Kapok - The perfect natural fibre for your baby bed

Are you looking for a nursing pillow that is supportive and cuddly at the same time? Cools in summer and protects against sweating, but keeps you cozy and warm in winter? We have the solution: Kapok, the natural fiber of the kapok tree , is what makes our nursing pillows so cozy. But what can kapok do and why do we love it so much?

What exactly is kapok?

The kapok fibers are harvested from kapok trees (Ceiba pentandra), also known as silk wool 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. Fertilizers or pesticides are also not used. 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 after they are ripe, opened and dried in the sun. The kapok fruits contain seeds that are surrounded by the kapok and are separated after drying.

What makes kapok so special?

Kapok is a very light but voluminous fiber in which a lot of air is trapped between the fine hairs. The fine hairs are breathable and prevent heat build-up. They are also covered with a natural wax layer that wicks moisture away and protects you and your baby from sweating. Kapok fibers have the special feature that they are self-cleaning when placed in the sun and well ventilated. Our kapok filling material is hypoallergenic and allergy-friendly, is produced sustainably, is vegan and certified according to Oeko-Tex Standard 100 and GOTS.

The properties of kapok

Kapok fibers are:

• Naturally
• Light and voluminous
• Water-repellent
• Soft
• Thermal insulation
• Breathable
• Suitable for sensitive people
• Hypoallergen
• Vegan, sustainable and environmentally friendly

6 advantages of kapok as filling material

1. Kapok is natural

Kapok is a purely natural product that does not need to be processed 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 and are therefore particularly light and voluminous - and even lighter than cotton. Thanks to this lightness, we can fit a lot of kapok into the nursing pillow. Although it is very large and voluminous at 190 cm long, it only weighs around 1.5 kg. The fibers are very soft, fine and smooth on the outside, similar to silk. They do not mat or clump and can be fluffed up again after cuddling.

3. Kapok is water-repellent

The natural wax layer on the kapok makes it water-repellent . Moisture that is created by breathing or sweating is not absorbed but passed on directly. This ensures a dry nursing pillow.

4. Kapok is heat-insulating and breathable

The hollow fiber of the kapok provides high thermal insulation and retains heat by trapping air. This makes kapok ideal for winter. At the same time, kapok is breathable and wicks excess heat away from the body, preventing sweating. Perfect for summer!

5. Kapok is ideal for sensitive people

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 lack of cellulose means that fungi and mites are not attracted to it. Likewise, kapok is uninteresting for moths and other microorganisms . The water-repellent structure also means that kapok does not form a breeding ground for germs, spores or mold. This makes kapok products ideal for sensitive people .

6. Kapok fibers are vegan

Kapok is a complete replacement 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 is kapok cleaned and cared for?

Cleaning and caring for kapok is child's play. To activate the self-cleaning properties of the kapok fiber, all you need to do is place it in the blazing sun several times a year and let it dry completely. Brush or vacuum the kapok product before sunbathing , or remove the fiber and spread it out in the sun. Kapok pillows are usually equipped with a zipper, which makes it easy to remove the kapok and put it back in.

However, kapok must not be washed , as the fibres will otherwise clump together and lose their natural wax layer and self-cleaning power, and become unusable.

Use Kapok: The natural fibre is suitable for these bed products

Kapok in the nursing pillow

We have used kapok as the filling material in our nursing pillows because synthetic fillings are not acceptable in terms of our sustainability concept and grain fillings are too heavy and too loud. The nursing pillow inserts are made of cotton and are filled with 100% kapok. For the outer cover, you can choose from 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 contents. You can use the refill kapok for your pillow or even fill quilts with it. In summer the kapok has a wonderfully cooling effect and in winter it keeps you nice and warm without making you sweat.

Kapok in the mattress

Kapok is also available as a mattress filling. The strength and volume of the fiber makes it ideal for achieving a high degree of hardness. This is particularly good for people who suffer from back pain. Allergy sufferers also benefit from a kapok mattress because the anti-allergic properties prevent mites and other microorganisms from settling in. A great side effect of the kapok mattress: it is very light and easy to carry, transport and re-cover.