Are you looking for a nursing pillow that is supportive yet cuddly? That cools in summer and protects against sweating, but keeps you cozy warm in winter? We have the solution: Kapok, the natural fiber from the kapok tree, makes our nursing pillows truly cuddly. But what can kapok do and why do we love it so much?
What exactly is kapok?
Kapok fibers are harvested from kapok trees (Ceiba pentandra), also known as silk cotton trees. Kapok trees grow in all tropical regions of the world, are among the largest trees in the rainforest, and can live for over 500 years. The kapok tree only grows wild and not on plantations or in monocultures. There is also no use of fertilizers or pesticides. This protects the soil and the environment.
Large, yellowish to white or pink kapok flowers grow on the kapok trees, from which the kapok fruits develop. The kapok fruits are pods about 25 to 30 cm long, which are harvested when ripe, opened, and dried in the sun. Inside the kapok fruits are seeds surrounded by kapok, which are separated after drying.
What makes kapok so special?
Kapok is a very light yet voluminous fiber, with a lot of air trapped between the fine hairs. The fine hairs are breathable and prevent heat buildup. Additionally, they are coated with a natural wax layer that directs moisture outward and protects you and your baby from sweating. Kapok fibers have the unique property of being self-cleaning when placed in the sun and well-ventilated. Our kapok filling material is hypoallergenic and allergy-friendly and is vegan.
The properties of kapok
Kapok fibers are:
- Natural
- Light and voluminous
- Water-repellent
- Soft
- Thermal insulating
- Breathable
- Suitable for sensitive individuals
- Hypoallergenic
- Vegan, sustainable, and environmentally friendly
6 advantages of kapok as filling material
1. Kapok is natural
Kapok is a pure natural product that does not need further processing after harvesting. It is not washed, thermally or chemically treated, so it remains pure and natural. This makes it ideal for nursing pillows, as babies and pregnant women are often sensitive to other materials.
2. Kapok is light, soft, and cuddly
Kapok fibers are hollow fibers, making them particularly light and voluminous – even lighter than cotton. Thanks to this lightness, we can pack a lot of kapok into the nursing pillow. Although it is very large and voluminous at 190 cm in length, it weighs only about 1.5 kg. The fibers are very soft, fine, and smooth on the outside, similar to silk. They do not felt or clump and can be fluffed up again after cuddling.
3. Kapok is water-repellent
The natural wax layer on kapok makes it water-repellent. Moisture from breathing or sweating is not absorbed but directed away. This ensures a dry nursing pillow.
4. Kapok is thermally insulating and breathable
The hollow fiber of kapok provides high thermal insulation and retains heat due to the trapped air. This makes kapok ideal for winter. At the same time, kapok is breathable and directs excess heat away from the body, preventing sweating. Perfect for summer!
5. Kapok is ideal for sensitive individuals
Kapok fibers are rich in lignin and low in cellulose, which is very similar to the chemical composition of wood. Lignin makes kapok durable and stable, while the absence of cellulose means that fungi and mites are not attracted. Kapok is also uninteresting to moths and other microorganisms. The water-repellent structure additionally ensures that kapok does not provide a breeding ground for germs, spores, or mold. Thus, kapok products are ideal for sensitive individuals.
6. Kapok fibers are vegan
Kapok is a complete substitute for goose and duck down, for which no animal had to suffer. Since no pesticides or similar plant protection products are used in its cultivation, kapok is completely vegan.
How to clean and care for kapok?
Cleaning and caring for kapok is very easy. To activate the self-cleaning of the kapok fiber, simply place it in direct sunlight several times a year and let it dry completely. Brush or vacuum the kapok product before its suntanning or remove the fiber and spread it out directly in the sun. Generally, kapok pillows are equipped with a zipper, allowing you to easily remove and replace the kapok.
However, kapok must not be washed, as the fibers may clump together and lose their natural wax layer and self-cleaning ability, rendering them unusable.
Using kapok: For which bedding products is the natural fiber suitable?
Kapok in nursing pillows
In our nursing pillows, we have used kapok as filling material because synthetic fillings do not align with our sustainability philosophy, and grain fillings are too heavy and noisy. The nursing pillow inserts are made of cotton and are 100% filled with kapok. For the outer cover, you can choose knitted covers in five colors or a percale cover made of cotton.
Kapok as filling material in pillows or blankets
In our range, we have kapok in refill bags with 1 kg and 1.5 kg content. You can use the refill kapok for your pillow or even fill comforters with it. In summer, kapok works wonderfully cooling, and in winter, it keeps you warm without causing sweating.
Kapok in mattresses
Kapok is also available as mattress filling. Due to the firmness and volume of the fiber, it is ideal for achieving a high degree of hardness. This is particularly beneficial for individuals suffering from back pain. Allergy sufferers also benefit from a kapok mattress, as its anti-allergic properties prevent the settlement of mites and other microorganisms. A great side effect of the kapok mattress: it is very light and easy to carry, transport, and re-cover.
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