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Saturday, October 17, 2009

Guiding you through your Winter Down Purchase

By Jonathon G. Billingsworth

During these colder months, staying comfortable and cozy is vital. When it comes to warmth and comfort, nothing beats the superior softness and incredible insulation of down material.

Most down bedding is made with a type of natural bird feather. With so many styles and varieties, knowing what to focus on and shop for is important. Picking out the perfect down comforter doesn't have to be a pain in the neck. Be mindful of these important qualities while purchasing a down comforter and you'll be on your way to warm winter nights.

There is a range of quality standards for down material. The finest down available is believed to be Siberian Goose feather. This is because these feathers provide ample insulation without lacking softness. Below Siberian offerings is Hungarian Down. White Goose Down is a less expensive substitute made from the feathers of birds being used as poultry. Other less costly options include downs combining the feathers from ducks and geese.

Duvets are a must-buy if you're purchasing a down comforter. Duvets protect your investment. Most down comforters come in an outer case of white or gray. Duvets provide you the chance to cover your new bedding in a color scheme to match your room and a design style to fit your personality.

Fill power, thread count, and the baffle box are all important quality metrics for down comforters. Fill power measures the space a single ounce of feather 'fills'. The higher the fill number, the greater the down comforter is at keeping you warm. Generally, high quality down comforters are made with higher fills. This is because high fill levels in low quality downs leads to too much weight and bulk in the down bed in question.

Thread count numbers note the number of threads per square inch on a given fabric. Higher thread counts ensure the down feathers stay inside the comforter. You'll need a high thread count for your duvet cover if you purchase an expensive down, otherwise your comforter's feathers will escape. Those allergic to down may find that using a duvet with a high thread count allows them to sleep with a fine down comforter.

Baffling is a style of vertically sewn cloth walls to avoid clumping or shifting which is common with down blankets. Down comforters with no baffle box develop cold spots because the down naturally clumps. The bigger your bed, the more baffling you'll need. Twin sized comforters need no baffling, while king sized beds demand some level of baffling to avoid uneven clumps in your comforter.

Low quality down comforters weather faster than their high quality alternatives. Since most attempt to make there down comforter last as long as possible, bedding manufacturers guarantee quality by including warranties. These can be from one year to a lifetime. Knowing the terms of a comforter's warranty will help you avoid low quality comforters that appear 'too good to be true'. Look for warranties that extend beyond one year, as most keep their comforters between five and ten years.

Down attracts dust particles and can make sleeping impossible for those with bad allergies. Luckily, replacements are available for those who seek the warmth and comfort of down but suffer from allergic reactions to the material. Hypo down is a form of comforter made by mixing milkweed clusters with traditional down bird feathers. The milkweed is able to ward off much of the dander that causes these problems.

Though an expensive investment, nothing trumps the softness and warmth of a down comforter. Since down bedding can last as long as a decade if cared for properly, it is critical to shop for the best comforter that fits your budget. Take your time to find the down bedding just right for you, and you'll notice a dramatic difference in your bedroom comfort this year.

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