Pyrenex: Our bedding advice

Natural filling from French ducks and geese

Pyrenex natural filling is composed of goose and duck feathers and down in variable proportions depending on the intended use and the desired finish of the final product.

Indeed, feathers and down have different physical structures that give each of them specific properties.

Down:

This precious material represents only 10% of the plumage of geese and ducks. It consists of an entity made up of a core around which small fibres grow in all directions. This three-dimensional geometry gives it both softness and loft, while also playing the essential role of insulator: by storing a large volume of air, it is what provides warmth. Heavier than down, feathers are used to fill products on which the body rests: pillows, bolsters, cushions and mattress toppers. Mixed with down, they provide structure for duvets and pillows.

Feathers:

Feathers have a more organised structure than down clusters, with a central shaft and branches on either side. Depending on its size, it is called a feather or a small feather. In waterfowl, the feather has a characteristic curve: this is what gives spring and density to the products filled with them. As for down, its softness, loft and insulating power make it the ideal filling for duvets, pillows, eiderdowns and sleeping bags. Don't forget: down is a precious material, representing only 10% of plumage and is destined for the most high-end products.

Goose or duck down?

As geese are larger than ducks, goose down is generally loftier than duck down. A goose down filling therefore has a lower weight per m² than duck down for an equivalent level of thermal comfort. Thanks to its expertise and experience, Pyrenex has developed a duck down that surpasses the characteristics of goose down: the Legend 1859.

The TOG

The TOG is a British unit of measurement that measures thermal insulation, i.e. the capacity to trap air and exchange it rapidly. The thermal insulation of a duvet is expressed using a British unit of measurement: the TOG – laboratory tested.

The high quality of the down, its fill weight in g/m² and the fineness of the cover are the 3 parameters that determine the thermal performance of the duvet.

Pyrenex's strong point is the filling power of its down, i.e. its loft.

Measured in CUIN – cubic inches – this is the capacity of a given weight of filling to occupy a given volume. The larger the volume occupied, the higher the insulation and lightness performance of the down. Products with a filling power of over 500 are already considered to be of very good quality.

But the exceptional LEGEND 1859 down from Pyrenex, offered at 90% down or 100% down in a few premium products, displays an exceptional filling power of 850 cuin.

SIZE:

The choice of duvet size depends on your type of bedding and furniture. The overhang of your duvet must be sufficient to prevent cold air from getting in. It depends on your build and your tendency to move during sleep. Each bed corresponds to a suitable duvet size.

TEMPERATURE:

Feather and down filling has properties unmatched by synthetic fillings: the lightness and natural thermoregulation of down gives bedding articles an incomparable level of comfort. When your bedroom is cool, for example, the down retains more heat than when it is warm.

Please refer to the table above regarding the size and TOG temperature of your duvets:

There are a few basic rules to know to make sure you position your duvet correctly on your bed.

Contrary to what you might think, the length of the duvet does not necessarily go along the length of the bed.

First, identify the "Head or foot of the bed" label positioned on one of the sides of the duvet. From there, you know that this side or its opposite side should be placed at the head or foot of the bed!

Climate changes cause the temperature of your bedroom to vary considerably from one season to another, which means you need to adjust your bedding to sleep comfortably.

At Pyrenex, we have developed a range of 4-season duvets that can be paired together using simple press studs. This gives you the option of combining several duvets with different weights and thicknesses depending on the season, so you can sleep with the ideal duvet.

These duvets can be used all year round through the combination of a lightweight duvet and a temperate duvet. They can be used separately during the transitional seasons.

After positioning your duvet correctly on the bed, identify the part of the duvet where the female press studs are located and the other part where the male press studs are located.

Lay the second duvet on top, making sure that the part with the male press studs is positioned above the female press studs of the first duvet and vice versa.

Discover all our four-season duvets on our dedicated page.

Choosing a pillow remains a very personal decision, but sleep habits can already help to determine the right pillow. The right pillow will be the one that allows the best alignment of the spine, neck and head.

Whatever the percentage of small feathers and clusters in the filling, one of the intrinsic qualities of natural fillings is their ability to distribute themselves within the pillow to take the shape of the sleeper's head and neck, thus offering well-distributed support without any pressure points. This is a basic quality that sets them apart from most other synthetic or natural fillings (in particular sheet fillings).

As for the proportions of small feathers and down (the composition) and the density that guide the choice towards the most suitable article between feel and support: down clusters offer an exceptionally soft feel, while the small feathers provide their spring.

FEEL:

• From 100% small feathers to 30% down / 70% small feathers: a majority of small feathers offers a springy feel
• 50% down / 50% small feathers: a good balance between softness and spring
• From 70% down: the feel of the pillow is decidedly soft
• Between 90% and 100% down: loft and softness reach exceptional levels

DENSITY:

• After selecting the right feel and therefore the right composition, you must also choose the right density to ensure the pillow meets your expectations. The denser the pillow (and therefore the higher its fill weight), the firmer it will be.
• Lowest density: the pillow is flat and offers low, flat support.
• Medium density: the pillow is lofty and offers gentle support.
• High density: the pillow is very lofty and offers firm support.

SLEEPER'S POSITION:

• If you tend to sleep on your back or on your side: you will need good support, and therefore a lofty model, filled to provide soft or firm support.
• For people with a larger build and broad shoulders who sleep on their side: very lofty and firm pillows will be recommended to maintain the best position for the head, neck and shoulders throughout the night.
• If you sleep on your stomach: the best support will be provided by a flatter model, and therefore a lower fill weight.

Feel and support are the two parameters to take into account when choosing your natural pillow, your night-time companion! To help you make this key choice for the quality of your nights, your in-store sales adviser will give you the best recommendations.

Composed of keratin, like human nails and hair, feathers and down cannot cause allergies by nature.

Any discomfort may come from several other allergenic agents such as dust or dust mites, when bedding is not sufficiently aired or maintained.

To guarantee perfect cleanliness and hygiene, Pyrenex feathers and down undergo several washes before being sterilised in an oven at over 100°. The down thus becomes hypoallergenic. At the end of the process, the final product has reached a very high level of cleanliness.

In reality, feather and down fillings evacuate moisture far more effectively than polyester and therefore present a much less favourable environment for the development of dust mites.

Furthermore, the very tight weave of our cotton covers, originally designed to hermetically contain the down, provides a natural barrier against dust mites. According to recent studies, down actually contains 8 times fewer dust mites than a polyester filling.

The simplest way to minimise the risk of allergies is therefore to maintain your bedding articles regularly. Washed and tumble dried, they will be rid of allergenic agents and the feathers and down will regain all their loft.

Care:

To ensure that a Pyrenex bedding product retains all its properties and softness, the brand makes the following recommendations:

• Shake it daily so that the filling remains evenly distributed;
• Rotate the duvet top to bottom every 15 days;
• On sunny days, lay it out between two chairs or at the window for a few hours to air it
  as often as possible and at least three times a year (avoid hanging it on a washing line);
• Machine wash and dry according to the care instructions provided, or entrust it to a professional;
• Wash your duvet and pillow 1 to 2 times a year;
• Pillows: tumble dry for 30 minutes every 2 months to maintain loft.

Washing:

A duvet placed in a duvet cover does not require frequent washing. If an accidental stain means it needs to be washed, you must follow the washing instructions carefully and, preferably, avoid washing it more than once a year.

If done properly, this annual wash will restore all its lightness and loft. Washing instructions: (refer to the product label)

• Pillows: machine washable in a 5 kg drum machine.
• Duvets: wash at a launderette with a 15 kg drum machine.
• When it comes to detergent, we recommend using a liquid detergent and following the dosage instructions. As liquid detergent is more soluble, it will rinse out much more effectively.

For a duvet with a natural filling, its volume and suppleness will be preserved using a
wool-specialist detergent. All our natural duvets come with a dose of soap for 5 washes.

• 5 or 6 rinse cycles are required.

Drying:

Tumble dry on a low heat, gentle and thorough, using a synthetic or delicate programme. Minimum 4 hours.
It is important that your duvet or pillow is completely dry to prevent the development of mould afterwards.

Important: to
restore the loft of your duvet and pillow, when drying, it is essential to place 2 to 3 dryer balls in the drum of the tumble dryer.

All our duvets and mattress toppers with natural filling are guaranteed for 5 years.

Our pillows with natural filling are guaranteed for 2 years.