If you’ve ever had a goose down comforter or feather pillow that had an odor or smelled slightly musty, chances are the goose down fill wasn’t properly cleaned at the factory level and you got a product of inferior quality.
People are not allergic to goose down and feathers. They are allergic to what remains in goose down and feathers.
People aren’t actually allergic to goose down, goose feathers, or down feathers: it’s what’s left in the goose down before stuffing the duvet or pillow that people are allergic to.
This may sound bad, but things like dust mites, dander, fats and oils are very common in unwashed goose down material. They are those items, which when not washed, cause allergies and reactions in some people. It is those items that cause odors in goose down products.
When goose down material is laundered incorrectly at the factory level and allergies to some products arise, most people mistakenly associate the allergy with a direct relationship to the goose feather and down fill. Because many people are actually unaware of these facts, they assume that it is goose down that they are allergic to.
If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable or experienced an allergic reaction to what you think is goose down, there are numerous ways to avoid a future reaction. It all comes down to selecting the right product.
I can assure you that you are not allergic to properly cleaned and sterilized goose down materials. When goose down is properly cleaned and sterilized, it becomes “truly hypoallergenic.” This type of goose down has been completely stripped of all allergy-causing materials and heat-treated to render it completely sterile before being placed in your duvet or pillowcase.
Another thing to look for is “down proof” shells. Down proof covers do not leak. Nothing goes in, nothing goes out. When truly hypoallergenic goose down is placed in a down proof shell, you are guaranteed an allergy free product.
Some things to be wary of are down-filled products that claim to be “sanitized.” There is a difference between the words “disinfected” and “sterilized.”
– Sanitization is a chemical treatment. It can be used at times when goose down is not cleaned to truly hypoallergenic standards. By spraying chemical disinfectant on goose down, manufacturers are only masking the allergy problem, not solving it.
– The sterilization of goose down is the result of heat treatment over time. High-end manufacturers will wash the goose down so that it is completely free of dust, dander, and mites. They will then heat the goose down in huge commercial dryers to temperatures in excess of 120 degrees Celsius. When the goose down has been heated to such temperatures, it is kept there for a minimum of 30 minutes, which ensures the sterilization of the goose down material.
Because of this key difference, sanitized goose down cannot be considered “truly” hypoallergenic goose down and is therefore a lower quality and much cheaper product than sterilized goose down.
According to North American standards, there are numerous requirements that a goose down must meet to be considered hypoallergenic goose down. The minimum industry standards for turbidity are 500 mm. The industry’s leading manufacturers set their own internal haze standards at 800mm to ensure a true hypoallergenic goose down material is achieved.
In another article, I will explain exactly what “turbidity” is and how it is calculated. Another cleaning spec that I will reveal is the “Oxygen Number”. These are two of the most important specifications that determine the cleaning quality of your goose down fill material.
As you can see, there are many factors that contribute to the cleanliness and quality of truly hypoallergenic goose down, and it is extremely important that you consider these factors when shopping for your next luxury goose down comforter, pillow, or garment.
Don’t be fooled by companies that claim their goose down is allergy free when they don’t remove allergenic substances from their materials! Stay informed, live well.