Seven key methods should be noted when identifying down products:
1. Check the Label
Verify the down content indicated on the label and confirm if the product is manufactured by a regular branded manufacturer.
2. Press to Test Resilience
Lay the down product flat and let it recover naturally for 3 minutes. Observe if it bounces back quickly to its original shape. Poor or slow recovery suggests low-quality filling—likely chicken feathers, scattered long hair fragments, or non-down materials.
3. Feel the Texture
Gently squeeze and feel the product’s softness. Check for intact small feather pieces, overly large/coarse long fragments, or feather quills. Soft texture with poor resilience indicates softened feather pieces (not real down). Softness accompanied by short, stiff quills means crushed fragments, which renders the product useless.
4. Pat to Check for Dust
Pat the down product vigorously to see if dust escapes. No dust leakage indicates a quality product. Dust emission means it’s filled with crushed feathers, which is generally not recommended for use.
5. Rub to Test Fabric
Rub the product with both hands to check for down leakage. If down escapes, the fabric lacks anti-down treatment and is not down-proof.
6. Smell for Odors
Bring the product close to your nose and take a deep breath, comparing it with ordinary fabrics. A noticeable unusual odor means the product is unfit for use.
7. Weigh and Compare Volume
Hold the product to feel its weight while observing its volume. High-quality down products are lightweight yet voluminous. For products with a standard 30% down content, the volume should be twice that of cotton of the same weight. For those with over 70% down content, the volume should be more than three times that of cotton of the same weight.