Duck feather pillows, made in Rochdale

Our duck feather pillows are filled with a natural blend of duck feather and down, then cased in soft, breathable microfibre and finished in our own Greater Manchester factory. Feather and down pillows sleep differently to synthetic ones: they mould to the shape of your head and neck instead of pushing back, and they breathe, so they run cooler through the night.

Every pillow on this page is the standard UK size, 48 x 74cm, and comes in packs of 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8.

Why choose feather and down over hollow fibre

• It moulds, it doesn't push back. Down clusters compress under weight and stay there, so the pillow holds the shape of your neck rather than fighting it.
• It breathes. Natural fill moves air and wicks moisture, which is why hotels use it. Synthetic fill traps heat.
• It lasts. Shake a feather pillow out each morning and the loft comes back. A well-cared-for down pillow outlives a hollow fibre one several times over.
• Soft to medium support. Best suited to back and side sleepers who want give rather than resistance.

If you prefer a firmer, fully synthetic pillow, see our full pillow range.

Caring for your feather pillows

Duck feather and down pillows are machine washable. Wash on a gentle cycle at 40°C with a mild, non-biological detergent, two pillows at a time so the drum stays balanced. Tumble dry on low with a couple of clean dryer balls to break up the clumps, and keep drying until the fill is completely dry right through to the centre — damp down is what causes that musty smell people associate with feather pillows.

Full instructions, including drying times and how often to wash, are in our pillow care guide. For dimensions and how UK pillow sizes compare, see the pillow size guide. To compare feather and down against hollow fibre and other fills, see our pillow filling guide.

Frequently asked questions

Are duck feather pillows good?

Yes, for the right sleeper. They give a soft to medium feel that moulds to your head and neck, breathe better than synthetic fill, and last considerably longer. Back and side sleepers tend to get on best with them. If you sleep on your front, or you want firm resistance rather than give, a hollow fibre pillow will suit you better.

What is a down pillow?

Down is the soft, fluffy layer that sits underneath a duck's outer feathers. It has no quill, so it is lighter and loftier than feather. Most pillows, ours included, use a blend: feather gives structure and support, down gives softness and loft. A pillow described as pure down is softer and considerably more expensive.

Can feather pillows be washed in a machine?

Yes. Wash at 40°C on a gentle cycle with a mild, non-biological detergent. Do two at a time to keep the drum balanced, and run an extra rinse to clear all the detergent out of the fill. Avoid fabric softener, which coats the down and flattens it.

What temperature should I wash feather pillows at?

40°C. Hotter risks damaging the natural oils in the down, which is what gives it loft. If you need a higher temperature for allergy reasons, 60°C is possible but will shorten the pillow's life.

Can you tumble dry feather pillows?

Yes, and you should — air drying alone leaves the fill clumped. Use a low heat setting with two or three dryer balls or clean tennis balls to break up the clusters. It usually takes two to three cycles. The pillow must be dry all the way through before you use it.

Can feather pillows cause allergies?

True feather allergy is rare. What most people react to is dust mites, which live in any pillow regardless of filling. Our microfibre casing is tightly woven to limit mite penetration, and washing every three to six months keeps the population down. If you are sensitive, pairing the pillow with a zipped protector makes a bigger difference than changing the filling.

Do down pillows go flat?

They compress overnight, which is normal and is exactly what lets them mould to you. Shake and plump the pillow each morning and the loft returns. Permanent flattening happens only when the fill is worn out or has been washed and dried badly — damp, clumped down never recovers its loft.

Are feather pillows cruel?

It depends entirely on the supply chain. Our feather and down is a by-product of the food industry and is sourced from suppliers who do not practise live-plucking. If animal welfare is your main concern, our hollow fibre pillows are entirely synthetic.

Why do feather pillows sometimes smell?

Almost always because the fill was not dried completely after washing. Down holds moisture deep in the centre long after the outside feels dry. Keep tumble drying on low until there is no cold or heavy spot anywhere in the pillow. A new pillow may have a faint natural scent for the first few days, which airs off.