# Pillow talk. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 19, 2013, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk/647739 "2013-01-19T19:52:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2013, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk/647739/1 "2013-01-19T19:52:40Z")
What is your pillow strategy? Do you buy cheap ones and replace them when they get flat or do you buy an expensive one and hope it lasts? I’ve always bought the cheap ones but am considering upgrading if it’s actually worth it. Any and all recommendations are welcome. ---
**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 19, 2013, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk/647739/2 "2013-01-19T20:19:55Z")
I sleep with two pillows. The bottom is cheap, firm, and gets replaced frequently. The top one is more expensive, synthetic down, and is kept a long time because it doesn’t matter that it gets flat–I have the bottom pillow providing height. I wash and dry my pillows a couple times a year, which brings life back to them. ---
**Author:** ![Sevencl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@Sevencl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sevencl)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2013, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk/647739/3 "2013-01-19T20:27:02Z")
I haven’t used a pillow in years. I washed it at one point, after which it got all smelly and rewashing didn’t help, and I never got around to buying a new one. I don’t sleep much whether I’m comfortable or not, so it’s never really been a priority. I used to just buy cheap ones, and fold them when they started getting too thin. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2013, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk/647739/4 "2013-01-19T20:54:28Z")
I get inexpensive ones because I’ve had bad luck laundering them. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I’ve never had any problem with the quality of inexpensive pillows. ---
**Author:** ![flight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbce88/32.png) [@flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flight)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2013, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk/647739/5 "2013-01-20T03:59:13Z")
Oh, and it is not acceptable to keep your crappy old worn-out pillows to use for guests. All but one of my friends do this and it makes visiting for a weekend a royal pain. I bring my own now when I drive, but that does not work so well when I fly. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2013, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk/647739/6 "2013-01-20T04:19:53Z")
The flatter, older and smellier they are, the better. For me at least. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2013, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk/647739/7 "2013-01-20T05:58:52Z")
> [@flight](#): > > Oh, and it is not acceptable to keep your crappy old worn-out pillows to use for guests. All but one of my friends do this and it makes visiting for a weekend a royal pain. I bring my own now when I drive, but that does not work so well when I fly. I use the old ones for dog beds. ---
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2013, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk/647739/8 "2013-01-20T06:22:10Z")
I’ve had a foam pillow I purchased at Brookstone for several years. It has a satin cool side that I place on the bottom, and I love to stick my hand under there for a cold shot. Of course, they don’t sell them anymore. I spent $100 on it. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2013, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk/647739/9 "2013-01-20T07:55:00Z")
I started buying cheap ones a few years ago and switching them out every couple months. I also started giving the used ones to the Humane Society instead of throwing them away. However, the selection of cheap pillows at Target and Wal Mart has changed within the last year and I can’t quite find one that suits me, new or not. They are either way too soft or just too hard. It’s starting to drive me nuts. I’d switch to a more permanent, more expensive pillow but I’m super afraid of spending $20 on a pillow only to be disappointed by it. ARGH! ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2013, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk/647739/10 "2013-01-20T08:05:15Z")
> [@flight](#): > > Oh, and it is not acceptable to keep your crappy old worn-out pillows to use for guests. All but one of my friends do this and **it makes visiting for a weekend a royal pain**. Maybe that’s their intention, heh. ---
**Author:** ![TheChileanBlob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thechileanblob/32/435_2.png) [@TheChileanBlob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheChileanBlob)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2013, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk/647739/11 "2013-01-20T13:54:11Z")
I’ve had the world’s best pillow for twenty years or so. It wasn’t new then; I took it from the ex when we were together. It’s chopped foam: never goes flat, can be bunched up like a feather pillow, and is washable. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2013, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk/647739/12 "2013-01-20T14:35:40Z")
Can’t sleep on foam pillows very well. Hotels can be problematic. It’s goose down for me. ---
**Author:** ![ExcitedIdiot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ea5d25/32.png) [@ExcitedIdiot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExcitedIdiot)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2013, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk/647739/13 "2013-01-20T18:44:32Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > I’d switch to a more permanent, more expensive pillow but I’m super afraid of spending $20 on a pillow only to be disappointed by it. ARGH! $20 is a lot for a pillow? My SO bought a pillow for $120! That trip to Bed Bath and Beyond cost us a fortune. I notice it’s usually on the floor in the morning, so I’d say it was not worth the price. I bought a contoured memory foam pillow for around $20 at Target. I love it, and it feels like it did the day I bought it. That said, I still need to replace it soon because washing doesn’t seem to get rid of the smell. I sweat like crazy while I sleep, so this might not be a problem for others. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2013, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk/647739/14 "2013-01-20T19:26:00Z")
I bought one made out of memory foam. Took me a while to adjust to it, but I think I like better. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2013, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk/647739/15 "2013-01-20T20:03:46Z")
I use the cheap ones. I know there are a variety of higher end pillow for $50-100, but I haven’t bought any because I worry I’ll find I don’t like them and realize I wasted the money. Tempurpedic foam are supposedly good. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2013, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk/647739/16 "2013-01-20T20:12:51Z")
Several years ago, my pillows were getting old and flat so I decided to buy new ones. I couldn’t remember what kind they were (firm, soft, etc.) when I first got them so I just bought some firm ones. Without thinking, I threw out the old ones and put the new ones on there. Big mistake. The new ones hurt my neck terribly and I couldn’t go back to the old ones because I’d already thrown them out. I bought a ton of pillows over the years, but I’ve literally had regular neck pain ever since. I ended up seeing a Chiropractor for a while last year and he got me [this memory foam pillow](http://www.allegromedical.com/beds-c6812/sleep-harmony-memory-foam-pillow-cpap-contour-deluxe-p565088.html?page=C&utm_expid=44248-5&engine=froogle&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=feed&CS_003=9164468&CS_010=ff8081813a0213a5013a02cde3990036&gdftrk=gdfV21244_a_7c477_a_7c4637_a_7c565088&gclid=COzC4prf97QCFYw-MgodbgcAmw&utm_referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Faclk%3Fsa%3Dl%26ai%3DCNJJpZ0_8UOfHHfCHyQHClIH4C87HmYIDnsTK6h_-2-iCTwgGEAFQ1dqFmfr _____AWDJno-I8KPsEqAB6ai__ wPIAQeqBCVP0CXy5ufEdpaORxKYPjCAA8zUnnyw8hUDD4FAt8RVSHHrQYh4wAUFoAYmgAf_1kDgEvaJuLmkpOiUDw%26sig%3DAOD64_08DjnYhpR8y4y-GYw4z45fBB5jnQ%26ctype%3D5%26ved%3D0CJIBEPQO%26adurl%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.allegromedical.com%2Fbeds-c6812%2Fsleep-harmony-memory-foam-pillow-cpap-contour-deluxe-p565088.html%253Fengine%253Dfroogle%2526utm_source%253Dfroogle%2526utm_medium%253Dfeed%2526CS_003%253D9164468%2526CS_010%253Dff8081813a0213a5013a02cde3990036%2526gdftrk%253DgdfV21244_a_7c477_a_7c4637_a_7c565088%26rct%3Dj%26q%3Dcpap%2Bcontour%2Bsleep%2Bharmony) that seems to work pretty well. I still have neck pain, but he taught me some stretching exercises and routines that help. Long story, quick answer: nice memory foam pillow. ---
**Author:** ![Chicken\_Fingers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Chicken\_Fingers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicken_Fingers)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk/647739/17 "2013-01-21T03:49:49Z")
I buy very soft down-alternative pillows at 50 percent off, spending $30-$40 a pillow. They last well, and feel so much better than the cheaper ones I used to buy. ---
**Author:** ![applebetty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4af34b/32.png) [@applebetty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/applebetty)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2013, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk/647739/18 "2013-01-23T02:23:52Z")
I have a ten year old Beautyrest in firm. It gets washed about every month, and occasional fluffing in the dryer. i think it cost about $8 at Walmart. I’m a side-sleeper and have to have my face clear of covers, it gives good support for my neck without hurting my ears like the memory foam did. Sleeping is too important to me to be too cheap about it. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2013, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk/647739/19 "2013-01-23T05:06:38Z")
> [@TheChileanBlob](#): > > I’ve had the world’s best pillow for twenty years or so. It wasn’t new then; I took it from the ex when we were together. It’s chopped foam: never goes flat, can be bunched up like a feather pillow, and is washable. I have something like that from Ikea, and it has to take a tumble in the dryer annoyingly frequently to keep it from getting too flat (I’m mostly a side sleeper, and my neck can be touchy). I’m currently considering dragging out the sewing machine and modifying the zip cover to simply not offer as much squash space. If that doesn’t work, I think solid foam rubber is my next move. One of my more irritating ongoing challenges is finding a pillow that suits me and holds up for any length of time. ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2013, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk/647739/20 "2013-01-23T15:59:39Z")
For many years I only bought goose down pillows. You can’t spend too much money on a pillow, when you consider its job is comfortable sleep. I bought a foam pillow at Costco. I don’t know if it has a brain (memory) but it does have a shape. I like it! The down side is that it is not washable. So I put 3 pillow cases over it and wash the pillow cases. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pillow-talk/647739.md?page=2)