# Pillow talk - What's on YOUR bed? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 20, 2015, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk-whats-on-your-bed/710379 "2015-01-20T14:12:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk-whats-on-your-bed/710379/1 "2015-01-20T14:12:23Z")
I’ve never been terribly picky about my pillow, unlike my wife who cycles through them quicker than a Hollywood romance. I do require 2, though, pretty much regarless of the type. I was using a regular pillow under a cheap contoured memory foam model. I was happy, or so I thought. This Christmas my MIL gave my wife and I each a My Pillow brand pillow. My initial thought was “What a strange gift”. I had heard of them, but would never consider spending that kind of money for a pillow. Always up for an adventure, I ditched the memory foam pillow that night and replaced it with the My Pillow. Dayum, that is one comfortable pillow! Even my wife, who hates every pillow, loves this one. I think we’re set for as while. What supports your head in the bed? ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk-whats-on-your-bed/710379/2 "2015-01-20T14:37:04Z")
I always want one cheap, firm pillow to provide a bottom foundation and one squishy down-alternative pillow for my head to rest on. Ideally one should be newish and one should be older, so the two together are neither too tall nor too short. The cases, and the sheets, should be 100% cotton, no wrinkle treatments. ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk-whats-on-your-bed/710379/3 "2015-01-20T14:55:20Z")
Side sleeper pillow. I pinched a nerve in my arm once, had no idea why my arm was tingling and numb. Got the Dx, bought the outrageously expen$ive pillow, never happened again. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk-whats-on-your-bed/710379/4 "2015-01-20T15:19:55Z")
Two polyester pillows on each side. Pepper Mill (and MilliCal) are allergic to down feathers, although I’m fine with them. She also sleeps wrapped around a big bolster pillow, although that’s not on the bed during the day. During the day in the winter, we have a cat who has discovered that she can get into the “tent” made by Pepper Mill’s oversized pillows and the bed cover and keep comfortably warm without the cover pressed her down. And without our male cat, Hermes. bothering her. ---
**Author:** ![Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8c91f0/32.png) [@Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bam_Boo_Gut)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk-whats-on-your-bed/710379/5 "2015-01-20T15:21:05Z")
Well, I was hoping you’d ask. My mother sent me three cushion covers for Christmas - one with her and my sister on it, another with my brother and a third with my daughter, so I’m drolling on one, stuffing another under my armpit and one between my knees 😃 ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk-whats-on-your-bed/710379/6 "2015-01-20T20:33:40Z")
I’ve been using a TempurPedic memory-foam shaped pillow for about 10 years now, and am very happy with it. Although it frustrates me a little that it’s so small compared to a regular-sized pillowcase. I’ve never heard of the My Pillow until now. ---
**Author:** ![Q.N.Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/3da27b/32.png) [@Q.N.Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.N.Jones)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk-whats-on-your-bed/710379/7 "2015-01-20T21:09:48Z")
For a few years, I used a [Z by Malouf high-loft firm](http://www.amazon.com/Malouf-Natural-Talalay-Latex-Pillow/dp/B00382XCL6) pillow. This really improved my sleep, as I mostly sleep on my side, which tends to give me neck and shoulder problems. My husband tried it out and liked it so much he bought his own. Recently though, I started to have neck pain that kept me awake at night. It seemed to be caused by the Malouf pillow being too lofty, and so I bought an [Arc4Life cervical traction pillow](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002RO3JU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1), which cured the problem. It is not the most comfortable of pillows, but it gives ideal support for both side and back sleeping, and I wake up without pain. I have to travel with my own pillow now. I can’t sleep well without it. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk-whats-on-your-bed/710379/8 "2015-01-20T21:42:24Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > I’ve never been terribly picky about my pillow, unlike my wife who cycles through them quicker than a Hollywood romance. I do require 2, though, pretty much regarless of the type. I was using a regular pillow under a cheap contoured memory foam model. I was happy, or so I thought. > > This Christmas my MIL gave my wife and I each a My Pillow brand pillow. My initial thought was “What a strange gift”. I had heard of them, but would never consider spending that kind of money for a pillow. Always up for an adventure, I ditched the memory foam pillow that night and replaced it with the My Pillow. Dayum, that is one comfortable pillow! Even my wife, who hates every pillow, loves this one. I think we’re set for as while. > > What supports your head in the bed? I took a look at the reviews for My Pillow on Amazon, and they get creamed by a lot of people. Too bad, as I’m looking for an alternative to down. By the way, those aren’t expensive. There are goose down pillows by Scandia that cost over $1,000. :eek: We bought Scandia pillows many years ago when we made large paychecks, but they were on the low end of the Scandia spectrum. I mentioned this another time in another thread a few years ago and some cowardly dipshit on this board immediately ran over to the other board and told everyone what a moron I am. Anyway, they’re comfortable, but I’m a side sleeper, so need something firmer. I’m not about to pay that sort of money again, but it’s difficult to find pillows with good reviews. ---
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk-whats-on-your-bed/710379/9 "2015-01-20T21:56:22Z")
Those buckwheat hull pillows became popular about 20 years ago because of an infomercial or something. I thought they were about the dumbest idea ever. Why not just sleep on a 10 lbs bag of flour? But they are actually good. Now regular pillows feel like my head squishes them into nothing. With memory foam I feel like I’m always waiting for it to conform before it will be comfortable and by then I’ll want to change position and start the process all over. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk-whats-on-your-bed/710379/10 "2015-01-20T22:18:12Z")
4 pillows, 2 per side, 2 body pillows. i get them at target, marshals, or ross. i swap them out twice a year, (on the equinox) dust mite allergy. i also get high count cotton sheets at marshals or ross, and nifty comforters. right now i have a kate spade comforter that is an explosion of spring flowers on one side, and green on the other. there can be up to 3 cats on the bed as well, each in their own corner. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk-whats-on-your-bed/710379/11 "2015-01-20T22:19:13Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I took a look at the reviews for My Pillow on Amazon, and they get creamed by a lot of people. > > Anyway, they’re comfortable, but I’m a side sleeper, so need something firmer. I’m not about to pay that sort of money again, but it’s difficult to find pillows with good reviews. Yeah, I saw the Amazon reviews as well. I can only guess it’s because pillows are such a personal preference item (which is what prompted me to start this thread!). > [@](#): > > I mentioned this another time in another thread a few years ago and some cowardly dipshit on this board immediately ran over to the other board and told everyone what a moron I am. I solomnly swear to keep my opinion of your moronity confined to this board alone! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Bouncer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9d8465/32.png) [@Bouncer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bouncer)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk-whats-on-your-bed/710379/12 "2015-01-20T22:32:43Z")
Well since you asked, I’ve ended up with a duplex night pillow from the pillow company: > **[Duplex buckwheat hull night pillow, 100% organic](https://www.pillowcompany.com/night-pillows/duplex-night-pillow/)** > > Our organic Duplex Pillow has two parallel chambers: One side holds the velvety millet hull filling; the other side holds the airy buckwheat hull filling. Queen size. Millet on one side for a firmer, warmer, quieter hold, and buckwheat hulls on the other for a looser, cooler (but slightly noisier as the hulls shift about) experience. It is, as the kids say, “the bombz0rz”. It’s obviously significantly heavier than a regular pillow. In terms of fanciness, customization, each sub compartment within the pillow has it’s own zippered opening. This allows for the addition/removal of filling as desired, and you can add aromatherapy packets at will. No regrets at all, one of the better purchases I’ve made in the last three years. Regards, -Bouncer- ---
**Author:** ![Lorene89095](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@Lorene89095](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lorene89095)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk-whats-on-your-bed/710379/13 "2015-01-20T22:38:07Z")
I made a beanbag using lintels ( approx 6 inches x 6 inches) that I use on the other pillow if I have my left ear down… It lets the stiff part of the ear cartilage sorta hang while supporting the rest of my head… Yes,odd. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk-whats-on-your-bed/710379/14 "2015-01-20T22:42:28Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > Yeah, I saw the Amazon reviews as well. I can only guess it’s because pillows are such a personal preference item (which is what prompted me to start this thread!). > > I solomnly swear to keep my opinion of your moronity confined to this board alone! 😛 I’m sure that’s a big part of it, although the bad reviews seemed to equal or exceed the good ones. They do offer a fairly long-term return policy, so it may be worth a shot. Highly-rated side sleeper pillows seem to be fairly expensive, moving up into the hundreds, but a good night’s sleep may be worth it. 😃 I just thought it was a stupid thing for someone to get so exercised about. I really don’t care whether somebody buys a Rolls Royce or a Yugo. I had the money, gave it a shot, and they’ve served us well for about ten years now. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk-whats-on-your-bed/710379/15 "2015-01-21T00:02:46Z")
I use only one pillow. I just buy the standard cheapie ones from K-mart. ---
**Author:** ![PandaMom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d2c977/32.png) [@PandaMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PandaMom)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk-whats-on-your-bed/710379/16 "2015-01-21T00:05:26Z")
I have had a long problem with finding the “right” pillow to help me with my headaches. After trying Target, Walmart, “sheets and shit”, and Bed, Bath, and Beyond… I finally went to Relax the Back. That place, while a bit pricey, really knows their business!! I can’t find the pillow I bought 4 years ago, but this is pretty darned close. [Shop Ergonomic Pillows and Back Pillows | Relax The Back](http://www.relaxtheback.com/pillows?pillow_size=1699&shape=1943&support=1709) It costs $169, but after 4 years, it still is holding its shape, and it still helps me. I don’t wake up with a headache ( that comes a few hours later. :-/ ) And, when I go to bed with a headache, it helps support my neck, which gives my muscles a chance to rest. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk-whats-on-your-bed/710379/17 "2015-01-21T00:51:25Z")
Side sleeper, currently with 4 pillows on the bed. I sleep on 2, a firm bottom one and a smooshy top one. One of the cats sleeps on 1. And there’s a body pillow. I’m still looking for my perfect pillow. The closest I found was shredded latex foam, years ago. But then my latex allergy got bad, and I had to get rid of them (my mom still has them and says they’re the best pillows ever\_. I’m going to order some shredded Tempur-foam ones, and see if they work. I’m allergic to down/feathers, so that’s out of the question. My pillows all have dust mite covers. I have flannel sheets on the bed, but the pillows I sleep on have white cotton pillowcases. Ironed. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk-whats-on-your-bed/710379/18 "2015-01-21T02:33:13Z")
> [@Lorene89095](#): > > I made a beanbag using lintels ( approx 6 inches x 6 inches) that I use on the other pillow if I have my left ear down… It lets the stiff part of the ear cartilage sorta hang while supporting the rest of my head… Yes,odd. A “lintel” is the horizontal beam across the top of a doorway. [Lintel - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lintel_(architecture)) If you mean the type of pea or bean, those are “lentils”. A lintel-based pillow would probably be too hard & stabby. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk-whats-on-your-bed/710379/19 "2015-01-21T02:36:31Z")
I too use a buckwheat hull pillow at home. A lentil pillow would be similar. Definitely the ideal way to make a pillow which you can adjust to fit & support your head no matter how you move. Sleeping in hotels as much as I do, I’m stuck using whatever combination of cheap feathers and cheaper foam they happen to have. I often use a rolled up shower towel inside a pillowcase instead. The recent hotel habit of putting 6 or even 8 pillows on each bed is not helping. The rooms are small enough before you dump all the excess ones off onto the chair, couch, or floor. ---
**Author:** ![Buttercup\_Smith](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buttercup_smith/32/473_2.png) [@Buttercup\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buttercup_Smith)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2015, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk-whats-on-your-bed/710379/20 "2015-01-21T02:46:24Z")
Two phones, unread newspaper,two remotes,a little pile of dog food. The dog is under the covers. My purse with contents spilled. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk-whats-on-your-bed/710379.md?page=2)