We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Types

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Squishy Pillow?

By Adam Hill
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 8,926
Share

There are a wide variety of pillows available on the market today, for every taste and every style of home decor. One of the more unique pillows available is the squishy pillow. A squishy pillow is so called because of the texture of its filling, which easily molds to the shape of the head and neck of the user. Squishy pillows are also called microbead pillows, again because of their filling, which is made of small, soft, plastic beads.

Many people use a U-shaped or cylindrical squishy pillow, which are the most common types. Their convenient shape and small size makes them especially suited for use while traveling by car or airplane. Microbead pillows are also made in traditional shapes and sizes to be used at night. This design takes advantage of the ability the beads have to easily contour to any shape.

The larger designs are especially popular with those who suffer from stress-related neck and shoulder pain. This is because the microbeads are thought to have a therapeutic effect, in that they aid in the relaxation of neck and shoulder muscles. People who use a squishy pillow for this purpose often report a lessening of stress-induced pain within the first few days. Nightly use can cause the pillow to become less firm over time, since the fabric cover becomes less resilient with repeated use. However, these pillows are relatively inexpensive, so somewhat frequent replacement is generally worth it, especially to those who suffer from chronic neck pain.

The cover of a squishy pillow is usually a flexible fabric made with a combination of spandex and Lycra®. The fabric is soft and elastic enough that it can stretch freely to mold to any shape. High-quality round beads make up the filling of a squishy pillow, and give the pillow its unique properties.

Microbeads are called that because of their very small size -- just 0.012 inches to 0.019 inches (0.3 mm to 0.5 mm) in diameter. They are made of expanded polystyrene, a synthetic plastic. Expanded polystyrene is used because it has less of a tendency to flatten out over time than extruded polystyrene does. It is also made from non-recycled material, which gives it better longevity.

To clean a squishy pillow, it is best to avoid putting it in a washing machine, since the cover can be excessively stretched during the wash cycle. Spot cleaning is best, if it happens to become dirty. Once it has been cleaned, the pillow should not be hung up, but rather left to dry on a flat surface.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-squishy-pillow.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.