I needed extra fill in my Coop Eden because I prefer a fuller pillow for side sleeping. Someone else may need to remove fill from the same pillow. That is the point of an adjustable pillow: the factory setup is a starting point, not a setting you have to keep.
Work in small amounts. A single large change can take a pillow from too high to too flat and make it harder to tell what actually feels better.
⚡ Quick Answer: How to Adjust a Bamboo Pillow
- Check the pillow first: A removable cover does not always mean the inner fill is adjustable. Look for a zipper on the liner that holds the loose fill.
- Test the starting height: Use your usual pillowcase and lie on the pillow in your normal sleep position.
- Change a small amount: Remove fill if the pillow is too high or tightly packed. Add compatible fill if it is too low.
- Close and redistribute: Keep fill out of the zipper, close the liner, then spread the foam through the center and corners.
- Keep spare fill: Store it in a clean, sealed bag so you can reverse the adjustment later.
Make sure the pillow is actually adjustable
Many pillows sold as bamboo pillows have a removable outer cover. That only gives you access to the liner or foam core. An adjustable pillow has a second opening that lets you reach the loose fill itself.
My Coop Original, Coop Eden, and Snuggle-Pedic all have loose fill that can be changed. My Cariloha Gel Pillow has one solid foam core. I can remove its cover for cleaning, but I cannot adjust the height by taking foam out of the core. My shredded vs solid memory foam comparison explains how the two constructions feel in use.
Do not cut into a solid foam core or a sewn liner. If there is no fill-access zipper, use the pillow as designed.
Before opening the liner
Give a compressed new pillow the full expansion time listed by its manufacturer. Then put on the pillowcase and protector you normally use. A tight case can squeeze an adjustable pillow and make it feel firmer or taller than it does uncovered.
Lie on the pillow instead of judging it while it is sitting empty on the bed. Your mattress matters too. My shoulder sinks farther into a soft mattress, which changes the pillow height I need.
| What you notice | First thing to try |
|---|---|
| Your head is pushed upward | Remove a small amount of fill |
| Your head drops too low | Add a small amount of compatible fill |
| The pillow feels hard and packed | Remove a little fill, then spread out what remains |
| One area feels flat or lumpy | Redistribute the existing fill before changing the amount |
| It feels different after washing the cover | Refit the dry cover and redistribute the fill first |
How to remove or add fill
- Prepare a clean area. Use a dry table, bed, or clean sheet. Keep a bowl or bag nearby so loose pieces do not end up on the floor.
- Open the outer cover. Find the liner zipper underneath. Some zippers are small or tucked into a seam.
- Move fill away from the opening. This keeps pieces from catching in the zipper.
- Change one small handful. Remove fill to lower the pillow or add fill made for that model to build it up.
- Close the liner completely. Check the zipper before putting the cover back on.
- Spread out the fill. Work it into the corners and break up packed areas with your hands.
- Test the pillow on your bed. Use your normal pillowcase and give the fill a moment to settle under your head.
There is no useful universal amount such as one-quarter of the fill. Pillow size, starting fill, foam blend, mattress softness, shoulder width, and sleep position all change the result. Small changes are slower, but they are easier to reverse.
Do not mix in packing foam, upholstery scraps, or fill from a different pillow. The pieces may have a different firmness, size, or care requirement. Use refill material supplied or approved for your pillow when possible.
Check the height in your usual sleep position
I sleep mostly on my side, so I want enough height to fill the space above my shoulder without feeling as if my head is being pushed upward. On my back, the same full setup can feel higher. I almost never sleep on my stomach, and I would not use my Eden setup as a target for someone who does.
Side sleepers often need more loft than stomach sleepers, but those labels do not give you an exact fill amount. Check how the pillow compresses on your mattress. The practical signs matter more than how tall it looks in a product photo. You can use my bamboo pillow height guide while testing the fit.
If the first change feels close, sleep on it before making another. If it is clearly uncomfortable, fix it right away. There is no benefit in forcing yourself through a full night with a bad setup.
Readjusting after washing the cover
I often readjust my Eden after washing its cover. Taking the cover off and putting it back on moves the loose fill, especially near the corners. I wait until the cover is completely dry, refit it, and spread the existing fill before adding anything.
If the pillow suddenly feels too firm after washing, check whether the cover shrank or is fitted incorrectly. Removing foam can hide a cover-fit problem without fixing it. Follow the sewn-in care label and the steps in my bamboo pillow washing guide.
Keep removed fill in a sealed bag labeled with the pillow’s name. You may want it again after changing mattresses, switching sleep positions, or washing the cover. If redistribution is all the pillow needs, use the bamboo pillow fluffing steps instead of changing the amount.
Molly has personally tested bamboo sheets, towels, and home textiles in her own home since 2017. Every recommendation is based on at least 14 nights of real-world use, including fit, feel, construction, washing, and value. Meet Molly See how we test →
