Down Pillows

What is a Down Pillow Filled With?

Down is one of the most classic and traditional fillers for pillows and other bedding. It’s soft, warm, comfortable and can be hypoallergenic. Down pillows are made of a sturdy fabric called ticking (older ones are often striped) and filled with soft, fluffy feathers. Some down pillows are also partially filled with other materials, like memory foam or regular feathers. These provide a different kind of support than a straight down pillow.

The best down comes from the Eider duck and is the source of the word eiderdown. However, down also comes from plenty of other birds. This means that the quality of the down in a given pillow can vary significantly. Lower quality down pillows tend to get clumpy, aren’t as soft and don’t insulate as well. This makes buying the right pillow important, so you don’t have to get another one a little ways down the road.

Types of Down Pillows

There are quite a few types of down pillows and what you’re going to use your pillow for will affect your buying process. If you’re going to use your pillow for a primarily aesthetic effect, the way you’d use decorative down pillows, down accent pillows, sofa down pillows and down throw pillows, you’ll want to be more concerned about the look of the pillow than the quality of the down. While longevity is important, you won’t be subjecting the pillow to eight hours of sleep every night, so its ability to retain comfort is less important than for a pillow you’re planning to rest your head on.

This doesn’t mean that you should go for the cheapest down decorative pillows you can find. Quality fabric and stitching, as well as a down filling that will last a long time, are important even in pillows that will be used primarily for looks. However, you should also look for attractive fabrics that will go with your existing décor.

The other major type of down pillow is that used for beds. In these pillows, you’ll want to look for an extremely sturdy fabric and high quality down. In addition, you’ll want to decide what type of filling you’re looking for. Some pillows are full of true down and nothing else. Others, which are cheaper, are filled with a mix of chopped foam and feathers. This saves on the cost of manufacturing, but means a sacrifice in overall quality.

Some pillows contain a core of regular feathers inside its own pillow, surrounded by soft down. This prevents the problem that some all down pillows have, where the feathers eventually flatten under your head. These pillows, called down around pillows, are also a bit cheaper than standard down. Love memory foam, but also wondering about  Look for down pillows that certify that the feathers have been well cleaned to get rid of dirt and allergens. If you have neck or back problems that are made worse by the use of a very soft pillow, it’s also possible to find extra firm down pillows to give you the right support.

Avoid an inexpensive down pillow, even if it’s entirely full of feathers. The least expensive down products are made with inferior down and often won’t last. Instead, try a mid-range pillow if you’re worried about price. The extra few dollars will buy you a lot more quality. Although it seems counter intuitive, you should also steer clear of pillows that feel heavy. The best, warmest and most comfortable down has a high loft. This means that it takes up a lot of space inside the pillow. Fewer individual feathers are needed when you buy high loft down pillows, making them lighter. They’ll be more comfortable and less inclined to crush over time than lower quality pillows.

In addition to decorative pillows and bed pillows, there are a few specialty options available, too. Down baby pillows can be more comfortable for your child, although you should be sure that they’re made of strong fabric so that feather ends can’t creep through and scratch him or her. Down neck pillows and down travel pillows are small items that can be taken with you to help alleviate neck pain or help you sleep on a long trip. They take up more space than inflatable types, but they also do their job a lot better. Can’t find the right pillow for your needs, or have an oddly shaped bed? It’s possible to have custom down pillows made, although the cost is higher than that of mass produced products.

Once you own a good down pillow, it’s important to take care of it. These pillows cost a lot more than conventional foam, making them a big investment. However, they’ll last longer and stay more comfortable, too. That means it’s worth it to buy down and to treat it gently. Always use a pillow case. Some people use two – one hypoallergenic zippered case, then one that matches their sheet set. This means that you have only to wash the fabric covers, not the pillow itself. It also keeps dust mites from colonizing the pillow.

If you do have to wash your pillow, check the label first for special care instructions, since some must be dry cleaned. If your pillow can be washed at home, put it in the washing machine on cold and use only very mild detergent. Then, wring as much water as you can out using your hands. You can dry down pillows outside in the sun, or in the dryer on a delicate setting. Adding a tennis ball to the dryer keeps your pillow from getting lumpy as it dries out. Don’t have a tennis ball? Take your pillow out in the middle of the cycle a few times to hand fluff it. That way, your down pillow will stay in good shape after you’ve washed it.

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