Latex is a 100 percent natural, organic material. It is naturally flame retardant and doesn’t need any harsh chemicals added to meet fire safety standards. It is also naturally insect-resistant, so not only does it ward off bedbugs and other bedding pests, but it’s also inhospitable to dust mites. Dust mites are a common cause of allergies in conventional bedding materials. This wonderful material also resists mold and mildew, making it the pillow of choice for allergy sufferers.

Many people with neck and back pain have found that a latex pillow relieves their symptoms. If your sleep isn’t restful and you’ve been blaming your mattress, maybe it’s time to look at what you’ve been sleeping on. Latex pillows mold themselves to your head and neck under your weight, providing a firm but cushioned sleeping surface. You can choose between soft and medium firm models.

Latex holds up well year after year because its manufacturing process builds structure and density into the cellular composition of the pillow. They’re very low maintenance and don’t need to be fluffed. They come in every type of shape and size, from jellybean shape, to wave shapes that provide neck support, and even pillows with louvers to help air flow between the pillow and your skin.

Some of these pillows are molded, but you can also buy one that looks more like a conventional pillow and is filled with shredded latex bits instead of sculpted out of a solid block. A good latex pillow will have an outer cover that can be removed and washed.

Natural rubber is a renewable resource that provides a living for thousands of people in poor countries. It comes from rubber trees grown in Southeast Asia, South America, and South Africa. It’s free of harmful chemicals and is non-toxic from cradle to grave, even if it’s burned. Because it’s biodegradable, it can be placed in a landfill and will break down harmlessly.

There’s a lot of conflicting information online about whether you can wash your latex pillow, but the majority of sites say it should never be soaked in water. The point of the cotton cover is that you can strip it off and throw it in the washer, while spills that soak through to the pillow itself should immediately be wiped away with a damp cloth or sponge. Understandably, though, most people want to wash theirs now and then, so if you decide to do so, follow these washing instructions:

• Hand wash only
• Keep immersion time to an absolute minimum
• Never soak for any length of time
• Use a very mild soap that doesn’t contain chlorine bleach or grease cutting agents (especially ammonia)
• Don’t use bleach under any circumstances
• After washing, rinse thoroughly
• Never spin
• Pat the surface dry with a towel first so that pressing won’t drive the water deeper into the material
• Then when all the surface water is removed,  press the remaining water out between two towels
• Dry in a low-humidity location with a fan blowing on it so it doesn’t stay damp long
• Don’t dry it in the sun or over a heater duct

Although prices run higher than other pillow products, the comfort they provide and their durability over many years of use make them a cost-effective bedding choice over the long run. Spend a little more money today and pamper yourself with a 100 percent organic sleep experience. You’ll sleep even better knowing that you’re conserving our planet’s resources and reducing waste by buying a product that you don’t have to throw away soon after you buy it.