Down or not Down?
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. Compared
to down alternative comforters, pillows are easier to find and in
greater varieties. 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, 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.
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.
