Is Your Pillow Making Your Sick?

With the modern focus on health and wellness, many of us are evaluating the quality and safeness of products in our homes. Bedding products can be culprits in contributing to making us sick due to harmful chemicals and components of the pillows, mattresses, and toppers. Memory foam pillows are a huge component of the bedding industry, but many individuals worry about the short- and long-term health risks associated with memory foam. Most memory foam is derived from partially natural ingredients, though it is impossible to create the memory foam we know and love without the addition of chemicals. It is important to be vigilant and informed in understanding what chemicals are in products you use, including your bedding products which are used on a daily basis.

Chemicals in Memory Foam

Unfortunately, not all memory foam is held to the same standards. There have been cases of memory foam containing loads of toxic and harmful chemicals including formaldehyde, benzene, napthalene, and isocyanates. These chemicals have been associated with extreme detriments to health including cancer, asthma, allergies, and irritation. While the industry is moving away from harmful chemicals and returning to the use of more natural ingredients, consumers need to be on the lookout for these nasty chemicals lurking in their bedding products.

Bedding and Germs

Because of the amount of time we spend with our bedding products, it makes sense that they trap a lot of germs. In fact, studies have shown that your pillow (yes, your pillow) is as germy as a toilet seat. Our pillows suck in mites, fungi, and bacteria on a regular basis. Individuals with allergies can be espeically susceptible irritating allergens and mites that get trapped in our pillows. to If we are not regularly washing and replacing bedding products, it is possible that these items may contribute to our sicknesses.

Safer Alternatives

If it's time to upgrade your pillows, mattresses, or toppers because you worry that they may be detrimental to your health, seek memory foam and fiber options that are more safe. For memory foam products, look for items that are CertiPUR-US certified like all of our memory foam products. This stringent certification is only given to memory foam products that meet a list of strict requirements including being made without: ozone depleters, mercury, lead, heavy metals, formaldehyde, PBDEs (polybrominated diphenylethers), and dangerous flame retardants. All CertiPUR-US foam is also must pass a low emissions test. If you prefer fiber filled pillows, look for pillows that are hypoallergenic and made with down alternatives. Hypoellergenic pillows utilize specialized materials that are more mild and less likely to result in allergic reactions. Finding an antimicrobial pillow or using a pillow and mattress protector are even better barriers to prevent microbes, germs, and sickness from reaching you. You spend one third of your life alseep. If you're spending that huge chunk of your life surrounded by harmful chemicals, toxins, and allergens, it may be time for a major upgrade to your bedding for the sake of your health and the health of your loved ones.