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Untitled Document

Down bedding can be an indulgence like no other! Down is nature's lightest and most effective insulator, providing unmatched warmth and comfort. Sumptuously soft and wonderfully lightweight, the luxury of down can provide the ultimate sleeping experience.

Why Down?
Lofty down allows our natural body heat to keep us warm. The down fibers expand, or loft, and fill the space in which they are contained. This traps air and keeps us warm. The soft clusters of down are breathable and do not trap perspiration or moisture. These qualities make down one of the most comfortable and sought-after fills for bedding.

Down 101
Down is the soft, fluffy undercoating that grows next to the body of geese and ducks to provide them with insulation and warmth. The down is protected by a layer of contour feathers that grow on top. Each down cluster is made up of thousands of soft, light fibers radiating in all directions. Down clusters are three-dimensional and do not contain a quill shaft like feathers, which can be uncomfortable when used in bedding. Instead, the clusters have a small quill point from which all the fibers emanate.

Types of Down
Most down bedding contains down from either ducks or geese. While duck down clusters are smaller, thinner and less insulating than goose down, it is a less expensive way to experience the benefits of down bedding. Goose down, however, produces superior warmth and loft. The larger down clusters are more insulating and give a fluffier, more luxurious look. High quality down bedding is made of 100% white or grey goose down, especially from cold-climate geese. While there is no difference in the performance of white versus grey goose down, white down is often more desirable since grey or brown goose down can show through the outer fabric of the bedding. Considered to be the most luxurious, Hungarian white goose down has plump, resilient clusters that provide superb warmth with the lightest weight.

How to Choose Your Down Bedding
Down bedding can be costly, but should be viewed as an investment. If properly cared for, your down can provide you with many years of comfort. Since down bedding products are available in a wide variety of weights, qualities, colors and sizes, you should select the down components that suit your individual budget, needs and personal taste. Consider the size, warmth level, and construction design that will give you the most comfortable sleep.

  • Size
    You alone are able to choose to best size down bedding for your bed and sleeping arrangements. Take careful measurements of your bed before shopping. For featherbeds, keep in mind that it should cover the entire mattress, but not hang over the edges. Comforters should drop down the sides of the bed. Pillow size is a personal preference.

  • Warmth Level
    Are you generally a "hot sleeper" who uses just a light blanket, or a "cold sleeper" who piles on heavy covers? What is the average room temperature when you sleep? Upon determining your sleeping warmth level, you can now consider fill power.

    A good measure of warmth and quality, "fill power" is the term used to refer to the space that one ounce of down will occupy. Down with a higher fill power number means larger and stronger clusters of down, thus providing more loft, better breath-ability, superior support, and greater insulating properties. Higher fill power clusters last much longer than smaller, more fragile down clusters. They fill more space with less weight, providing a roomy air pocket to trap in warmth.

    Your choice of fill power will depend on the climate in which you live and season of the year, but personal sleeping preference should be the primary factor. Here are some general guidelines to help you choose the fill power that's right for you:

    400-500 fill power provides light coverage and warmth. It is ideal for use during the summer months and is for warm to moderate climates.
    500-600 fill power is an excellent choice for year-round use and is for moderate climates.
    600-700 fill power is a cozy choice from late fall to early spring and is for cool to cold climates.
    700-800 fill power is the best option for people who love toasty warmth during cold winters and is for use in extremely cold climates.

  • Construction & Design
    Sewn-Through Construction: Sewn-through stitching means the outer fabric of the comforter or featherbed has been divided into equal sections by sewing the top and bottom layers directly together. These compartments keep the down clusters in place by preventing them from shifting. Even distribution of the down minimizes places where there is no fill, places that result in "cold spots". The sewing-through method creates a quilted appearance on the comforter or featherbed and is generally less expensive. However, it can also prevent the down from fully expanding for warmth.

    Baffle-Box Construction: Baffle-box comforters and featherbeds provide uniform warmth throughout all areas. The baffles are strips of fabric sewn between the two outer layers of fabric to form interior walls. These walls create chambers that keep the down clusters from shifting within the comforter. This results in even distribution that minimizes "cold spots". This method of construction is usually more expensive than the sewn-through method, but is particularly important in high fill power comforters to fully loft and attain maximum functionality.
    If the baffle-boxes are "closed", the down cannot be shifted or moved between the individual chambers. "Open" baffle-box designs, however, do allow the movement of the down between compartments. This means that "adjustable" warmth is attainable for the sleeper. Persons that desire more warmth on their feet, for instance, can position more down in the area that will cover their feet and legs. For co-sleepers, one person may shift the down to be denser over their body, while their partner may move the down to be at their feet. The advantage to this type of construction is that it can be "personalized".

    Caring for Down Bedding
    With minimal maintenance, down bedding can give you years of warmth and comfort. After purchasing your down comforter, featherbed or pillow, it may appear wrinkled and flat. You can restore its natural loft by vigorously shaking it. Every 3-6 months, an occasional airing in the sun will keep your bedding and pillows smelling clean and fresh.

  • Down Comforter / Featherbed Care
    A duvet cover or featherbed cover will protect your bedding from daily wear-and-tear and eliminate the need for frequent cleanings. Most down comforters and featherbeds can be hand- or machine-washed with a mild detergent. Since not all down products are machine washable, however, check care labels before laundering. They may need to be professionally dry cleaned. You can gently steam the fabric shell to remove stubborn wrinkles, but irons should not be used.

  • Down Pillow Care
    Using pillow protectors can dramatically extend the life of your down pillows. When it is time for them to be cleaned, take them to a reputable dry cleaner experienced in cleaning such items. For optimum health, clean your pillow often to reduce allergies. Hair and body oils can soak into a pillow's fabric and stuffing after extended nightly use. The down can easily become a breeding ground for odor-causing bacteria and allergy-triggering dust mites.

    Quick Test to Determine if Your Down Pillow Needs Replacing: Fluff your pillow well and then fold it in half. If the down and feathers still retain their natural ability to loft, the pillow should unfold itself. If not, it may be time for a new pillow. Ultimately, the best test is comfort. If your down pillow is no longer soft and comfortable, it's time for a change.

    What About Down Allergies?
    Scientists believe it is the dust on improperly cleaned down - not the down itself - that causes allergies. Most down in pillows and bedding is washed multiple times and thoroughly sterilized. However, if you find that you are sensitive to down, you may benefit from investing in down-alternative bedding. Synthetic down alternatives, like rayon or polyester, are usually heavier than regular down but offer a similar level of comfort, warmth and loft.