Unveiling the Splendor of Eiderdown: Nature's Pinnacle in Comfort and Sustainability

In the realm of premium bedding and insulating materials, Eiderdown stands as an unrivalled gem sourced from the nests of Eider ducks. With a yearly global collection of around 4000 kilos, Iceland alone contributes approximately 3000 kilos, emphasizing its significance as a pivotal hub for this rare and exceptional resource.

The unique nature of Eiderdown lies not only in its unparalleled warmth but also in the intriguing manner in which it's acquired. Eider ducks, in a remarkable display of instinct, pluck their down to regulate their body heat and facilitate the warming of their eggs. This natural behaviour, essential for their survival, also allows humans to gather this exceptional material. The ducks, feeling safeguarded by human presence, nest closer to human settlements, ensuring their safety and promising their return in subsequent seasons.

Maintaining a tradition handed down through three generations, families specializing in Eider duck care dedicate themselves to ensuring the well-being of these remarkable creatures. The symbiotic relationship between humans and ducks serves as the foundation for the ethical collection of this extraordinary down.

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Technical Specifications:

• Temperature Regulation: Eiderdown displays a unique ability to shrink and expand, adept at maintaining the ideal temperature providing comfort in varied conditions.
• High Insulation: Surpassing all other downs, Eiderdown guarantees an unparalleled level of warmth, making it the ultimate choice for insulation.
• Compression Resistant: It has upheld its form and remarkable qualities for decades, promising lasting comfort and quality.
• Pure Sustainability: Eiderdown stands as the world's only ethical, cruelty-free down, harvested only after the ducks finish using it, differentiating it from live-plucked alternatives.
• Pure Softness: Free from hard quills or feathers, Eiderdown offers unmatched softness, enveloping users in luxurious warmth.

One of the most captivating facets of Eiderdown is its exceptional cohesion, lightweight nature, and unparalleled warmth, making it the go-to material for those seeking the pinnacle of comfort and luxury. The collection process involves the meticulous gathering of 16-20g of down from each nest, with approximately 65 manhours dedicated to producing a single kilo of this exquisite down. The majority of this intricate process is conducted by hand, underscoring the dedication and craftsmanship involved in its acquisition.

Each year, the International Down and Feather Testing Laboratory (IDFL) carries out comprehensive tests for our products. Periodically, these tests involve comparisons between the widely used grey goose down, commonly found in various down-filled products, and our prized eiderdown. The results from these tests consistently highlight the remarkable distinctions between these two types of down: “When comparing eiderdown to standard goose down, you will note that eiderdown compresses to a larger degree than goose down, and also recovers better than the goose down. This provides evidence that eiderdown is more durable, making it feel softer while still providing support or loft.”

In essence, Eiderdown transcends being just a material; it represents a harmonious blend of tradition, sustainability, and comfort. Its rarity and the meticulous process of acquisition make it an extraordinary by-product, a testament to the ingenious interdependence between human and animal, resulting in an ethical and superior-quality material sought after by those with a keen eye for both luxury and ethical sourcing.

The process:

At Icelandic Eider, all eiderdown undergoes meticulous processing within the advanced facility named the "Incubator." This specialized facility serves as the hub for handling the collected eiderdown. Upon gathering, the eiderdown is promptly dried using a combination of geothermal and hydropower energy, which powers the entire processing line. The drying process is maintained at approximately 35°C, swiftly leaving the down completely dry within a few hours.

Following the initial drying phase, the down undergoes an essential cleaning process by hand to remove debris, primarily consisting of seaweed, grass, and eggshells. Remarkably, approximately 70% of the original weight of the eiderdown comprises this unwanted debris. Post-drying and the preliminary cleaning, the down is subjected to a specialized oven set at around 130°C for four days. This meticulous baking procedure serves to eliminate all bacteria and render the down more amenable to subsequent cleaning stages.

After the baking process, the down goes through a series of machinery designed to eliminate any remaining debris and extract the majority of feathers from the down. Subsequently, our eiderdown undergoes a thorough hand-washing process using a unique soap and warm water, effectively eliminating any undesired odours and dirt.

During the drying phase following the washing, which maintains the same temperature as the initial drying process, any residual feathers are meticulously removed by hand. This stringent approach ensures that our eiderdown contains less than 0.1% feathers, reinforcing its exceptional purity and quality. The intricate procedures within our "Incubator" are carefully designed to deliver the highest standards of cleanliness, purity, and quality in our eiderdown products.