Helpful Information About Down Comforters

If you’re thinking about purchasing a down comforter to keep you cozy this winter, you’ll want to know how to buy the best comforter for your money.

First, the down filling consists of insulating feathers from geese or ducks. Down is a highly desirable filling for a comforter because it is extremely lightweight, holds in body heat, allows moisture to escape, and is very soft.

If you are allergic to goose or duck feathers, look for a comforter with purified down. Ideally, it should be purified several times to remove any particles of dust and dirt from the down, which are usually the true culprits that bother allergy sufferers. However, if real down isn't for you, you can find high-quality synthetic comforters on the market that do a reasonable job of mimicking the softness and fluffiness of a down comforter.

“Fill power” is a term you need to know when shopping for a down comforter. Fill power indicates the amount of warmth you can expect from a down comforter and the quality of the down. One ounce of down with a fill power of 650 means that the down takes up 650 cubic inches. The higher the fill power, the higher the quality of the down and the warmer the comforter. A comforter with a high fill power weighs less and is fluffier than a comforter with a lower fill power.

If you live in a cold climate, you’ll probably want a comforter with a high fill power. If you live in a warm climate, or want to use a comforter during the summer, a comforter with a fill power as low as 550 may provide enough warmth. You choice also depends on how warm you like to sleep. Regardless of which fill power you choose, you’ll want your down comforter to have baffling to hold the down filling in place inside the comforter and prevent it from moving around. Before buying, check to make sure the down comforter has fully sealed baffles. If it doesn’t, the down filling may shift and you can end up with a comforter that has thick and thin spots. This translates to hot and cold spots. To prevent this, make sure the baffles are sewn all the way through, or are closed or end-to-end baffles. If a comforter has closed or end-to-end baffles, it is likely to be clearly stated on the package.

After you bring your new down comforter home, keep it clean with a duvet cover. A duvet cover is like a cocoon or large pillowcase for your comforter. In addition to keeping your down comforter clean, a duvet cover offers color and design options. When shopping for a comforter and duvet cover, you may notice the term “thread count” on the packaging. The higher the thread count, the better the quality. The material will be soft, luxurious, and durable.

A down comforter is a great luxury, but you don't have to buy the most expensive down comforter you can find in order to get a great product, either. If you take care of your comforter, it will give you many years of cozy comfort.

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