The unrivalled advantages of duvets and pillows made from duck down and feathers compared with synthetic alternatives
The unrivalled advantages of duvets and pillows made from duck down and feathers compared with synthetic alternatives
- Audrey
- One Comment
Before developing a new range of products, we always ask ourselves a lot of questions. We evaluate all the possible options, to offer you products that are as close as possible to our values.
Finding the best compromise between premium quality and our sustainability, ecological and ethical criteria, all at an affordable price, can sometimes be a real headache. But as you know, we don’t shy away from anything, and we’ve risen to the challenge once again 😉
So why did we choose to develop a range of down bedding? We’ll explain in detail and, as usual, with complete transparency.
A good night’s sleep is essential for our well-being and health. The choice of bedding plays a crucial role in the quality of our rest. And the choice of a quality duvet and pillows is essential for a good night’s sleep. One of the most common debates concerns the type of filling: synthetic or natural. While synthetic duvets and pillows have become popular due to their cheapness and ease of care, they cannot compete with the unique properties of duvets and pillows made from duck down and feathers. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at why down and duck feather bedding outperforms their synthetic counterparts. Down and duck feathers stand out as a natural, luxurious and environmentally friendly choice for duvets, pillows and mattress toppers, highlighting their benefits in terms of comfort, temperature regulation, durability and environmental impact.
Quality and comfort :
Duvets and pillows made from duck down and feathers are renowned for their exceptional quality and comfort. Down, a fine, soft material beneath the outer feathers of the duck, is extremely light and fluffy. It creates a feeling of lightness and envelopment, leaving you feeling like you’re on cloud nine. The duck feathers add extra structure and support, helping to align the spine and prevent neck and back pain. Together, down and duck feathers offer the perfect balance of softness and support, adapting to the shape of your body for personalised comfort.
Regulation of body temperature:
One of the most significant advantages of duvets and pillows made from down and duck feathers is their natural ability to regulate body temperature. Down and duck feathers are naturally breathable materials, offering excellent heat management. Down has exceptional thermal insulation properties, helping to retain body heat on cold nights. At the same time, it is able to regulate air circulation and evacuate excess heat and moisture when the temperature rises. This natural temperature regulation means you can sleep comfortably all year round, whatever the weather. Unlike synthetic fibres, which can cause overheating or excessive perspiration, duvets and pillows made from down and duck feathers offer optimum thermal balance, promoting deep, restful sleep.
Exceptional durability & longevity :
Investing in quality bedding is a wise decision for long-term peaceful sleep. Down and duck feather duvets and pillows also outperform their synthetic counterparts in terms of durability and longevity. Synthetic fibres tend to sag and lose their original shape over time, whereas down and duck feathers retain their shape and softness for many years. Their resilience and ability to return to their original shape quickly ensures constant support and long-lasting comfort. By choosing a duvet and pillows made from top-quality duck feather and down, you’re investing in something that will stay with you for many restful nights, providing you with optimum comfort over the long term. Be sure to read the Kalani Bedding Care Guide and follow our recommendations to keep your natural bedding looking great for years to come.
Environmental impact and animal welfare :
The environmental aspect is becoming increasingly important in your consumer choices. Down and duck feathers are natural and sustainable materials, which makes them more environmentally responsible than synthetic materials. The production of synthetic materials often requires the use of harmful chemicals and the consumption of non-renewable energy. By contrast, duck down and feathers are renewable natural resources, collected in small part from the ground during the ducks’ natural seasonal moult and in large part from the collection of waste from the French food industry. No animal is harmed in the collection process during the ducks’ natural seasonal moult, as it is carried out in an ethical and responsible manner. And when the waste from the French food industry is upcycled and recycled, the down and feathers that are not recycled would be incinerated, causing more greenhouse gases. The French factory that produces Kalani’s natural bedding is DownPass® certified and guarantees that no animal has been killed for its down and feathers and that the down and feathers are upcycled in a way that respects animal ethics. What’s more, duck down and feathers are biodegradable, which means they will decompose naturally without causing damage to the environment when disposed of correctly. By choosing duck feather products, you’re making an eco-friendly choice and helping to preserve our planet.
At Kalani we’ve gone even further, as we’ve also opted for GOTS-certified organic cotton enveloppes for our duvets, pillows and mattress toppers, like all our other Kalani home linen ranges. Our organic cotton bath linen and organic cotton and Fairtrade certified bed linen are also made from GOTS-certified organic cotton.
Breathable and hypoallergenic:
Allergy sufferers and asthmatics will benefit greatly from duvets and pillows made from down and duck feathers. Unlike synthetic fibres, down is naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites, mould and bacteria. What’s more, down is extremely breathable, allowing moisture to escape and preventing excessive dampness from forming in the bedding. This helps to maintain a clean and healthy sleeping environment, essential for allergy and asthma sufferers.
Nobody is actually allergic to feathers and down. People allergic to dust mites are in fact allergic to the dust that hides in some bedding and feeds the mites. If feathers and down are properly treated, dusted and protected, there are no more allergies. This is also one of the major differences between good European bedding and cheap, unskilled bedding.
You’d think that a duvet or pillow with a synthetic fibre filling would be more mite-proof, because it’s easier to wash at higher temperatures. But in reality, synthetic fibres are hollow and literally act as a hotel for dust mites, preventing them from being properly eliminated when washed at 60°C. What’s more, the fabrics of most cheap synthetic duvets are totally permeable to the passage of dust mites to their favourite place.
Some manufacturers add chemical anti-dust mite treatments to duvets, feathers and down to create a repellent effect. These products are not recommended for sleeping with your nose to the grindstone every night, fade and eventually disappear after a few washes (resistance of just 10 washes for the best products).
The best way to avoid dust mites is to use naturally anti-dust mite bedding and to wash your sheets once a week.
Our French duvets and feathers are processed in a top-of-the-range factory and go through several washes and 4 to 5 stages of dusting (compared with 1-2 for Chinese products), before being stored and used as bedding fillings. This guarantees 0% dust mites.
What’s more, we’ve chosen a cotton percale cover for our bedding, woven very tightly in 230TC (91fils/cm2). Our covers are therefore what is known as “Down Proof” in the jargon: they prevent the passage of down and feathers and, at the same time, leave no chance for dust mites to penetrate the fabric.
At Kalani, our natural duvets, natural pillows and natural mattress topper are naturally dust mite-proof.
If you’re allergic to dust mites, we’ve got a blog post with some interesting information on the subject here.
In conclusion, duvets and pillows made from down and duck feathers offer undeniable advantages over synthetic alternatives. Their superior quality and comfort, combined with their natural ability to regulate temperature, make down an unrivalled choice for those who want a peaceful, restorative night’s sleep. What’s more, the durability, hypoallergenicity and breathability of down make it a long-term investment that provides optimum comfort and support for many years. While synthetic duvets and pillows may seem attractive, in terms of price and maintenance, they simply can’t compete with the unique qualities of down and duck feathers. By opting for high-quality down products, you’re ensuring an exceptional sleep experience, nights of restful, soothing sleep, and investing in your long-term well-being.
Discover Kalani natural bedding here.
One Response
This blog beautifully highlights the many benefits of down and duck feather bedding. I appreciate the transparency and thoughtful consideration given to both comfort and sustainability. Well done!