Archive for the ‘Pillow’ Category
The supply of duck exceeds that of goose
Another consideration when making a purchase of down comforters or pillows is the price of duck down versus goose down. One reason that duck is cheaper is that in the U.S. there is a perception that duck down is slightly inferior to goose down. A second reason is that there is a larger worldwide supply of duck, which far exceeds geese.
Goose down pillows and comforters will carry with them an inherent pride of ownership, which comes from the perception of being better and because of less abundant supply. For the money, if duck is the cheaper product and all other things are equal, it is probably the best buy for the obvious reason – price – and you may only be sacrificing the pride of ownership.
Goose down that lofts is key to the best
In order to find high quality down, it is necessary to go to cold climates and to find ducks and geese that are more mature. To be selective in finding the best quality will reflect in the price. The higher fill powers will have the largest and strongest clusters of down and have the best loft, ability to trap air, and insulating ability.
Down pillows that are constructed under the Pacific Coast label use down with 550 to 600 fill power. These pillows come in a variety of designs to accommodate the individual taste of the consumer. Some may prefer an extremely soft pillow versus another that may prefer more firmness in a natural pillow.
What’s in a pillow besides feathers?
Feathers and down are different because feathers have quills and down does not. Feathers are two dimensional whereas down is three dimensional. For the purposes of bedding, smaller feathers are used for products like featherbeds and blends of feathers and down pillows.
Feathers are the outside covering of most birds and have a range of less than 1 inch up to several feet in length. Waterfowl feathers are rigid and can range from two inches to five or more inches in length, with the shorter lengths used for bedding.
Can’t Sleep? The Problem Might Be Obvious
For years I struggled with insomnia and explored every avenue imaginable in an attempt to overcome it – or at least that’s what I thought. My doctor prescribed a number of medications, but I never felt comfortable taking habit-forming drugs. I tried aromatherapy, even inhaling lavender essential oils as they are supposed to induce sleepiness. All to no avail.
Then a friend reminded me that I was overcomplicating the whole ordeal. As it turned out, the solution was much simpler than I could have imagined. Old habits die hard, and I had been sleeping with the same lumpy cotton-stuffed pillow for many years. From the moment I substituted it with a down feather pillow, the difference was apparent. Now I’m sleeping right through the night and waking up refreshed and energized each morning.