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?
Down 101
Types of Down
How to Choose Your Down Bedding 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. 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.
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.
Caring for Down Bedding 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. 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? TOP
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