What is better in pillow down or feather?
The best pillow fill depends on what sort of thing you want. Feather pillows are plump and supportive because feathers are springier and bulkier than down. A down pillow is very light, insulative and soft. Down traps warm air because of the way the down clusters lock together – this means a down rich pillow is a good choice if you feel the cold easily.
Feather and down are usually combined, as for example in our goose feather and down pillows, creating a pillow that has a balance of softness and support. A firmer pillow contains more feather, or a core of feather surrounded by down. A pillow with a higher ratio of down will be loftier and softer.
What type of feather pillows are best?
There are two types of feather pillows – duck feather pillows and goose feather pillows.
Duck down and feather pillows are typically puffy and full. They can be a little firmer than goose down pillows. Duck feather pillows are ideal for back and side sleepers as they provide a firmer sleeping surface.
Goose feather and down pillows tend to be very soft and lofty, making them perfect for front sleepers. Some have an inner chamber of supportive feathers to provide additional support for your head and neck; these are better for side sleepers and people who sleep on their backs.
Are feather pillows good for you?
We’re often asked if feather and down pillows can cause allergies. And yes, some people are sensitive to down and feather fillings. However, a pillow made with a high quality down fill that’s been thoroughly cleaned is hypoallergenic. This means most sleepers will be able to sleep on a down and feather pillow without triggering any allergies.
Some people are not allergic to the down and feather fill in pillows, but instead to the allergens that build up inside the pillow. Using a regularly laundered pillow protector and pillowcase will help limit the build-up of allergens in your pillow and also extend your pillow’s life.
How often should you wash feather pillows?
Soak&Sleep feather and down pillows are guaranteed to last between two and five years, and may last longer if cared for well. Whether you have a soft goose down pillow or puffy duck feather pillow, it’s a good idea to keep them clean, because this can help your luxurious feather pillows last for longer.
Depending on how often you use your down feather pillows, we’d recommend washing them at least every six months. Because washing duck feather pillows and goose down pillows isn’t as straightforward as it might seem, we’d always recommend getting them professionally cleaned. Find out more by reading our guide, 'How to Wash Feathered Pillows'.
How long do feather pillows last?
Soak&Sleep feather and down pillows are guaranteed to last between two and five years, and may last longer if cared for well. You can make your feather pillow last for longer by using a pillow protector, plumping it up every morning, airing it regularly and getting it professionally washed and dried every so often.
Once your pillow has past its best, it’s time to find a new life. Old feather and down pillows make fantastic pet beds and can also be successfully composted in a home compost heap. Feather and down pillows can be recycled – find out more in our guide, 'How to Recycle Duvets, Mattresses and Bedding'.
Are duck feather pillows ethical?
All of our down and feather fillings are ethically sourced. We only buy feather and down from suppliers that are accredited to the Responsible Down Standard, Downpass or Downmark. Find out more about the way we source our down and feather fills.
