Community Chat

[Noel7]

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@Lipstickdiva wrote:

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@Noel7 wrote:

@Lipstickdiva

And actually, non-sterilization IS a problem for those with allergies and/or asthma.

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I am aware of that but that isn't why I brought up the fact that I won't use down.  I don't have allergy issues.

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So happy for you @Lipstickdiva

But actually I wasn't thinking of you when I responded to your comment saying sterilization wasn't an issue.

I have asthma which put me in the hospital about a year or so ago.  Asthma is a little gift that comes free with Lupus.

[chickenbutt]

No down for this asthmatic, either!     I've always been 'allergic' to down and most feathers, and cats....(heh - yeah, asthma is fun)  

Anyway, I've seen these pillows and checked it out because pillows are always an issue.  But they just didn't look like they would work for me.  I need something firm and cooling, so I use memory foam ones.  They are nice and cool and I like having the shape where it comes up into the neck and then the head lies down comfortably.

I generate a LOT of heat, so the good thing is that I can turn my memory foam pillows around  or over, which I do two or three times a night.

(no animals are harmed)  

[Lipstickdiva]

I was just looking at the My Pillow site and they have a FAQ tab.

One of the questions was what kind of pillowcase should I put on this pillow.  It said 100% cotton, otherwise you lose the "cooling" effect of these pillows.  I guess I never paid attention that they even have a cooling effect.  LOL

[Lipstickdiva]

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@Moonchilde wrote:

It depends on which down companies you buy from, and what the country of origin is. If you spend big bucks to buy US-produced down, live plucking has been outlawed. If you check the company and the sources and purchase wisely, chances are slim to none the down is live-plucked.

Most people, however, would probably just grab cheap, which is China - and then whose statistics/claims does one believe? It happens, but how prevalent it is depends on who you believe (and probably how cheap the product is).

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/23/down-comforters-animal-cruelty_n_1224517.html

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I have read a number of articles that most feathers are harvested from China, even if the pillows are then ultimately made in the USA.

[Noel7]

Hi @chickenbutt 

Just a little FYI, it is said it wasn't down we were allergic too, it's that the down used in the past was dirty and carried mites.  That's what did us in, the new down is washed and washed and washed to clean, that's why I can use it now with no problems.

But stick with what you like, I'm glad you found a pillow good for you.  I can't use any kind of structured pillow.

[Noel7]

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@Lipstickdiva wrote:

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@Moonchilde wrote:

It depends on which down companies you buy from, and what the country of origin is. If you spend big bucks to buy US-produced down, live plucking has been outlawed. If you check the company and the sources and purchase wisely, chances are slim to none the down is live-plucked.

Most people, however, would probably just grab cheap, which is China - and then whose statistics/claims does one believe? It happens, but how prevalent it is depends on who you believe (and probably how cheap the product is).

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/23/down-comforters-animal-cruelty_n_1224517.html

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I have read a number of articles that most feathers are harvested from China, even if the pillows are then ultimately made in the USA.

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@Lipstickdiva

Not most, reportedly, but some.  That's why you look for a cruelty free tag or one that specifies the contents are from America.

[HappyDaze]

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@Lipstickdiva wrote:

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@Noel7 wrote:

@Lipstickdiva

Not all down is gathered by way of animal cruelty, and a good pillow will tell you they don't use animal cruelty:

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Since birds like ducks and geese are bred in large groups for the production of meat and foie gras, "harvesting" their feathers is a profitable by-product. Feathers are usually removed during the natural moulting cycle of the bird, which is the time when they shed their old feathers and grow new ones, every 6-7 weeks.

Animal Cruelty - Down and Feathers - Vegan Peace

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There are plenty of articles out there that explain this and even feathers being removed during the natural moulting cycle of the bird is questionable. But I'm not going to take this thread off topic anymore and get into that.

I'm uncomfortable using down of any kind.  It won't come into my house.  

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Same here. It just isn't right.

[Noel7]

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@HappyDaze wrote:

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@Lipstickdiva wrote:

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@Noel7 wrote:

@Lipstickdiva

Not all down is gathered by way of animal cruelty, and a good pillow will tell you they don't use animal cruelty:

**********************

Since birds like ducks and geese are bred in large groups for the production of meat and foie gras, "harvesting" their feathers is a profitable by-product. Feathers are usually removed during the natural moulting cycle of the bird, which is the time when they shed their old feathers and grow new ones, every 6-7 weeks.

Animal Cruelty - Down and Feathers - Vegan Peace

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There are plenty of articles out there that explain this and even feathers being removed during the natural moulting cycle of the bird is questionable. But I'm not going to take this thread off topic anymore and get into that.

I'm uncomfortable using down of any kind.  It won't come into my house.  

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Same here. It just isn't right.

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@HappyDaze

Do you wear leather or use it in home goods?  No leather purses or wallets?

You don't use wool either?  And you both are vegan?

[HappyDaze]

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@Noel7 wrote:

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@HappyDaze wrote:

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@Lipstickdiva wrote:

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@Noel7 wrote:

@Lipstickdiva

Not all down is gathered by way of animal cruelty, and a good pillow will tell you they don't use animal cruelty:

**********************

Since birds like ducks and geese are bred in large groups for the production of meat and foie gras, "harvesting" their feathers is a profitable by-product. Feathers are usually removed during the natural moulting cycle of the bird, which is the time when they shed their old feathers and grow new ones, every 6-7 weeks.

Animal Cruelty - Down and Feathers - Vegan Peace

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There are plenty of articles out there that explain this and even feathers being removed during the natural moulting cycle of the bird is questionable. But I'm not going to take this thread off topic anymore and get into that.

I'm uncomfortable using down of any kind.  It won't come into my house.  

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Same here. It just isn't right.

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@HappyDaze

Do you wear leather or use it in home goods?  No leather purses or wallets?

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No, I sure don't. But nice try. I know how many of you try to minimize the effort of those of us that try to avoid products used from dead animals. Not sure why you can't just let us do our thing and if you are comfortable doing what you do, then do so without trying to undermine others by trying to do the "gotcha" thing. I won't comment anymore about this as I know how these "discussions" go (i.e. nowhere). Enjoy your things and I will enjoy and feel good about mine.

[chickenbutt]

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@Noel7 wrote:

Hi @chickenbutt 

Just a little FYI, it is said it wasn't down we were allergic too, it's that the down used in the past was dirty and carried mites.  That's what did us in, the new down is washed and washed and washed to clean, that's why I can use it now with no problems.

But stick with what you like, I'm glad you found a pillow good for you.  I can't use any kind of structured pillow.

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Thanks for that clarification to what I said, Noel!  I had forgotten about that and it clearly explains why I am allergic to some feathers and not others.

Heck, every morning I give the bird tummy kisses and kisses on the top of his head.  I don't seem to be allergic to him.   

I also wasn't allergic when we had the last cat, although he was an indoor-only cat, so I attributed it to that.  I still had to keep him out of my bedroom, but I didn't have the problems I had in the past.