QUQON Eiderdown Pillow Royal

Eiderdown, from eider ducks, is extremely high-quality down. It serves as natural insulation against the cold and protects young birds from low temperatures during the breeding season. These light, delicate feathers are used specifically for duvets and pillows to ensure exceptional sleeping comfort.

An eiderdown feather can grow up to 2.5 centimeters in size, comparable to the diameter of a two-euro coin. Its outstanding insulating properties and exceptional loft make eiderdown the preferred choice for duvets, sleeping bags, and outdoor clothing. Furthermore, no other material offers similar warmth at the same weight as eiderdown.

The unique characteristics of eiderdown lie in its size, fineness, and dense branching, which distinguish it from conventional down. The dimensions of the down are closely linked to the cold environment of the eider duck – the colder the climate, the larger the down. This increase in size allows for an even denser branching of the filaments, creating more space for air retention. This air retention, in turn, enhances the insulation and warmth-to-weight ratio of the down.

The unique properties of this precious down are manifested in tiny barbs, invisible to the naked eye. These barbs allow the down to interweave in the eider duck's nest. As a filling material, the down also forms a feather-light, breathable cushion with exceptional air retention. Furthermore, an eiderdown duvet lends its surroundings an ultra-light feel and guarantees unparalleled sleeping comfort.

In short: Eider duck down is the largest down available, extremely voluminous and incredibly light. It also offers excellent loft and thermal insulation.

Similar to other valuable commodities (e.g., gold), eiderdown is subject to price fluctuations influenced by current market factors. The rarer eiderdown becomes, the higher its price rises.

The high price can be partly explained by the elaborate process of obtaining this rare product. To fill approximately 500 grams of eiderdown in a 140x200cm duvet, the down from an average of 35 nests must be collected and processed by hand. Furthermore, eider ducks only breed between May and June, meaning the down can only be harvested once a year. Nevertheless, investing in such a high-quality down duvet is worthwhile, as no other type of down offers comparable warmth.

The collection and processing of eiderdown requires an extensive procedure, which is carried out after the ducks have molted. The down left behind in the nest is collected by hand and then processed. Approximately 1,000 eiderdown feathers weigh only one gram, which is why experienced collectors need about eight hours to gather one kilogram of eiderdown. After the laborious collection of the down, a gentle cleaning process is necessary.

Due to the relatively high moisture content of the raw materials resulting from their proximity to the sea, the down is first dried with hot air at 110°C to sterilize it. It is then cleaned of hay, eggshells, and other coarse impurities using specially developed shaking machines. The down is then carefully sorted by hand to ensure that only the fluffy, feather-free down remains. Finally, the down undergoes a gentle cleaning and drying process before being used as filling material.