How to Clean your Down and Feather

Spring allergies can be a pain in the butt, but what is worse than waking up in the morning with scratchy eyes and itchy skin caused by your comforter or pillow? Overtime, dust mites can accumulate in your bedding, something that over 20 million Americans suffer from. By cleaning your down and feather products you are going to reduce your allergies and sleep comfortably! Here's how you can clean your down and feather at home without them getting destroyed.

Remove pillowcases and duvet coverings. Ensure that all seams and stitching are tight and that everything is in pristine condition. You do not want to have any fill spilling out of the bedding before you throw it into the washer to properly clean your down and feather.

Don't overfill the washer. A typical washer can hold a comforter or two pillows, but a comforter and one pillow is too much. Use a tiny amount of laundry detergent. Since you are using fluffy products, it is easy for the washer to over-foam with too much detergent, so use less than you would if you were doing a load of clothing. Use the gentle cycle on your washer to prevent the items from getting ripped or unbalanced.

By using a high heat hotter than 130 degrees Fahrenheit in the dryer you are going to kill dust mites and get rid of those morning allergies. However, if you are concerned about color fading dry the bedding at the hottest dryer setting, which will be lower than 130 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also hang your bedding on a clothesline on a nice summer day to avoid any high temperatures or risk of fading colors.

Which ever way you decide to dry your bedding, take the time to break up clumps of bedding so that it can dry properly. As always, follow the instructions on the bedding for proper cleaning and maintenance to be sure that you clean your down and feather properly. 

How do YOU Fall Asleep?

Some nights you lay in bed trying to count sheep, hum yourself to sleep, try to clear your mind, listen to the quiet, and you just cannot fall asleep fast enough! What's the deal with that? Everybody has been there done that and everybody has a method that works the best for them. Here are some ideas to help you fall asleep at night when you have a restless mind.

Count backwards from 100. If you've ever gone into surgery, or watched any movie that involves someone going in for surgery, they tell you to count backwards from 100. Next thing you know, you're awake in a terrible hospital bed and you have no idea how far you got from 100. Try this when you have a restless mind and you might find yourself waking up in your comfortable, warm bed wondering how long that took you!

Before you go to bed put everything in order (in your mind). Calming your mind before bed will ensure you fall asleep quicker. There is nothing worse than finally getting to bed and then staring at the ceiling, wide awake, because your brain doesn't want you to sleep. Your mind is a restless part of your body and the more you have going on, the longer you will stay awake for.

For a restless mind, try drinking tea (non-caffeine) before bed. This will soothe you and it also is a great way to relax before going to bed! Don't go to bed until you feel like you are going to be able to fall asleep, or you'll be awake for hours.

Do you have any tips and tricks that help you fall asleep quicker?

Down and Feather: Do you know the difference?

Did you know that there IS a difference between down and feather? Many people assume it is the same, mostly because retailers will say "down and feather," even if they mean just "down" or "feather." It's an easy misconception and one that might not matter to you. However, if it means spending hundreds of dollars on a pillow versus spending 30-40 dollars, it can be a huge difference.

So, what is the difference? Let's talk about down. Down is the part of the bird that is underneath the exterior feathers. Young birds are covered in down until they grow in their exterior feathers. That really soft stuff that you see and feel on a bird is considered down. Down does not have a stem to it like the feathers do, making it really fluffy, soft and warm. Down insulates really well, which is why a lot of outdoor gear is made from down.

Feathers are springy and have a stem to them. They are what causes your pillow to stay springy instead of flat. Although some people prefer the really soft pillows that are made just with down, feathers add more to a pillow and make them more resistant.

Some feathers have down on them, which is where the term, "down and feather" comes from. However, if there is a stem it is still considered a feather and not down. This is what confuses people the most and why some manufacturers just use the term "down and feather" instead of separating the two. 

If your pillow is all down, that is going to be the expensive pillow. Down is more expensive than feathers, no matter the type of bird. This pillow will be flatter and soft. A feather pillow will have a springy-ness to it. Pillows made with down and feather will be soft but still springy.

Do you prefer a down pillow, feather pillow, or one that includes both? It depends on your sleep style, as every person's desire varies from the next.

Give The Gift of Comfort

Have you finished (or even started) your Christmas shopping yet? At American Down and Feather, we are busy making all of your soft product needs. Whether you have specific bedding needs, hospitality, upholstery or designer workroom trades, we will work with you to get your specialized down and feather products completed. They make the perfect Christmas gifts!

Do you need bulk soft products? We offer a wide variety of bulk options, giving you a great array of products with the size and comfort that you desire.

Need a smaller order? American Down and Feather does that as well! We do not have any product number limits, working to be flexible for your needs. Whether you desire throw pillows, bedding, cushions or upholstery supplies you can provide your loved one with a beautiful down and feather product.

Maybe you need to repair your custom throw pillows before your guests arrive for the holidays. We are able to repair and fill your down comforters and product shells. With quality polyester fibers, we are capable of blowing over 1200 pounds an hour of blowable fiber. Leaks, fill, size change and new covers are also easily fixed. We will clean all products before work is done on any of your soft products.


This year you do not have to be stressed out over the holidays! Quality down and feather soft products make for great Christmas presents. Call us today at 1.866.601.3696 to discuss what you are looking for and what we can provide you with.