A Pillow Without Polyester Fill: What's Inside MOSO

If you've ever cut open an old pillow, you've probably seen white fluff. A lot of the time, that's polyester. It's cheap, it's everywhere, and plenty of people sleep on it every night without thinking twice.

We started MOSO because we wanted a different answer to the question "what's in this pillow?" This post covers what most pillows are filled with, why some people want a pillow without polyester, and exactly what goes into a MOSO pillow.

What are bamboo pillows made of?

Usually, less bamboo than the name suggests. A reviewer who tested seven "bamboo pillows" over 14 months reports that the part supporting your head is "almost universally shredded memory foam, solid memory foam, or polyester fiberfill." The "bamboo" usually refers to the cover (bambooscope.com). That cover is typically rayon or viscose made from bamboo, sometimes blended with polyester.

You'll also see listings say "bamboo fiber fill" or "bamboo filling." That's a common shopper and listing term. The FTC says that unless a textile is made directly of bamboo fiber, it should be labeled with the fiber's proper name, such as "rayon made from bamboo" (FTC, 2009, archived). So when a listing says "bamboo fiber fill," check the law label for the actual fiber name.

So what's a MOSO pillow made of?

• Fill: viscose made from bamboo, blended with bamboo charcoal and tourmaline.
• Ticking: a 300 thread count sateen woven from viscose made from bamboo.
• Build: a 2-inch gusset with white piping. Standard/Queen holds 1000 g of fill (18 × 26 in); King holds 1440 g (18 × 36 in).
• There's no polyester in the fill or the ticking, and no microplastics.

(Fill, ticking, gusset, sizes and fill weights from the product page.)

What's in most pillows

Pillow fills fall into a few groups: polyester fiberfill, memory foam (solid or shredded), latex, down and feathers, and natural or plant-based fibers. As above, many pillows sold as "bamboo" are foam or polyester inside. One reviewer's best-value pick had a cover of 60% polyester and 40% bamboo-derived rayon (bambooscope.com).

So if "no polyester" matters to you, read the fill line and the cover line, not just the name on the box.

Why people look for a pillow without polyester

People have different reasons. Some want to keep synthetic fibers out of their bed. Some just want a natural-fiber feel. And some have heard about microfibers: research reports that polyester textiles shed microfibers in the wash (Napper & Thompson, 2016, Marine Pollution Bulletin).

Here's exactly what's in ours.

What's inside MOSO

In the MOSO Black Performance Pillow, there's no polyester in the fill or the ticking. The fill is viscose made from bamboo, blended with bamboo charcoal and tourmaline. The ticking (the outer fabric) is a 300 thread count sateen woven from viscose made from bamboo. The fill is a plant-based cellulosic fiber, not polyester: no microplastics.

The fill has a name: MoVis™ RecoveryFill. It's viscose made from bamboo, carbonized and blended with bamboo charcoal and tourmaline.

The bamboo base is breathable and designed to sleep cool. The bamboo charcoal and tourmaline convert your body heat into far-infrared energy, which you don't feel as heat, and reflect it back to your body. It's a cool pillow. The research we draw on is on our science page. For reading any pillow label, see our label-reading guide.

What "viscose made from bamboo" means

You'll see us say "viscose made from bamboo," not just "bamboo," and that's on purpose. Bamboo is the plant source; the fiber is made by processing that plant material into viscose. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission says textiles made this way should be labeled with the fiber's proper name, such as "rayon made from bamboo," rather than simply "bamboo" (FTC, 2009, archived). Viscose is a type of rayon.

We'd rather be clear about it. When you compare pillows, look for that kind of wording. It tells you the seller is giving you the real fiber name.

How it's built

• Medium firm with a soft hand, for back, side and combination sleepers.
• A 2-inch gusset with white piping that "holds loft night after night."
• Lower profile than a traditional down pillow. The dense fill holds a steady height instead of puffing up or flattening out.

Not sure what height you need? Read Pillow Height for Side and Back Sleepers.

(Quotes from the product page.)

MOSO is a Denver company, and every pillow is assembled and finished in Denver.

Questions to ask before you buy a pillow without polyester

Polyester can show up in places you don't expect, so here's a quick checklist:

1. 1. What is the fill, exactly? "Natural," "eco" or "bamboo" on the front isn't a fill. Look for the fiber name on the listing or the law label.
2. 2. What is the cover made of? A natural-fiber fill inside a polyester-blend cover still puts polyester against your face.
3. 3. Is there a separate inner liner? Some pillows have an inner case made of a different fabric than the outer one.
4. 4. Are the fibers named properly? Viscose or rayon made from bamboo should be named that way, not just "bamboo."
5. 5. Does the brand answer questions? If you can't find out what's inside, that tells you something.

For the MOSO Black Performance Pillow, the answers are simple: the fill is viscose made from bamboo with bamboo charcoal and tourmaline, and the ticking is a sateen of viscose made from bamboo.

Sizes and price

Standard/Queen "fits standard and queen pillow cases." Colors: Charcoal and Silver.

Denver: at your door today

Between Centennial and Westminster, free same-day hand delivery runs 7 days a week: orders placed by 1 PM MT are delivered the same day, per our shipping policy. Elsewhere in the U.S., standard shipping is free on orders over $99. New customers: HELLOMOSO takes 10% off.

Get the MOSO Black Performance Pillow →

Want to know how the fill handles heat? Read Cooling Pillow for Hot Sleepers. Weighing fiber against foam? See Bamboo Pillow vs Memory Foam.

— Team MOSO

FAQ

Is there any polyester in a MOSO pillow?
No. The fill is viscose made from bamboo, blended with bamboo charcoal and tourmaline. There's no polyester in the fill or the ticking.

Does a MOSO pillow shed microplastics?
No. There's no polyester in the fill or the ticking, and no microplastics. The fill is a plant-based cellulosic fiber.

Why do you say "viscose made from bamboo" instead of "bamboo"?
Because that's the accurate fiber name. The FTC asks sellers to name the actual fiber, such as rayon made from bamboo, rather than just "bamboo."

What are bamboo pillows made of?
Most are shredded or solid memory foam, or polyester fiberfill, with a cover of rayon or viscose made from bamboo. MOSO's fill is viscose made from bamboo, blended with bamboo charcoal and tourmaline.

Is "bamboo fiber fill" real bamboo?
It's a common listing term. The FTC says textiles that aren't made directly of bamboo fiber should be labeled by the fiber's proper name, such as rayon made from bamboo. Check the law label.

Who is it for?
People who train and want a pillow without polyester fill. It's medium firm and works for back, side and combination sleepers.

Do you deliver in Denver?
Yes. Between Centennial and Westminster, orders placed by 1 PM MT are delivered the same day, 7 days a week, per our shipping policy.