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Difference From One Pillow to the Next
Are you among the many people who still have not found a pillow you like? Do you even know what to look for in a pillow? Well do not throw your hands in the air and give up quite yet, and do not settle for a cheap pillow. Learn the difference between goose down pillows, down and feather, and poly silk. Any of these materials below can provide for a luxury pillow:
Down.
These are made with only the soft 3-dimensional feathers that are close to the bird to keep it warm. They do not have a poky shaft – they are very soft and light. Goose down pillows are soft and lofty, long lasting and washable. This is the best quality you can get, which is why they are a bit pricier. Down comes from various birds like duck, goose, eider (super duper rare and expensive). In addition, you can find hypoallergenic down pillows out there.
Down and Feather.
Another option, and much more common is to add feathers to the down so giving you a combination. When you see “feather” in the description, you will see percentages of the down and feather, for example, 25/75 would be 25% down and 75% feather. Feather is 2 dimensional (flat), has a pokey shaft and is the outer feather of the bird which is used for flight. Combining down and feather gives you a heavier thicker feel (the more feathers you add, the heavier it is). Feather is cheaper than down, so the price goes down as you use less down and more feathers.
Poly Silk.
Short for siliconized polyester (a man-made silk). This is a great down alternative pillow that is plush and down-like in comfort. It is high-quality material that is comfortable, long lasting and makes for excellent hypo-allergenic pillows.
Other fillers.
Polyester, cotton, silk, wool, and buckwheat are other types of fillers available on the market. Polyester is inexpensive and mediocre quality as it promises to get lumpy and hard. While cotton, silk, and wool are comfortable and natural, they are less due to their high absorbency of perspiration and such. Buckwheat is firm, noisy and a maintenance hassle.
Hypoallergenic pillows.
Down is typically washed and processed in such a manner that it minimizes allergies, therefore making it hypoallergenic. On the other hand, since poly silk is man-made it too is hypoallergenic. It’s important to keep your pillows clean to reduce the amount of dust and other particles that settle into them over time.
Hypoallergenic:
having little likelihood of causing an allergic response. (Definition from Merriam Webster)
You know the saying “you get what you pay for” – it’s worth it to spend a bit for a high-quality luxury pillow that will give comfort and, with proper care, will last longer. Poly Silk, Down and Feather, and Goose Down Pillows are all great quality. Most of the pillows that you find in large retail stores are low quality, uncomfortable and have a short life. Stop buying cheap pillows expecting to get better results.
