Most people usually find it hard to differentiate between goose vs duck feather pillows. They may look the same but are, in the real sense, very different. First, the material used in these two pillows comes from different animals, and their cluster sizes also differ. A goose feather pillow actually has a bigger cluster size than a duck feather pillow.
But the lingering questions, which one is better than the other or what's the difference between down and feather pillows still leave a lot puzzled. Well then, no worries, this article will handle your questions in the best way possible. We'll make sure that at the end, you get to choose the best pillow for a night of better sleep.
Goose vs Duck Feather Pillows - Which Is Best?
Are you shopping for a feather pillow to better your sleep? Know that there are two main choices under this category—goose and duck feather pillows.
Which one is really better between the two? Below are some of the factors to consider to know the difference between goose and duck feather pillows and eventually pick out the better one.
Quality
Goose feather pillows, on average, have higher fill power than duck feather pillows. You get the fill power by measuring these pillows' ability to insulate heat, the size of their feather cluster, and their fluffiness.
A goose will generally provide a larger feather cluster since it's bigger than a duck. The feathers of this animal also make your pillows more fluffy, and these pillows remain fluffy for such a long period.
But not everyone likes fluffy pillows, though. In that case, the duck feather pillows, which are normally denser and thinner, may just be what you're looking for. However, they tend to reduce fast in size.
Availability
You may wonder why goose pillows are normally more expensive than duck pillows. This is because there are a lot more ducks than geese. Also, not many people eat goose meat, causing the demand to decrease, and so is their availability.
For this reason, you'll realize that there are several duck feather pillows available in the market and at lower prices.
Allergy
One of the places in your home where allergens find it conducive to stay is in your pillows. Very allergic people have to consider the fill power in pillows before they can finally buy. You see, the dust that normally collects between your pillow's feather clusters is the main cause of your allergy.
The more the fill power, the less space between these feather clusters to allow dust to collect. For this reason, you may want to consider higher fill power pillows like goose feather pillows to feel generally healthy. Also, consider washing your pillows frequently to get rid of the available allergens.
Stains and Odor
Duck feather pillows have this persistent smell even after thorough washing and processing. This odor may turn problematic to those people with a strong sense of smell, though most people don't notice it.
Where does this odor come from, by the way? You see, ducks are closer to the ground, and they pick more dirt from the floor of their surroundings. Additionally, their diet is pretty varied as they can eat insects, mice, and even rats.
On the other hand, geese feed only on pasture and growing grass as they are pure grazers. Also, they are generally cleaner than ducks, which is the reason goose feather pillows are odorless.
Overall, goose feather pillows are better than duck feather pillows.
Are Feather Pillows Better?
A feather pillow is made using the feathers plucked from the backs and the wings of either geese or ducks. These pillows are durable and can offer excellent services much longer than other types of pillows, among other benefits.
Most feather pillows have some down materials for more comfort and loftiness since the back and wing feathers can be a little coarse.
There are a lot of factors to consider when buying feather pillows to know if they are any better. These are the pros and cons of feather pillows, who they're best for, and cleaning and care.
Pros
There are several good things about feather pillows that may make one consider buying them, besides being quite supportive and luxurious. Here are some of the major benefits of these pillows.
- They have an increased lifespan. Feather pillows can effectively and efficiently serve you for three years, making them pretty durable.
- Feather pillows have such an amazing moldability feature. Sleepers can actually squeeze and transform them in any shape to obtain their perfect loft since these pillows are highly moldable.
- These pillows are scrunchy, which makes them perfect for those who snuggle with pillows while sleeping.
- Feather pillows are lightweight. Therefore, they're easy to adjust and move around. Most of them weigh less than three pounds.
- They give sleepers a cool sleep since they don't retain too much heat. This means that you will remain quite comfortable and cool throughout while using a feather pillow.
- Feather pillows are fairly affordable compared to other types, including down pillows.
Cons
Even with so many benefits, there are still some disadvantages associated with these pillows, including;
- They tend to flatten quickly and easily when compressed
- Some sleepers don't find them quite supportive. This is because the flatten fast
- Compared to other types of pillows, feather pillows have an irritating odor
- These pillows need dry cleaning, which is quite costly for some sleepers
- They tend to make noise when compressed
Who are Feather Pillows Best For?
The following people may find feather pillows quite useful for their sleep.
- Those who sleep hot since feather pillows don't retain too much body heat
- People sleeping on their sides or back
- Those who usually hug their pillows while sleeping since they're highly moldable.
However, if you belong to these categories of people, then feather pillows are not just for you.
- If you're too sensitive to noise. This is because the crunching noise from these pillows will wake you.
- A persistent odor is emitted from these pillows, so you may not find them comfortable enough if you're sensitive to smell.
- If you usually sleep on your stomach
Cleaning and Care for Feather Pillows
You need to wash your feather pillows regularly to get rid of accumulated dust, sweat, oil, and dead skin cells. But how do you ensure they remain in good shape even after throwing them into the washing and drying machine?
If you don't correctly handle them, then you won't enjoy their durability. Here are some rules on cleaning and care for feather pillows:
- You don't want to damage your luxurious pillow so early, do you? For this reason, you should always check on their label to see the written instructions on how to clean them
- You must first mend any tears or rips on the material before throwing it into that cleaning and drying machine.
- Rinse as many times as possible to remove all the soap from your feather pillow before drying
- Use lukewarm water in washing your feather pillow to avoid shrinkage
- Also run your pillow several times at low temperatures until it's completely dry to prevent shrinkage
The above three factors will help you compare feather pillows with other types of pillows to know if they're better or not.
What Is the Difference Between Down and Feather Pillows?
Down and feather pillows may sometimes look the same, but they're not. The feathers used in making these pillows come from different parts of birds, not forgetting how it feels to sleep on them. Here are some factors that will help you know the difference between down and feather pillows.
Material
Here is where the most obvious difference between these two pillows comes in. Manufacturers use clusters from the chest and bellies of different birds, geese, swans, or ducks for the down pillows. These materials are much lighter than feathers used to make feather pillows and offer more loftiness.
On the other hand, the feathers used to make feather pillows come from the back or wings of ducks and geese. After retrieving them from these birds, the feathers are processed to achieve their shape and are usually heavier than down pillows.
Their Feel
Down pillows are generally soft, fluffy, and warm. They are also more moldable than feather pillows, making them ideal for any sleeping position. Feather pillows tend to be a lot firm, retain less heat than down pillows, and are also flat. Plus, they don't bounce back to their original shape fast enough when compressed.
For their feel, it all depends on the sleepers' choices and preferences. There are those people who love the soft and fluffy feel of down pillows, while others prefer the firmness of feather pillows.
Durability
It's no doubt that a down pillow will quickly bounce back to its original shape after being compressed or flattened. For this reason, down pillows can hold their shape for an extended period than feather pillows.
Also, the quill in feather pillows can poke you once they stick through the pillow. This characteristic will not only make your feather pillow lose its feathers over time, but it can also make you feel uncomfortable.
READ MORE: What is a Goose Down Pillow?
Our Verdict - Goose vs Duck Feather Pillows
For as much as goose feather pillows are more expensive than duck feather pillows, they're indeed worth every penny. They're fluffier, high-quality, comfortable to sleep on, don't cause allergic reactions, are odorless, and have higher fill power. Goose pillows will definitely win from all corners if you have to choose between goose vs duck feather pillows for quality sleep.