Kapok

Description

Kapok is soft, cotton-like and silky fiber that grows on Kapok trees.  We love it because it is non-toxic, hypoallergenic and environmentally friendly.  It breathes, allows air circulation, lasts for years without decaying and also resists mold or mildew.  In our cushions and pillows, it shapes well to the body, then rebounds quickly back to its original fluffy shape.  

Kapok fiber is from the seed pod. As one of the few sustainable rainforest crops, kapok grows without herbicides and pesticides since it is not bothered by pests, making it naturally organic.  Kapok also enhances the soil and ecosystem where it grows.

The Kapok tree (Ceiba pentandra) is a tropical tree in the order Malvales and the family Malvaceae.  It is native to Mexico, Central and South America, west Africa and southeast Asia.  The tree is a sacred symbol in Mayan mythology. It grows up to 230 feet tall and has a very substantial trunk up to 10 ft in diameter with buttresses. The trunk and larger branches are densely crowded with very large, robust thorns. Adult trees produce several hundred seed pods that contain seeds surrounded by a fluffy, yellowish fiber that is a mix of lignin and cellulose.

At Carolina Morning, we choose kapok to stuff our products for many reasons.  It is a naturally organic fiber that does not require tending and keeping by human beings. It is harvested and prepared for sale to pillow manufacturers without the use of fertilizers, chemicals and pesticides. Kapok is 100% natural and organic fiber.

We have completely eliminated cotton batting from our cushions and replaced it with kapok. Since we live in the south we noticed cotton batting has a tendency to mold from simple humidity in the air. Cotton is also one of the most chemically laden crops. 25% of all pesticides used in the world are on the cotton crop alone. Kapok has been used for centuries as stuffing material for sleeping and sitting mats and mattresses. Since the advent of synthetic fibers, kapok has virtually been eliminated as a mattress stuffing material.  We are grateful for this fiber, and are pleased to use it in our products.  

Note: Due to the high cost of shipping we can only ship kapok to the lower 48 United States.  Alaska and Hawaii: Extra Shipping Charges will apply. Please call for questions.