|
Learn About Down: Comforters Buyer's Guide
For a great night sleep, nothing compares with a down comforter! Down is the best bedding. It effectively maintains your body's temperature with a lightweight feel. Once you learn how to choose a down comforter, you will never be too cold or too warm again.
If you want to learn how to choose a down comforter, BestComfortSet.com has valuable information on down comforters in our buyer's guide below to help you make an educated decision:
For more helpful information on Down Comforters, Comforter Sets, and Duvet Covers click HERE.
If you still have difficulty making a decision or have questions that haven't been answered after reading our information on down comforters, please contact us and speak with one of our expert customer service representatives.
· What is down?
Down is made of ducks and geese feathers, therefore it is very soft. Down keeps birds cooler in summer yet warmer in winter, and provides breathable comfort. Down has light and fluffy filaments extending in all directions, without a feather’s quill shaft.
Down is more comfortable than synthetic filling due to its ability to let moisture such as perspiration escape in a process known as wicking. Down is more comfortable in varying temperatures and climates than other materials.
Down feels incredibly light to the touch witch makes it more comfortable to sleep under.
· What are feathers?
Feathers are the external covering of birds. Feathers are flat and characterized by a pointy central shaft. Since feathers are harder than down and provide support and resilience, they are also used in items like pillows where additional support is preferred by some.
Pillows with higher feather content are firmer than lower feather content pillows or those with no feathers (all down pillows).
· What is fill power?
Fill power is a measure of the quality of the down. Once the down has been cleaned and sterilized, it’s measured for fill power rating. Fill power is the number of cubic inches that a single ounce of down occupies. The very finest down has a fill power of at least 750 cubic inches per ounce (very rare and extremely expensive) and the lowest is around 300 per ounce. Average department store comforters are often only 500-550 fill power, but BestComfortSet.com focuses on higher quality comforters from 600 to over 750+ fill power. Higher fill power ratings indicate that a single ounce of down occupies more space and is of higher quality. Higher fill power means more warmth with less weight, creating a better way to sleep. Higher fill power down is also fluffier in appearance.
· What is fill weight?
Fill weight is the weight of down or feather included in comforters and pillows. Fill weight is a measure of the quantity of the down, not its quality.
· Is the down hypoallergenic?
All down products sold by BestComfortSet.com are hypoallergenic to almost completely reduce the risk of allergenic reactions. Few people are actually allergic to down. Our down comforters processed down and feathers through a rigorous washing process that eliminates any dirt or dust to ensure the products are allergy free.
· What is a thread count?
Thread count equals the number of threads per square inch. Higher thread count means a tighter weave for a softer and silkier feel to the fabric. For down comforters and bedding, slightly higher thread counts such as 240 TC and above are required in order to prevent leakage of the down from the inside to the outside.
· What is a baffle or baffle box?
A baffle is a wall of fabric perpendicular to the top and bottom layers of the comforter fabric. The baffled walls allow the down to expand to its fullest potential for the highest loft and no cold spots. Baffle box construction is of a higher quality than sewn-through stitching (see below).
Tip: To keep the down in place the best, look for "true baffle box" or "closed baffle box" construction. These indicate that the baffle boxes are fully sealed as opposed to being partially open. Partially open boxes may allow some down movement from box to box. Closed boxes do not permit the down to move.
· What is sewn-through stitching?
It is where a stitch goes from the top of the comforter direct through the comforter and emerges on the bottom of the comforter. It can keep the down in place and is a more economical form of construction than baffle box construction.
· Caring for Your Down Comforter
Always use duvet covers to protect your down comforters from dust and oils. This will prolong the life of your down comforters. With normal care and use, your comforter should require cleaning no more than every 2 years. Have your comforter cleaned by an experienced dry cleaner. Don't have your comforter dry cleaned too often as that deteriorates the quality of the down. Don't wash your comforter at home as home washing machines and dryers are typically too small.
|