What To Look For in Body Pillow Covers

Some people like sleeping on their belly, others on their back. However, the side-sleeper is the most common type, and while everyone knows that a good pillow is important for a proper night’s sleep, sleeping on your side often requires an additional body pillow to relieve any back, shoulder, and neck pains you may experience.

This type of pillow helps minimize your aches as it gives you something to cradle between your legs while you sleep. It actually improves spinal alignment and relieves pressure points. Just like your normal pillow, pillowcase, mattress protector, sheets, removable cover, and blankets, a body pillow requires maintenance, and not every pillowcase is the same. So, be sure to choose the best one for you.

A hugging pillow comes in different sizes and shapes. Thus, you have to get a special pillowcase for it. Why’s a body pillow protector so important anyway? Well, just like your mattress cover, it protects the bed pillow from stains and dirt, thus, prolonging its lifespan. There are also many types of fabrics to choose from but 100% cotton is the best!

These long, narrow pillows are used by people to prop up their legs while sleeping on their sides. This can help relieve pressure and align the hips and spine. The name is a little misleading because you’d think the pillow was for the entire body. It just helps add support and comfort to your head, arms, and/or legs.

However, how you actually use your pillow will depend on the style. There are many shapes available, each with its own benefits. Some wrap around the body, others are just made for being on one side. There are U- and C-shaped ones which appeal to those who are actually looking for full-body support. Another important thing to consider when choosing a body pillow is the filling because it determines firmness and breathability.

Body pillows can also be beneficial for people with back pain and pregnant women. However, they’ll benefit anyone who needs extra support while sleeping. So, if you’re interested in learning more about them and how to choose the right body pillow cover, keep on reading below.

How to Choose Body Pillow Covers

A body pillow helps you sleep, cuddle, and get proper rest, all while giving you the support you need. This is why choosing the body pillow cover is important. The best body pillow covers will ensure your pillow stays clean and maximize comfort for your skin. Additionally, they’ll increase the pillow’s lifespan.

Firstly, your body pillow needs to go with the rest of the decor in your bedroom. You want it to look good on your bed. So, choose a cover that matches the colors and style of your room.

The elements and use of your body pillow will wear it down, but a good cover will shield it from stains and dirt. Furthermore, it’ll improve the way you sleep. Make sure it’s allergen-free. There are some special ones that deter allergens. It must go with the rest of your bedroom — normal pillows, sheets, etc, for a seamless appearance. 

There are many types of fabrics and materials available for your body pillow cover. You can choose from cotton, polyester, bamboo, whatever you prefer and is most comfortable to you. There are advantages and disadvantages to most materials, including the cost. An organic, 100% cotton linen body pillow cover will be more costly than a synthetic polyester one. As it should be. You’re buying quality over quantity. 

Body pillow covers go over the actual pillow, so it’s important to look at how it’s closed. The most common closures are zippers, buttons, and envelope closures. The latter is the best because it’s the most natural and you won’t risk sleeping on a zipper pull tab. However, a zipper can ensure a snug fit. Just like life, there are pros and cons to everything.

Unlike normal head pillows, body pillows are exposed to almost every part of your body. This means they’re more prone to germs, bed bugs, and mites. This makes having an adequate body pillow cover even more important.

It’s also important that your body pillow cover be water-resistant. If you live in a hot place, you’ll probably sweat during the night. A water-resistant body pillow cover won’t allow the sweat to penetrate into the actual pillow and allow moisture to damage any filler material.

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Fabrics and Thread Count

You spend a large part of your life in bed and, therefore, you want to make it the most comfortable place for you to sleep. You need the best bed frame, sheets, mattress, and of course, pillows. They’re all important! You’ve probably seen “thread count” while shopping for bedding, and next, we’ll take a look at how it’ll affect your decision when selecting your body pillow covers.

In short, think of thread count as a rating — the higher the better. It’s the standard measurement of fabric density used to gauge the quality of sheets. Therefore, it’s important to understand it to get the best body pillow cover. In general, fabrics with a higher thread count are softer, smoother, and more durable. Of course, a high thread count doesn’t guarantee luxury, but the results can be amazing if you choose the right fabric with a high thread count.

Okay, okay, high thread count is better, but what does it mean exactly? Thread count is defined as the number of threads woven into a square inch of fabric. A high thread count is desirable because the fabric is tightly woven. However, there are limits!

High thread counts can cause problems in the manufacturing process and you can end up with a stiff fabric. So, if you choose a body pillow cover with an incredibly high thread count, say 1,000 or above, you should check how they feel before buying them.

On the contrary, if you see fabric with a thread count of 600, it’s probably made of fibers that have been twisted together artificially, which can also make them rough and more likely to ball up when you’re washing them.

Thread count is one of those things people think is absolute, but that isn’t always the case. In the past, a higher thread count meant a higher quality thread, which meant a higher quality fabric. However, nowadays, manufacturers use lower quality threads and double up on their thread count. So, it really depends on the type of fabric.

There are many fabrics out there. Cotton is the most popular fabric for sheets and the best for pillow covers. It usually has a lower thread count which makes it more breathable. You might prefer that but, keep in mind, you can also find a body pillow protector made of flannel, silk, rayon, satin, or polyester. Your choice will depend on what kind of feel or aesthetic you prefer for your bed.

Thread count is most accurate for a body pillowcase that’s 100% cotton. It indicates the density and strength of the cover. A 200 thread count cover will be lighter, softer, and more porous than one that’s 400 thread count. Flannel and knit fabrics have a different weave that doesn’t allow high thread counts, so don’t worry about it too much with these fabrics.

Body Pillows

These kinds of pillows don’t get as much attention as conventional pillows but are just as important. A standard body pillow is at least 48 inches long, so it’s closer in length to the height of a person. Due to their length, they’re very versatile and flexible. You can use them for a variety of reasons such as resting your arm or wrapping your legs around them. We’ve gone over how to select the right body pillow cover, but let’s talk a bit about the pillow itself.

It may seem simple, but choosing the best body pillow depends on many things. There are different shapes, fillings, weights, and firmness. These all impact the performance of the pillow so finding one you love can be a challenge. There are many benefits to having one and it could be the missing piece to a good night’s sleep.

Not only can a body pillow help you sleep better by improving your blood circulation but also by assisting joint pressure. They’re great even if you don’t have a specific ailment and just want to cuddle something while you sleep for warmth or safety. You may have never thought about it but the various shapes and sizes have different effects on your body.

If snoring keeps you up at night, body pillows can help you find the head and neck support you need to help you through the night without snoring. You’ll be in a comfortable and safe position, and using a body pillow to reduce your snoring is a much quieter solution than a CPAP machine. Body pillows have also proved to reduce acid reflux. Since your head and neck are elevated with a body pillow, you won’t have to worry about it as you try to fall asleep.

Another benefit of using a body pillow is reducing joint pain. Body pillows are great for it because they’re versatile and flexible enough to provide support in multiple places. Your head and neck can have support from the same body pillow that supports your hips and spinal alignment.

Having one body pillow on your bed can bring you the same benefits as three standard pillows. You can choose the firmness and filling that works best for you and your joints, which means the body pillow you choose can be specific to you and your needs. Certain body pillow shapes can elevate your chest at night so your breathing improves and allows you to enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep instead of enduring another restless night. Body pillows also support your head and neck, giving you the perfect position to breathe peacefully all night.

Types of Body Pillows and Body Pillow Covers

Let’s look more in-depth at the different styles of body pillows which will also affect what type of cover you’ll need.

U-Shaped ones are great for sleepers who want to be cradled and have a pillow on both sides of their body. Thanks to its support and versatility, this type of pillow is usually common among pregnant women.

C-shaped body pillows also provide a feeling of support around your body. You can place them underneath your head, along your body, and between your knees to get the support on your neck and knees.

The rectangular body pillow is just like your average one, just longer. These are great to give your arm a resting place that isn’t underneath your own body. This style is probably one of the most popular and affordable.

Common Materials

Just like with the body pillow covers, the material is important. You’ll need to consider the filling of your body pillow to find the best option. This is because different fillings provide different support. Thus, it’ll be best if you go in person and try them out for yourself. If you’re looking for something soft, we recommend getting a simple down (feather-filled) body pillow. These are flexible and allow you to bend the pillow in any direction you want. The soft down feathers provide a floating feeling. They also regulate temperature really well. In the summer your body pillow will feel cool and during the winter it’ll be warm.

You might opt for a memory foam body pillow. These shape around your body and will support it exactly where you need it. Polyfoam is a similar material but it may be a better option for those that are hot while they’re sleeping.

Although not as common, some pillows use natural or synthetic latex. Latex is popular for its buoyant feel and its strong temperature regulation, which may make it especially well suited for people who change positions a lot during the night and those who are prone to overheating. Natural latex is also considered eco-friendly, so environmentally-conscious shoppers often prefer it.

Many body pillows use a fiber filling, and polyester is one of the most common types of fibers used today. These body pillows are usually breathable, making them well suited to people who sleep hot. Many are also hypoallergenic and washable, so allergy sufferers and others concerned with maintaining a clean sleep surface may prefer them.

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Sleep Hygiene

You spend about a third of your life sleeping or in bed. It may seem strange, but your body is working quite hard while you sleep. This is because there are many things going on in your body. Sleep keeps everything functioning at its best. As you can imagine, getting enough sleep can improve your health and even boost your longevity. In turn, inadequate sleep, including too much sleep, will have the opposite effect. Try to find that perfect spot where you’re getting the right amount of sleep for a long and healthy life. Choosing the right body pillow cover and keeping it clean can help you achieve all of this.

Itching and scratching at night can cause you to lose sleep. It’s even worse for people with eczema or other skin issues. Dust mites in your body pillow cover can make this even worse. These tiny bugs live in your bed and can also trigger asthma and allergies. So, what can you do to make the situation better?

These mites thrive on humidity, which can be caused by sweating. Choosing a waterproof body pillow cover can easily fix this problem. Also, remember certain fabrics are also cooler. However, the most important thing to do is clean the pillow cover regularly along with the rest of your bedding.

Professionals recommend changing your pillows every two years! When you’re cleaning the covers, do so at a temperature of 130 F with lots of soap. While you’re washing the covers, vacuum your pillow thoroughly. It’s also not recommended to let your pet on your bed, but if you can’t bear the pain, just wash even more frequently.

Establishing a healthy sleeping routine is imperative. You should set a goal of how many hours of sleep you’ll need. A comfortable body pillow cover will make this a reality. It’s tempting to cut hours of sleep due to work or social activities, but remember, it’ll be worse in the end. Sleeping badly will start to affect your work and social life. So, prioritize sleep!

Good sleep hygiene is the best way to get a good night’s rest. This includes the actual cleanliness of your bedroom, but also your sleeping habits. While making your sleep schedule, try to always go to sleep at the same time, including on weekends. Think about your pre-bed routines and choose something relaxing that’ll help you fall asleep when you hug your body pillow. Think about the many potential disruptions during the night and how to minimize their effect. These can be things such as lights, sounds, and even aromas. Your cellphone is one of the biggest culprits, so try to put it away from your bed. What you eat and drink at night can also affect your sleep. Monitor how much caffeine or alcohol you drink before bedtime.

Having the right body pillow cover will make the experience of sleeping with a body pillow even better. It’ll assure you have a good night’s sleep and will surely fix any aches you may be experiencing.