Top of the packing list for travel savvy globetrotters is the super-light silk filled pillow pad from Mandarina Silk.

Whether on business or pleasure, at home or abroad, in the car or at a hotel, the sumptuously soft, hypoallergenic pillow pad is just the ticket for travellers who want to be sure of a comfortable and hygienic place to rest their heads.

“You see miniature shampoos, deodorants and even toothbrushes on the shelves for holidays and trips away now the latest essential is to pack a travel pillow,” says the man behind the pillow pads, Tim Drake.

And because the pillow pads are ultra slim (approximately 6cm/2” deep) they can be folded up into a suitcase or holdall so you can always have a good nights sleep whether it’s in a hotel bed or even the car!

“People can find themselves in accommodation with lumpy old pillows, previously slept on by countless other guests, so we are seeing more and more travellers opting to pack their own. A pillow pad is much thinner than a normal pillow so packs into a small space - without damaging or affecting performance – making it the perfect travel companion.”

Designed to sit on top of any ordinary pillow (in the same pillow case if preferred), the micro light pillow pads offer sheer divine comfort. Those who require only minimum sleeping support can use them on their own.

“Our pillow pads provide all the same comfort and health benefits as our duvets,” says Tim. “Sleeping on silk is much better for you. It is natural and breathable, stops you overheating and helps retain moisture in the skin letting it breathe naturally while you sleep.”

Silk has been appreciated by the Chinese for more than 5,000 years because they believe it has many health promoting properties, including stimulating skin cells. The building blocks of silk are similar to those of human DNA, one of the reasons why silk is much less likely to aggravate the skin than other fabrics that have nothing in common with skin.

Says Tim: “Silk is naturally hypoallergenic and creates an environment that is inhospitable to dust mites, so the pillow pad acts as a natural barrier for asthma and allergy sufferers. Many allergy sufferers tend to use a polyester pillow rather than a down or feather one, as they can be washed frequently to get rid of dust mites and they don’t retain dust which occurs from the breakdown of the filling.

“However polyester tends to make you very hot, especially your head, because it doesn’t breathe. Our pillow pads are made from natural silk which lets your skin breathe and harmonises with the body’s own temperature to allow for a more restful sleep.”

Hand wash only, the pillow pads are filled with new long fibre mulberry silk encased in 100% cotton satin. Three sizes are available – standard 75x50cm, retails at £32.50, king size 90x50cm and continental 65x65cm – both retail at £37.50.

For a brochure and more details contact Mandarina Silk on 01706 868826 or visit http:// www.mandarina.co.uk