Down comforters.
Not a topic that's up for discussion among men over a couple of beers.
Strange… considering that the choice of bedroom linen affects 20-40% of a man's day. Depending on how much sleep you get.
Down comforters, also referred to as down duvets offer an unparalleled sleep experience.
In this article, we explain to you what you need to know about the different styles and what you should look for when purchasing a down comforter.
What Is A Down Comforter?
A duvet or comforter is similar to a quilt or blanket, with an insulating filler material. The insulating layer is usually made of cotton, wool, polyester, silk or down.
The feathers on geese and ducks are the outer covering that have quills and make it possible for the bird to fly. Beneath the feathers is the down, usually on the belly – a protective covering that is fluffy and light. Down provides insulation that keeps the bird warm.
A down comforter is similar to a fluffy quilt, but is filled with the underbelly feathers of geese or duck.
A comforter or duvet (from the French word for ‘down'), filled with down feathers is luxuriously soft, warm and is a popular bed covering.
Choosing The Best Down Comforter
What is the best filler material for a down comforter? Goose feathers over duck? White or gray feathers?
The labels are confusing to a man who is not trained in the inside language of home linen. Terms like fill power and thread count and warmth preference can make your purchasing decision tricky.
The following 7 tips will assist you in understanding the important details you need to know before making your next down comforter purchase.
#1 Tip For Purchasing A Down Comforter –Â Fill Power
The label on a down comforter is usually marked with its fill power. This number relates to the quality of the down feathers used in the comforter.
The higher the fill power, the larger and better quality of the down used. A higher rating also relates to a fluffier, lighter, more breathable and warmer comforter.
The down is pre-washed, sterilized and measured to obtain the space it occupies in cubic inches.
The most expensive down generally has a fill power of over 700 cubic inches. These outlast downs with a lower rating, which have smaller and more fragile clusters of down.
A lower quality down will be less than 400. An average or mid-level comforter will have a rating of about 500 cubic inches.
Higher fill power down occupies more space than the same amount of down with a lower fill power.
#2 Tip For Purchasing A Down Comforter – Quality Of Feathers
Synthetic materials cannot duplicate the breathable and organic qualities of down. Each cluster of down has a three-dimensional structure that traps air, keeping you warm.
High quality down is collected from the underbelly of a mature duck or goose. Feathers from young birds have a poor fill power, breaking easily.
The colors of the feather do not affect quality. Gray and white down from duck or geese translate to a similar quality.
#3 Tip For Purchasing A Down Comforter – Materials
Choose an appropriate thread count.
The thread count on a comforter refers to the number of threads per square inch of fabric. A higher thread count comforter relates to a tightly woven fabric which is softer, finer and cozier than one in a lower thread count.
A comforter made from muslin will generally have a low thread count between 100-180. High quality cotton has a thread count of over 250. Any fabric with a thread count of over 400 is considered luxury.
The other consideration for material used in the construction of a comforter is the barrier weave.
A barrier weave stops the down from slipping out of your comforter. Several times more leak-proof than other fabrics, the tightly-woven barrier weave also mutes the sound of feathers moving inside and keeps your comforter in mint condition.
#4 Tip For Purchasing A Down Comforter – Construction & Design
The construction and design of a down comforter affects how the warmth is distributed throughout the comforter and how it supports the delicate down feathers packed inside.
Down that slips to the edges of a comforter traps heat on the edges, keeping the warmth away from the body. A system to keep the down in place is required to keep you comfortable and warm all night long, no matter how much you move during your sleep.
The common comforter designs are baffle box, diamond box and box design. They all ensure that down is not clumped or shifted to the corners but lays smooth.
Baffle refers to the material that runs perpendicular inside a comforter, creating boxes from top to bottom that hold the feathers in place. A baffle-box design keeps the down securely in place with the help of pockets sewn throughout the quilt.
However, since the stitching goes from top to bottom – these comforters do not provide the best insulation and are not as fluffy.
#5 Tip For Purchasing A Down Comforter – Size & Weight
A comfortable down comforter has to be the perfect weight to suit the temperatures experienced in your bedroom and has to be the right size for your bed.
Size Of The Comforter
- Is your bed a queen size, king size, Californian, single or a double?
- A down comforter is designed to fall three-quarters of the way over the edges of a bed. Traditional duvets are measured to fit the mattress without slipping over.
- The other consideration affected by the size of your comforter is the cover. Some duvet covers are smaller than the down comforter intended for the same size bed. Measure your comforter carefully to ensure it will fit inside the cover.
Weight Of The Comforter
- A light-weight comforter is perfect for those who tend to feel slightly warm at night.
- A regular-weight is suitable for those prefer to snuggle in warmth and prefer comfort in bed.
- Summer-weight comforters are ideal for warmer climates, in the summer or for those who find their bedrooms hot.
Ensure that your down comforter isn't too heavy or too warm. Both factors have a significant effect on the quality of your sleep.
#6 Tip For Purchasing A Down Comforter – Comfort
The factors affecting comfort
Warmth Of The Down Comforter
Choose a warmth level that is suited to the temperatures you experience in your bedroom.
The fill power is an indicator of warmth. Although a light warmth comforter with a higher fill power will not be as warm as an winter weight comforter. The amount of down inside a comforter affects the warmth more than fill power.
Avoid Triggering Allergies
Down feathers are hypoallergenic. The cleanliness of the feathers plays a significant role in the comfort of the quilt. An allergic reaction is often the cause of dirt, dust and allergens in bedding and not from the feathers in the quilt.
A quality down comforter is filled with feathers that have been washed, rinsed and dried several times.
#7 Tip For Purchasing A Down Comforter – Care
Frequent washing causes the down clusters to separate. Instead, use a cover to prevent the comforter from getting dirty.
Although it is safe to wash, a down comforter should be professionally cleaned because most home washing machines are not large enough to accommodate it.
