Pillow Case Protector

How To Fluff A Down Pillow

If you are lucky enough to own a down pillow then you understand that over time the pillow may lose some of its firmness. It is important that the density of a bed pillow match your sleeping habits. If your pillow is experiencing a softening it is likely time to fluff your bed pillow. There are a few factors which can cause a down pillow to lose its firmness including:

• Compression (From Head & Shoulder Weight)
• Moisture – Ambient & Close Proximity Body Moisture
• Down Degradation – Small Cluster Fill Powers to High End Fill Powers
• Pillow Care – Repeated Washings

Compression Of Pillows

The average human head weights approximately 8 to 9 pounds. This combined with your shoulders and upper torso weight can hurt the down filling with repeated compression. While down as a filling material is very soft and airy it is also very durable and stories of pillows older than 50 years being in good order can be found. Down clusters the main ingredient of a down pillow are in fact very durable and can withstand repeated usage.

Moisture In Bed

Down filling itself – measured in low fill power to high fill power are equally affected by moisture. Moisture in the case of a pillow comes from normal night time perspiration. Your body naturally cools itself by sweating and this is a normal process at night. What happens over time is that moisture from your close contact as well as ambient room humidity can affect how fluffy the down can be. Adding cooling fabrics and or fabric protectors are a great way to minimize the effects of moisture in pillows. Consequently – lower moisture helps reduce dust mites and pillow bacteria.

Down Degradation

Down clusters themselves look like tiny dots with thousands of silky plumes coming from the center. Down clusters very much like feathers are a very stable material that withstands hundreds of repeated pushes and rubs that occur in sleep under the pillowcase fabric. Generally higher fill power down clusters from Europe are larger and more stable then lower fill powers common in ducks and geese harvested in Asia. A 700 fill power down cluster will outlive a 550 fill power down cluster by a wide margin.

Pillow Care

Most consumers cling to their favorite bed pillows far longer than is healthy based on research about dust mites and bacteria. These can impact your allergies which in turn can impact your breathing and hence your sleep patterns. While most down pillows are machine washable and dryable it is advised that pillows only be washed once a year for most consumers. In place we advise using a quality pillow protector and the protector itself is washed monthly for a clean sleeping environment. Those consumers that do wash their pillows risk harming the pillow – not from washing but from improper drying. A down pillow can be washed but special care is needed for how to dry the pillow. Generally unless a pillow has silk or rayon fabric it can be dried for 2-3 high heat cycles post washing it.

How To Fluff Down Pillows

Regardless of the issue causing your down pillow to become softer then you like – there are a few things you can do for proper care. The easiest thing you can do is place the pillow in a dryer for a cycle. The heat and mechanical fluffing will keep the down arid and hence loftier. This trick also works to help pre-fluff a down pillow newly bought in a store up to a down pillow reaching 10 years in age. The drying trick can be done monthly and will yield a very nice fluffy pillow that will have lower bacteria counts.

In addition to a good dryer fluffing we recommend using moisture regulating pillow protector fabric – starting with Cotton and going up to Tencel Lyocell materials.

About the Author

To learn more about down pillow care or perhaps to buy a new down pillow visit ShopDownLite.com.

EPCP aka Ear Pillow Case Protector

Z by Malouf Memory Foam Molded Contour Neck Pillow - Luxurious Washable Cover Memory foam is renown for its effective qualities of pressure reduction and support. This is a very luxurious version of Tempurpedic's Medium Neck Pillow that retails for $99. The super soft, velour cover is removable and can be laundered. Unlike other cut memory foam pillows, this is molded and has a soft, doughy feel. The memory foam is naturally antimicrobial and dust mite resistant. It sleeps ...

Sleep Innovations Contour Memory Foam Pillow $23.99 Memory foam contour pillow cradles your head and neck with therapeutic support helping you sleep in a healthy position. Orthopedic design promotes proper spinal alignment which may help provide relief for sufferers of snoring, insomnia and stress. Comfort impressions memory foam conforms to body contours providing greater personalized comfort. Contour shape keeps head and neck naturally aligned an...

SLEEP SAFE BED BUG, DUST MITE, and ALLERGEN PROOF - STANDARD Pillow ZipCover, Size: Standard 21 x 27 Pillow ENCASEMENT - compare price $4.00 EVOLUTION's Sleep Safe ZipCover features EVOLON® fabric. The European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF) awarded the coveted Seal of Quality to EVOLON® in providing the perfect physical layer to protect against Bed Bugs, Dust Mites & Allergens. German engineered and medically approved for anti-mite protection. This patented fabric is created from a solvent and binder-free process us...

Logitech Comfort Lapdesk (white/grey) $29.99 Logitech Comfort Lapdesk for Notebook 939-000091 1066...

Intelligels® GENII Soft Foam **Laptop Computer** Wrist Rest! $11.99 Calling all IT Pros, Business Pros, Students, Gamers and Laptop Warriors! Now you can use your laptop in comfort all day and night! Ergonomically designed foam universal wrist rest fits most laptop brands and models (see note above) and will revolutionize how you use your laptop! Also can be used as a wrist rest with your PC desktop keyboards and Netbooks when placed in front of either one. Intell...

New CONAIR Travel Smart Pack-Mate Space Saving Packing System Waterproof Reusable $15.73 The Travel Smart by Conair is a Pack-Mate Space Saving System with two large carry-on bags that measure 17 1/2 in width and 27 1/2 in length.No matter the mode of transportation while traveling, it seems that we never have enough room to fit all of the items we want to take with us.The space saving system creates up to 75% more space giving you more room to take the items you will need....

Logitech Comfort Lapdesk N500 The Logitech Comfort Lapdesk N500 gives you more comfort around your home - on the sofa, bed, or even the floor. The heat-shielding design protects your body from notebook computer heat....

Durable Semi Hard Protective GPS Carrying Case for TomTom XXL 540TM 5-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator $23.99 This elegant carrying case has been manufactured to fit your GPS Navigator. Made of a high grade durable plastic and a soft padded interior to help protect your device from any unnecessary bumps, dents, and scratches. Upon opening this case you will notice two restraint strap that protect your device from falling-out. You will also notice a fishnet pocket that allows for storage of small accessori...

Durable Hard Shell Protective Snap On Cover Case for Apple iPod Nano 6th Generation + SumacLife TM Wisdom Courage Wristband $15.99 This elegant cover case is perfectly manufactured to fit and compliment the mold of the iPod Nano 6th Gen. The quality plastic material used for this case provides protection and prevents scratches, chips or dirt from accumulating on your device. Each opening for the dock connector, charger, headset, and screen was precisely cut to allow full access to every function the iPod Nano 6th Generation h...

Mack's Pillow Soft Silicone Earplugs, Value Pack, 6 pr $3.30 The original silicone putty. No. 1 doctor recommended brand. Snore proof. Water proof. Swim, sleep, study, shower, work, travel, sports, loud events, flying discomfort, etc. Helps prevent swimmer's ear. Noise Reduction Rating: 22 decibels (when used as directed). The range of noise reduction rating for existing hearing protectors is approximately 0 to 30 (high numbers denote greater effectiveness)...

Pillow Guard Allergy Relief Pillow Protectors (Case of 6) $26.99 Pillow covers are designed to fit standard/queen-, queen- and king-size pillowsPillow protector includes triple-layer micro-porous fabricPillowcase features exclusive ultrasonic seal technology for best barrier protection

SleepSafe 230 Thread Count Pillow Protectors (Case of 12) $42.49 Care for all of your pillows with these handy SleepSafe pillow protectorsBedding features 230 thread count cotton for comfort and increased durabilityPillow covers are machine washable for easy care

Teflon-treated 230 Thread Count Pillow Protector (Case of 6) $23.49 Pillow protector treated with Teflon fabric protectorPillowcase's stain repellent technology protects fabric from spills230 thread-count bedding is delightfully soft

Satin Hair Care Pillow Cover (Case of 6) $23.99 Pillowcase that keeps hairstyles in placeSmooth and luxurious bedding in woven polyester satinPillow covers are comfortable and soft on your skin

Cotton-rich Pillow Protector $22.99 Protect your pillows with convenient cotton pillow coversBedding is crafted of 60-percent cotton/40-percent polyesterPillowcases need no ironing

Cotton Pillow Protector $27.49 Protect your pillows with convenient cotton pillow coversBedding is crafted of 100-percent cottonPillow cases are down- and feather-proof

Allersoft Allergy Relief King-size Pillow Protector $16.99 Stay healthy with this Allersoft allergy relief pillow protectorBedding is a king sized pillow coverPillow case is made of 100-percent cotton with dust mite and allergy pillow protection

Allersoft Allergy Relief Standard-size Pillow Protector $16.99 Stay healthy with this Allersoft allergy relief pillow protectorBedding is a standard sized pillow coverPillow case is made of 100-percent cotton with dust mite and allergy pillow protection

Tuffguard Plus Pillow Protectors (Set of 2) $30.99 Protect both yourself and your pillows with Tuffguard Plus pillow protectorsBedding features the added comfort of a lush microfiber top panelPillowcases feature a breathable membrane that allows air to pass through

Allergy Free Standard-size Pillow Protector (Set of 2) $28.49 Protect your pillows with this pair of pillow protectorsSet of two standard pillow cases provides allergen barrier protection for all your bed pillowsMeasures 20 inches wide x 26 inches long