There are a wide range of pillow and comforter fillers to choose from.  You can have a traditional type or something altogether more high-tech.  What you choose simply depends on the individual’s needs.  Before you spend any money, learn about what choices you have and whether it’s what you want.

Fillings for pillows and comforters come in two categories – material and geometry.  You don’t need a science degree to understand the different types available but it can be interesting to learn about these products.

Baffling and down used in comforters are a good illustration of the relationship between material and geometry. Natural goose down is often used in fine bed coverings.  In order to keep the feathers from being crushed and moving around, they are pocketed into tiny cells.

Baffling is one very common way to do that.

Pieces of fabric are sewn inside to create cells into which the down is stuffed.  That keeps the down from shifting or bunching, leading to less warmth and ruining the visual appeal of a good comforter.  This allows the down to fill the empty space.

The extent at which this can happen is called “fill power” and the number can range between 500-800.  If you see the number is more than 625, this is considered superior quality.  The higher the number, the better the ability to insulate and cushion (comfort).

Synthetic fibres, cotton and wool can actually be good filling materials for pillows and comforters too.  Using these materials is called batting and good batting is important for bedding which is comfortable and long lasting.

But you can’t just use any old type of cotton.  The type used can make the difference between bedding which is mediocre and superior.  Egyptian cotton for instance is considered to be amongst the best you can buy.  It has the longest staple – the length of an individual fiber – of any cotton in the world. Because of this, it provides the best strength and hence durability, plus the highest comfort.

Another popular filling for bedding is goose down.  Along with the geometry, goose down has its own internal geometry and chemical properties which make it perfect for filling.  Air traps between the feathers which gives you an excellent natural insulation.  That, combined with the ‘walls’ that form the space the air is trapped in, gives it staying power, as well.

Although some people prefer natural materials, synthetic material such as polyester and polyurethane will work well if well made.  They have high strength and retain their resiliency for a long time. They shed water well and don’t mildew.