About Down Comforters

There are many important variables to consider when choosing a bed comforter. This article gives you the knowledge you need to make an appropriate buying decision.

The Cleanliness Of Down In a Comforter Set
There is a government standard for the cleanliness of feathers and down used in comforters. Comforter Sets must meet this cleanliness standard in order to be considered hypoallergenic. Comforter fills may be washed as many as fifteen times to get rid of dust, organic matter, dirt and foreign objects to meet this standard.

Comforter Fill Power
In simple terms this means how fluffy the fill is. Higher fill power means your down comforter set is more fluffy and will last longer. Luxury down comforters typically have the highest fill power. Fill Power is defined as the volume one ounce of down occupies in cubic inches. Typically, a comforter should have a fill power of at least 600. Luxury down comforters have a fill power over 700 and a down comforter with a fill power over 800 would be considered superb.

Comforter Set Thread Count
The comforter's thread count is the number of threads that are contained in one square inch of fabric. Higher thread counts in a comforter's fabric means it is lighter and softer. The tightness of the weave also prevents leakage of the down fill to the outside air. Greater thread counts are better. In other words no down will poke through the comforter set’s fabric.

Bed Comforter Construction
More sewing means more strength and less tendency for stitches to break. Better comforters are sewn into baffles. The baffling creates internal chambers of fabric that keep the down fill from gathering in one place and allows it to loft more. It also adds strength to the bed comforter.

Comforter Weight, Quality, and Warmth
A comforter can be made warmer in two ways. Greater fill power or more weight. Better comforter sets provide maximum warmth with the least weight. These comforter sets have high fill power down. Luxury comforter sets excel in providing the best value in fill power, thread count, cleanliness, and weight.

Types of Down for Comforter Sets
There are several sources of down typically used in comforters. In order of desirability they are duck feathers (worst), duck feathers and down, goose feathers and down, and goose down (best).

Desirability of Down (Goose vs. Duck)
Down is harvested during the natural molting process from farm raised ducks or geese. It is a by-product of the poultry industry. The biggest difference between goose and duck down is odor. Goose down has little to no odor. If it does not say goose down on the packaging, it is most likely duck down and a lot less desirable.

Common Uses of Down vs. Feathers
Down is used for insulation and loft in bed comforters and pillows and feathers are used for bulk and durability for featherbeds and some pillows. Occasionally they are mixed to create a more durable product. Mixed products are often described by the percentage of the mix that is down. If there is more down in the mix, the bed comforter set or pillow is softer and more expensive.

Chuck Rosselle has significant experience in both bedroom design and sleep products. He sells luxury bed comforters and provides bedroom design ideas that include luxury comforter sets.

Title:
About Down Comforters
Article Distribution and Free Web Content by www.reprint-content.com

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated