Swan down pillow: pros and cons of artificial swan down pillows

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Down pillows are considered to be among the highest quality and most comfortable in Russia. New types of natural and artificial fillers are appearing, but the down of waterfowl (ducks, eiders, geese) is in great demand among lovers of home textiles made from natural materials. They need to be washed periodically or have the pillows dry-cleaned by professionals.

Many housewives are ready to tinker, spend time and effort to restore cleanliness to their favorite bedding. If you also want to know how to wash a down pillow, we offer you a publication prepared by our experts.

Do you want to calculate the cost of dry cleaning pillows? There is now a 30% discount for you!

Artificial swan down: what kind of filler is it?

Manufacturers often indicate that swan down was used as a filler for pillows. However, products with a natural version have not been produced for a long time. Firstly, this is not humane: for the sake of one pillow it would be necessary to destroy about 10 birds. Secondly, swans are listed in the Red Book.

Features of the filler

Products with so-called swan down are filled with artificial siliconized fiber. In its production, polyester balls are used, which are pulled into thin threads and twisted into spirals. The spirals are treated with silicone to increase strength and elasticity. The result is fluffy balls that look like swan's down.

This fiber is very light and warm, and its elastic spirals hold and restore shape well. Typically, a swan down substitute is used as insulation for outerwear and filling for pillows, blankets and soft toys.

Photo: what swan fluff looks like in pillows

Swan down pillows: pros and cons

Let's look at the main advantages and disadvantages of these sleep products.

Advantages

• artificial swan down is antibacterial: due to its artificial origin, the fiber is an unattractive environment for the proliferation of parasites and bacteria;
• hypoallergenic;
• has no odor, unlike animal fur or fluff, and does not absorb foreign substances;
• does not come out through seams or fabric, as is often the case with natural down, so such a product will not prick and leave feathers in the bed;
• quickly restores shape;
• very light and soft, just like natural down;
• can be washed in a machine, it does not clump and dries quickly;
• It does not require special care;
• has a long service life;
• affordable;
• safe for children and adults;
• does not creak or make other sounds;
• “breathes”: provides good air circulation.

Flaws

• the filler practically does not absorb moisture, which is why it is not suitable for people with excessive sweating;
• accumulates static electricity, the problem can be solved by an antistatic agent for fabric or a natural cover made of satin, calico, teak, percale, bamboo;
• An artificial swan down pillow does not provide adequate neck support due to its softness.

Material characteristics

There is practically no production of goods from natural raw materials. To create a filler for one pillow, 10 swans would have to be destroyed. In this case, the main part of the natural filler will be feather, not down. There is a more humane way - to collect fluff during molting. But it's not very effective.

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It is impossible to obtain swan fluff from a living bird, and besides, swans are listed in the Red Book.

Collecting and processing poultry down is expensive and not humane to these rare and beautiful inhabitants of nature. Therefore, when talking about products made from swan down, they mean a synthetic substitute. Today, an artificial analogue is being manufactured - Thinsulate. In terms of parameters, it is no worse, and sometimes even better, than a natural swan's edge.

Very light and soft, just like natural down.

Today, real down is hardly used anywhere. This happens for a number of reasons.

• Expensive production. Down is collected humanely only during shedding. Once a year, one swan can give away only 30, maximum 40 grams of raw materials. Due to this, the cost cannot be called affordable.
• The swan is a bird listed in the Red Book. This means that there are not many individuals left. Exterminating unique birds for the sake of blankets and parkas is inhumane and inappropriate.
• In terms of strength and durability, the natural original is inferior to the artificial copy. In addition, real fluff can cause allergies. After all, it harbors mites, mold and fungi.

Bird down is rarely used, except for the manufacture of cosmetic puffs for powder and blush. The artificial analogue is cheaper, stronger and more durable. It is much easier to wash, has high antibacterial and hypoallergenic properties.

Thinsulate has become a worthy alternative to natural swan down.

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Buying a product made from 100% natural material is not an easy task. Firstly, this is very rare. Secondly, the purchase will be expensive. For example, a blanket filled with natural swan down will cost 11,000 rubles.

A pillow with artificial down is easy to use, so you can sleep comfortably on it for at least 4-5 years.

The price of an artificial substitute is several times cheaper. Depending on the size and fabric of the cover, a blanket with Thinsulate padding will cost between 1,300 and 2,500 rubles.

Over time, the passage of air becomes more difficult and the cooling effect deteriorates. Please note if you prefer to sleep on cool pillows at night.

Like any synthetic or natural material, artificial down has its positive and negative sides. It is worth noting that the list of positive aspects is impressive:

• the material is suitable for people prone to allergies and sensitive skin;
• synthetic fiber does not create a favorable development environment for living organisms, so artificial down is not susceptible to fungi and dust mites;
• it is a light and weightless material;
• elastically holds its shape, does not get lost or cake;
• It is easy to care for artificial down - it can be washed in a regular washing machine and no special storage conditions are required;
• the material does not absorb foreign odors, and also does not have a specific aroma;
• the fluff dries very quickly;
• the material retains heat perfectly;
• air passes freely through the down fibers, providing air exchange;
• the fabric cover easily holds the artificial down and does not allow it to fall out;
• artificial swan down is much more economical than natural down;
• long period of operation - with proper care, the material will last about five years.

This material has very few disadvantages:

• almost does not absorb moisture - a sauna effect can occur under a swan blanket;
• may cause overheating when used in a well-heated room;
• accumulates static electricity and requires additional treatment with an antistatic agent.

We invite you to read: Feet smell strongly. What is the reason and how to deal with it. - Health comes first!

Which pillow filling is better: swan's down or bamboo?

Bamboo fiber is a modern version of pillow filling. Moreover, it is completely natural. Bamboo filler retains heat well, allows air to pass through, and has an antistatic effect. But at the same time, it is more expensive and requires more careful care compared to swan down.

But bamboo fiber in its pure form is rarely used as a filler. Usually it is simply mixed in a 1:1 ratio with some artificial material. Due to this, the quality of the product does not suffer, and the cost becomes more acceptable.

In addition, an excellent option would be to purchase a sleep accessory filled with swan down in a bamboo case. Thus, it will be possible to avoid the disadvantages of each material by combining the advantages.

What does it represent?

Swan down is a synthetic polyester microfiber. Each of its fibers is made in the form of a thin spiral and treated with silicone. The diameter of the spiral villus is much thinner than a human hair. The spirals are woven together, resulting in balls. Thanks to this, the externally synthetic copy becomes similar to the edge of a swan, which is located under the feather of the bird in the chest and abdomen.

Swan down is an artificial material. This modern filler is a polyester fiber.

Printed polyester is lightweight, very soft and easy to care for. But in some respects it is inferior to the natural original. The material is light, delicate, soft to the touch and quickly returns to its original shape after compression. Has high warming qualities.

Today, swan down pillows are one of the most popular in the textile industry market.

Manufacturers and prices

When choosing a pillow, you should pay attention to its presentation. You can distinguish a good manufacturer by:

• high-quality packaging - the product must be in an individual polyethylene bag;
• a well-designed label indicating the main parameters;
• natural fabric cover: otherwise the bedding cannot be considered safe for health.

The price of a product with swan down depends, first of all, on its size and manufacturer:

• 50×50 - from 180 to 500 rubles;
• 50×70 - from 230 to 1500 rubles;
• 70×70 - from 310 to 2000 rubles.

Popular manufacturers producing swan pillows:

Mona Lisa (Mona Lisa)

The Russian company Mona Liza has been producing high-quality bedding and linen for about 20 years. Pillows with swan down are presented in three collections:

• Provence by Serg Look: Provence Lilac with lilac scent (from RUB 1,080)
• Mona Liza Premium by Serg Look: Secret Gardens (from RUB 1,091);
• Mona Liza Premium: “Swan's Down” (from RUB 1,279).

All products have natural cotton covers, labels with detailed information about the composition, size, weight, expiration date and care recommendations. The package also contains a brochure telling about the company, its mission, and products.

Ecotex (Ecotex)

Over the 17 years of its activity, the manufacturer of home textiles Ecotex has become very popular among Russian consumers. The company has separated products with swan down into a separate line, which is called that way. All pillows in this series have a special modern “DownFill” fiber and a cotton lining.

• 50×70 - from 1150 rubles;
• 70x70 - from 1800 rub.

Verossa (Verossa)

Verossa is considered one of the leaders in textile production. The company claims that their products can provide a unique experience, comfort, style and quality. Pillows filled with microfiber are called “Swan Down” and are available in two sizes:

• 50x70 - 1190 rub.;
• 70х70 —1490 rub.

Artpostel

The company from Ivanovo has been operating since 1997, and in the manufacture of bedding it uses its own raw materials, that is, fabrics that have not been pre-treated or dyed. Pillows with swan's down are available in the Premium and Soft Collections. Products have a wide range of sizes:

• 38x38 - 410 rub.;
• 48x48 - 510 rub.;
• 38x58 - 510 rub.;
• 58x58 - 760 rub.;
• 48x68 - 810 rub.;
• 68x68 — 980 rub.

Selena (Selena)

The largest manufacturer in the south of Russia, the textile company Selena, has been producing home textiles for 22 years. The products of this company are easily recognized by their soft pink label and beautiful patterned microfiber cover with embossing. For its “Selena Daydream” collection of pillows and blankets, the company chose swan down as a filler.

• 50x70 —989 rub.;
• 70х70 —1298 rub.

You can also buy products from companies such as Adele, Vasilisa, Alvitek, etc.

Video: Pillow “Swan Down Luxury” from the manufacturer AlViTek

How to wash swan down pillows

There will be no problems with caring for bedding with artificial swan down. They can be washed. They are resistant to hand and machine washing at low temperatures. However, in order not to spoil the product, if you decide to wash it, it is better to follow the following rules:

• use the delicate wash mode with a minimum number of revolutions per minute;
• do not set the temperature above 40˚, optimally stop at 30˚;
• do not use bleaching or chlorine-containing products;
• You can squeeze it in a centrifuge, but you shouldn’t dry the product in it;
• When washing by hand, you don’t have to wring it out - just let the water drain.

After washing, the pillow should be shaken, lightly fluffed and left to dry away from heat sources on a flat surface. It should be turned over periodically. Do not heat the product, and do not try to iron it.

In the intervals between washes, the sleep accessory should be taken out into the fresh air at least once every six months, so that the foreign odor will disappear from the filling and the fibers will be saturated with oxygen.

Artificial swan down as a pillow filler will be the optimal solution for any bedroom, because it combines the achievements of modern technology and a reasonable price. In addition, manufacturers offer products of different shapes, sizes and densities, so everyone can choose the right option.

What are the steps to follow to wash a swan blanket?

Some bedding cannot be washed at all, dry wash only. As a rule, these are products made of silk, some types of wool and other delicate fabrics. If the duvet consists of a synthetic filler and a natural textile cover, it can be washed by hand or in a machine.

It is worth considering simple rules:

1. The first step is to check if there is any damage to the fabric cover. Small holes or unraveling seams will cause loss of filler, as a result of which not only an expensive item will be damaged, but the washing machine will also suffer - fluff will clog up in the filters.
2. Do not use bleach or regular powders to wash delicate items. Such substances will not completely dissolve when rinsing; the fluff under the cover will collect in clumps. You should purchase liquid laundry detergents, as well as a special conditioner for delicate fabrics.
3. It is best to fold the duvet in several layers and in this state put it in the drum of the washing machine so that lumps do not collect inside the product. Ordinary shady balls will help prevent the filler from clumping in a horizontal-loading washing machine. They need to be placed together with the item, the balls will knock out the dirt and break up the clumps of fluff.
4. Be sure to duplicate the rinsing process and, if necessary, spin the item twice at 800 rpm.
5. Upon completion of washing, the product is immediately removed from the drum and the drying phase begins.

Attention! If the bulky bedding hardly fits into the drum, the door barely closes and there is no free space for water, you will have to abandon machine washing.

Need to fold a bulky item for machine washing

Bulky double blankets are difficult to fit into the drum of a standard machine with a capacity of 5-6 kg. Such items will have to be washed by hand. But it is almost impossible to do this alone; it is better to ask another person for help. To wash a large duvet by hand, you need to:

• fill the bathroom with water 30-40 degrees;
• pour in liquid washing powder for delicate fabrics and whip up the foam;
• immerse the blanket in water and leave for an hour;
• wash the product with gentle massage movements, remove difficult stains using laundry soap, a special stain remover, soda or vinegar;
• rinse the duvet at least three times in clean warm water;
• drain the water from the bath and fold the item for spinning in a horizontal position;
• squeeze, twisting the ends;
• lay the item out to dry near the radiators, on the street or on the balcony.

The fabric cover is usually made from cotton types of fabric

A blanket with such filling can still be washed at home, but you will have to follow several rules so as not to spoil the condition of the blanket itself:

1. Recommended water temperature for washing is 30 degrees;
2. This blanket can be washed either by hand or using a washing machine;
3. If you have chosen the option that involves using a washing machine, you should select the delicate wash mode.

As can be observed, the points are not difficult to understand and follow. For this reason, a swan down blanket will acquire its original qualities and surprise you with its purity and freshness.