Choosing pillows and duvet inners can be confusing. There are so many products available in stores and online, that it has become a tough task to choose the best product for your needs and budget. If you’re shopping for warm winter bedding you’re probably considering investing in a down or feather duvet inner and pillows. But what exactly is the difference between feather and down? Check out our easy buyer’s guide to help you decide which filler is best for you and why:
Down versus feather
Down and feathers come from the same place, a duck or a goose, the difference between the two is the part of the body that they come from. Feathers are from the wings or back of the bird while down is the fluffy coating found underneath the feathers, generally on the underbelly or the breast of the bird.
Feathers are denser, and therefore a feather pillow is heavier than a down pillow. Down is malleable and soft and traps air, making it a wonderful insulator. Down pillows on the other hand are much softer than feather pillows. Both feather and down pillows offer good neck support, unlike other synthetic pillows. When it comes to choosing duvet inners, it’s important to know that down and feathers natural fibres, so it is better for your skin and breathes better making it better for sleep than synthetic materials.
So how do you choose the best option for you? Keep the following in mind when buying down or feather pillows and duvet inners:
Know your size
Know your preferred pillow and duvet inner sizes and also the thickness or weight of your pillows and duvet inner. Ask yourself do you prefer a heavy duvet or a light duvet?
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Smell and feel the product you are looking at
It may sound strange, but make sure you smell and feel any down or feather product you buy. Down and feathers need to be sterilised before use, and therefore should not smell at all. If your product passes the smell test, then feel the product to catch any irregularities. Do you feel feathers, as opposed to down, through the casing? If you feel feather quills, the down might be mixed with chicken or other feathers to ‘bulk’ out the product. A good quality down product should state what the feather or down percentage is.
Examine the outer casing
It is also important to examine the outer casing of your bedding. Good quality casings will not ‘leak’ feathers or down as they are tightly woven and smooth. Unlike other fillings, down and feathers also don’t bunch up and don’t become lumpy.
At-home care
Consider if you are willing and able to keep up with the at-home care instructions for a down or feather product. You can wash down pillows and duvets, but it is essential to ensure that they are completely dry before use. Do not sleep with wet hair on a down pillow.
Choose a well-known brand
When shopping for down or feather duvet inners and pillows, it’s important to choose a well-known brand with a good product history. Brands like Linen Drawer are transparent about the materials and processes used to manufacture products to offer consumers peace of mind that their money is being well spent.
Look for ethically sourced down and feather products
Opt for ethically sourced down and feather products. You can figure out if the product you are buying is ethically sourced by looking for the certification on the products. These can be found on the labels, as certificates on the shop walls, or on the website. Only products which carry certification are guaranteed ‘cruelty-free.
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