In the world of modern technology, nothing is impossible. Humanity has learned to create high-quality analogues of natural leather and animal fur, bird feathers and down. The properties of artificial materials are not inferior to natural ones, and sometimes they are superior in quality and hypoallergenicity. We looked at all the pros and cons of artificial swan down, whether it is harmful to the body, and compared it with a popular filler.
How is swan's down produced?
Synthetic “swan down” is made from polyester microfiber. The raw material is fed into a carding machine, where it fluffs up under the influence of air and high temperature. Fluffy balls of white fibers twisted into a spiral are connected to each other and form a soft, springy fabric saturated with air: a material similar to natural down.
The quality of the synthetic material is not inferior to bird fluff, and in some ways even surpasses it. In the production of down, thermal bonding technology is used, so a pillow made of artificial swan down is used for a long time, maintaining its original appearance, and can be washed. Silicone treatment gives the fibers silkiness, softness, and elasticity. Siliconized fiber is very thin and therefore lightweight.
Thanks to its structure, the material easily restores its shape and retains heat. Artificial down is practical and safe for health. The material is chemically inert, so it does not absorb odors.
The swan down substitute is used, among other things, as insulation for outerwear, filler for blankets and soft toys. Development of technology, low cost of raw materials, large production volumes - thanks to these factors, manufacturers set comfortable prices for swan down products.
Material characteristics
Artificial down is called swan down due to the similarity of some properties to natural material. In nature, real down is collected from swans by hand during molting. You can get no more than 40 g of it from each bird, so this method is considered irrational, labor-intensive, and the material is very expensive. Although the composition of artificial down is polyester chemical fibers, its properties - softness, tenderness, lightness - are similar to natural material. In addition, downfill has its undeniable advantages over natural swan down.
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| Material advantages | Disadvantages of the material |
| Light and fluffy . The pillow is as good as a natural one: soft and comfortable. | Does not absorb moisture well . The low hygroscopicity of the filler is not suitable for a person who sweats heavily during sleep. |
| Comfortable . During sleep, the pillow adapts to the contours of the human body and then returns to its original form. | Static electricity accumulates . _ _ Prolonged contact with static charges worsens the condition of the hair: it becomes excessively frizzy, loses its firmness and elasticity, and becomes dry and lifeless. The problem can be solved: you can use an antistatic agent for fabric, a natural cover made of satin, calico, teak, percale, bamboo. |
| Easy care. It is easy to maintain the pristine condition of the product. The filler, even after washing in the machine, remains fluffy, homogeneous, and does not form lumps. Dries quickly. | Average level of support. A soft pillow does not fix the spine well in a physiologically correct position and can aggravate the condition of a person suffering from problems in the cervical spine. In this case, it is better to choose an orthopedic latex pillow from Memorix or ASKONA. |
| Has no smell . Unlike natural down and feathers, artificial material is devoid of its own specific odor, neutral, and does not absorb foreign odors. | Short service life - about 5 years . As it is used, the packing gradually loses its elasticity and cakes. |
| High air circulation . _ The pillow “breathes”, it’s comfortable to sleep on in hot weather, and it’s easy to dry. | |
| Silent . The filler does not make any sounds: it does not creak or rustle, unlike environmental materials such as buckwheat husks. | |
| Doesn't prick, doesn't fall out . The fibers do not bleed through the fabric or seams like natural down or feathers. |
Disadvantages of the product
But there are also negative sides to using swan fluff. The fibers of the synthetic filler are electrified. This may affect the condition of the hair. The thread is not hygroscopic (the ability to absorb water vapor from the air). Therefore, the pillow is also not suitable for people prone to excessive sweating. It is not advisable to use bedding at elevated ambient temperatures and air humidity.
Often users complain about the inconvenience of artificial down and return to natural fillers. In fact, the reason may be in the case. For example, the same company produces pillows with “teak down-containing” and “quilted with bamboo fiber” pillowcases. Even though the contents are identical, the bamboo case is compared to stone.
For particularly picky customers, there are models with camel hair. As a rule, such pillows, in addition to being hypoallergenic, provide a bactericidal effect.
Who are artificial swan down pillows suitable for?
If the neck and shoulders do not receive enough support and are at an unnatural angle to the body, the spine will not align.
The body does not rest, and this leads to a feeling of exhaustion, neck pain, and the development of back problems. Orthopedists do not advise people with musculoskeletal problems to sleep on soft pillows, which include products with an analogue of bird down. Many people are sensitive to dust and dust mites, companions of natural materials. Allergies manifest themselves by feeling unwell after sleep, periodic headaches, and nasal congestion. Swan down does not cause allergic reactions, so allergy sufferers and people with bronchial asthma will appreciate it.
Synthetic material is antibacterial: its artificial origin makes the fiber an unattractive breeding ground for fungus, parasites, harmful microorganisms and mold.
Pillows with artificial fibers are soft, fluffy, and there are no sharp feathers sticking out of them. They are absolutely safe for children. Manufacturers offer different sizes of pillows, including for children over 3 years old: 40cm x 40cm, 30cm x 50cm.
Final comparison table of properties
| Criteria | Filler | |
| Bamboo fiber | swansdown | |
| Natural, environmentally friendly | Natural plant origin | Artificial |
| Degree of support | Medium, more elastic | Medium, but less elastic |
| Antibacterial | Contains a natural antibiotic, material rotting is excluded | Mold and bacteria do not appear |
| Hypoallergenic | Does not cause reactions | Dust appears during operation |
| Degree of moisture absorption | Excellent moisture absorption | Does not absorb moisture |
| Difficulty of care | Requires more careful handling | Easy to care for |
| Durability | The filler gradually settles and loses its shape | Maintains original appearance |
| Life time | Does not exceed 3-4 years | 5 years |
| Price | Average | A little cheaper |
Bamboo pillows are overly soft, but only the classic type of product belongs to this category. Orthopedic models are denser and are suitable for people predisposed to osteochondrosis and already having spinal diseases: protrusions, hernias, pinched nerve endings. A bamboo pillow is ideal for people suffering from allergic reactions and bronchial asthma. For those who like to sleep on their back or side, this is a good option.
Rating of the TOP 8 best swan down pillows
Vasilisa swan's down/gloss-satin
5.0 Rating
Size: 70 x 70 cm, 50 x 70 cm Filling: artificial down 100%
Cover fabric: satin Cover material: polyester
- Comfortable, soft, airy, sleeps great on it.
- Takes the shape of the head, the correct density.
- Beautiful case.
- No deficiencies found.
Belashoff Swan's down
4.9 Rating
Size: 50 x 70 cm Filling: artificial down 100%
Cover fabric: microfiber Support level: soft
- Moderately soft, fluffy and comfortable pillow.
- No deficiencies found.
Verossa "Swan's Down"
4.7 Rating
Size: 50 x 70 cm Filling: artificial down 100%
Cover fabric: percale Cover material: cotton
- The shape does not change with long-term use: “you can shake it, and they are like new,” soft, comfortable.
- Not enough filler, “liquid” appearance, too soft.
- “It’s uncomfortable to sleep on your side; your head sinks in too much.”
AlViTek Swan's down Standard
4.7 Rating
Size: 50 x 70 cm, 68 x 68 cm Filling: 100% siliconized fiber
Cover material: cotton Support level: elastic
- Soft, comfortable.
- The filler is springy and holds its shape.
- You can adjust the density by the amount of filler: unfasten the lock and remove the excess.
- Well packaged, no foreign odors.
- It's very comfortable to sleep, my head doesn't sweat.
- The napkin is beautiful, dense, the filling does not come out through it.
- With a standard amount of filler, “like a balloon – round and elastic.”
- Too high for the neck of a person even with a height of 185 cm.
- Too heavy.
Ivanovo textiles "Swan's down"
4.7 Rating
Size: 70 x 70 cm Cover material: cotton
Degree of support: medium Adjustment of filler amount: yes
- Beautiful, “plump”, pleasant material.
- Immediately relaxes.
- It is not comfortable for everyone; it does not press under the weight of the head, and the muscles ache due to discomfort.
Sortex Beauty Tenderness
4.5 Rating
Size: 48 x 68 cm Filling: artificial down 100%
Cover fabric: satin Support level: soft
- Hypoallergenic.
- Beautiful.
- Soft.
- For some, it may seem overly soft and “deflates” during sleep.
TekStyle Swan's down
4.2 Rating
Size: 50 x 70 cm Filling: siliconized fiber 100%
Cover fabric: satin Cover material: cotton
- High quality, soft pillow.
- Beautiful, looks presentable.
- Tall, but too soft, you “drown” in it, “deflates like a balloon”, not suitable for lovers of “flat” pillows.
Selena stitch. swan's down "Elegance Line"
4.0 Rating
Size: 70 x 70 cm Filling: polyester fiber 100%, artificial down 100% Cover fabric: polyester
Cover material: polyester Support level: medium
- Looks great, well stuffed.
- The cover is quilted, removable, and can be washed separately.
- Too soft.
- Lumps quickly formed.
Care
Products made from synthetic down do not require special care. A pillow made of artificial swan down will withstand washing at a water temperature of no higher than 30˚C. To avoid damaging your item, follow these rules:
- When washing in a machine, you need to set it to the delicate cycle. When washing by hand, you don’t have to wring it out - just let the water drain.
- After washing, the pillow is fluffed and dried on a flat surface, evenly distributing the filling inside the cover - away from heat sources or in the fresh air, excluding direct sunlight. Periodically you need to shake and turn over. Even miniature pillows should not be hung on a drying line - the filling will dry unevenly. For drying in a vertical position, special clamps are used.
- You cannot iron pillows.
- Do not use bleaching agents. Serious stains are removed by dry cleaning.
- In between washes, approximately once every six months, the item is taken outside or onto the balcony to ventilate and get rid of dust.
It is better to store temporarily unused products in vacuum bags during breaks.
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Products with natural bamboo are accompanied by similar designations on the label - “bamboo viscose”, “bamboo silk”.
Bamboo fiber is rarely used in its pure form: it is mixed in a 1:1 ratio with artificial material. The quality of the product does not suffer, and the cost becomes more acceptable.
If the composition contains at least 60% bamboo raw materials, the filler is considered natural. The best option for consumers is to purchase a swan down pillow in a bamboo case, avoiding the disadvantages of each material and combining the advantages.
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
