Down pillows Vs Other pillows

[Katrina393]

What does everyone think about down vs any other type of pillows? Down pillows are not machine washable Ive learned...Advice

 [Title updated by OCM to make it relevant to the post]

[Ross869]

Comfort vs. cost. I think there is a good balance in finding good pillows that are cost efficient. Down is a little expensive, and as you said not washable. Memory foam or foam like pillows are pretty decent and less costly, in my opinion. 

[Melanie37]

Down IS washable!

[Helen3]

Some people are allergic to down pillows or prefer not to sleep on them for ethical reasons @Katrina393 

[Melanie37]

Well, perhaps they should make that clear when booking.

[Helen3]

No it's up to you as the business owner to make it clear what you offer and adapt your listing in response to guest requirements. @Katrina393 

Nowhere in your listing do you mention you only provide down pillows. 

If you know that an issue for hosts is that guests are allergic to down/have ethical issues with using down pillows or duvets -  it would seem rather strange/counter-intuitive for you to only offer them.

[Eileen462]

@Katrina393    I love memory foam pillows myself!  I also like a firm pillow but offering a variety so they can choose which they prefer is nice!  Smiles,  Eileen

[Paula]

Hello @Katrina393 Great question! 😊

I'm tagging some of our wonderful Hosts to see if they would like to share their opinions: @Jermain40 @Eileen462 @Kitty-and-Creek0 @Heather289  

[Kitty-and-Creek0]

@Katrina393 

Good question - I personally am not good with feathers. I do keep a variety of extra pillows for guests who wish more, or different pillows for their sleeping comfort. Some firmer, some softer, etc. 

[Eileen462]

@Katrina393   Hi Katrina Im allergic to them and have athsma I usually take my own pillow for that reason.  Smiles,  Eileen

[Melanie37]

Down pillows are washable, use a delicate machine wash fabric like Woolite but not too much! put it on a delicate wash and spin, shake it out, and dry it in a tumble dryer, taking out and checking it.

Use padded pillow protectors and then an under pillowcase. give them a cheaper foam pillow too. so they have an option.

I personally can only sleep on down pillows and even hate feather pillows they just aren't soft enough and can be lumpy.

[Melanie37]

Hang on a minute, Are all American washers top loaders? We Have front loaders in the UK, which are fine for washing down pillows. It's the hollow fibre pillows which distort.

[Lorna170]

@Katrina393  I do not use feather (down) products in my property -- too many guests may have allergy issues.  I have Down alternative pillows and several different grades of pillows so any guest can find a pillow that suits their sleep comfort.

I also double the pillow encasements - pillow, encasement A, encasement B and pillowcase.  Everything is washed between guests to ensure that the guest is sleeping with their face on a fresh pillow.

[Nicholas820]

We use regular pillows half are softer and others firmer so they can choose which they prefer. 
We also use pillow and bed covers to fight bed bugs and other things.

[Esheen0]

I have both. Down and cotton/polyester. I have protective pillow covers on all of them. Then regular pillow covers over that.