Poultry Feathers as Filling Material for Bedding and Textiles — Analysis of Faults

Poultry feathers give very good protection against the cold. At the present time, they are not only used as filling material for bedding but are also highly sought after as padding material for sleeping bags and garments such as sportswear for mountain climbers, anoraks, padded jackets and coats. These uses also raise the question of care treatments for this material. For example, pillows filled with poultry feathers are subjected to a so-called disinfectant laundering at 95°C when used in hospitals. In this case special finishes and, above all, suitable detergents and laundering processes are necessary in order to avoid drastic damage to the natural product.