We have made the switch to organic bedding, but organic pillows can be quite costly. However, I have discovered a less expensive solution – making our own organic buckwheat pillows. These pillows are filled with organic buckwheat hulls (and can optionally include herbs) to create a comfortable and natural pillow. If you can sew a relatively straight line, you can make these pillows, and in fact, I find them even more comfortable than regular pillows. You can even make your own buckwheat hull neck pillows and eye masks!
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Benefits of Buckwheat Pillows
I’ve already mentioned that these pillows are a more affordable alternative to organic bed pillows, but there are other benefits as well. Unlike some options (looking at you, memory foam), buckwheat is more breathable, so it doesn’t feel too hot. The hulls allow for better air circulation, resulting in a more restful sleep. A buckwheat hull pillow is also an eco-friendly alternative to pillows filled with plastic. Additionally, it won’t shift around inside the fabric and poke you in the neck like down or feather pillows do. If you make a whole pillow, it will be firmer than a regular stuffed pillow and provide better neck support, helping to prevent neck pain. Some people also find it helpful for back pain and spinal alignment. You can even make a lumbar pillow or a neck roll with buckwheat for firm back and neck support.
What Do Buckwheat Pillows Feel Like?
Buckwheat pillows offer firm support while allowing for ample airflow to keep you cool. The filling is also more moldable compared to many synthetic pillows, so it adjusts to the shape of your head and neck. They provide a very similar feel to millet pillows, which are made with millet hulls (another healthy pillow option).
The Best Buckwheat Pillows
There are some claims that buckwheat pillows are hypoallergenic, but this may not be true in all cases. A 2004 Korean study compared new synthetic fill pillows with popular Korean buckwheat pillows. The researchers found that the new buckwheat pillows had significantly more endotoxins on them and developed more dust mites over time. They theorized that this was due to the use of low-quality buckwheat fill. The endotoxins from the buckwheat husks most likely come from the residual buckwheat flour, as Korean buckwheat pillow manufacturers typically do not clean the husks. In the United States, however, buckwheat husks used for filling buckwheat pillows are usually extensively cleaned. This flour residue serves as the perfect food for dust mites. That’s why it’s important to choose high-quality organic buckwheat hulls when making your own pillows.
Which brings me to my next point – washing and cleaning buckwheat pillows. One of the main downsides of pillows filled with buckwheat hulls is that they cannot be machine washed. I always recommend using a clean pillowcase for these pillows. I also do not recommend using them with toddlers who are potty training (speaking from experience… buckwheat and urine do not go well together). About once a month, I place the buckwheat pillows in the sun to ensure that they remain dry. The sun also helps to naturally eliminate any bacteria buildup. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation suggests replacing pillows approximately every two years, as sweat, dirt, dust mites, and other unpleasant things accumulate over time. In my experience, these handmade buckwheat pillows last for several years, which is the same amount of time that a pillow should be replaced.
Don’t Want to Make It?
Are you convinced about the benefits of a buckwheat pillow but don’t want to make your own? While making your own pillow is a bit cheaper, there are good-quality organic buckwheat pillows available for purchase. These pillows are particularly popular in Asian countries like Japan, so it’s easy to find them in smaller Japanese-size pillows. There is even an organic option available on Amazon that is made in the USA.
How to Make a Buckwheat Pillow
The first step is to decide how big or small you want your pillow to be. You can make a standard size or a travel pillow size (which is also suitable for toddlers). Some people even use buckwheat hulls to fill bean bags! A standard-size pillow is 20×26 inches, while a Queen size is 20×30 inches. A more traditional Japanese-style pillow is smaller at 14×20 inches. I used organic cotton fabric, but organic cotton twill is another good choice. Once you have made the actual pillow, you can use an existing or homemade cotton pillowcase to keep it clean. The amount of pillow fill you need can also depend on your sleeping position. Back sleepers can use a thinner pillow, while side sleepers require more support. I found that a 5-pound bag of buckwheat hulls was the ideal amount for a pillow slightly smaller than a regular one, and it fit perfectly into a standard-size pillowcase.
Adding Herbs
I like to use lavender in my DIY rice heat packs to create a relaxing scent. I have found that herbs also work well in homemade buckwheat pillows to enhance sleep quality. I added approximately 1/2 cup each of lavender, chamomile, and yarrow for a gentle scent and their relaxing aromatherapy properties. Another simple option is to make a neck pillow that can be used with a regular pillow or an eye mask with added herbs to promote better sleep and block out sleep-disrupting light.
DIY Buckwheat Relaxation Pillow
These DIY buckwheat pillows are made using organic buckwheat hulls and herbs to help improve sleep.
Yield
Instructions
1. Cut the fabric into the desired size and shape for your pillow, allowing for an extra 1/2 inch for seams. My fabric was approximately 20×24 inches.
2. Place the two pieces of fabric on top of each other with the right sides facing inwards, and pin the edges together. The wrong side of the fabric should be on the top and bottom.
3. Sew three sides and half of the remaining side, leaving an opening to fill with the buckwheat hulls and herbs (if using).
4. Turn the pillow cover right side out and fill it with the buckwheat and herbs (if using).
5. Fold the unsewn fabric edges into the opening and pin them together. The pinned area should be flush with the already-sewn area.
6. Hand sew or use a sewing machine to seal the opening.
Notes
Remember to use a pillowcase to cover your buckwheat pillow and replace it every two years. I also recommend placing the pillow in the sun once a month for disinfection. If desired, instead of sewing the opening closed, you can add a zipper. This tutorial provides instructions on how to add a zipper. Have you ever made your own pillows? Will you give this a try? Share your thoughts below!