The seven best ethically-sourced feather and down pillows
WHEN it comes to pillows, you can’t beat the luxurious feeling of feather or down.
But with many cheaper alternatives coming from countries in the Far East where animal welfare standards are not as high as those we adhere to in the UK and the EU, you need to choose carefully if you really want to rest easy.
Down and feathers for duvets and pillows are sometimes plucked from live birds, a process that is obviously both painful and distressing for the animals.
Responsible manufacturers are now sourcing down and feathers that are by-products of the food industry, and ethically-minded retailers are insisting that their suppliers adhere to the or be certified by , which safeguard the welfare of the birds.
However, animal rights organisation still advocates that feathers are ‘stolen property’ and clearly these pillows are definitely not suitable for those following a vegan lifestyle.
If you do choose to eschew feathers altogether, the range of duvets and pillows will give you all the feathery feels without the guilty feelings.
This article and featured products have been independently chosen by Sun journalists. It contains links which are ads, and if you click a link and buy a product we will earn revenue.
1. UMI. Essentials
- (AD) Essentials goose feather pillows, two for £43.99 from Amazon –
These medium-firm pillows from Amazon’s own-brand label are filled with short goose feathers and are suitable for back, side and stomach sleepers.
The pillows are covered with a down-proof microfibre lining to prevent pricks from the odd feather poking through, and are then encased in a 100% cotton cover.
The UMI. Essentials brand is Responsible Down Standard-certified, so you can be sure that the feathers were not plucked from live geese.
2. The Fine Bedding Company
- (AD) Medium support goose feather and down pillow, £23.63 from Amazon –
Filled with 85% goose feathers and 15% goose down, these pillows provide a comfortable balance of support for your head and the luxurious soft and springy feeling of down.
They are also machine washable at 40°C which makes them ideal for dust mite allergy sufferers.
The Fine Bedding Company’s products are certified by Downpass which means that down and feathers contained in the products can be traced back to farms audited for their animal welfare standards.
3. IKEA
- LUNDTRAV high feather pillow, £22 from IKEA –
New to IKEA, these plump and squidgy pillows are an affordable way to add a little luxury to your sleeping situation, particularly if you sleep on your back and like a slightly higher pillow.
to ensuring better animal welfare through its supply chain, including a ban on live-plucking of birds for their feathers.
4. John Lewis
- Low profile soft-medium feather and down pillow, £30 from John Lewis –
These light-support flat pillows are specially designed for those who prefer to sleep on their front as they raise the head slightly from the mattress without putting strain on the neck.
Filled with 70% goose feather and 30% down (all from European sources), the pillows are made in the UK at , a John Lewis partner factory.
5. The White Company
- Perfect everyday duck down pillows, £45 and up from The White Company –
With a perfect five-star rating on The White Company’s website, these luxurious pillows are filled with duck down and duck feathers for a perfect balance of support and softness
Being on the firmer side, they are ideal for side sleepers and those who like to feel their head more on the pillow than in it.
The White Company pillows and duvets are filled with feathers that are ethically sourced and cleaned without the use of bleach.
6. Marks & Spencer
- Autograph Hungarian goose down and feather surround pillow, £59 from Marks & Spencer –
One of the newest innovations on the pillow market, so-called ‘surround’ pillows comprise a supportive core of feathers which is then cushioned in soft puffy down for the ultimate combination of structure and comfort.
This luxurious surround pillow is soft to medium in firmness and the pure cotton cover will keep you feeling fresh and comfortable all night long.
Marks & Spencer’s ethical programme includes extensive with regards to the sourcing and usage of feathers and down.
7. The Feather Co.
- Duck down pillow, from £105 from The Feather Co. –
Based in Edinburgh, The Feather Co. is a family-owned company that’s been manufacturing luxurious bedding and pillows since 1969, so if you’re after heritage and high standards, you simply can’t do better.
These beautiful pure duck down pillows are available in three filling densities – soft, medium and firm – all of which are encased in 100% down-proof cotton cambric fabric for a dreamy night’s sleep.
You can even go a step further and order a custom-sized pillow or have yours embroidered with your initials to prevent accidental swaps while making the bed.
All down and feathers used by The Feather Co. are sourced from Europe and comply with both the Downpass standard and the Responsible Down Standard.
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