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- Comfortable
- Affordable
- Can be washed hot
- Some limitations to machine washable credentials
- Needs frequent fluffing
“Regular washing isn’t enough”, says Cuddledown, pointing out that washing bedding at 30-40°C won’t kill germs. Fortunately for the brand, its ZeroMite Hygienic bedding range can be washed at 95°C in order to kill dust mites, bed bugs and other nasties that might be lurking in there.
That’s the main selling point of the Cuddledown ZeroMite Hygienic Pillow reviewed here, and I’ll admit it’s an appealing one: until now, I’ve not come across any bedding that can be washed at such a high temperature.
Hygiene aside, the ZeroMite pillow is a comfortable pillow and great value for money. Its washability is undoubtedly a great benefit too, though it’s not a perfect solution in some instances.
Cuddledown ZeroMite Hygienic Pillow: What do you get for the money?
Cuddledown’s ZeroMite Hygienic Pillow is made from synthetic materials: a polyester fibre filling and microfibre quilted casing that, the brand says, is OEKO-TEX certified and free from harmful substances. It comes in two sizes – the standard size reviewed here (£39) and king (£44).
The standout feature, as I mentioned above, is that it can be machine washed at 95°C. This, Cuddledown claims, “naturally eliminates dust mites, bed bugs, mould, allergens, bacteria, and odours”, all the while allowing the pillow to keep its shape and softness. The brand recommends washing your pillow at this temperature every two or three months, and says it has been tested by Centexbel in Belgium to withstand over 100 high-heat washes.
The pillow sits in Cuddledown’s ZeroMite Hygienic Sleep range alongside its washable duvet, which is made with similar materials and can also be washed at a high heat.
What did we like?
Comfort and performance
I found the Cuddledown ZeroMite pillow comfortable and supportive. It’s rated as “Soft/Medium” on the brand’s website, which I’m inclined to agree with: there’s plenty of cushioning here but it’s well-structured and isn’t lacking in support, provided you fluff it up regularly (it has a habit of squashing down flat over time).
While I felt that the ZermoMite pillow hit a good balance between comfort and support, I’d still argue that it’s best suited to those who prefer plush comfort from their pillow. Those who get on better with firm pillows such as the Simba Aerodown or the Eve Hybrid Side Sleeper – both pillows I reviewed recently – might find the ZeroMite too soft.
Value for money
At £39 for a standard size pillow, the Cuddledown ZeroMite Hygienic Pillow is affordable and sits in a very competitive price range. It makes sense to compare it to other pillows with a similar construction. For instance, Dreams’ Side Sleeper Pillow costs £30, while the Simba Aerdown I mentioned above is £60. By contrast, Dusk’s Feels Like Down pillows are a much cheaper option at £20 for a pair.
It’s worth mentioning that all of these rivals have cotton covers, compared to the ZeroMite’s polyester microfibre casing. Polyester bedding is not always the best option when it comes to temperature regulation, but I didn’t have any issues with overheating while reviewing the ZeroMite – nor did its cover material feel cheap or abrasive. That being said, we’ve not had many warm nights during my testing period.
Washability
I was keen to put the ZeroMite pillow’s washable credentials to the test. Unfortunately, my washing machine doesn’t have a 95°C setting, so I washed it on a “Cotton 90°C” cycle for 179 minutes. For good measure, I also spilled a bit of coffee on the surface of the pillow before washing.
At around 11.20am, the pillow emerged looking and feeling fresh without a trace of the coffee stain. I placed it flat on a drying rack in my living room, with the windows open and with plenty of natural light. By mid-afternoon, it felt almost dry. Nevertheless, I gave it another day before I slept on it again, just to make sure it was completely dry inside and out.
I noticed that, after washing it, some of the filling had become displaced. I’ve already mentioned that the pillow benefits from a good bit of fluffing up, and this is especially so after washing it. But once I plumped it back up to its original shape, I’ve continued to sleep on it with no issues.
What could be improved?
I’ve already mentioned that those who prefer a firmer feel might not get on with the ZeroMite Hygienic Pillow, and it’s still too soon to make a conclusive judgement about how its synthetic materials fare during hotter weather. For the time being, though, I’ve got no qualms with the ZeroMite as far as comfort and support are concerned.
However, considering how much emphasis Cuddledown puts on the pillow’s washability, I think it’s important to point out some limitations in this department. For a start, you’ll need to have a washing machine that can meet the pillow’s care instructions. Your appliance obviously needs to be big enough to fit the pillow too. My machine has a 7kg capacity and I just managed to squeeze it in – were the pillow any more bulky or rigid, I’d be much less confident.
Once you’ve established that you’ve got a washing machine that’s up to the task, you’ll need to reckon with the environmental and financial cost of washing the pillow. About 90% of the energy consumed by a washing machine goes towards heating the water, which is why you often hear that it’s both more economical and better for the environment to wash at cooler temperatures (“if it’s not dirty, wash at 30”). So, washing the ZeroMite pillow at 90/95°C every couple of months as per Cuddledown’s recommendation will take its toll. The popular consensus says that washing at 60°C is sufficient for killing most germs, bacteria and bed bugs. So, if you’re washing your pillow that frequently, it’s probably okay to take it down a notch.
Speaking of bed bugs, if you’re facing an infestation, it’s very likely that the issue goes beyond your bedding. There’s a good chance that they’re also going to be in your mattress, or your bed frame, and perhaps even in your clothes. Unfortunately, you can’t wash all of that at 60-95°C in your 7kg washing machine. Trust me, I’ve had more than my fair share of bed bugs, and your best bet is to call in someone who really knows how to take care of them.
Should you buy the CuddleDown ZeroMite Hygienic Washable Pillow?
While it’s important not to overstate the perks of being able to wash the ZeroMite pillow at 95°C, it’s still undoubtedly a benefit to have bedding that can withstand such high temperatures. As I said at the top of this review, I’ve not come across many other pillows that give you this option, so it’s a unique benefit.
If energy consumption is a concern, it’s important to remember that no one is forcing you to wash your pillow at full blast every two months: that’s up to you. And if anything, I suppose it’s just nice knowing that you can.
And washability aside, CuddleDown’s ZeroMite Hygienic Washable Pillow is an affordable, comfortable and supportive option.
