Understanding Cushion Filling Materials

The outer cover gets all the attention, but it's what's inside that truly determines how a cushion feels, how long it lasts, and how much maintenance it requires. Whether you're seeking cloud-like softness, firm support, or easy-care convenience, understanding filling materials helps you make informed decisions that match your comfort preferences and lifestyle.

This comprehensive guide compares the most common cushion filling materials, examining their characteristics, advantages, disadvantages, and ideal use cases so you can choose the perfect fill for your needs.

Polyester Hollow Fibre

The most common cushion filling in Australia, polyester hollow fibre consists of synthetic strands with hollow cores that trap air. This construction provides loft and softness while remaining lightweight and affordable.

Characteristics

• Feel: Soft to medium-firm, depending on density
• Loft retention: Moderate—will flatten with use but can be fluffed
• Price point: Budget to mid-range
• Lifespan: 2-4 years with regular use

Advantages

• Hypoallergenic—ideal for allergy sufferers
• Machine washable and quick drying
• Lightweight
• Affordable
• Available everywhere

Disadvantages

• Can feel scratchy or lumpy in cheaper versions
• Loses loft over time, especially with heavy use
• Less luxurious feel than natural fills
• Not biodegradable

Microfibre/Down Alternative

A premium synthetic fill designed to mimic the feel of natural down. Microfibre consists of extremely fine polyester strands that create a softer, more luxurious feel than standard hollow fibre.

Characteristics

• Feel: Soft and plush, similar to down but with more spring-back
• Loft retention: Good—better than standard polyester
• Price point: Mid-range
• Lifespan: 3-5 years with regular use

Advantages

• Down-like softness without allergens
• Machine washable
• Better loft retention than standard polyester
• Vegan-friendly alternative to down
• More affordable than natural down

Disadvantages

• Still doesn't quite match real down's feel
• Can clump if washed incorrectly
• Quality varies significantly between brands

Duck and Goose Feather

Natural feathers provide excellent support and durability. They're stiffer than down due to the presence of quills, making them better suited for cushions that need to hold their shape.

Characteristics

• Feel: Supportive with some give, firm to medium
• Loft retention: Excellent—springs back readily
• Price point: Mid to upper range
• Lifespan: 5-10 years with proper care

Advantages

• Excellent shape retention and resilience
• Natural and biodegradable
• Long-lasting
• Moulds to body shape while maintaining structure

Disadvantages

• Quills can sometimes poke through covers
• Not suitable for allergy sufferers
• Requires regular fluffing
• Can develop odour if not dried properly
• Ethical concerns for some consumers

Down

The gold standard for luxury cushion filling. Down consists of the soft, fluffy clusters found beneath the outer feathers of ducks and geese. It provides unmatched softness and excellent temperature regulation.

Characteristics

• Feel: Extremely soft, malleable, cloud-like
• Loft retention: Excellent with regular fluffing
• Price point: Premium
• Lifespan: 10-15 years with proper care

Advantages

• Unmatched softness and luxury feel
• Excellent temperature regulation—warm in winter, breathable in summer
• Highly compressible yet resilient
• Natural and biodegradable
• Long lifespan

Disadvantages

• Expensive
• Can trigger allergies
• Requires regular fluffing and professional cleaning
• Doesn't provide firm support—some find it too soft
• Ethical concerns regarding sourcing

Feather-Down Blends

Many cushions combine feathers and down to balance softness with support. Common ratios include 80/20 feather to down (more supportive) and 50/50 (balanced feel). These blends offer a middle ground in both feel and price.

Memory Foam

Originally developed for NASA, memory foam responds to pressure and heat, moulding to your body shape. It's particularly valuable for support cushions rather than decorative throw pillows.

Characteristics

• Feel: Firm initial feel that softens with body heat
• Loft retention: Excellent—returns to original shape
• Price point: Mid to upper range
• Lifespan: 5-8 years

Advantages

• Excellent pressure relief and support
• Maintains shape consistently
• Hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant
• Ideal for lumbar and seat cushions

Disadvantages

• Can retain heat—uncomfortable in hot weather
• Not washable—spot clean only
• Can have initial off-gassing odour
• Firmer feel not suitable for all applications
• Heavier than other fills

Foam Chips/Shredded Foam

Shredded pieces of foam, often recycled from furniture manufacturing. This fill provides adjustable support and is commonly found in floor cushions and pet beds.

Characteristics

• Feel: Chunky, supportive, adjustable
• Loft retention: Good
• Price point: Budget to mid-range
• Lifespan: 3-5 years

Advantages

• Supportive and firm
• Adjustable—add or remove fill as needed
• Often made from recycled materials
• Maintains shape well

Disadvantages

• Lumpy feel—not suitable for fine cushions
• Can be heavy
• May off-gas initially
• Not washable

Kapok

A natural fibre from the seed pods of the kapok tree. Kapok provides a soft, cottony feel and is popular in meditation cushions and as a down alternative.

Characteristics

• Feel: Soft, similar to down but lighter
• Loft retention: Moderate—compresses over time
• Price point: Mid to upper range
• Lifespan: 3-5 years

Advantages

• Natural, sustainable, and biodegradable
• Naturally resistant to dust mites
• Very lightweight
• Silky, soft feel
• Vegan alternative to down

Disadvantages

• Compresses significantly over time
• Difficult to wash—loses loft when wet
• May clump if not properly cared for
• Less widely available than synthetic options

Cotton Batting

Natural cotton wadding provides firm, stable support. It's commonly used in traditional upholstery and firm-style cushions.

Characteristics

• Feel: Firm and stable
• Loft retention: Poor—compresses and hardens over time
• Price point: Budget to mid-range
• Lifespan: 2-3 years before significant compression

Advantages

• Natural and breathable
• Affordable
• Provides firm support
• Good for structured cushions

Disadvantages

• Hardens with use—becomes uncomfortable over time
• Heavy when wet and slow to dry
• Can develop lumps
• Not as resilient as synthetic alternatives

Choosing the Right Fill for Your Needs

For Decorative Throw Pillows

Best options: Down, feather-down blend, or quality microfibre. These fills provide the soft, squeezable feel and "karate chop" styling capability desired for decorative cushions.

For Seat and Back Cushions

Best options: High-density foam, memory foam, or firm feather. Support is paramount—you want fills that won't compress flat with regular sitting.

For Floor Cushions

Best options: Foam chips, buckwheat hulls, or firm polyester. These need to withstand body weight and floor contact while maintaining height.

For Outdoor Cushions

Best options: Quick-dry foam or reticulated foam specifically designed for outdoor use. Avoid natural fills that trap moisture and encourage mould.

For Allergy Sufferers

Best options: Synthetic fills like polyester, microfibre, or memory foam. Avoid all feather and down products.

Final Thoughts

The best cushion filling depends entirely on your priorities: budget, feel, maintenance preferences, ethical considerations, and intended use. There's no single "best" fill—only the best fill for your specific needs.

Consider purchasing cushion inserts and covers separately. This allows you to select your ideal filling without being limited by cover options, and you can replace inserts when they wear out while keeping beautiful covers you love.