How to Buy a Down Pillow？

You might have noticed that there are a lot of options if you spent ten minutes looking for new pillows online. How do you determine which pillow is best for you then? Let me explain how I choose a pillow that supports your posture and meets all 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 sleep comfortably with good posture. Insufficient support can result in feeling tired upon waking up. This can lead to tension in the neck and spinal nerves, potentially causing neck pain. 

Pillows are essential for both our general physical health and the quality of our sleep. Given their significance, pillows should be chosen carefully.

How to Pick a Down Pillow Depending 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 moderate firmness may be preferable if you typically sleep on your back. This lessens discomfort by maintaining the neck's and spine's natural alignment.

Side sleepers: Firmer and higher 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 taller pillow is a good choice. This maintains the natural alignment of the neck and spine, leaves more room for movement of the arms, and transfers the force to the shoulders. At the same time, you should also pay attention to choosing a firmer pillow instead of a pillow that is too soft and unsupportive, causing your head to collapse after you put it on it.

Softer and low 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)

Choose thin, softer pillows if you like to sleep on your stomach.These pillows will naturally compress to support your neck and keep it comfortable, preventing excessive bending.

How to Choose the Best Down Pillows

When purchasing down pillows, pay close attention to the following seven essential factors: the type of down, cleanliness, loft, fabric quality, pillow structure, and breathability.

• Pillows filled: Goose and duck down are typically available on the market. Goose down is higher quality because it typically has bigger clusters, smaller quills, better insulation, and more elasticity. Duck down, on the other hand, grows more quickly and produces smaller clusters with less loft and maturity. Goose down is used to fill every pillow and duvet owned by Peterhanun. 
• Cleanliness: Your health has a direct correlation to how clean you are. Down pillows must be clean because it has an impact on your health. It speaks to the quantity of free-floating particles and impurities in the down. Allergies and respiratory problems may be brought on 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. The down pillows from Peterhanun have a fill power of more than 1000, guaranteeing complete safety.
• Fill power:The capacity of a down to expand is measured by fill power, also known as fill power (FP). According to US standards, it's the space that one ounce (28.34 grams) of down takes up under particular circumstances, measured in cubic inches. Larger down clusters are produced by higher lofts, which improves the resilience and fluffiness of pillows. The loft of Peterhanun's Hungarian pillows can reach 850+.
• Pillow structure:The majority of pillow manufacturers stuff their pillows into fabric cases. Our distinctive pillow structure, which resembles a hamburger, is what distinguishes us. 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 maintain the pillow's shape.
• Breathability: For bedding, breathability is essential. Some people tend to perspire while they sleep, and if the moisture can't quickly evaporate, it can cause discomfort and serve as a haven for bacteria. The numerous tiny air pockets that are present in down naturally encourage airflow and provide excellent breathability. As a result, down pillows can effectively control humidity and temperature, leading to more comfortable sleep. Contrarily, materials with poor breathability include sponge, latex, and memory foam.
• Better Fabric: Good goose down pillows usually use high-quality pure cotton or mixed fabrics 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 leakage, improve down retention, and don't rustle as you move.
• Certifications and Standards: RDS and Downpass certifications are crucial for ensuring down's ethical sourcing and traceability, as well as the credibility of the production process.

You can choose a down pillow that suits your sleeping position and quality preferences by taking these factors into account.