How to Replace Feathers in Bed Pillows

Analyze your usual sleeping position when planning to refill your pillows. Stomach sleepers should use a soft, flat pillow to prevent cricks in the neck, while back sleepers need more "loft," or air height, to provide neck and shoulder support. Side-sleepers benefit from a firm, U- or V-shaped pillow to support the gap between the neck and the shoulder.

Source a supplier of feathers and down. Inquire about the source of the filling, the cleaning process and the quality of the feathers and ask to have samples sent if you are not able to visit the supplier in person. Goose feathers and down are considered to be softer and lighter than duck feathers and down, which, because they are smaller in size, require more in weight and volume to fill a pillow. So ask for duck feathers and down if you require a firmer pillow.

Feather-to-down ratios are important criteria for determining the firmness and "loft" of your pillows. Down traps more air and is therefore lighter, so a higher ratio of down to feathers gives you a plumper, lighter pillow to support your back, shoulders and neck. For a firm pillow, use feathers only, whereas for a soft pillow, use a ratio of at least 80 percent down to 20 percent feathers.

Use a new pillow casing to hold the feathers and down mix. Select a fabric that is dense enough to prevent leakage, such as cotton or silk.

Open the top of the new pillow case and stuff with the feather and down mix to your chosen capacity. Push the filling slightly to one end, and machine-stitch the end of the pillow slip shut to prevent leakage.

Plump the pillow to distribute the filling evenly throughout. Cover with a top pillow slip and enjoy a good night's sleep.