8 Best Organic Pillows For All Types Of Sleepers

The second you lay your head on your pillow you want to be counting sheep not formaldehyde and pesticide levels. That pillow you are sleeping on is most likely made with petroleum-based polyester fillers and fluffy feathers/down plucked from chickens, geese, or ducks either before or after their death.

It's a nightmare! But it doesn't have to be. Shopping for organic pillows is easier than ever and we are going to break it down to help you sleep a little easier!

Rest easy with these organic pillow brands

Before you hit the hay, make sure to check out the resources at the bottom of this post. We share tips on how to why shop for organic pillows plus we share our criteria for who we choose these brands to help you sleep easy!

1. Simba

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It all started with a thread in 1979 when Simba supplied their first spool of thread to a Derbyshire mattress factory. Now that same thread has been used in 50 million mattresses around the world. In 2002 they expanded their company to only use their thread to create their mattresses, they sold 1 million mattresses when they did that.

As for their pillows well, they will have you sleeping through the night with their space-inspired temperature regulation. You can also adjust the height and firmness of this pillow to tailor fit your sleep experience.

Simba’s fabric and materials

The pillow is made from 100% pillow cotton from Better Cotton Initiate sources and is free from TCPP and Parabens. They also use Stratos® which is their own process that is added to soft cotton to help disperse heat and they have a Nanocube® technology which is what the pillow is filled with, the cubes can be removed or added to control firmness.

Simba’s ethical sourcing

Simba’s products are manufactured in Canada which keeps the process local and also regulated, workers are protected by Canadian labor laws and are paid a living wage. 

They are certified in CertiPUR which is the highest certification you can get in the mattress and pillow industry. The cotton that is used is also certified by Better Cotton and the polyester is certified by the GRS.

Simba’s corporate responsibility

Simba has taken every step to care for the environment, they are a certified Carbon neutral delivery, and they also do not waste any of their materials, anything that can’t be used in their current pillow they use for the next. They also hold certifications in FSC and OEKO-TEX to further ensure that their products are both safe for you and the environment.

2. Snowe

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Looking for a one-stop shop for all things home? Snowe is your store. They sell everything from bedding, organic towels, sustainable robes, and even organic mattress protectors, did I mention they have skincare? Snowe has thoughtfully designed products that can be used in everyday life that are luxury but at an attainable price point.

Snowe offers one type of pillow, the down pillow. It is made with RDS-certified premium white down and the outer shell is made from cotton.

Snowe’s fabric and materials

The pillow is made from premium white down that is ethically sourced from an RDS-certified manufacturer and OEKO-TEX-certified cotton.

Snowe’s ethical souring

Since the two fabrics used for the pillows come certified, they guarantee that ethical standards are followed, that no animals are harmed in the making of the pillows, and that the cotton is not sprayed with chemicals or pesticides.

Snowe’s corporate responsibility

They directly partner with factories so that you can get high-quality luxury goods for a fraction of the cost. All their products have certifications to further prove their commitment to safe and green products.

3. Henrie

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Determined to improve her own sleep owner Larissa created Henrie to give everyone a restful night's sleep with a pillow that isn’t full of the typical polyester fluff.

Henrie only sources the best materials it can for its pillow to give you the best organic pillows for your best. The pillows are made in Canada, and they offer you a 30-night promise to ensure you love your pillows!

Here’s what I love about this pillow, first off, it's adjustable, you can fill or empty the pillow for whatever your need is, and you will never lose that fluffy shape that helps you drift into a deep meaningful sleep. 

Second, this pillow is perfect for any sleeper in any position. 

Third and probably the most practical feature is that you can take the outer cover off and wash it in the laundry. A bonus though is that they give you a dust bag to hold any excess pillow filling.

Henrie’s fabric and materials

The outer cover is made from OEKO-TEX-certified cotton and the inner filling is made from kapok from Indonesian. The adjustable inner filling is CertiPUR memory foam which has low volatile organic compounds which means it has been developed without ozone depleters or any other harmful materials. 

Henrie’s ethical sourcing

Kapok is sourced from the Ceiba Pentandra tree making it a renewable resource, kapok can grow without the addition of water. The cotton is ethically sourced and meets the OEKO-TEX standard which guarantees that the cotton is free from harmful chemicals.

Henrie’s corporate responsibility

Henrie offers one single product which is the pillow, this allows them to utilize the same materials for one product and carefully measure out all the product needed to produce the pillow. This means no waste and small batches created.

4. White Lotus Home

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If you’re looking for variety in your natural organic pillows, then White Lotus Home is the place to buy them!

White Lotus Home has been around since 1981 making high-quality natural products, they have twenty retail stores across the US and their main manufacturing facility is in New Brunswick, New Jersey. All their products are handmade in New Jersey and include all American raw materials whenever possible.

Now for the good stuff, the pillows! They have various pillows to choose from like their sleep pillows, contour pillows, decorative pillows, and inserts.

All of the pillows have various fillings such as organic wool, buck wool, organic cotton, kapok, and natural shredded latex.

White Lotus Home’s fabric and materials

The pillows are made with GOTS-certified organic cotton, wool from ethically raised sheep, organic sateen cotton, kapok, GOTS-certified organic cotton twill, sustainably grown buckwheat, and organic latex pillows.

White Lotus Home’s ethical sourcing

White Lotus Home sources all their products locally (if possible) from certified organic farmers. They are a part of GOTS, Green America, and a member of the Organic Trade Association, all those certifications guarantee that the fabrics and materials come from authentic organic sources where the workers are protected and paid fairly.

White Lotus corporate responsibility

They aim to make the most important aspects of your home free of toxins and harmful materials, their mattresses, bedding, and toppers also follow the same set of organic guidelines and certifications. They also handmake their products in their main manufacturing facility which cuts down on unnecessary carbon emissions from manufacturing products around the globe.

5. Sol Organics

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Sol Organics was founded in 2010 by two friends who were dedicated to fulfilling their dreams of creating textiles with just three clean ingredients. Sol Organics believes in delivering the best natural organic pillows, comforters, and sheets possible and is one of the best sustainable bedding brands on the market. All their products are also made in Canada which is an added bonus. 

If you’re looking for organic down pillows, then this is where you’re to shop! What I really love about this brand is that you can choose the down pillow that is best for your based on how you sleep. The pillow is filled with 100% Canadian white down.

Sol Organics fabric and materials

The pillow is made up of 100% Canadian white down and the cover is made from cotton.

Sol Organics ethical sourcing

The cotton is grown from non-GMO cotton seeds that come from India from harvesters that are certified in GOTS, OEKO-TEX, Fair Trade, and FLO.

Sol Organics corporate responsibility

Sol Organics ensures that there is never any child labor and that the factory partners make a living wage, since the factories are in India, they have also partnered with proven partners who in invest in the health and well-being of women and children.

6. Avocado

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It all started with a mattress at Avocado, the founders wanted to create a non-toxic and natural mattress made from organic materials that are affordable for consumers. They manufacture their products in California and even create their own latex!

There are five sleeping pillows to choose from, they have adjustable, gentle support, plus, toddler, and mini option (great for travel). Each of the pillows is filled with latex, Kapok, wool, and organic cotton. The adjustable pillow gives you the option to refill or takeout materials as needed to better suit your personal needs.

The pillows are filled with latex and kapok, or you can have a charcoal-infused latex pillow. Be sure to take a look at their eco-friendly bed frames to complete your sustainable bedroom!

Avocado fabric and materials

Avocado uses Kapok, charcoal-infused latex, latex, wool, silk, mohair, and certified organic cotton. 

Avocado ethical sourcing

All the products are handmade in California and are GOTS certified, carry the Made-Safe seal, and are a part of GOLS which all authenticate the process of making and sourcing their fabric and materials. 

Avocado corporate responsibility

Avocado is a certified B-Corp and they are also Climate Neutral certified. They have also partnered with 1% For the Planet and they go the extra mile to ensure that their factories are powered with renewable energy.

7. Coyuchi

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Established in 1991 Coyuchi has been setting the standard for nature-inspired designs for three decades. They give consumers long-lasting home textiles made with 100% organic cotton all while staying accountable for their footprints.

When it comes to organic cotton pillows Coyuchi really delivers on comfort and durability. They have down pillows, organic latex, down feathers, body pillows, throw pillows, and lumber ones.

A unique feature that I love about the organic latex pillow is that it has pockets that support your head when you sleep that doesn’t restrict you to just your back or your side.

Coyuchi’s fabric and materials

They use GOLS-certified latex, down from Indiana duck farms, 100% organic cotton.

Coyuchi’s ethical sourcing

They ethically source their cotton from the Chetna Coalition which is a supply chain network that supports sustainable farming in India. The cotton is Fair Trade Certified, and the latex is also GOLS certified. The company as well carries the Made Safe seal.

The Down Pillow is made in the USA and filled with down from an Indiana duck farm. Birds are humanely raised, down is carefully processed, and quality is controlled to the highest standards from start to finish.

Coyuchi’s corporate responsibility

Coyuchi has a circular initiative called the 2^nd home take back program which will take back your used products and renew them, recycle them, and then resell the products. They are also a Fair Trade-certified company, and the pillows are packaged in a reusable organic cloth bag.

8. 54Kibo

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This beautiful shop aims to deliver exclusively luxury African decor, found Nana Quagraine has always loved her South African roots, but she could never find contemporary African designs to decorate her home.

In 2018 she launched 54Kibo to bring beautiful skillfully crafted directly from Africa. They actively search for uncommon items that are both beautiful and highlight the heritage of the 54 African countries (which is where the name comes from).

54Kibo has stunning organic decorative pillows, floor pillows, and chair pads all of which come in an array of patterns and colors.

Some of the patterns feature birds, simple line designs, vibrant figures like Obama, and traditional African patterns. They have lumbar throw pillows and standard sizes. These pillows are handcrafted in various parts of Africa which are shown on the webpage under each pillow.

54Kibo’s fabric and materials

The pillows are made from 100% cotton and some pillows include velvet. 

54Kibo’s ethical sourcing

The pillows are handmade by artisans that are from Africa, this honors the traditions of the people. Organic cotton is free of pesticides and other harmful chemicals and dyes that are not only harmful to you but also to the environment.

54Kibo’s corporate responsibility

They are a carbon-neutral company that delivers quality and highlights people from all over Africa and honoring the traditions of master weavers. In every aspect of their work, they honor the earth and how things are naturally made, they also honor the traditions of African people and give a spotlight to their incredible handmade designs. Be sure to check out their other gorgeous home decor items!

9. Zuahaza

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Founder Tatiana made a trip to Colombia and fell in love with the cotton history of the area and the beautifully crafted items that were made. On her trip, she met with artisans who would become valuable partners in crafting a new line of textiles that Tatiana would bring to the rest of the world through various types of pillows.

You will find a large selection of pillow covers at Zuahaza, they have a variety of styles and colors to choose from such as their La Popa oversized lumbar pillow and other various organic throw pillows.

All the colors are beautifully simple with light pinks, blues, greens, and creams. The pillows also have an abundance of sizes which gives you lots of options to choose from.

The patterns are fine line stripes, checkered, solid with white backs, honeycomb, and tasseled. Be sure to check out their rugs, throws, and various kitchen items.

Zuahaza’s fabric and materials

They use 100% organic cotton that is undyed, they apply natural dyes, and metal zippers.

Zuahaza’s ethical sourcing

They source their natural cotton from Colombia and Peru from organic farmers who are paid fair and livable wages. The dyes are derived from plants and vegetables that naturally grow in the areas. 

Zuahaza’s corporate responsibility

They empower 40 women in the small town of Santander which preserves the art of artisanal works. They pay their workers fair pay and livable wages and provide safe working conditions for them. They utilize any leftover textile waste to create smaller items from the scrap fabric and aim to be a zero-waste production company soon.

Why consider investing in an organic pillow?

An organic pillow is a great option for anyone with skin sensitivities or allergies. Pillows harbor chemicals and toxins from the materials they are made from, which puts you at risk of irritation. A lot of pillows are made from products that are often sprayed with pesticides, bleach, and other various harmful chemicals making your pillow fillings toxic.

Fast furniture is on the rise and this includes your pillows, they are mass-produced and generally without concern for the environmental impact that the materials pillows make. The pillow market is expected to grow to 11.58 billion by 2025 and the vast majority are not sustainable.

The average life expectancy of a pillow is 1-2 years before they become too flat and uncomfortable, but if you switch to an organic option most of the time you can buy new filling for them and give new life to the same pillow, reducing your impact.

When it comes to cotton pillows as well, there is a HUGE amount of water waste from cotton which degrades the soil and uses 10,000 liters of water to produce 1 kg of cotton. This is why organic cotton is the better option because it only uses 243 liters of water to produce the same result.

How to shop for organic pillows, our criteria?

Okay so shopping for a pillow is a little bit more complicated than just resting your head on one and thinking “hey this is soft, I like it” and putting it in your cart. You need to shop for the position you sleep in so you can optimize the support your pillow gives you. 

Look for a pillow that offers side, back, or stomach options or a pillow that has removable materials so you can either add or take out “fluff” to better tailor fit your pillow to you. This is also a good option if you find your pillow gets too flat, too quickly.

For a heavier firmer pillow, 100% organic cotton fill pillows are ideal for you. For something a little fluffier and more breathable, we suggest organic wool fill. Organic wool is ideal for people who suffer from night sweats or allergies. Wool is also really good at naturally resisting dust mites and mildew. Alpaca wool is naturally lanolin and oil-free.

Opt for natural rubber if you suffer from asthma or other allergies, it naturally resists dust and is also hypoallergenic. If you have allergies to latex, you will want to avoid natural rubber. If you are vegan and want a down alternative look for kapok pod fibers, like the ones from Henrie's.

A word of warning when it comes to latex. We have seen a boom in latex mattresses and pillows over the last few years as people opt for more eco-friendly options, but not all latex comes from the sap of rubber, a lot of it comes from petroleum-based rubber and plastics.

Some latex pillows are marketed as Talalay or denser Dunlop latex, the problem is, neither of these is actually latex. They are ways the latex is produced. The pillow could be all synthetic or, a blend of synthetic and natural latex. You will never know, so best to ask lots of questions.

You will want to look for the following certifications to ensure no greenwashing:

• Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS)
• GOTS
• OEKO-TEX
• The Global Recycled Standard (GRS)
• CertiPUR
• Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC)
• Fair Trade
• Flocert
• Responsible Down Standard (RDS)
• Greenguard Gold
• MADE SAFE
• Organic Trade Association
• Rainforest Alliance

There are a lot of really great sustainable fabrics and there are some not-so-great ones as well. We have three main criteria here on The Eco Hub for anything related to ethical fashion and any home goods like pillows.

1. What kind of fabric is it made from?

Is it recycled fabric? Is it a synthetic fiber? Does it come with any certifications proving that it truly is organic? These are all questions that you want to ask yourself before buying products that are labeled organic or sustainable.

2. How are the fabrics sourced?

It’s important to know not only how your fabric is made but where it comes from and under what working conditions. There are a lot of brands out there paying much less than livable wages and under harsh working conditions that violate tons of labor laws and human rights laws.

3. What is the brand’s corporate responsibility?

What extra measures do they use to ensure sustainable practices? Companies that are really passionate about change often give back to their communities and enrich the towns and villages where they employ citizens from. They go the extra mile and offset their carbon emissions, the packaging is biodegradable or recyclable, or they reuse and repurpose pre-loved products they have already sold.

A final word on organic pillows

If you’re looking for your best sleep yet, then I highly recommend sleeping with a natural and organic pillow. Not only are you going to rid of toxic materials from your bed, but you will be reducing your impact on the earth one sleep at a time. 

Make sure you know what to do with your old pillows too!

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