Microbeads are very small balls made from a material known as polystyrene. These tiny polystyrene balls respond well to the weight of your head or body, and they have another major advantage. The microbeads themselves will go back to the shape they held prior to the introduction of body weight. This means that the will remain comfortable for the next use, and they remain aesthetically pleasing after many nights of wear and tear.

Microbead pillows have another advantage-they are friendly to the environment. Frequently, microbeads are constructed out of recycled products, thereby making the fill a responsible and ecologically friendly choice for yourself or as a birthday or holiday gift.

If you would prefer to design and create, your own microbead pillows rather than purchase them from a retail store, that is an option. Many arts and crafts suppliers and most fabric retailers and wholesale companies will carry microbeads in stock. If you have basic sewing skills or own a sewing machine for efficiency, you can simply sew two fabric shapes together and fill them with the microbeads to create everything from throw pillows to comfortable pillows for dogs and cats. The options are truly limitless, and you can use your creativity to design and create colorful, soft, plush pillows for friends and family. The fact that you are using microbeads as a pillow filler rather than standard fibers means that you will have more flexibility when designing shapes. Small spaces and shapes that are more complex can be filled with the tiny beads, whereas regular pillow filling will not generally work well in those cases. You may want to use a fabric lining to prevent spillage of the microbeads out of the pillow, particularly in the case of pillows that will be getting vigorous use and are not purely decorative.

Also, do keep in mind that microbeads tend to be less than .3 inches in their diameter, which is what creates such a comfortable filling for pillows. These tiny beads need to be secured into the pillow or spillage may occur. Another consideration is that safety concerns are a factor in these types of pillows. Generally, it is advised that children under the age of 5 years old should not be using microbead pillows. This would also apply to store bought pillows or toys, which contain the tiny beads. If you have any concerns about safety it is best to call the manufacturer and consult with your child’s pediatrician regarding a timeline for safely using microbead pillows in your home.

In terms of fabric choice, you have a variety of options. Those seeking a flexible, strecthcy material will want to look into products that contain some spandex in them, whereas those seeking a softer more traditional pillow will want to stick to 100% cotton and will tend to avoid the artificial fabrics. Even those who are using a cotton exterior for the outside fabric of the pillow may want to use an artificial interior. This is because the lining of the pillow will need to stretch a bit to accommodate the beads inside of the pillow as they change shape with the application of pressure in the form of body weight. If you have questions about the best materials to use when making your own microbead pillows, it is often helpful to speak with the staff at fabric store. There are also books available with ideas for different shapes, sizes, materials, patterns and color schemes for pillow making.

The microbead pillow is a great choice as a cozy, plush pillow option. Some users are frequent flier who needs the added support of a small neck pillow during long cross-country or international flights. Others are people with chronic back and neck pain who need the pillows for use every night. Alternatively, maybe you are simply looking for the more comfortable type of pillow to toss on your couch, futon or lounger. Consider replacing your current pillows with microbead pillows, and feel the difference.