Organic cotton can be an excellent choice for a pillow if you sleep on your stomach because of its firmness. However, the downside is the material tends to flatten over time.
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What is an organic cotton pillow?
Organic cotton is a popular choice for pillow covers and pillowcases. It’s rarer to find a pillow made with organic cotton fill, but these kinds of pillows do exist.
In most cases, an organic cotton pillow will be low-profile and include pure cotton fill, rather than a blend with other material. However, some buckwheat and millet pillows feature a layer of organic cotton batting to provide a slightly firmer sleep surface and minimize noise from the hulls and grains shifting below.
Organic Cotton Pillows – Benefits
Organic cotton batting provides a firm sleep surface. This isn’t to everyone’s taste but can make organic cotton pillows an excellent option for stomach-sleepers looking for a flatter and thinner pillow.
Organic cotton can be very breathable, usually feels soft (but firm), and also wicks away moisture (though not as well as wool). This means a cotton pillow can help you stay cool while you sleep. I sleep on my front and sleep hot, so cotton pillows work well for me.
The Downsides of Organic Cotton Pillows
Organic cotton pillows tend to be heavier and firmer than polyester or kapok pillows. They are also more prone to flattening over time.
Organic cotton batting also doesn’t cradle your head and conform to your shape as with buckwheat or kapok. If you’re a side-sleeper who likes things cozy, skip the cotton and go for something loftier and more insulating.
That said, the quality and amount of cotton batting will make a difference, as will the weave of a cotton pillow or pillowcase. Tighter weaves (like sateen) allow less air circulation and trap more heat.
Is organic cotton safe and sustainable?
Organic cotton is much more sustainable than conventional cotton and should be free of:
- Pesticide residues
- Formaldehyde
- Chemical flame retardants
- Harsh chemicals such as chlorine bleach and azo dyes.
The trouble, though, is that much of the organic cotton sold worldwide could be fraudulently certified. Wherever possible, look for organic cotton grown and certified in the U.S. Avoid cotton grown in India, where organic cotton fraud is rife, unless the cotton is certified using blockchain technology that is far less vulnerable to fraud.
How much do organic cotton pillows cost?
The average price for an organic cotton pillow is around $45.
Rawganique offers some great choices for sustainable organic cotton pillows, including:
In summary
In the table below, I have summarized some of the key points for anyone debating whether to go with an organic cotton pillow.
| Pros | Cons |
| Soft but firm feel | Too firm and flat for most sleep styles |
| Can be less expensive than latex, buckwheat, wool, and other options | Hard to clean and dry |
| Moisture-wicking | Heavy and prone to flattening |
| Can be breathable depending on weave and fill | Hard to find |
| Grown and made in the U.S. (in some cases) | Organic cotton certification is riddled with fraud |
| Sustainable, biodegradable material |