Pillows

The healthiest and most eco-friendly pillows are those filled with natural materials like organic latex from rubber trees, cotton and kapok, a fluffy fiber pulled from the seed pods of the tropical kapok tree. No one should have to sleep on toxic materials like polyester or polyurethane foam, which is what most mass market pillows are stuffed with. Polyester is a synthetic plastic petroleum product and is bad for you and for the environment. Chemically, it’s similar to the PET plastic used to make clear plastic water and soda bottles. Polyurethane foam is also a type of petroleum-based plastic that carries dangers such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde and toxic microplastic shedding, also a danger with polyester. Many polyfoam pillows also contain toxic flame retardants.

Good as Dirt’s top pillow recommendations are those made by Avocado Green Mattress, My Green Mattress, Coyuchi, Savvy Rest and Eco Terra Beds. They offer a wide variety of pillows with different plant-based materials, shapes and levels of firmness. Listed below are some of our top recommendations. But each brand offers others too so check out their full lines.

Pillows

  • My Green Mattress Charcoal-Infused Pillow

    This cooling pillow is made from a solid core of charcoal-infused Dunlop latex. It has a firm yet contouring feel that is designed specifically for back and side sleepers. Activated charcoal is a mineral that acts to reduce odors and moisture, when it is infused with Dunlop latex before being poured into a mold, the outcome is a pillow that is comfortable and breathable. It's covered with a thin removable zippered organic cotton fabric.

  • Coyuchi's Turiya Organic Latex Pillow

    The Turiya organic latex pillow is designed for proper spinal alignment, relieving pressure on your head and neck. It’s made with GOLS-certified organic Dunlop latex which offers breathable support that retains its shape over time. The aerated latex is sculpted with indentations for your head and ears, providing the highest level of comfort for both side and back sleepers.

  • Coyuchi's Organic Shredded Latex Pillow

    This organic pillow is filled with shredded Dunlop latex, which is naturally breathable and hypoallergenic and resistant to mold, mildew, and dust mites. It’s encased in an interior layer of knit cotton followed by a removable pillow protector in densely woven organic cotton sateen. Both covers are zippered. Because the latex is shredded, this pillow can be scrunched and shaped to your preference. This feature mimics feather pillows. (Solid latex pillows are more supportive but can’t be squished to new shapes.)

  • Avocado Molded Latex Pillow

    Avocado's molded latex pillow is designed for back and side sleepers and others needing a firmer pillow for neck support. It's molded from a charcoal-infused latex core, holds its shape evenly and regulates temperature while eliminating odors and excess moisture. It has a removable GOTS-certified organic cotton cover. 

  • Avocado's Talalay Pillow

    Avocado’s pure Talalay latex pillow is made with FSC-certified Pure Talalay latex—a premium, breathable material that supports spinal alignment. The pure Talalay latex core contours to your head and neck, delivering a buoyant, responsive, and ergonomic fit. As with all their pillows, they are GOTS-certified for organic integrity, free of pesticides and harmful chemicals,

  • Avocado Green Pillow

    Avocado has a pillow for everything from sleeping to reading to yoga and meditating. And for every type of sleeper. Their signature green pillow is handmade in California from GOLS-certified organic latex and GOTS-certified organic kapok. The fill is stuffed within an inner organic jersey cotton liner. The liner is then enveloped inside a zippered GOTS-certified organic quilted cotton cover. 

  • Avocado Mini Pillow

    Perfect for traveling, Avocado’s soft and breathable organic Mini Pillow is stuffed with renewable materials, GOTS-certified organic kapok fiber and GOLS-certified organic latex. It’s stitched together under a gentle GOTS-certified organic cotton cover.. Protect it with Avocado’s mini and toddler pillowcase. The size is perfect for it.

  • Savvy Rest Contour Pillow

    The Savvy Rest contour pillow is filled with medium Dunlop latex and covered with an organic cotton casing. It has high rounded edges and firm neck support for side sleepers. The hollow center helps to cradle your head. All Savvy Rest organic pillows have unbleached, natural-colored organic cotton casings with a soft flannel finish

  • Savvy Rest Organic Soap Shaped Pillow

    The popular Savvy Rest Soap Shaped Pillow is filled with organic Dunlop latex and has an organic outer cotton casing that is removable. Its support makes it perfect for side sleepers. Overall this formed pillow has a firmer feel than the Taladay latex pillow.

  • Savvy Rest Organic Shredded Latex Pillow

    Savvy Rest’s shreded organic latex pillow has a dense and supportive feel. It gently conforms to your neck and shoulders to move as you do. It’s customizable and comes overstuffed so you can remove as much or as little latex stuffing as you want to adjust the height and firmness and overall feel. All Savvy Rest organic pillows have unbleached, natural-colored organic cotton casings with a soft flannel finish.

  • Savvy Rest Latex Wedge Pillow

    Savvy Rest’s versatile organic Taladay latex wedge pillow is perfect accompaniment to regular pillows for those who like to read at night or maybe do crossword puzzles. It’s designed to help keep you elevated and comfortable. It’s also a great stand-alone pillow. If you keep it flat and horizontal while sleeping on your back it helps to alleviate snoring, acid reflux, and post-nasal drip. It helps with a variety of other sleep-related issues too. All Savvy Rest organic pillows have unbleached, natural-colored organic cotton casings with a soft flannel finish.

  • Savvy Rest Organic Latex Pillow

    The Savvy Rest Natural Latex Pillow is filled with organic Gold-Certified Taladay latex and covered with a plush knit organic cotton cover. Savvy Rest calls this responsive pillow their most luxurious. It’s excellent for side sleepers and those who like a supportive but also buoyant pillow.

  • Savvy Rest Organic Kapok Pillow

    The Savvy Rest Organic Kapok Pillow is filled with natural lightweight kapok. The kapok gives this popular vegan pillow the fluffy feel of down without using feathers. It’s covered in a removable organic cotton casing. Kapok is a cotton-like substance that grows from the ceiba or kapok tree. These trees can be found in tropical climates from Mexico to West Africa. This pillow is intentionally overstuffed so that you can remove some kapok if you’d like to adjust the height and firmness.

  • Eco Terra Beds Natural Latex Pillow

    Eco Terra's latex pillow is made with solid natural talalay latex wrapped in a cotton sateen cover, while the shredded version is made with GOLS organic shredded latex and natural kapok, wrapped in an organic cotton cover. They are custom made to order in California with natural latex foam shipped directly from a rubber plantation in Sri Lanka. They are hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites, mold, and mildew, which helps create a healthier sleep environment.