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ossienyc

Are your down sofas leaking feathers?

19 years ago

We've been anti-down for years ever since our down comforters leaked dreadfully. Now it's no hardship when I see sofas marked cheaper if they are the standard rather than the down cushions. However, the style I like best so far is offered only in down. I'll be scolded every day that a feather leaks out of that pricey sofa if down sofas leak. Tell me about your experiences please so I can make up my mind. And does leather prevent leakage? The girl at Restoration Hardware says it does not.

Comments (20)

  • 19 years ago

    Yes, the sofa, chair and pillows all leak feathers, but it's not enough to be annoying. Just know that you'll find stray feathers on your floor occasionally.

  • 19 years ago

    We had a large discussion about this last year. You can probably do a search and find it. I had a down sectional for years and regretted it every day. Not only does it leak, but it mats down every time you sit and begins to feel like cement. Then you have to beat the poor little cushions to fluff them up again constantly, and it just gets worse at the sofa gets older. At least be sure there is a large core of foam to help it keep it's shape. Don't get seat cushions with total down filling.

  • 19 years ago

    Thanks very much. I will do a search. We regretted those highly touted down comforters. The customer service people at Pottery Barn, RH and WShome are pushing for the down choice because their covers are 250thread, down proof but there's really no such thing as down proof.

  • 18 years ago

    Ossienyc,
    I just posted on the home decorating forum in response to another question about this. I purchased two down couches about three months ago, and all they do is leak feathers! Every time someone sits on the sofa they are jabbed by the feathers. Also, the fabric is very dark, so the feathers that stick out really stand out. I spend way too much time vacuuming and pulling out feathers! Unless you get a really high end couch where the cushions are wrapped properly, I wouldn't recommend one.

  • 18 years ago

    i get maybe a feather once a week or so. i think it depends on the manufacturer. the cushions need fluffing, but they're oh so comfy!

  • 18 years ago

    I have a 25 year old down sofa that has never leaked a feather nor needed fluffing. It's Hickory Chair, so maybe that has something to do with it.
    And I have down comforters on every bed and 4 down throws....again no feather leaking...but I do have some throw pillows that are "pokey" from the feathers. I think if they leak or not, depends on how much feathers there are with the down. Down has no "pokey" things...it's just fluff.
    Linda C

  • PRO
    18 years ago

    The combination of high quality, clean goose feathers/down along and quality down-proof ticking will keep your feathers inside the cushions and will last a long time. This ticking should be of high thread count plus a thicker thread than what is used in bedding. It also will have a coating applied which also helps in keeping the quills from comeing through plus controls the amount of air that flows thought the ticking. Before purchasing feather/down cushioning I recommend throughly inspecting the cushions or if custom order have the manufacturer send a sample of each. Only buy quality northern goose down and the feathers should be small enough so you dont feel the quills when you squeeze the cushion. Their is a huge difference in the quality of down cushions and if the price is cheap or of poor quality, mostly likely you will have problems with feather seepage, shifting, and matting.

  • 18 years ago

    We had a down sectional and it lasted all of a year before we donated it. That was an expensive mistake. My advice is beware of them, even if you've inspected it at the store. We looked at this one and sat on it several different times. Never saw a feather, of course, until we got it home and had it for a couple months. Almost as bad as the feathers coming out, it had loose pillows and they were oversized, heavy, and always needed fluffing. The dog loved it :)

    I later found out that unless the down is wrapped in something inside the cushion, you will have problems. They are comfy, though! (minus the pokes, of course)

  • 7 years ago

    Thank you for your comment. I have similar experience, the amount of feathers that coming out of my couch

    is excessive. I can tolerate a feather or two getting out every now and then, but unfortunately I have to vacuum every day othervice it looks like I am living in a chicken coop :(

    I called customer service and was told that "this is normal" as well. Very disappointing, I expected much better quality from Restoration Hardware.

    They suggested that I could return it, which I am going to do.


  • 7 years ago

    I have that SAME RH sofa- and actually they replaced ours...it still has the same issue. I love the comfort of it so much though :( but I too have to vacuum every day. I just have to pay for someone to sew a new layer (like a pillowcase cover) for the cushions/pillows. A waste of 3k if you ask me.

  • 7 years ago

    Return it. I know looking for a replacement would not be fun, but I had an upholsterer to look at mine, and was told to return it while I can. This sofas are not fixable :(

  • 7 years ago

    I will not purchase another RH sofa again, I spent good amount of money on 2 armchairs and sofa. They have been leaking everyday after a few months. You can make them nice again after cleaning and fluffing. Spoke with them, I ve been told this is “normal”.

  • 7 years ago

    The moral of this story is not "don't buy down stuffed furniture" but rather stay away from over priced poor quality RH stuff.


  • 5 years ago

    We purchased a Taylor King- used & the cushions have the feathers poke out constantly and they are not zippered so cannot get into them to properly wrap them. So, do not always fall for the supposed high-end brands!!!

  • 5 years ago

    I have a down filled couch and loveseat. I get the occasional feather, but not enough to be of concern. My issue is the pillows and cushions having to be fluffed after each seating. But I looked for months for a couch that “ felt right” when I sat down. Oh.. it is so comfy. No squishing of feathers or hard spots. It’s kind of a pain- but give the alternative- I’ll just keep fluffing my visions and pillows!!

  • 4 years ago

    I have a RH sofa and 2 chairs. The feathers continue to poke, slip out of cushions and are unsightly. The solution is to have all 8 interior cushions rewrapped with a sturdy cotton fabric.

  • 4 years ago

    We have had Pottery Barn (which I believe at the time was made by Bernhardt), Lee, Stickley and Sherrill furniture with down cushions. Had feathers from all of them. Seems inevitable. Stickley was the worst but that sofa also had linen upholstery so that could be why.

  • 3 years ago

    We bought this sleeper sofa from Haverty’s. By the end of week one we noticed the feathers…lots of them! Called the store and a week later a service man came out to look at it. He said it was normal. It was called ”migrating feathers” In other words we had to live with it…we were stuck with it! Needless to say we’ll never purchase anything from Haverty again. We gave it away a few weeks ago….

  • last year

    After 15 years with an American Leather sectional couch, we are ready to replace it. The cushions are foam core with down and feather wrapping. The feathers come out by the thousands, I am sadly not exaggerating. The leather holds them in, but the black knit fabric backs and sides of the cushions are just a mess. It's like plucking chickens to try and get most of them out, but impossible to do. I am looking for advice on a better quality line than American Leather, at least when it comes to securing the feathers in the fabric inserts!

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