made your personal pillows? Going to do that? Share beneath!
