Artificial swan down: reviews of the filler

Today, a pillow filling called “swan down” is in great demand. But the material has nothing in common with the plumage of a swan, other than texture. In fact, it is an artificial substitute, made in the likeness of swan down. Despite the fact that the material is synthetic, it is in many ways not inferior to its natural counterpart. And in terms of wear resistance and ease of maintenance, it even exceeds its natural counterpart.

The Swan Down pillow has many advantages over other materials. This is a very soft filler. It is pleasant to the touch.

What does it represent?

Swan down is a synthetic polyester microfiber. Each of its fibers is made in the form of a thin spiral and treated with silicone. The diameter of the spiral villus is much thinner than a human hair. The spirals are woven together, resulting in balls. Thanks to this, the externally synthetic copy becomes similar to the edge of a swan, which is located under the feather of the bird in the chest and abdomen.

Swan down is an artificial material. This modern filler is a polyester fiber.

Printed polyester is lightweight, very soft and easy to care for. But in some respects it is inferior to the natural original. The material is light, delicate, soft to the touch and quickly returns to its original shape after compression. Has high warming qualities.

Today, swan down pillows are one of the most popular in the textile industry market.

Advantages of the material

Suitable for people prone to allergic reactions.
Safe for sensitive skin.
Retains its original shape for a long period of time.
Light weight.
The fluff doesn't get lost.
Various microorganisms do not multiply in synthetic material. You don't have to be afraid of fungi and mites.
Easy to care for . It is enough to wash things in a washing machine at low temperature.
Does not require special storage conditions.
Dries quickly after washing.
Keeps warm well.
Air masses pass through the down fibers, this ensures the necessary air exchange .
Does not absorb foreign odors . In addition, the fiber itself has no odor.
Long period of operation . With proper care, the item will last about 5 years.
The fabric cover easily holds the material and prevents it from falling out.
Low cost (compared to natural materials).
Quickly restores its shape after compression due to increased elasticity. Manufacturers call this property stability.
Some pillows have zonal orthopedic properties.
Can be used for a baby crib.
Does not roll down due to silicone treatment.
It is of high quality . This allows the material to be used for stuffing outerwear. Air circulates freely between the threads, resulting in good heat retention.
Has a homogeneous structure.
Down fiber is very well ventilated.
Compliance with environmental requirements. Mold growth is reduced to zero.
Has a wide scope of application.
Fibers are not visible through fabric and seams.
Does not lose thickness throughout the entire period of operation.

Swan down pillow: pros and cons

Artificial fiber has many positive qualities. The most important of them is hypoallergenic. Synthetic polyester does not harbor dust mites and does not cause mold or mildew. Therefore, the risk of allergic reactions and other health problems is reduced to zero.

Swan down is a hypoallergenic material that prevents the growth of bacteria, parasites and fungi.

Other advantages of Thinsulate include the following factors.

Light weight. The weight of a pillow measuring 50x70 cm is about 1000 g.
High elasticity. After sleep, the shape of the bedding is easily restored thanks to the spiral configuration of the fibers.
Easy care. Products with synthetic padding are easily machine washable. Requirements for care and use are minimal.
No smell. Despite the synthetic origin of the insulation, it does not smell and does not absorb foreign odors.
Convenience. Synthetic polyester is very soft, which guarantees a comfortable sleep.

This pillow has a neutral odor and is impervious to foreign odors.

Safety. The material does not pose a threat to the health of either an adult or a child.
Neat look. The spirals of the packing are interlocked and coated with silicone. Due to this, they do not go outside, beyond the boundaries of the cover and pillowcase.
Value for money. The cost of such products is low due to their synthetic origin. And the quality and durability indicators are excellent.
Good air exchange. Air fibers allow air to pass through well. This ensures good air circulation. Products with Thinsulate contents dry quickly.
Long service life. With proper care, the pillow can last 5 years or more.

After sleep, the pillow restores its original shape well.

There are not so many shortcomings, but there are some. The disadvantages of synthetic microfiber include the following.

Low hygroscopicity. Moisture does not circulate as well on the inner surface as air. This is not in favor of Thinsulate, especially if you have the problem of increased sweating. But a minus easily turns into a plus when washing. Polyester synthetics dry quickly.
Property to collect static electricity. This ability can damage your hair. To prevent this from happening, you need to treat the fabric of the cover with an antistatic agent.
Lack of neck fixation. The texture of the fiber is so soft that your head literally sinks into it. For people with orthopedic problems, this is a significant disadvantage.

It does not come out through seams or fabric, as is often the case with natural down, so this product will not prick and leave feathers in the bed.

Why you should buy bamboo fiber pillows in bulk

Bamboo fiber confidently competes with well-known fillers - holofiber, swan down and latex.

Benefits of bamboo pillows:

have an antistatic effect - does not accumulate dust
do not cause allergies, eliminate the proliferation of harmful microorganisms
not susceptible to foreign odors
well ventilated, have excellent thermoregulating properties
They are flexible and hold their shape well
have an orthopedic effect on the neck area
stay cool in the summer heat thanks to intense self-ventilation.

Bamboo fiber bedding is ideal for children. That is why experts recommend buying bamboo pillows in bulk for kindergartens and health resorts. Also, bamboo pillows are an ideal solution for hotels, guest houses and recreation centers.

Which material to choose: artificial or natural?

There is practically no production of goods from natural raw materials. To create a filler for one pillow, 10 swans would have to be destroyed. In this case, the main part of the natural filler will be feather, not down. There is a more humane way - to collect fluff during molting. But it's not very effective. Only 30-40 grams of raw materials are collected from one bird. Such a tiny amount is easy to explain - the bird is heat-loving and is not as abundantly furred as northern birds. Not surprisingly, the cost of real down is not cheap.

It is impossible to obtain swan fluff from a living bird, and besides, swans are listed in the Red Book.

Collecting and processing poultry down is expensive and not humane to these rare and beautiful inhabitants of nature. Therefore, when talking about products made from swan down, they mean a synthetic substitute. Today, an artificial analogue is being manufactured - Thinsulate. In terms of parameters, it is no worse, and sometimes even better, than a natural swan's edge.

Very light and soft, just like natural down.

Using artificial swan down

The main area of application of synthetic Thinsulate is the manufacture of bedding. Light and warm padding is also used for other purposes.

Production of outerwear. Moreover, Thinsulate is suitable for sewing both adult and children's jackets and coats.

Has a long service life.

Making toys. Sometimes artificial “filling” is used to stuff children’s or interior toys.

Safe for children and adults.

Insulation of winter suits. Down fills the interior space of winter sets - overalls, jackets, trousers, parkas.

This fiber is very light and warm, and its elastic spirals hold and restore shape well.

Shoe edge. Most often these are house slippers with beautiful, delicate padding in different colors.

Synthetic swan down retains the positive characteristics of its natural counterpart, but is safe and environmentally friendly.

Sewing sofa ideas. Due to the fact that the material is easily washed and practically does not lose its shape, it is often used for the production of such decorative products as sofa seats.

Artificial origin relieves allergies, but deprives the pillow of the positive natural effects.

Using natural swan down

Today, real down is hardly used anywhere. This happens for a number of reasons.

Expensive production. Down is collected humanely only during shedding. Once a year, one swan can give away only 30, maximum 40 grams of raw materials. Due to this, the cost cannot be called affordable.
The swan is a bird listed in the Red Book. This means that there are not many individuals left. Exterminating unique birds for the sake of blankets and parkas is inhumane and inappropriate.
In terms of strength and durability, the natural original is inferior to the artificial copy. In addition, real fluff can cause allergies. After all, it harbors mites, mold and fungi.

Bird down is rarely used, except for the manufacture of cosmetic puffs for powder and blush. The artificial analogue is cheaper, stronger and more durable. It is much easier to wash, has high antibacterial and hypoallergenic properties.

Thinsulate has become a worthy alternative to natural swan down.

Prices for natural and artificial swan down

Buying a product made from 100% natural material is not an easy task. Firstly, this is very rare. Secondly, the purchase will be expensive. For example, a blanket filled with natural swan down will cost 11,000 rubles.

A pillow with artificial down is easy to use, so you can sleep comfortably on it for at least 4-5 years.

The price of an artificial substitute is several times cheaper. Depending on the size and fabric of the cover, a blanket with Thinsulate padding will cost between 1,300 and 2,500 rubles.

Over time, the passage of air becomes more difficult and the cooling effect deteriorates. Please note if you prefer to sleep on cool pillows at night.

Manufacturers and prices

When choosing a pillow, you should pay attention to its presentation. You can distinguish a good manufacturer by:

high-quality packaging - the product must be in an individual polyethylene bag;
a well-designed label indicating the main parameters;
natural fabric cover: otherwise the bedding cannot be considered safe for health.

The price of a product with swan down depends, first of all, on its size and manufacturer:

50×50 - from 180 to 500 rubles;
50×70 - from 230 to 1500 rubles;
70×70 - from 310 to 2000 rubles.

Popular manufacturers producing swan pillows:

Mona Lisa (Mona Lisa)

The Russian company Mona Liza has been producing high-quality bedding and linen for about 20 years. Pillows with swan down are presented in three collections:

Provence by Serg Look: Provence Lilac with lilac scent (from RUB 1,080)
Mona Liza Premium by Serg Look: Secret Gardens (from RUB 1,091);
Mona Liza Premium: “Swan's Down” (from RUB 1,279).

All products have natural cotton covers, labels with detailed information about the composition, size, weight, expiration date and care recommendations. The package also contains a brochure telling about the company, its mission, and products.

Ecotex (Ecotex)

Over the 17 years of its activity, the manufacturer of home textiles Ecotex has become very popular among Russian consumers. The company has separated products with swan down into a separate line, which is called that way. All pillows in this series have a special modern “DownFill” fiber and a cotton lining.

50×70 - from 1150 rubles;
70x70 - from 1800 rub.

Verossa (Verossa)

Verossa is considered one of the leaders in textile production. The company claims that their products can provide a unique experience, comfort, style and quality. Pillows filled with microfiber are called “Swan Down” and are available in two sizes:

50x70 - 1190 rub.;
70х70 —1490 rub.

Artpostel

The company from Ivanovo has been operating since 1997, and in the manufacture of bedding it uses its own raw materials, that is, fabrics that have not been pre-treated or dyed. Pillows with swan's down are available in the Premium and Soft Collections. Products have a wide range of sizes:

38x38 - 410 rub.;
48x48 - 510 rub.;
38x58 - 510 rub.;
58x58 - 760 rub.;
48x68 - 810 rub.;
68x68 — 980 rub.

Selena (Selena)

The largest manufacturer in the south of Russia, the textile company Selena, has been producing home textiles for 22 years. The products of this company are easily recognized by their soft pink label and beautiful patterned microfiber cover with embossing. For its “Selena Daydream” collection of pillows and blankets, the company chose swan down as a filler.

50x70 —989 rub.;
70х70 —1298 rub.

You can also buy products from companies such as Adele, Vasilisa, Alvitek, etc.

Video: Pillow “Swan Down Luxury” from the manufacturer AlViTek

Bamboo or artificial swan down: subtleties of choice

Bamboo filler is obtained from natural raw materials. To do this, plant cellulose fibers are processed mechanically or chemically. The padding is elastic and durable. Products with bamboo filling have good antistatic and hypoallergenic qualities.

For lovers of natural materials, manufacturers offer pillows with bamboo fiber.

If we talk about which product to choose - “bamboo” or artificial swan down, then it all depends on the purpose of the purchase.

Swan down pillows. Suitable for those who love coziness and comfort. They are soft, warm, light. The price for such products is reasonable, and they will last 5 years or more.

Swan down filling is suitable for people who prefer light, airy and soft pillows.

Bamboo filler. Recommended for those who care about their health. Due to their elasticity, pillows with bamboo “filling” are recommended for those who experience pain in the cervical region. But bamboo fillers will not solve serious problems. For therapeutic purposes, you will need orthopedic bedding. Also, bamboo fibers allow air to pass through well and provide excellent thermoregulation. For those who don’t like overly warming pillows, this option is ideal. In terms of price, bamboo is superior to Thinsulate.

The natural component has a healing effect on the skin and relieves pain in the neck.

Rules of care

Swan down is not difficult to care for and does not require special knowledge.

For washing, it is enough to set the temperature no higher than 40°, optimally 30°.
The delicate washing mode will ensure the safety of the cover.
Products with swan down can be pressed in a drum.
When washing, you should avoid aggressive bleaches and detergents that can destroy the fiber structure.
After removing the item from the machine, you need to shake and beat it so that the fluff does not fall off. It is recommended to fluff blankets and pillows before bed.
Drying in a straightened state will help preserve the original shape.
Down does not tolerate high temperatures and heat sources. Do not use a tumble dryer.
Dries quite quickly.
It should be dried naturally by weight.
Ironing accessories and things with such filling is prohibited.
It is recommended to air products made from artificial swan down in the open air several times a year.
Dry and dry cleaning allowed.
Vacuum bags are suitable for storage; they retain the shape of things.

Is it possible to machine wash it?

For quick cleaning of pillows and blankets, machine washing is suitable. But you should choose a delicate mode with a water heating temperature no higher than 30-40⁰С. Bleach and other aggressive cleaners should not be used. Detergents should be mild. After washing, it is recommended to shake the washed items a little so that the Thinsulate does not crumple and is evenly distributed inside. Ironing after washing is contraindicated. The heat of the iron can cause synthetics to melt.

It is best to periodically have down pillows dry cleaned at a specialized salon.