Down or not Down?
Down alternative pillows (also known as hypoallergenic pillows) may or may
not be made of down due to some confusion in nomenclature. More accurately,
they are a general term that encompass two possibilities for people looking to
remove allergen sources that can trigger asthma or allergies.
Three Alternatives
The first possibility is to use a synthetic fill pillow. Synthetic fill
pillows are found at many stores that carry bedding supplies. Modern synthetics include
polyester variants known as "microgel" or "gel" fiber, which are exceptionally fine
fibers of polyester that are meant to come close to mimicking the qualities of down.
The other possibility is to use a hypoallergenic down pillow. How can a down pillow
be still called hypoallergenic? The reason given by manufacturers is that the hypoallergenic
down is one that has been through a process geared toward minimizing allergens, perhaps by
introduction of natural additives such as milkweed which reduce dust mite infestation,
or by industrial laundering to remove proteinaceous matter that lead to asthma and
allergies. A final possibility is to use a natural substitute like silk, which is pricey
but very comfortable. We review some of the higher end products which we have found.
Cuddle Down's Synthetic Chamber Pillow
This pillow is a real technological advancement and meant for those seeking luxury
comfort, characterized by a dual structure for maximizing both support and comfort.
The interior is a firm inner chamber which resists compression, while the exterior is
comprised of a soft, lofty material that is a down alternative. Both layers are hypoallergenic
for reducing possible allergens. The dual layer allows a sleeper to settle into a soft
comfortable head rest, but then be supported at the neck by the firm core.
Select Comfort Down Alternative Pillows
This pricey selection will set you back 47.99 to 79.99 depending on the size of
the pillows. The interior is a soft, luxurious down alternative. The cover of the
pillow that holds the contents intact is 300 thread count cotton. Washing instructions
are quite similar to those of other down alternatives. The manufacturers are
famous for producing the Sleep Number line of beds with adjustable hardness. It's
not surprising that a company of their stature can also offer a 5 year limited warranty.
Caesar Ming Silk Pillows
As discussed elsewhere on this site, silk is a natural down alternative that is perfect
for bedding items such as comforters and pillows. The silk substitutes for the
goose feathers due to its versatile nature, softness, loft and insulating properties.
The interior of this pillow is filled with what they term Mulberry silk. Caesar Ming
pillows are available at Amazon.com. But this class of pillows often gets confused with
ones that merely have a luxury silk cover. A real silk pillow contains fill made from
the silk of the caterpillar. Caesar Ming says its products are naturally hypoallergenic
pillows.
Hypodown Pillow
This pillow is carried by the website AllergyBuyersClubShopping.com and is touted
as the solution to people looking for the comfort of down but without the
accompanying dust mites and other skin irritants. Hypodown itself is about
85% down with the rest made up of Syriaca, a fancy name for fluffy clusters
derived from the milkweed plant. The purpose of including syriaca is to
reduce the number of dust mites settling into the pillow. Multiple tiers
of thread count mean room for a customer's specific price point.
