How is the down cleaned and processed? Washing, Rigorous Cleaning and Separating Our down and feather is washed up to 8 to 10 times, with special anti-bacterial cleaning agents that leaves the down at a neutral pH and strengthened for long term endurance and reduced deterioration. This rigorous cleaning process helps too remove the dust and dirt, which helps us to provide hypo allergenic down products to our customers. Natural down fills are a by-product of the poultry food industry and are biodegradable. Whereas polyester insulators are petroleum based synthetics and is not biodegradable. Natural feathers and down are fully biodegradable. Down is up to four times as efficient as synthetics polyester in retaining heat and certainly much more durable. Down and cotton combined have a breathable quality to them, absorbing and lifting moisture away. You won't get that sweaty feeling that you usually get with polyester comforters and pillows (that can collect and reflect moisture). The remarkable feature of natural insulation is that while retaining most of the warm air around your body, a controlled amount of air is allowed to circulate. Polyester fills cannot match this quality that down and feather products can.