{"id":1887,"date":"2021-09-15T14:11:34","date_gmt":"2021-09-15T14:11:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thebeddingplanet.com\/?p=1887"},"modified":"2022-05-31T09:36:53","modified_gmt":"2022-05-31T09:36:53","slug":"why-should-you-use-a-feather-pillow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thebeddingplanet.com\/why-should-you-use-a-feather-pillow\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Use a Feather Pillow? The Benefits & Drawbacks"},"content":{"rendered":"
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This post is part of the complete feather pillow buyers guide<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the last decade or so, the pillow and mattress industry has exploded to unbelievable levels. Maybe that’s because people realize the importance of good quality sleep, or they simply want to invest in quality and luxury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, there is a massive selection of pillows ranging from memory foam, buckwheat, cotton, down, and even cooling pillows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interestingly, despite all the newcomers, people still prefer traditional options like down and feather pillows<\/a>, and with good reason. These fiber pillows are moldable, durable, and super comfortable in every sleeping position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even after being around for so long, down and feather pillows are still a mark of luxury and comfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are Feather Pillows?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Feather pillows are made from natural duck or goose feathers. The feathers are plucked from the wings or back of the bird, and they come as they are with the quill down the middle and everything. The heavier structure of feathers provides better support for your head and neck and longevity.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the quill can also stick out of the pillow shell and poke your skin while sleeping. For this reason, feather pillows are covered with a well-stitched, high-quality case that will keep the feathers from poking through. The cloth must be tight-weaved and secured at the seams with double stitching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are Feather Pillows the Same as Down Pillows?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Both down and feather pillows get their fillers from birds, or rather ducks and goose, but that\u2019s about where the similarities end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feather pillows come from the wing and back feathers of the bird, and they have a flat structure and a quill in the middle. As you would expect, feathers make for a firm and incredibly supportive pillow<\/a>, thanks to the quill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Down pillows, on the other hand, come from the soft fibers that make the birds undercoat, specifically the chest area of the duck or goose. Down has a fluffier appearance, made of centralized points from which the soft fibers spread out. The best way to describe down fibers is to say they look a lot like tiny cotton wool pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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That said, all feather pillows have a percentage of down, usually 5-10%, to provide additional softness. Without the down fibers, your feather pillow would be too firm and hard for comfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Want to read more about the difference between feather and down pillows? Check out this post.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advantages of Feather Pillows<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Durability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Feather-filled pillows typically last longer than synthetic ones and can wear well up to ten years or more. Manufacturers say a good quality feather pillow has at least a 25% greater lifespan than regular pillows. However, this depends on how well you take care of the pillow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Exceptional support<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are two main reasons why you buy a pillow- support and comfort. Feather pillows are soft enough for comfort and firm enough to provide support. Like memory foam pillows<\/a>, they will conform to the shape of your neck and head and cradle you up nicely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, the pillow has medium to firm support, and it’s very friendly for back and side sleepers because it has a generous loft. If you are somebody who changes sleeping positions throughout the night, feather pillows are perfect for you because they easily conform to your new position’s shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Better Temperature Control<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Best-Sleep-Temperature\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the reasons people are willing to invest in higher quality pillows is breathability and temperature control. With most pillows, you will notice the zone where your head rests is warm. If you decide to turn and move your head, your face lands on an icy area, jolting you out of sleep immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even worse than being woken up by a cold pillow is waking up sweating because the pillow got too hot. These are not problems you will deal with when you buy a feather-filled pillow. They have superb insulation, so they will neither get too hot or cold during the night. Feathers are designed to protect birds from extreme weather naturally, so they remain near the ambient temperature at all times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Ease of care<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Taking care of feather-filled pillows is easy because most of them can be machine washed and dried. Ideally, you should tumble dry the pillow once every six months just to kill germs and get rid of any dust. The pillow cover will ensure your pillows remains clean throughout the year, so you don’t need to wash the pillow as often.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Lightweight<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As light as a feather is an English simile that describes this situation perfectly. Feather pillows are incredibly lightweight and perfect for travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Hypoallergenic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"dust-mite-allergy\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In its natural form, a feather pillow can be allergy-causing because of animal dander and other factors. However, reputable pillow manufacturers clean and remove all dander and microbes from the feathers before putting them inside the pillow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, the feathers go through rigid sterilization to remove all allergens and leave the pillows completely allergy-free. It’s also important to note that feathers are anti-allergenic, meaning they don’t attract bacteria, fungi, or dust mites<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Soft and comfortable<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

They are incredibly soft and comfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Malleability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Feather pillows are very easy to manipulate and can be contrived in various fashions for maximum comfort. They can also be easily molded or adjusted for added support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Affordability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Last but not least, feather pillows are far more affordable than their down, latex, or memory foam<\/a> counterparts. A high-quality feather-filled pillow will cost<\/a> between $25 to $50, depending on the amount of down inside the pillow and of course the quality of the pillows cover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Disadvantages of Feather Pillows<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Cleaning can be complicated<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most feather-filled are machine-washable, the process of doing that is that easy. For example, drying too hot can scorch the feathers and ruin the pillow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leaving the pillow with even a tiny bit of moisture can also wreak havoc on your pillow by allowing mold inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As if that wasn’t bad enough, washing and drying can cause clumping of the feathers and down clusters, making your pillow lumpy<\/a> and flat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Feather fillings don\u2019t grow on trees<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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As you may know by now, feathers come from ducks, goose, and other birds. Whether the feathers are plucked from a live bird or a dead one, the process is still inhumane to some extent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People concerned about animal welfare will probably not recommend buying feather or down-filled pillows because their production harms different birds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Feather pillows flatten in your sleep<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may have heard about the exceptional support that comes with feather pillows and how they conform and cradle your head to perfection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What most users forget to tell you is that the support you feel will be short-lived. Feather pillows tend to flatten under the weight of your head through the night, and eventually your head will go down and cause your neck to bend. The only way out of this is to wake up and re-fluff the pillow at night, so it goes back to its supportive nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, some companies put a different filling at the bottom of the pillow to act as support for when the feathers give in to your weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. New pillows have an odor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Here is the downside to sterilizing and cleaning the feathers- chemical odor. Some people complain that new feather pillows smell like chemicals because of the cleaning. However, this smell will go away with time, or you will get used to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Pillow piercing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As noted above, you may come across a low-quality feather pillow that allows feather quills to poke through the pillowcase. That’s why it’s important only to buy high-quality pillows made with tough, double-stitched material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Who is Best Suited for Feather Pillows?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n