Eiderdown is an exceptional product. Around 3,000 kg (6,600 lbs.) of eiderdown is collected and processed in Iceland yearly—the product of hundreds of thousands of well-tended nests and birds. Although not staggering, this amount shows that Iceland is a worldwide leader in eiderdown production and has provided a supplementary and dependable source of income through the centuries for local farmers.

While collecting, sorting, and cleaning eiderdown is time-consuming and labor-intensive, the result is the highest quality products. These include luxuriously soft and airy duvets, soft baby carriage liners, and an almost unbelievable warm-to-weight ratio for breathable outerwear. Curling up under an Icelandic eiderdown quilt or duvet is a sumptuous experience. The eiderdown's tiny hook-like threads interlock to create air pockets within the insulating layer, resulting in a light and airy warmth unlike any other down. 

Eiderdown harvesting has evolved little over the centuries. However, the methods for treating the down have benefitted from modern innovations. Once collected, the down is first sorted by hand to remove any debris, such as eggshells or hay. Next, it is dried and disinfected by heating and then cleansed in machines specially developed by Icelanders to handle the delicate down. The final step is to sort the cleansed down by hand to ensure no errant feathers mix in with the cloud-like natural material. Traditionally, people would use eiderdown in duvets and pillows. Many innovative producers are exploring new possibilities with eiderdown-insulated outdoor clothing, sleeping bags, and much more.

Cleaning the down has been refined and passed on through the generations of Icelandic farmers working with the eiders. It is a long and labor-intensive process, but the final product provides incredible warmth and comfort from nature's best insulation.