Our customers certainly know their sleep (good and bad) and the questions we get asked time and time again are usually around the right type of pillow. This part of the sleep equation is without doubt the most personal and divisive. We often say 'A wool duvet is game changing for your sleep: a wool pillow can also transform your sleep - if you choose the right one'.
So how do you pick the perfect pillow for you? We would always start with wool as the perfect place to rest your head at night. Temperature regulating and moisture wicking - a wool pillow will keep you cool (or cosy) and dry overnight.
What are the different types of wool pillows?
Carded wool or wool balls?
You'll find that some wool pillows are made with wool balls. Having done extensive research (all in the name of a good nights sleep) we found that wool balls have a habit of clumping up together in a pillow, giving an uneven sleeping surface.
Unsatisfied with using wool balls, we looked into how we could use wool differently for our pillow. Our wool duvets are made from carded wool, so this was naturally our next thought. Carded wool is wool that has been teased apart until it creates a 'wool sheet'. These layers of fluffy wool, all laid on top of each other, create a lofty, comfortable sleeping surface. Wool pillows do require a little bit of care and a regular fluff up to keep the pillow lofty. You can read all about that in our quilted pillow care guide and pillow care guide.
Washable or un-washable pillow?
This is an interesting question. And one that we think we have the ultimate answer to with our quilted wool pillow range, but we'll get to that a little later.
To create wool that is washable, it is usually processed with a chlorine solution, so that when it is washed, the fibres don't all stick together. This solution effectively coats the wool fibre. Even with this treatment, washable wool pillows can prove tricky to dry back in their original shape and can become uneven over time.
As we have developed and adapted our wool bedding range, our main criteria has always been to provide the most natural product we can - so washable wool for our main range sits a little uneasily with us. (Please note - our Mini Floks range is made with washable wool - a compromise that enables our little ones to enjoy the benefits of wool bedding, but allows the simple clean up of any accidents).
We have developed our pillow range from all natural, untreated British Cheviot wool, and because wool is naturally anti-bacterial and anti-microbial, we know that it shouldn't really need washing.
However, sometimes our customers do want to wash their pillows. So for the last year we have been trying to solve the problem of how we can create a washable wool pillow without the use of chemicals. Working closely with our skilled craftsmen, now we have just that in our new quilted wool pillow range. The way this product has been made allows for it to be carefully handwashed should you wish to.
Depending on which type of pillow you choose, you can read more about the care of your wool pillow in our care guides. Care guide: quilted wool pillows and Care guide: wool pillows.
Soft or medium?
Soft
Our soft pillows are perfectly layered to provide gentle neck support. We find that side sleepers, and those that like to lay flatter on their bed tend to prefer a softer pillow.
Medium
Medium pillows have greater depth and support than soft pillows. If you prefer your head to be more upright, or sleep on your back, then our medium pillow is likely to suit you.
Can't decide on firmness?
Sometimes it's hard to choose, we can empathise. A popular option is one of each, great for a midnight switch around or just because they look great on the bed.
The other option for our hard-to-please sleepers is our new quilted wool pillow, because this has been designed to be adjustable to your on personal preference. Read on for more on our quilted wool pillow range.
Quilted or un-quilted wool pillow?
Regular
Our best-selling wool pillows have been helping our customers to sleep better for years. Carded and layered wool encased in our soft organic cotton. Available in a medium or soft fill - what's not to love?
If you want to give your existing wool pillow an upgrade, the luxurious quilted wool pillow cases are perfect for the job. Just pop your pillow in, zip up and cover with your favourite breathable bedlinen (we highly recommend our natural hemp and organic cotton range) for an instant pillow makeover.
Quilted
The new kid on the pillow block. These quilted pillows are the height of luxury, and are sure to elevate your sleep environment. Our carded wool comes into its own here - we use it to create a soft, luxurious quilted layer encased in our soft organic cotton. Then we fill the quilted pillow case with adjustable and fluff-able layers of the same carded wool. Now you can create your very own perfect pillow height, in a wool pillow that is also hand-washable for ultimate freshness.
Large or regular?
Regular: 75 x 50 cm
Regular pillows are perfectly sized for most Single, Double and King size beds. It's the size that you usually get in a bedlinen set.
Large: 90 x 50cm
If you have a Super King or Emperor bed then you might want to upgrade to these longer pillows that are designed for bigger beds. And don't worry about being able to find large sized pillowcases, we have you covered with our natural hemp and organic cotton bed linen range.
How are they packaged?
Packaging is an important part of the product for our Floks pillows. We don't like waste, so will never send our product out in plastic. We only use strong, reusable, recycled cotton bags for our wool bedding. If you order a single, regular pillow, this will arrive in a Floks Tote bag (testifiably a great beach bag). Our large pillows or pillow pairs come in a fabulous Floks duffle bag and we now have a useful little Floks drawstring bag that holds our quilted pillow case pair.
As the Floks team are all Floks bag fans, we have to recommend that you try to collect at least one of each....
Made in the UK
We make all of our wool bedding right here in the UK, using British wool.
Still can't decide?
Get in touch with our sleep team at hello@floks.co.uk or pop into our Yorkshire showroom and we'll be happy to give you some personal advice. You can also take advantage of our 30 night wool bedding sleep guarantee and try them out for yourself risk free.