Down Pillows

Down pillows are the classic premium choice among pillows. Feather-light, snug and with the special ability to adapt individually to the shape of the head – a sleeping sensation that many associate with the perfect hotel pillow. Anyone who has ever slept on a high-quality down pillow knows the feeling: the pillow moulds to the head without pressing or straining.

At Interior Couture you will find high-quality down pillows from selected premium manufactories. As the choice of the right down pillow is individual, we are happy to advise you personally – by phone at +49 (0) 221 630 606 12 or by email at info@waesche-kultur.de.

What are down pillows?

Down consists of the fine, soft little feathers directly beneath the covering feathers of waterfowl such as geese, ducks or swans. They are located on the belly of the animals and protect them from the cold. Down consists of fluffy filaments that interlock and trap a great deal of air – these air pockets act as natural thermal insulation.

Important: Down and feathers are not the same thing. Feathers contain quills, which can pierce through the cover and scratch the skin. Pure down pillows are free of quills and therefore noticeably more pleasant on the skin. If you want a high-quality, completely smooth lying feel, look for the designation 100% down – with no feather content.

Which firmness grade for which sleep position?

Down pillows differ not only in fill quantity but also in firmness grade – and depending on your sleeping position, that is decisive.

• Front sleepers: soft to medium down pillows with a low fill quantity – prevent overextension of the cervical spine
• Back sleeper: medium-firm to firm down pillows – support the head and neck in a natural position, without overextending
• Side sleepers: firm down pillows with a high fill quantity – balance out the gap between shoulder and head

Anyone who regularly wakes up with neck tension should additionally consider whether a Neck-support pillows would be the better choice – it is ergonomically shaped and provides more targeted support than a classic down pillow.

Chambered pillows: stability for the filling

An important distinction with down pillows is the chambering. With a classic single-chamber pillow, the filling can slip into a corner over time and bunch up there – which is uncomfortable when sleeping and reduces the supportive strength.

Three-chamber down pillows solve this problem: the down is divided into several chambers and thereby stays permanently in position. Some premium models also combine different fillings in the various chambers – for example soft down in the outer chamber for a pleasant lying feel and firmer feathers in the core for support. These mixed fillings combine comfort and stability in a particularly successful way.

Advantages of down pillows

• exceptionally soft and supple
• adapts to every sleeping position
• very breathable and temperature-balancing
• warming without causing a build-up of heat
• durable and washable
• dimensionally stable for many years with good care

Anyone who tends to feel chilly during sleep is particularly well advised with a down pillow – a person loses a lot of warmth through the head during sleep, and down reliably keeps it in the bed.

Are down pillows suitable for allergy sufferers?

Down is a gentle natural material, but technically speaking not hypoallergenic. Anyone with a direct allergy to feathers or down should opt for an allergy-sufferer pillow with a synthetic fibre filling. More on this at our Allergy-friendly pillows.

In the case of a house-dust allergy, a down pillow with the NOMITE seal and a mite-proof inner cover. However, down pillows cannot be washed as frequently as fibre pillows – anyone who depends on regular washing at 60 °C is better served by a fibre pillow.

Brands at Interior Couture

In our range you will find down pillows from some of the most renowned European manufactories.

Dorbena from the Alpine region stands for luxurious bedding with the finest materials and Swiss precision. The manufactory produces under its own name as well as for other premium brands and ranks among the absolute top manufacturers in the down sector.

Dauny from Switzerland has specialised in high-quality bedding since 1921 and is particularly known for the exceptionally high filling power of its down pillows. All products carry the Made in Switzerland label and are made with the greatest care from the finest materials.

Schlossberg, the Swiss Bed Linen specialist, also crafts down pillows in the premium workmanship typical of the brand. The Schlossberg down pillows combine high filling power with the characteristic care of the Swiss manufactory – ideal for anyone who wishes to keep their sleep set-up consistent with the brand.

Billerbeck has specialised in high-quality bedding for over 100 years and is one of the German market leaders. In the down pillow area, Billerbeck offers a wide selection of firmness grades and fillings for every sleeping position.

Hanskruchen is known for traditional down processing from Germany with a special focus on sustainability and hand-crafting – ideal for buyers who value conscious sourcing.

Royfort rounds out the range with modern down pillows featuring a cotton inner cover. A good choice for customers who wish to combine premium quality with a modern, purist design.

The fashion brand BOSS Home brings together modern style and luxurious comfort in its own down pillow line.

Care of down pillows

Down pillows can be washed better than many people think – and become fluffier again through washing. Here are the most important points:

How to wash down pillows correctly

• wash two pillows at the same time so that the washing machine stays balanced during the spin cycle
• choose the washing temperature according to the care label
• select a high spin speed to remove as much moisture as possible
• use a gentle down detergent or pH-neutral shampoo
• no fabric softener – it attacks the natural protective layer of the down
• no detergents with optical brighteners

How to dry down pillows correctly

• do not dry too hot
• allow it to dry completely – clumping and odour are signs that the pillow is still damp inside
• better to dry too long than too short, to avoid the formation of mould
• do without tennis balls – they make noise and can damage the drum; the pillow becomes airy again without them too

In everyday use it is enough to plump the pillow daily and air it regularly. A wash is only necessary every one to two years if you fit the pillow with a protective cover.

Sizes for down pillows

The most common down-pillow sizes in Germany:

• 40 × 80 cm: the German standard size – narrow and ideal for one person
• 80 × 80 cm: the large, classic pillow – once standard, now less common
• 50 × 70 cm: international standard size, often with hotel and designer brands

Which size is right for you depends on your bed set-up and your personal preference. In combination with the matching Bed Linen both sizes should be coordinated with each other.

Matching bed accessories to go with your down pillow

A down pillow unfolds its full comfort in combination with a high-quality Down Duvet or other Duvets, lighter Satin bed linen and matching Fitted Sheet.

If you want the entire Pillow wish to browse the range, you will find all variants there – with the Eiderdown as an exclusive premium version.

Buy down pillows online at Interior Couture

Discover our selection of high-quality down pillows in various firmness grades, fill quantities and from selected premium brands. Since a down pillow is a long-term purchase, we are happy to advise you in detail. You can reach us by telephone on +49 (0) 221 630 606 12 or by email at info@waesche-kultur.de.

Frequently asked questions about down pillows