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Goose down quilts, goose down doonas and duck down pillows
With a variety of bedding options out there, it is important for people to understand what’s going to be right for them. The two products that tend to come up are goose down and duck down pillows, and the first thing to keep in mind is that they are not the same thing. Below are the differences between goose down doonas, goose down quilts and duck down pillows.
Insulation: The differences between goose and duck are not that significant, but they do have varying effects on the comfort and durability of a pillow. Geese are larger birds with big feathers, but that doesn’t mean they provide more insulation as this depends on the processing as well. If taken care of, both goose down doonas and duck down pillows will provide a warm and comfortable surface to sleep on for many years.
Durability: The major difference between goose down quilt and duck down is the durability. The durability depends on the oil and fat content of the birds, which varies according to feed, weather and other conditions. Creating a down is an over washed processing phase that leads to brittle, dry down and decreased fill power, and the proper processing of goose down quilt ensures durability and performance no matter what kind of down is used.
Fill power: Our goose down quilts and goose down doonas are made in Australia and filled to the brim. Fill power refers to the fluffiness and insulation of the down pillow or doona. A product with a higher fill power can trap more air, which leads to a warmer and plusher feel. As birds age, their clusters of down become more developed. The processing phase of creating down products includes sorting through these clusters to find the best fill power. Goose or duck, the older they get, the more efficient the fill power.
Colour: Goose down quilts and goose down doonas can be white or grey in colour. This does not affect their durability or warmth. However, white down is known to be more desirable as it doesn’t show through pillowcases.
Odour: It is not easily noticeable, but some people can find it a bit irritating. The natural odour comes from the oil and fats which are actually helping it be more resilient and pliable. Ducks have lower bodies than geese, which means their feathers come into contact with the ground more often, which means duck down tends to harbour more odour than goose down quilts.
Once you’ve chosen which down is right for you, you should consider the following points to prolong the lifespan of your new pillow:
- Fold the pillow and put it in a headlock. Don’t use it for pillow fights.
- Feather pillows should not be washed.
- Down pillows can be washed, but need to be dried properly. If not dried properly, it can lead to mould growth in less than 24 hours.
- Get a pillow protector.
- Use a pillowcase and wash it regularly.
- If the weather is humid, don’t hang it outside to dry.
- If the pillow starts to smell, it may be time to get a new pillow.
Conclusion
Goose down is considered better than duck down, but both have equally efficient insulation abilities. In both cases, the age, diet and living conditions of the birds are considered by the manufacturers, which is what affects the fill power and quality of fill used. The processing plays the most important role in the type of down used in pillows. If the pillows are purchased from a reputable manufacturer like us, the quality and durability of the product is guaranteed.
If you want to purchase top-quality premium goose down quilts, goose down doonas or duck down pillows in Australia, visit http://bigbedding.com.au.