How to buy a down pillow?
You may have noticed that there are a lot of options if you spent ten minutes looking for new pillows online. So how do you determine which pillow is best for you? Let me explain how I choose a pillow that supports your posture and meets all of your sleeping needs.
The neck health story with pillows
The human spine has four natural curves: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral. It is not completely straight.
You need a pillow that supports your neck and spine to reduce fatigue and help you sleep comfortably with good posture. Inadequate support can cause you to feel tired when you wake up. This can lead to tension in the neck and spinal nerves, which can cause neck pain.
Pillows are essential to both our general physical health and the quality of our sleep. Given their importance, pillows should be chosen carefully.
How to choose a down pillow based on your sleeping position
Back sleepers: Height and medium firmness
Pillow height: 4-6 inches (10-15 cm)
Compressed height: 3-5 inches (7.5-12.5 cm)
Selecting a down pillow with a medium height and medium firmness may be preferable if you typically sleep on your back. This reduces discomfort by maintaining the natural alignment of the neck and spine.
Side sleepers: Firmer and taller pillows
Pillow height: 5-7 inches (12.5-17.5 cm)
Compressed height: 4-6 inches (10-15 cm)
If you sleep on your side, a higher pillow is a good choice. This maintains the natural alignment of the neck and spine, provides more room for your arms to move, and transfers weight to your shoulders. At the same time, be sure to choose a firmer pillow instead of one that is too soft and unsupportive, causing your head to collapse after you put it on.
Softer and lower pillows are best for stomach sleepers.
Height of a pillow: 2-4 inches (5-10 cm)
Height when compressed: 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm)
If you prefer to sleep on your stomach, choose thin, softer pillows that naturally compress to support your neck and keep it comfortable by preventing excessive bending.
How to choose the best down pillows
When buying down pillows, pay close attention to these seven essential factors: type of down, cleanliness, loft, fabric quality, pillow construction, and breathability.
Filled pillows: Goose and duck down are commonly available on the market. Goose down is higher quality because it typically has larger clusters, smaller feathers, better insulation, and more resiliency. Duck down, on the other hand, grows faster and produces smaller clusters with less loft and maturity. Goose down is used to fill every Restlinens pillow and duvet.
Cleanliness: Your health is directly related to how clean you are. Down pillows must be clean because it affects your health. It speaks to the amount of free floating particles and impurities in the down. Allergies and respiratory problems can be caused by these impurities and particles. A fill power of 450 or higher is typically required for pillows to be considered acceptable, while down pillows should ideally have a fill power of 800 or higher for quality assurance. Restlinens' down pillows have a Fill Power of more than 1000, ensuring complete safety.
Fill Power: The ability of down to expand is measured by fill power (FP). According to U.S. standards, it's the amount of space one ounce (28.34 grams) of down takes up under certain conditions, measured in cubic inches. Larger down clusters are produced by higher lofts, which improves the resilience and fluffiness of pillows. The loft of Restlinens Hungarian pillows can reach 850+.
Pillow Structure: The majority of pillow manufacturers stuff their pillows into fabric covers. Our unique pillow structure, which resembles a hamburger, is what sets us apart. Soft goose down is used to fill the top and bottom layers, giving them a plush feel against your skin. Goose feathers are used in the middle layer of the pillow to provide structural support and keep the pillow in shape.
Breathability: Breathability is essential for bedding. Some people tend to perspire while sleeping, and if the moisture can't evaporate quickly, it can cause discomfort and serve as a haven for bacteria. The many tiny air pockets in down naturally promote airflow and provide excellent breathability. As a result, down pillows can effectively control humidity and temperature, resulting in more comfortable sleep. In contrast, materials with poor breathability include sponge, latex and memory foam.
Better fabric: Good goose down pillows are usually made from high-quality pure cotton or blends such as silk and eucalyptus fibers. Down pillow fabrics have a thread count between 60 and 100, with higher thread counts preferred because they are softer, prevent leaks, improve down retention, and don't rustle when you move.
Certifications and Standards: RDS and Downpass certifications are critical to ensuring the ethical sourcing and traceability of down, as well as the credibility of the manufacturing process.
By considering these factors, you can choose a down pillow that fits your sleeping position and quality preferences.
