Frequently Asked Questions About Down Pillows
How much do down pillows cost?
You can usually find a standard or queen size down pillow in the range of $80 to $200. However, fill content can affect the price since pillows containing 100 percent down tend to be quite expensive, whereas pillows with a high content of feather fill often cost much less.
How do I clean a down pillow?
Many down pillows should only be spot cleaned or dry cleaned if stains occur. Washing them in a machine can damage the down and also cause rips in the cover that lead to escaping fill. However, you can place most down pillows in a dryer to recover their shape. Some down pillows can be washed and dried in your household machine, so be sure to check the care tag just in case.
Where can I buy a down pillow? Down pillows are widely available through online and brick-and-mortar sellers. However, youll want to check the product specs to ensure you arent buying a down pillow that contains 90 percent feathers.
How long do down pillows last?
Most down pillows are well made and offer decent longevity, so expect them to last at least two to three years. Cover durability is a key concern. If the fabric does not hold up well over time and the seams come apart, then the pillow may lose some of its fill. You can use a pillowcase or protector to extend the lifespan, too.
Are down pillows adjustable?
Do down pillows have an odor?
What Were Looking For:
Fill power: Pillows filled with other materials like memory foam, poly fiber, and latex have generalized measurements to determine their loft. For down pillows, the fill power correlates to the loft of the pillow, and you can use the fill power to judge the quality of the pillow. Manufacturers come up with the fill-power number by measuring the cubic inches of loft that one ounce of down fill produces. Basically, the higher the fill power number, the loftier and more insulated the pillow will be with a higher price tag to match. The standard fill power is around 500 to 600, which is a respectable plush pillow. Above that fill power, you are entering the deluxe pillow space.
Fill composition: Youll notice that a few of the pillows below contain a blend of duck or goose feathers and down material, while some are filled with only down material. What your down pillow is actually filled with will affect the price as well as the overall feel and support of the pillow. Pillows that are 100 percent down cost more and feel superbly lush and soft. When feathers are mixed in, the pillow price and plushness can vary, making them a good choice for those who want a more affordable or more supportive option.
How Can You Tell If Down Is Ethically Sourced
A manufacturer that offers ethically sourced and cruelty-free down and feather products should carry a certification attesting to these qualities. The Responsible Down Standard is considered one of the most prominent certifying organizations for this type of material.
In recent years, manufacturers of down and feather products have faced added scrutiny for how these materials are harvested from ducks and geese. As noted during an in-depth report from CBS News, plucking down and feathers from live birds can leave bloody wounds and open sores on the animals. Inhumane living conditions for animals and force-feeding practices are other issues that have come under attack from animal rights activists.
The RDS carries strict criteria. In order to earn this certification, manufacturers cannot pluck down or feathers from live birds or force-feed the animals. The RDS also requires holistic respect for animal welfare, which means the birds must be treated humanely from the time they hatch until they are slaughtered. The RDS awards this certification after thoroughly auditing the manufacturer during a series of onsite visits, animal inspections, and staff interviews.
Many manufacturers claim their down products are ethically produced, but you should still ask to see certifications that prove these products are made humanely.
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How To Choose A Down Pillow
Most down pillows offer a similar feel characterized by exceptional plushness and deep sinkage beneath the head and neck. However, there are subtle differences between these pillow models that make them better suited for some types of sleepers and less suited for others. Important considerations include the type of down used, ratio of down to feathers, cover material, loft, and price-point. We also encourage shoppers to research the down and feather harvesting practices of different companies to ensure their pillows and other products are ethically sourced and manufactured.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Down Pillows
Down pillows offer an exceptionally plush and lightweight feel that distinguish them from other pillow types. Some sleepers find the softness and sinking effect quite comfortable but for others, the pillows do not provide enough support to the head and neck. And while down pillows can provide above-average insulation in colder weather, the insulating properties of down cause them to sleep excessively warm for some people.
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Which Down Pillow Sizes Are Available
Down pillows are widely available in the standard, queen, and king sizes. Although some brands offer down and feather body pillows, these models are much less common. Next, well discuss the most common pillow sizes and dimensions. Please note: the dimensions listed below may vary by a few inches, depending on the manufacturer.
Standard: The standard size typically measures 20 inches wide by 26 inches long. This size is ideal for people who sleep on a twin, twin XL, or full mattress, as well as couples that share a queen, king, or California king. Standards are quite common.
Super Standard: The super standard size measures 20 inches wide by 28 inches long, giving sleepers a bit more space than a traditional standard. This size is not particularly common, but some brands offer standard sizes that are technically super standards based on their measurements.
Queen: Another very common size, the queen measures 20 inches wide and 30 inches long. If you tend to change sleep positions or toss and turn, the queen offers a bit of extra space compared to the standard.
King: A typical king size pillow measures 20 inches wide and 36 inches long, so this will be an ideal size for anyone who moves around frequently in bed. Keep in mind that this size will take up most of the surface of a twin or twin XL mattress, so you may only need one if your bed is this size.
What To Consider When Purchasing A Down Pillow
While misleading claims and specs are widely used throughout the mattress and bedding industry, this problem is particularly common with products containing down. Some pillows contain 100 percent down, but most contain a blend of down and feathers from the same type of bird. The feathers provide more support to stabilize the pillow and prevent excessive sinkage.
The Federal Trade Commission regulates how down and feather pillows and other products are labeled. According to the International Down and Feather Testing Laboratory , pillows containing at least 75 percent down require the percentage of down to be listed on the product tag. If a pillow contains less than 75 percent down, then percentages for both down and feather fill must both be listed. Only pillows that contain 100 percent down can carry this listing.
Below, youll find the most important considerations to take into account when shopping for a down pillow.
Loft
Loft, or thickness, affects how supportive the pillow feels. Side sleepers generally need more loft in order to align the head and neck with the spine, which in turn reduces pressure throughout the body. Back sleepers need some loft to keep their body on an even plane, but too much can elevate the head and create neck and shoulder pain. For most stomach sleepers, a low-loft down pillow allows them to rest comfortably without contorting their head too much.
Fill Ratio
Support
Firmness Level
Pressure Relief
Shape
Price
Quality Materials
Moldability
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Who Is Best Suited To A Down Pillow
We recommend down pillows to anyone who feels most comfortable on a very soft surface that sinks deeply beneath the head and neck. However, how much you like or dislike lying on a down pillow may depend on your sleep position, body type, head size, and other factors. Our picks for who is and isnt suited to a down pillow include the following:
Who is suited:
Who is not suited:
Best Overall Down Pillow
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