Goose down pillows are the most luxurious and comfortable pillow ever made. It is made of 100% pure goose down, and it has been around for more than 150 years.
These pillows are made to provide a perfect restful place for the head and neck and will give you a perfectly restful night. But why are goose down pillows so great? What are the benefits that they provide? This article will try to answer your questions - what is a goose down pillow?
Why Are Goose Down Pillows So Great?
Goose-down pillows are made up of soft, light, and resilient down clusters found under waterfowl feathers like duck and geese. The pillow may be full of goose down only or a blend with other feathers.
Goose down is very soft, and it's an excellent insulator, so the heat is distributed evenly throughout the pillow. This will keep your head warm in winter and also cool your head during summer nights. These pillows are so reliable because they maintain their shape and recover their original shape when you get up from the bed.
Goose down pillows are so comfortable because they provide perfect support for your head and neck. They keep the spine aligned in a neutral position and eliminate any pressure that your shoulder and hips cause. You will also sleep through the entire night without waking up if you use these wonderful pillows.
The Anatomy of a Goose Down Pillow
A goose down pillow contains the following parts:
Shell
The shell is made of high thread count fabric and protects the inside fillings. It also determines the softness and shape of the pillow. A 100% cotton or a blend of cotton and polyester is commonly used.
Lining
The lining is made of very soft fabric to provide a cooling effect for your head. It usually contains small holes to keep the down from shifting inside the pillow. Some pillows may not have a lining because they might be designed as a low-cost pillow.
Insulation
The down clusters are placed inside to form the pillow's fillings. All goose feather pillows contain about 68 to 72 % of insulation, so it keeps the temperatures at a desirable range whether it's winter or summer.
Thread Count
Goose down pillows are covered with very fine fabrics, and it is important that this fabric has a high thread count. This means that the yarns or threads are very close together. If the thread count is higher, the fabric will be more comfortable and luxurious
Fabric Label
The fabric label provides information about the pillow on its care instructions. It also tells if it is hypoallergenic or not. Most pillows come with a zipper enclosure that makes them easy to clean or dry-clean.
What Is the Difference Between Down and Feather Pillows?
While some people think that down and feather pillows are the same and even use them interchangeably, they're not the same. The material used for making these pillows come from different parts of the animal, and their internal structures also vary. Below are some of the features that differentiate these two pillow types:
The Materials
Down pillow is made from clusters retrieved from the chest of goose, duck, or swan. The materials look like tiny flakes that are soft and fluffy. It is lighter than the feathers, but it has more loft, which means that they have a higher pile height.
Feather pillows are filled with regular goose or duck feathers specially processed to reach the ideal shape by plumping them. They look like tiny spear-shaped quills, which makes them heavier compared to a down pillow.
The Internal Structure
Down and feather pillows come in different shapes and sizes. Down pillows are shaped like a doughnut or barrel to accommodate the specific structure of down clusters. Feathers, on the other hand, will look like little spears standing up from the pillow. The internal structures of these two materials make them behave differently during use.
Down pillows are very resilient; they bounce back to their original shape quickly, even after taking your head off. On the other hand, feather pillows will always look flat because feathers tend to compress over time and lose their loft.
The Fill Power
Fill power or loft is a term used to measure the quality of down. It's the number of cubic inches that one ounce of down occupies when packed into a standardized cylindrical container. The higher this number, the more excellent quality and thickness of your down pillow or duvet. You can expect optimum comfort with high fill power because these pillows are very fluffy and puffy even after many years of use. Down pillows tend to have a higher fill power than feather pillows, making them an excellent choice for many people.
Softness
Pillows come in different levels of softness and comfort. When it comes to down pillows, the softest ones are the 900 fill power that feels like a box full of feathers. However, if you prefer softer pillows, choose those with 550 fill power. For people who want medium-firm thickness, 600 fill is ideal, and those with higher fill power usually feel quite firm and stiff.
Feather pillows are much stiffer compared to down because the feathers are not that soft or fluffy. It's difficult to find a very soft type of feather pillow, but if you prefer medium to just-right levels of comfort, goose down pillows with 550 fill power will do.
Origin
Down pillows come from different types of birds, and the quality is determined by the fill power and fill material. Some of these materials include Hungarian white goose down, Siberian goose down, and duck feathers.
Goose down is one of the most popular choices for filling pillows because it has a higher density than other types. Although they may be more pricey, they are also extremely resilient and will look like new even after years of use.
Are Goose Down Pillows Good for You?
Goose down pillows are not only luxurious and comfortable but also come with plenty of health benefits. Here are some of the health benefits you'll get from using these pillows:
Anti-Allergic Pillow
Because these pillows are made of natural materials, they do not aggravate allergies and asthma. It has been tested that goose down is one of the most hypoallergenic materials you can find in the market today. This makes it easier for people with allergies to use these pillows without worrying about getting an allergy attack during sleep time.
Extremely Breathable
Duck down pillows are also very breathable. One of the qualities that make this material useful for pillows is its ability to maintain its loft even if it absorbs moisture, vapor, or sweat, thus keeping you cool, especially during hot weather.
Furthermore, down feathers are lightweight and resilient due to their unique 3D cluster structure. They also provide more heat-trapping abilities than any other type of pillow material, making them the best pillows for year-round use.
Insulation Properties
These pillows neither get too cold or too hot to sleep on. The material used to make these pillows provide a great barrier to keep the heat in and cold out, especially during winter. This helps you avoid excessive sweating, which makes you uncomfortable and too hot.
Provides Better Quality Sleep
If you're having problems sleeping, then you need to switch to duck down pillows. Research shows that goose down pillows are the best when it comes to promoting uninterrupted sleep by keeping your head in a neutral position while asleep. It also reduces pains and aches on your neck and shoulder, which often prevents you from getting a good night's rest.
Side sleepers will benefit the most from using goose down pillows because it supports their necks while they're sleeping on their sides. Even back and stomach sleepers can also use these pillows provided that they choose the correct loft.
Why Are Goose Down Pillows So Expensive?
Goose down pillows are considered more expensive than other pillows. However, that is if you're comparing it to other pillows of the same size. The reason why these pillows are expensive is that they are pure and come from higher-quality materials. When you sleep on a goose down pillow, expect to sink into it like sleeping on a cloud or an extremely comfortable sofa. You'll wake up feeling rejuvenated every morning. This must come at a price, right?
These pillows are also much more costly because making them is a difficult process. Not only does it take a lot of time to gather them down, but they also need to go through several processes before they can be shaped into pillows.
Our Verdict
Goose down pillows are on the expensive side, but it's actually worth every penny because of its quality, comfort, and health benefits. These are the best pillows you can buy for yourself or a loved one and help them enjoy better quality sleep. If you're planning to buy one or two for your bedroom, then you should visit a furniture store that specializes in luxury bedding accessories, so check out goose down pillows today.