Cuddle Down College
Down 101
Down is a remarkable substance and knowing more about it will make sure you invest in the best possible indulgence you can for your sleep.
Down is nature's insulator: ounce for ounce it is the world’s best insulator.
Plus: Down is a renewable resource and bio-degradable. Its production has the lowest impact on the environment of any insulating material.
So why down bedding?
- It's light
- It's warm
- It's breathable
- It naturally wicks away moisture
- It's resilient – bouncing back to shape over and over again
- It has longevity – properly cared for it will last well over 10 years
- It's good for the environment, as a byproduct it would otherwise go to landfill or be burned
What is Down?
Down comes from the undercoating of waterfowl.
It is a three dimensional structure made up of thousands of filament coming from a central quill point. These filaments interlock and trap air which gives down a natural insulating ability.
Down also has the ability to keep you dry. Body moisture is transported along the filaments to the outside of the duvet where it evaporates.
It is truly a remarkable substance.
Feathers are a light, flat structure with a hard quill shaft running down the spine.
Birds use them for protections and to aid in flight. The two dimensional structure does not allow Feathers to trap air like Down, reducing it’s insulating ability.
However, the structure of feathers is useful in providing support in pillows and feather beds.
Down is a three dimensional structure made up of thousands of filament coming from a central quill point. These filaments interlock and trap air which gives Down a natural insulating ability.
Down is both lighter and warmer then feathers which makes it ideal for duvets and light/fluffy pillows.
How does down work?
1 ounce of down can contain hundreds of individual down clusters. The filaments of these clusters both cling to other clusters and push them away, trapping air and creating pockets. These pockets of air prevent heat energy from passing from one side to the other, hence insulation.
Is all down created equal?
Short answer: NO.
The truth lies in the size and maturity of the down cluster. Bigger is better! A mature bird will produce a larger more resilient down cluster which will be able to trap more air. An immature bird will produce a smaller cluster that will break down easier and therefore be less warm.
Also, the method in which the down is processed will affect the end product. Less expensive down processes cut corners and do not eliminate all oils or allergens, which will lead to less loft, odder issues and potentially allergic reactions
How can we tell them apart?
The most common indicator of quality is LOFT.
Loft is the ability of down to trap air. It is measured by the amount of cubic inches 1 oz of down fills under certain conditions. (See Photo)
The higher the loft, the more air it traps and the warmer it will be.
Loft typically ranges from 500 – 800.
Is Goose Down better than Duck Down?
Better down comes from bigger down clusters and bigger clusters come from bigger birds. So, on average, goose down is better as it comes from a larger bird. However, there are many quality’s of duck down that outperform some goose downs. The loft factor will give you a better indication.
Actual differences:
Ducks have more naturally accruing oils then geese. This gives their down a slight yellowish tint and means it must be washed more during processing. Historically duck down has had a slight odour not found with goose down however, modern cleaning processes have eliminated this issue.
What about Eiderdown?
Eiderdown is the most unique down on the planet. This brownish down comes from the Eider Duck that makes its home on the blustery shores of northern Quebec and Iceland. This bird has evolved to have a unique attribute to its down that allows it to cling together like velcro. The duck uses the down to line the nests and it will not blow away.
The extreme cling also insulates much more than other down products. The Eider Duck is a protected species; the only way to get Eiderdown is to harvest it from the nests, by hand, at the end of each hatching season. This makes this unique product very expensive.
Most people who have a reaction with down or feather products are not actually allergic to the down. They are reacting to the oils or dander left on improperly cleaned down products. Cuddle Down only buys down that meets the highest standards for cleanliness,(being washed up to 5 times!) This eliminates all oils and impurities creating a cleaner and loftier down and feather with the designation of hypoallergenic.
Down and feathers are a by-product of the meat industry. The farms are found all over the world including right here in Canada.
No ducks or geese are grown specifically for their feathers but rather their meat. Birds from modern farms are raised in good conditions as it provides a higher quality of meat. They are NOT live plucked as this stresses the animal immensely, and would result in lower quality meat that would command a lower price.
As members of the Canadian Down and Feather Association, we only buy down and feathers from farms that treat their birds in an ethical manner. We also insist that our down suppliers adhere to the Canadian Down Standard for ethical treatment of their flocks.
