Sleep & Beyond FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions - page 6
Disclaimer: All reasonable efforts have been made by the presenter to put all facts and figures in the above information to be true, correct and accurate. However,
the consumers or other interested parties are advised to make their own independent enquiry or research for the same, as the presenter does not assume any risk
or liability with regard to such facts and figures.
31. How many pounds of pesticides and fertilizers it takes to produce a cotton queen-sized sheet?
It takes about 1.25 pounds of petroleum-based pesticides and fertilizers to produce one cotton queen-sized
sheet.
32. What substance is used to whiten the fabric?
Hydrogen peroxide is used to whiten the fabric. It is allowed by National Organic Program of USDA.
33. What is down?
Down feathers come from the waterfowl of ducks and geese. It is their under plumage feathers commonly
known as down and taken mainly from the breast region.
34. Is down hypoallergenic?
A high percentage of adults, teenagers, and children are allergic to down. The feathers themselves do not
cause the allergic reaction. Rather, down and feathers trap dander, dust, and dirt, all of which can cause
allergies to flare up.
Many down brands advertise their products as being hypo-allergenic.
This is achieved by extensive washing, sometimes up to 15 washes, to remove the dust and odor.
Down product is then ―ozonated,‖ a safe process that further removes impurities.
Then it is treated with an FDA approved chemical called an ―anti-microbial treatment‖ that basically kills
anything else that is remaining alive. However, the FDA has approved over 2000 food additives that are
all known carcinogens.
Down bedding may be still hypoallergenic when it arrives packaged on the store shelf, but once it is brought
home and used, it will eventually revert back to harboring dust mites unless bedding is thrown out and
replaced frequently.
35. How does wool compare to down?
Wool is naturally non-allergenic, naturally resists dust mites, moisture, mold and mildew, and is naturally
flame resistant. Unlike birds who suffer or get killed in the down harvesting process, sheep grow a coat of
wool and are sheared without harming anyone.
Down inherently promotes the growth of dust mites, unless it is put through extensive washing and treated
with an anti-microbial chemical. Down can lose up to 90% of its isolative qualities when soaked through.
So, on the whole, organic wool adds up to having a smaller ecological footprint than down. It is healthier,
safer, recyclable, biodegradable, environmentally friendly, free from animal cruelty, more comfortable due to
its structure and water resistance and clearly the socially conscious choice.
36. Is down flame resistant?
Down and feathers are usually treated with chemical fire retardants to be fire resistant. These chemicals may
be released into the air that we breathe or could be irritating to skin. Down and feathers will smolder when
ignited.
37. Is down moisture absorbent?
The ultimate enemy of down is moisture. When wet, the thermal properties of the fiber are virtually eliminated,
making it a worse insulator than most equally wet synthetic fills. Moisture trapped in down from body sweat is
often unable to escape from the bedding resulting in unhealthy mould spots.
38. Who are the main growers and processors of down?
China leads the world in total down supply, processing and manufacturing of finished products such as pillows
and comforters. European countries such as Hungary and Poland, and North and South America are all one
of the leading producers of down as well.
39. How is down processed?
Down harvesting was originally a byproduct of the meat industry: birds were killed for meat and the plumage
plucked off and processed. Now, demand for down feather products has created a separate and incredibly
cruel industry in which birds are, in some regions, raised specifically to stuff bedding.
It is an extensive process to convert the wet, plucked, smelly plumage into a fluffy, warm, soft material.
1. Feathers are ripped from living birds, and then allowed to grow back 3 to 5 times before slaughter.