Down-feather pillows: composition, pros and cons, features. How to choose a down and feather pillow and care for it

A full night's sleep is very important for the normal functioning of the human body. For a comfortable sleep, it is necessary to provide optimal conditions. One of the priorities is having a comfortable, well-chosen bed. At the same time, it is difficult to single out its most important part. You can choose the right mattress, but ruin everything with the “wrong” pillow, because of which in the morning your shoulder joints will be stiff, your head will hurt, and your neck will ache. So what should be the optimal pillow for a night's rest? Let's talk about this.

Pros and cons of feather pillows

The main advantages of such pillows include:

naturalness and excellent ventilation qualities;
high thermal insulation properties. It is warm and comfortable to sleep on such products in the winter, and not at all hot to relax in the summer;
hygroscopicity. They absorb moisture that the human body releases during rest;
softness and lightness. It is pleasant and comfortable to sleep on them at any time of the year;
wear resistance and durability (with proper use and care);
elasticity and resilience. They quickly restore their shape and do not deform during use;
affordable price. Such products have excellent qualities that significantly exceed their cost;

However, they also have some disadvantages:

Some people experience allergic reactions during the use of feather and down products (due to the accumulation of dust mites);
short service life;
difficulty in care.

Responsible manufacturers carry out anti-mite treatment of products, protecting products from the appearance of dust mites.

Fillers may “have memory”

Some fillers are sensitive to heat and pressure and can quickly adapt to the shape of the head and neck. The original shape of a pillow with such fillers is restored in 1-2 seconds. If you press on such a pillow, it will not settle immediately, but will gradually adjust. Fillers with memory can be of different hardness. They are made on a latex basis (memorylatex) or from polyurethane foam.

ESPERA Memory Foam Support 100S pillow with pillowcase 50x30x10(8) cm, art. PPU-5981

Pillows with such fillings must not be washed, since water, especially hot water, destroys the structure of the material, thereby destroying the memory effect.

The ratio of down and feathers in a pillow, composition

All down and feather pillows are divided into categories, depending on the percentage of down and feather:

90 down 10 feather. These are premium down products. They are the softest and most tender;
70 / 30. Products belonging to the highest category. Not too soft and elastic, but not flat or hard either;
50 / 50. Classic down and feather products of the first category;
30 / 70. Feather products consist mainly of feathers (more than 50%). They are hard, flat, short-lived;
10% down 90% feather. These are feather pillows that only look soft and pleasant. But during use, they quickly lose their shape, and the sharp ends of the feathers can often be felt through the bedding.

Dimensions

You can order a pillow of any shape and size online. Their standard width and length vary from 30 to 80 cm. It is important to pay attention to the height of the product.

The most common dimensions are products (in cm):

40x40. They belong to decorative pillows and are intended for interior decoration;
40x60. Corresponds to the size of a child's sleeping place. Ideal for round cribs;
50x70. Popular standard size, which most often comes with bedding;
60x60. An ideal option for an adult, providing maximum comfort while sleeping. Suitable for single beds;
68x68. They are in demand due to their compactness and ease of use;
70x70. Standard option, suitable for single and double beds. They are the easiest to find pillowcases on sale.

For those who prefer to sleep on their back, it is recommended to choose high pillows. And for people who prefer to rest on their stomach or side, low models are suitable.

Choosing a confidant

When choosing a pillow, you need to pay attention not only to its size, filling and weight, but also to the fabric of the cover. A comfortable sleep, the durability of the pillow and the price of the product depend on the correctly chosen pillowcase. The most popular materials for bedsteads today are the materials whose properties are presented in the table.

Property/fabric	Teak	Cotton	Satin	Jacquard	Batiste	Silk
Density	+	—	+	+	—	—
Softness	+	—	+	—	+	+
Naturalness	+	+	+	—	—	+
Breathability	+	+	+	+	+	+
Smoothness	—	—	+	—	—	+
Doesn't allow the pen to pass through	+	—	+	+	—	+
Wear resistance	+	—	+	+	—	+
Low price	+	+	—	—	—	—
Peculiarities	The thickest fabric	Cheapest material	High quality high strength material	Presentable, expensive look of the product	Suitable for people with sensitive skin

Which bedding is preferable for filling, everyone decides for themselves. Many people prefer natural fabrics - cotton, satin, silk. An important point is that you should choose a material with a dense weave of threads so that the down and feathers do not soon crawl out of the case.

Popular manufacturers, prices

Let's look at the most popular manufacturers and find out how much a feather pillow costs:

Kariguz
. The products of this brand are manufactured in accordance with all GOST standards, as evidenced by a quality certificate. It is distinguished by its hygroscopicity, the ability to easily change and take shape, and the absence of lump formation even during long-term use. The price range of products varies from 5,000 to 25,000 rubles;
Togas
(Togas). The company produces elite products from high-quality, extra-class down. The products are distinguished by texture and special style. The price range for the product is too spread out. Depending on the model, pillows can cost from 4,000 – 5,000 rubles and up to 50,000 rubles;
Dargez
(Dargez). The product of this company occupies a leading place in sales in the CIS countries and Europe. All the company's products undergo multi-level quality control, are constantly improved and their range is expanded according to market demands. The advantages of bedding include: ergonomics and compactness, high quality, environmental friendliness, stylish design. Contains natural down feathers. The average cost in Russia is 2000 – 5000 rubles;
Ikea
(Ikea). The company offers soft and comfortable products that provide a comfortable position for the head, neck and spine. The cost of pillows in Russia varies from 4,000 – 5,000 rubles;
Belpol
. A Russian brand that produces high quality products using innovative technologies. Pillows of this brand are easy to use, have a wide range of models and are affordable. The average price for a model measuring 70x70 cm is 1,800 rubles.

How to choose a down and feather pillow

To choose the right pillow you need to:

pay attention to the tag, which indicates the ratio of down and feathers, and their variety;
smell the product. A low-quality product emits an unpleasant specific odor;
crush the product in your hands. High-quality products will not rustle, rustle or creak;
check the seams on the napkin. They should be even and neat. This will guarantee that the fluff will not break through the seams;
pay attention to the dimensions and height of the product;
check the elasticity of the pillow. The best models are those with a medium degree of elasticity. The elasticity index is affected by the filler ratio. The more feathers in the product, the stiffer it will be;
pay attention to the cost. A well-established manufacturer will not sell products at too low a price.

A good down and feather pillow, if crushed by hand, quickly restores its original shape.

Form

Pillows are divided into 2 groups according to their shape:

classic, which include square or rectangular products;
orthopedic - having a therapeutic effect and made in the form of a roller or having a special recess that follows the contours of the head.

It is interesting that there is no clear opinion among doctors regarding orthopedic pillows. Some recommend their constant use; they are confident that such pillows are useful for people who have problems with the spinal column, especially in the cervical part. Others do not consider pillows with an orthopedic effect suitable for sleeping, but allow the temporary use of such products for a short rest or, for example, when reading a book. Doctors have expressed concerns about the excessive rigidity of orthopedic pillows and their inability to change shape. In addition, it is assumed that the presence of a high, hard side in many orthopedic models can cause neck pain.

But much depends on the quality of a particular product, the complex of its properties, which cannot be considered separately from the type of filling used in the product. Choosing a regular or orthopedic pillow is a dilemma that is best resolved by consulting a doctor, especially if you are a mature person and your back health is already raising questions. In this case, you need to be careful with independent experiments.

Which pillow is better: down or feather?

Most often, manufacturers use the plumage of geese and ducks in the manufacture of their products. Since they are elastic, resilient and have high thermal insulation qualities.

The best bedding is one filled with goose down and feathers.

The advantages of down models include:

ability to retain heat;
comfortable and pleasant sleep;
airiness;
maintaining shape.

The down and feather pillow has the following characteristics:

thermal insulation;
light weight;
medium degree of elasticity.{banner_serefs}

Comparison

If we compare these products and try to figure out which is better down or feather, we can highlight the following:

down and feather products are more common. Their softness depends on the ratio of feather and down. If the pillow has more fluff, the product is soft, feathers make it harder;
models with fine nib are more wear-resistant. They hold their shape well and are durable. Pillows that are largely composed of feathers are hard and bouncy;
down products are in demand due to their positive qualities: rapid restoration of their original shape, breathability, softness. But when wet, the product takes a very long time to dry.

It is quite difficult to say definitively which pillow is better: down or feather. It all depends on its quality and personal preferences of buyers. For those who prefer to sleep on a hard pillow, down and feather products are more suitable. And for those who prefer soft bedding, it is worth choosing down products.

Introduction

So that every day starts well and joyfully, and the night passes efficiently - choose a pillow that is suitable in size and content. There are orthopedic and classic models designed for infants, children, and adults. Products are also divided into groups according to purpose and functionality.

Good sleep depends on quality bedding

Physiologically incorrect posture during sleep leads to regular stress on the cervical spine. But we sleep 8-9 hours every day, that is, practically a third of our lives. This is a direct road to cervical osteochondrosis, a feeling of weakness, and bad mood throughout the day.

How often to change feather pillows

According to manufacturers' recommendations, the service life of a down and feather pillow is 5-7 years. After this, the product must be replaced with a new one. Even the most thorough restoration of a down pillow will not be able to completely destroy the dust mites that will infest it over a long period of use. And after 7 years, the filler itself will lose its original qualities: the down will thin out, and the feathers will break.

If you wake up in the morning and feel a headache, your pillow no longer holds its shape, then it’s time to replace it with a new one.

Care

Let's look at questions regarding how to care for down and feather pillows.

Cleaning down and feather pillows

Feather pillows are quite easy to care for:

Products need to be washed once a year. Since the naturalness of the filler attracts dust, dirt and absorbs foreign odors;
It is recommended to remove dust from the products once a month;
Every summer, the products, regardless of whether they smell or not, are aired in the fresh air in direct sunlight.

Is it possible to wash a feather pillow?

If desired, the down and feather pillow can be washed at home. Only this process is quite complex and lengthy.

When washing the product yourself in a machine or by hand, you should carefully study the label. Typically, manufacturers indicate whether products can be washed and provide useful recommendations on how and under what conditions washing should take place.

How to wash a feather pillow

Having decided to wash a pillow in an automatic machine, you must:

Check the strength of the bedstead. There should be no holes in it. Otherwise, all the washing machine filters will be clogged with feathers and fluff.
Place special laundry balls into the drum along with the pillow. They will prevent fluff from clumping into clumps.
Set the washing cycle to a delicate cycle with a water temperature of no higher than 40 degrees.
It is better to turn off the spin and drying mode when washing, or select spin at minimum speed.
Dry the product thoroughly in fresh air in a horizontal position. At the same time, it is periodically turned over from one side to the other.

If the down and feather pillow is not completely dried, it will begin to emit an unpleasant odor.

Dry cleaning

It is best to dry clean down feather pillows. Here they will restore the original quality of bedding at very affordable prices. Wherein:

The contents of the diaper will be placed in a special apparatus.
Cleared of debris.
Air dried.
Disinfection will be carried out under ultraviolet rays.
Replace spoiled down and feathers with new ones.
Place the filling into a new bedstead.

As a result, the consumer will receive practically new bedding that will serve him for many more years.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that despite the fact that choosing a high-quality down and feather pillow is not so easy, and caring for it requires a lot of effort, they are still in great demand among consumers and occupy leading positions in sales in the domestic market.