You may have heard the terms feather and down pillows used interchangeably. Most people think of them as the same thing, but they’re actually very different. We compare these two types of pillows and look at other pillow fillings, as well as care tips.
The materials come from different parts of the animal, and the structure of what is inside varies as well. For example, down pillows are made from quill-less feather clusters of the chest and underbelly of geese and ducks, while feather cushions are comprised of soft, quill-containing feathers from the wings and backs of the birds. This article looks at the differences between feather pillows vs. down pillows, weighing the pros and cons of each so that you can get the cushion that provides the best night of sleep possible. What are Down Pillows? They are made from clusters of down taken from the chest area of a goose, swan, or duck. They look like the fluffy white dandelions that kids (and adults) blow on to make a wish. Another way to think of the stuffing is like a cotton ball. When you lie on the surface of these down-filled cushions, it should feel like you’re sleeping on a bed of cotton candy. The clusters compress, though depending on how large or dense they are, you might notice that there is some springiness to the surface. Down brands are considered the ultimate luxury and often carry the highest price point. What are Feather Pillows? When feather pillows are made, the material is taken from the back of the animal and the wings. As you can imagine, each feather has a quill, so over time, thin cushions could allow the quills to poke through. You can minimize the poking by using a protector or thick pillowcase to shield yourself. The feather-filled types are often combined with down to make them softer. Pure feather varieties tend to have a slimmer profile and can flatten over time as the quills line up. Down vs. Feather Pillows Softness Down material is the softest, though it compresses when you lie your head on it. If you want something fluffier, opt for premium materials and a higher “fill power,” which will be discussed in a moment. Overall, expect down to feel plush while also light and airy. Feather is not quite as soft due to the presence of quills and the lack of “clustering.” Some have more filling than others, so they can still be soft and fluffy, but they may require manual fluffing during the course of the night or in the morning. Structure Down has a clustered structure from the tufts of fur taken from the birds. Premium material is taken from older birds in colder climates making the structure more soft and buoyant than clusters taken from younger birds in warmer climates. The structure of these pillows could feel looser and compress more than feathers, which might have a hint of crispiness from the quills. Fill Power Fill power refers to the amount of fluffiness or height (also called loft) in the pillow. The measurement applies down types only. The maximum fill power number is 850, and this figure represents the highest quality cushion you can get. Furniture and toys tend to have a fill power of 500, and anything over 650 is considered high quality. Origin Some of the best down and feather pillows typically come from Eastern Europe, specifically Hungary. The birds tend to be larger, more mature and provided with a natural environment and humane treatment. Birds raised in China tend to be subject to poor animal treatment standards and cleaning processes. You can look for certifications like Bluesign, which pertains to environmental and worker standards, as well as products carrying the Responsible Down certification, which prohibits the plucking for down and feathers from live birds, which is grossly inhumane and excruciatingly painful and cruel to the animal. Enemies of Feather and Down Fill Compression Natural fibres tend to break down and compress over time unlike memory foam, which tends to retain its shape. To get around this, invest in high-quality pillows that can last for ten to twenty years. Regular fluffing can also help keep the shape and support. Moisture You should avoid getting feather pillows wet. This means that when it comes time to clean them, take them to a qualified dry cleaner. Down pillows can be cleaned with soap and water, though you must still be careful to treat the materials gently. They must also be dried in a process that takes several hours. Failure to dry the item thoroughly could ruin the product almost immediately. If you tend to shower before bed, avoid going to bed with wet hair. If this is not possible, then wrap your hair in a scarf or add a pillow protector or extra pillowcase to avoid getting your damp hair on your down or feather cushions. Moisture can harm the product even before it gets to you! If the items were improperly transported or stored prior to purchase, they could arrive in your home with an odour. Make sure you check these items carefully and return or exchange anything that’s defective. Oil Oils from your skin or facial products can also damage your bedding. When possible avoid moisturizing your skin at night or sleep on your back during the early hours of the night to prevent the product from seeping into the material. Over time, oils from skin and beauty products could cause the surface to turn yellow and may also cause unpleasant odours. Goose vs. Duck While both animals provide high-quality materials, goose is the rarer and more expensive of the two. Goose down is known to be more plush and resilient than duck, providing a more luxurious experience as well as a longer life. Here are some other factors to consider:
Duck down is more economical and still very luxurious, so you should not feel like you’re getting something inferior if you choose this material. Down vs. Down Alternative Down alternative has numerous benefits. Not only is it less expensive, but it can be just as luxurious while also being hypoallergenic. People may want to consider down alternative in the following situations:
Proper Care If you take care of your pillows, they can last a long time. Here are some top tips for extending the life of your natural cushions:
. . . Original article sourced from https://www.sleepadvisor.org/
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Sleigh beds are beautifully crafted pieces of furniture, with their curved and scrolled head- and footboards. But what is in between that impressive headboard and comforting footboard? And more importantly, will it damage your mattress? If you are contemplating buying a sleigh bed but you don’t know if it will be good for your mattress, you’ve come to the right place!
Sleigh beds are popular and are making a comeback Like most things style-related, bedroom furniture is also cyclical. People are getting bored by everyday beds that come without headboards or footboards. Furthermore, because of Covid-19, many people are forced to stay in bedrooms around the world and they quickly grow tired of standard beds without headboards. So they are turning back to classic bedroom furniture, like sleigh beds, to liven up their rooms. And honestly, why not? They are elegant, make a statement and are stylish. But you know this already, right? How can sleigh beds damage your mattress? According to an expert bedmaker - there are basically three ways in which a sleigh bed can damage your mattress: 1. You have the wrong size mattress for your sleigh bed Typically, a mattress fits “inside” the sleigh bed. Or between the two side arms of the bed. Now you can imagine, if your mattress is too small for the frame in which you put it, odds are the mattress is going to move around. Which will cause wear and tear. On the other hand, if your mattress is too big for the frame, you’ll have to force it in between the two arms. And this is also not good for the mattress. Whether it is a foam, hybrid or spring mattress, forcing it into a smaller space than what it was meant to rest on will compromise the structural integrity of the mattress and cut down significantly on its lifespan. 2. The sleigh bed does not offer enough support for your mattress Many sleigh beds (especially older ones) come without a proper support structure between the head- and footboard. In other words, no boxspring, no slats… The little support that these beds offer is actually meant to keep the bed stable, and not to support the mattress. So if you put your mattress in there, it will start sagging and the springs will permanently lose shape. 3. Crude finishing touches on the sleigh bed support system Once again, this problem can be associated with older sleigh beds (check for this if you buy a second-hand sleigh bed). Because older versions of these beds often come without support, people sometimes install their own support structures. They use plywood or sheets of chipboard to put a mattress on. These sheets of wood are often not cut to perfect size or they are splintered around the edges. If they aren’t cut to size, your mattress might get pinched between the sides of the bed and the sheet of wood. Alternatively, when there are splinters around the edges your mattress will definitely pick them up. 3 Tips to protect your mattress if you have a sleigh bed Just like there are three ways in which a sleigh bed can damage your mattress, there are three suggestions on how to prevent that damage: 1. Buy the right sleigh bed Experts say that the best way to prevent any damage to your mattress is to be careful when you look at sleigh beds for sale. Make sure that the bed you are buying is the right size and that it has a proper support structure. Look for something that comes with a built-in boxspring or has wide slats that are no further than 6 cm apart. Both a boxspring and closely spaced slats will provide your mattress with enough support so that it does not start sagging. 2. Follow the rotation instructions that come with your mattress You get different types of mattresses. Some of them must be rotated and flipped over, whereas others need only be rotated. Whichever type of mattress you have, there should be rotating/flipping instructions on the label or in the booklet that came with the product. Follow these instructions carefully to avoid causing permanent damage to your mattress. 3. Create your own support structure If you have an old sleigh bed that looks beautiful but has no support structure, or a badly built one, you can create your own. But be careful not to do shoddy work, because then you will end up damaging your mattress by getting splinters lodged in it or pinching it between the base and the sides. If you do decide to create your own supportive base, make sure of the following:
Original article sourced from https://www.themattresswarehouse.co.za/ |
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