How to effectively choose a pillow made from down

Types of filler

Various fillers are used for down products: down can be natural or artificial. The price of the item depends significantly on this. To understand which option is more suitable for a particular case, you need to familiarize yourself with the quality of the most popular materials.

1. Pillow with goose down. The main characteristics of such a thing are elasticity, a high degree of elasticity, softness and excellent thermal insulation. Duck down has similar properties. The fabric for the bedding is selected to match the color of the padding, which can be white or gray.
2. Pillow with eider down. The wild diving duck, which lives in the cold, is distinguished by down with particularly high thermal insulation properties. The weight of the filler is minimal. The material is collected by hand from the nests, replacing it with soft hay. The cost of an eiderdown pillow is the highest. This item is exclusive.
3. With goat down. Natural warm material that retains its shape well. Goat fluff in the pillow provides it with healing properties. The use of the product is recommended for osteochondrosis and arthritis.
4. Swansdown. A thing with such an artificial filler, which has high ventilation and elasticity, is quite comfortable. Pillows with swan down do not cause allergies, are not suitable for microorganisms and fungi, and do not absorb odors. The option is cheap and high quality.
5. Bamboo. Bamboo models can also be classified in this category. They are comfortable, soft, do not cause allergies or overheating, and are easy to care for. The material is environmentally friendly. The item provides good moisture absorption and comfortable sleep.

For pillows with bird down, the ratio of down to feathers is taken into account. All products can be divided into down, down and feathers and feathers. The softest and most expensive are the first ones.

Characteristics and dimensions

The ratio of feather and down in bedding is the main characteristic of the product. This is an indicator of the comfort of the item and its service life. The lower the proportion of fluff, the lower the price. In the down variety, the percentage of down is at least 85%. The rest is ground feathers. Feather pillows contain feathers and down in equal quantities. Their quality is significantly lower than that of down ones. The product does not hold its shape well and lasts less. Feather varieties contain more than 50% feathers in the filler. They are flat, do not hold the desired shape and have a minimal service life.

Down products are produced in any size. Standard models 50 by 50 and 70 by 70 cm are common, as well as models 30 by 60 and 50 by 80 cm. Weight, depending on the ratio of feather and down, ranges from 1.5 kg to 3-4 kg.

For a comfortable sleep, the size of the object must be selected according to the width of the mattress: for a single bed they should match, and for a double bed the pillow should be half the width of the mattress. The height is optional.

Which is better - down or feather

When choosing, it is important to determine which padding is best. Down and feather pillows are the most common, as they have an affordable price and sufficient quality. They are stiffer than down, but much softer than feathers. The service life of such a thing is almost as good as the down version. A model with mixed filling can be called universal. It is suitable for people of any age and provides a comfortable sleep.

Down pillows are the softest and have slightly less elasticity than those with a mixed composition. They cost more.

Products in which feather predominates are flat and dense. They are elastic, but not soft. Sleeping on a feather pillow is always uncomfortable. This is the cheapest option, which is used as a one-time option when guests need to spend the night. When stored, feather pillows take up less space because they are thinner than down pillows. The demand for the item is minimal, since models with artificial filler, which have a low cost, are superior in quality to feathers.

A pillow made of down or bamboo is selected taking into account the characteristics of the product and the possibility of its regular, thorough cleaning. Products made from down can cause allergies and be stuffy in hot weather. Bamboo models are hypoallergenic and provide a comfortable temperature in any weather. They are easier to care for: they are machine washable and dry in a few hours. In terms of service life, bamboo is not inferior to down, but at a lower price.

What are feather pillows made of?

Feather pillows are considered one of the oldest options for sleep accessories. They are made only from natural materials, which determines both the benefits and harms of the products.

Sleeping pillows are rarely stuffed exclusively with feathers from waterfowl. More often, a combination of materials is used in different proportions. Eg:

• 50% feathers and 50% down - this option is considered classic;
• 90% feathers and 10% down is another standard ratio;
• 70% feathers and 30% down - the products are the most comfortable because they combine softness and sufficient elasticity.

Goose, eider and duck raw materials are usually used to make accessories. Pillows made from goat and camel down are also on sale.

Some pillows are stuffed with faux swan feathers

Benefits and harms

Before purchasing bedding, you need to evaluate all its strengths and weaknesses; as well as whether it can cause harm to health. Bird feathers and down are natural materials that have many positive properties. However, sometimes these fillers can be harmful.

The advantages of models made from down are as follows (feather pillows practically do not have these properties):

• comfort – the item is characterized by high softness, maximum comfort during sleep;
• thermal comfort – keeps warm in cold weather, preventing the sleeper from freezing (similar to a duvet); and in summer, due to air conductivity, it does not lead to overheating, although it does cause some stuffiness;
• hygroscopicity – the ability of down to quickly and well absorb moisture eliminates skin irritation due to prolonged exposure to sweat;
• elasticity - the down of a waterfowl, and to a slightly lesser extent that of a chicken, easily takes the shape of a sleeping person’s head, and after the person gets up, it restores its original appearance;
• absence of sounds - unlike buckwheat husks, a down pillow does not rustle when the sleeper moves, disturbing sleep. Feather pillows have little noise;
• long period of use - with proper care, the item does not lose its original qualities for 5 years. Timely use of dry cleaning extends the service life by another 3-4 years.

Goat down pillows have healing qualities that are associated with the properties of wool. For cervical osteochondrosis, as well as neuralgia of the facial nerves, goat fluff will help improve the general condition and speed up recovery.

In addition to the advantages, pillows filled with down or feathers have a number of disadvantages:

• allergenicity – allergy sufferers should not use such bedding, as dust mites settle in the filler, causing a negative reaction in the body. Their waste products only aggravate the condition of allergy sufferers;
• lack of orthopedic qualities - if you have problems in the neck area and migraines, you cannot use feather pillows; since the lack of sufficient elasticity to ensure maintenance of the correct anatomical position of the head and neck aggravates the condition;
• Difficulty in care - to keep the pillow in good condition, special cleaning is required, otherwise the quality of the filling will gradually decrease. Also, in the absence of regular cleaning of dust mites, the risk of not only allergies, but also the development of bronchial asthma increases;
• price - an item made of natural down is expensive if it is of proper quality (cheap models contain mainly feathers).

Pillows filled with bamboo or eucalyptus fiber are no less popular than down pillows, as they are of high quality, do not cause allergic reactions, and their price is lower.

The swan down filling is significantly inferior to natural materials, not having adequate hygroscopic properties. Also, if the manufacturer is unscrupulous, artificial filler may have an unpleasant odor.

When choosing a pillow, you need to take into account all the pros and cons of the models. For a particular buyer, certain properties of an item may be of greatest importance. For children, you should choose products that have hypoallergenic qualities. Feather pillows should only be purchased as a last resort. If a high-quality down item is expensive for your wallet, then you need to choose a bamboo pillow or one with swan down.

Pros and cons of using down and feather pillows.

In connection with the above, the question arises: can a feather pillow be safe, is it worth using at all, and what is its service life?

Many experts agree that down-feather pillows have unique properties:

• This is a natural breathable filler. The air in such products circulates freely, which ensures high thermal insulation properties. These pillows are warm in winter and not hot in summer.
• Pillows are good at removing excess moisture that forms during sleep from the head.
• They are light and soft, but at the same time elastic, elastic, able to restore their shape.
• With proper care, they are very wear-resistant.

Due to its properties, no synthetic filler can completely replace these traditional pillows. True, we are only talking about high-quality pillows that meet high safety standards (the filling is goose or eider down and small unshredded feathers, the covers are made of a special down-holding fabric that prevents both the down from “crawling out” and the penetration of dust inside), not without reason the cost of such pillows quite high, and almost always higher than the cost of pillows with synthetic filling.

The service life of a down pillow can be 10-20 years, provided it is used correctly, namely:

• It is recommended to wash pillows 3-4 times a year at a temperature of 60 ° C, but at home this is difficult, since the filling must dry well and not fall into lumps. It is better to periodically entrust this process to specialists involved in cleaning and restoration/restoration of down pillows. During the special cleaning process, pillows are opened, the quality of the down and feathers is assessed, the filling is disinfected under ultraviolet light (or another method), washed, dried, if necessary, placed in a new pillowcase and the pillow gets a second life.
• If possible, the pillows should be periodically knocked out and dried in the sun; this will help get rid of not only dust, but also dust mites, which do not like ultraviolet radiation.

Not all consumers carry out these recommended procedures. Therefore, despite the possibility of long-term use, it is recommended to replace down pillows with new ones every 3-5 years.

So we get to the few “cons” of down and feather pillows.

In fact, there is only one most serious “minus” - the complexity and specificity of care, however, failure to comply with this requirement can negate all of the above advantages of your “sleep muse”.

People suffering from allergies should be careful when choosing such a pillow.

to the beginning of the article

Napernik

Down and feather pillows require a high-quality pillowcase that will securely hold the contents inside. Most often, thick cotton or satin is used for the bedclothes. In expensive models with a double bedstead, the top one is made of silk or cambric.

The best bedsteads today are produced by German and Austrian companies. Their products are made from high quality material and undergo additional processing. The most common option is dust mite prevention treatment.

Low quality napkins are distinguished by their roughness to the touch. They also usually rustle and are made of synthetics; spillage of contents is detected at the seams.

How to choose

Feather pillows should be selected taking into account several features of the product. If the model does not meet the basic characteristics, it indicates its low quality.

1. Quick recovery of shape. A good thing, if pressure is applied to it, as soon as it is released, it returns to its original state.
2. No sounds. The item is twisted in the hands, and if the filler makes squeaks and rustles, the model is rejected.
3. No smell. A model with good filling does not smell.
4. Availability on the label of complete information about the filler and the quality of the pillowcase. Conscientious manufacturers provide the consumer with all the necessary information about the product.
5. No feather spillage in the seams.

You should not buy down products in dubious places where there is no way to check the quality of the filler.

Goat down and its features

Cashmere is an expensive and rare material made from the down of a mountain goat that lives in India, Mongolia, China and Pakistan. It is also called “soft gold”. The name comes from the province of Kashmir, located in the Himalayas.

To make cashmere, the fluff is plucked or combed out in the spring during the goat's molt, when it no longer needs the warm undercoat. Then it is cleaned and specially processed. The undercoat of the Himalayan goat weighs very little, the thread from it is thin (thinner than a human hair) and pleasant to the touch.

Raw materials from Scottish, Australian or New Zealand goats, whose wool is traditionally used to make yarn and fabric, are not suitable for making cashmere. Wool loses its unique qualities if the animal lives in unsuitable climatic conditions. Indeed, to preserve such qualities of down as warmth and lightness, a large difference in summer and winter temperatures is necessary.

Life time

The lifespan of down pillows and duvets is limited. It is not advisable to use the item for longer than the recommended time due to an excess of parasites (dust mites) inside and abrasion of the filler. Regular washing and airing preserve the quality of down items. It is also recommended to periodically take feather, feather and down pillows to the dry cleaner for treatment against parasites.

With proper use and compliance with the cleaning regime, the item can retain its qualities from 10 to 20 years. If you do not take care of the product, you can use it without harm to your health for no more than 5 years.

Feather mites in pillows

If there are mites in your pillow, then your sleep is unlikely to be healthy and comfortable. Even if you don't have allergies or asthma, sleeping on a contaminated product is dangerous. Many of us don't even realize that we sleep on pillows that are full of parasites. 1 square cm of filler can contain up to 200 mites. And if you or your child suddenly develops an unreasonable cough or other signs of an allergic reaction arise, it’s worth thinking about whether the pillow is the cause, or rather not the pillow itself, but the mites that have settled in it.

According to doctors, every sixth child with bronchial asthma suffers from an allergy to feather mites.

Signs of the presence of uninvited guests are as follows:

• skin itching, increasing at night;
• reddened scalp and face with enlarged pores and a grayish tint;
• increased skin oiliness;
• skin rash;
• hair loss.

These symptoms may go unnoticed. Then more serious problems may appear, indicating an allergy:

• atopic dermatitis, characterized by itching, redness and peeling of the skin;
• urticaria, which appears as pink, very itchy spots, especially in children;
• cough, runny nose, sneezing;
• frequent attacks of illness in patients with asthma;
• swelling of the airways.

If these symptoms appear only after sleep, and disappear during the day, when there is no contact with the pillow, then mites are to blame. You can get rid of them, but to completely destroy the insects, it is best to take the pillow to a specialized establishment that cleans down and feather products. If necessary, replace the filler with a new one.

How to wash a down pillow

Proper washing of a product filled with down is the key to preserving its quality. Whether a down pillow can be washed should be determined immediately upon purchase. On the label, the manufacturer indicates which cleaning methods are allowed for a particular item. In most cases, washing is possible, but only taking into account a number of rules.

Manually

You can wash a pillow that contains down and feathers by hand. The napernik is ripped open along the seam and the filler is poured into pre-prepared gauze bags in 2-3 folds. The basin is filled with warm soapy water, into which the bags are dipped (up and down) for 10 minutes. You must use a special product for hand washing down products or laundry soap. The litter is then rinsed in clean water until it comes out clean. The napkin is washed separately, taking into account the characteristics of the fabric.

The fluff is dried in bags in which they were washed. They are hung in a well-ventilated place. To prevent the drying filler from clumping, shake it every 20-30 minutes. Completely dried feathers and down are poured into a bedsheet and sewn up. You should definitely know how to wash down pillows at home when choosing this type of bedding.

In the washing machine

Down pillows can be washed in a washing machine. The fluff is removed from the item and poured into old pillowcases. If the pillow size is 70 by 70 cm, you will need to divide the filling into 5 parts. For washing, use only liquid detergent for down jackets. You can put no more than 3 down pillowcases in the drum at a time. With them, so that the fluff does not clump, put several special balls or 3 tennis balls. The mode is set for washing down jackets or delicate washing. It’s easier to use the laundry service – wash pillows.

Dry the feather in the same way as when hand washing. The clean, dry filler is sewn back into the napkin. A pillow made from swan's down or any other artificial filler should be washed entirely on the same cycle as down.

Down pillows are comfortable for sleeping, but require proper care. When choosing a product, you must take into account the risk of an allergy to natural filler.

Author: O.A. Malashko

Cons of goat down pillows

• High price . High-quality products made from natural goat down are not cheap.
• Lack of orthopedic properties . Down pillows are not able to maintain the correct anatomical condition of the neck, so if you have migraines or cervical osteochondrosis, you should choose a pillow with a different filler.
• Difficult to care for . Products made from goat down can be washed in a washing machine (at a temperature not exceeding 30 degrees), but it is preferable to have them dry cleaned (this way they will last longer). In addition, due to their ability to effectively absorb moisture, such pillows need to be dried for a long time.