Duck Down

What is duck down?

Duck down is a natural material that comes from animals. It's the small, soft, very light feathers that cover the bodies of fledglings, then are also found on the bellies and under the wings of ducks (and other birds). Down is used to store body heat and keep birds warm in winter. In terms of appearance, it resembles small snowflakes.
Down is best known for being extremely soft and an incredible insulator. Clusters of down are negatively charged, so they stay at a distance from each other. This creates cushions of warm air between the individual clusters. Another important property of duck down is that it is breathable, absorbing moisture and releasing it outwards. It's also highly elastic, meaning it retains its original size even under heavy pressure.
It is mainly used in quilts and linings for parka, down jackets and other warm jackets.

Where does duck down come from?

Down is produced all over the world, but mainly in Hungary, Poland and China.

Material transformation processes (from animal to garment)

He doesn't really have a process for transforming matter. In fact, it's enough to "harvest" the down from the animals.
It can be collected in 2 different ways: from dead animals or from animals still alive, this is live plucking.
The least barbaric method is to pluck the feathers from the dead animal. The animal is immersed in a wax bath. The feathers are then pulled out with the wax. The animal therefore endures no additional suffering.
Live plucking is, as the name suggests, the plucking of feathers from an animal that is still alive.

Is duck down compatible with ethical and responsible fashion?

Although duck down is a natural material, it's hard to find it compatible with ethical and responsible fashion. In fact, in far too many cases, down is taken from animals that are still alive - it's the raw plumage. Without going into too much detail, this technique is horrifying for the animals, some of whom don't survive.
If you really want to use duck down, check that your garment or comforter carries the RDS (Responsible Down Duvet) label. This guarantees that the down has been produced with respect for the animals: it does not come from live animals, the animals have not been force-fed and have been respected from hatching to slaughter.

An equally warm alternative is "vegetable down" made from kapok plant fiber, derived (among other things) from the bolls of the kapok tree, which grows wild in tropical regions. These trees require little water and can withstand drought. No fertilizers or pesticides are used to grow them. It provides insulation with the same performance as down.
It's naturally ecological: the tree provides a non-edible fruit pod filled with fiber, so the tree remains intact and continues to regenerate the ecosystem. It's the perfect alternative!

Another alternative is to buy your duck down clothing from second hand or from our selection Eco x ception which would make the act of buying more responsible.

How to care for duck down

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To preserve its insulating properties it's important to take good care of your duck down garments and/or comforters.
Let's start with washing a down jacket.
It should only be washed once a year, so that it retains its thermal properties and lightness for as long as possible. The label on the down jacket should indicate that it has been laundered.
First and foremost, check the label to ensure that your down jacket can be machine-washed. If your down jacket can be machine-washed, you'll need to check that it is machine-washable.
While it is possible to machine-wash your down jacket, there are a few tips to follow.
First of all, remember to fasten all the jacket's zippers.
The temperature should not exceed 30°, and you should use a synthetic cycle as well. Choose a special down detergent that won't damage the fabric's outer water repellency, while revitalizing the insulating qualities of the padding.
Otherwise, your usual detergent will do (liquid, not powder, which is difficult to rinse off). However, you'll need to do an extra rinse once the cycle is complete.
It is advisable to place (new) tennis balls in the machine drum to prevent the down jacket from becoming waterlogged as the feathers are aired out.
Don't wring out the feathers violently, as this will form balls that are almost impossible to unravel. If you want to spin by hand, be careful not to twist the feathers, and only press them into towels.

When it comes to drying, don't put it on a radiator. Drying in a tumble dryer is the best way to restore the plumpness of the feathers. To do this, you'll need to tumble dry several times, replacing the tennis balls in the drum and shaking the down jacket between each cycle to check that the feathers are distributed correctly.

As far as comforters are concerned, it will be simpler to have it cleaned at the dry cleaners as the comforter will require a large drum.
If you prefer to wash your comforter at home, that's also possible. You'll need to choose a gentle or cold wash cycle with a slow spin speed. Hot cycles should be avoided at all costs.
Use a mild detergent to avoid damaging the feathers and making them less puffy, but don't forget to dilute it slightly before putting it in the machine - you don't want to risk overdosing. There are also detergents specially designed for down items.
Drying is an important step, as it helps prevent mildew and unpleasant odors. You can use a gentle or wool cycle. If you prefer to air-dry your comforter, lay it out on a clothesline out of the sun and wind. Stir it regularly to distribute the down as evenly as possible.


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