How to Choose The Right Comforter

How to choose a Comforter
We have been finding out recently that not all down, synthetic or silk comforters are created equally. Intuitively, I have always known that but the criteria for distinguishing between comforters were more complicated than I realized. Here are the different comforter variables for down comforters and I have tried to keep it simple for you.
Click here to learn about Silk Comforters

A Comforters Fill Power
In layman's terms this means how fluffy-puffy is the fill. Higher fill power means your down comforter will last longer. Fill Power =The space one ounce of down occupies in cubic inches. 800+ = superb quality comforters 700+ = excellent quality comforters 600+ = good quality comforters

How are Comforters Fill Power tested? American Standard Testing. One ounce of down is placed in a cylinder and stirred.The loft is measured in cubic inches. The sample is compressed. The down is left alone to "rest" for 24 hours. After the resting period, the down is re-measured. The down remains undisturbed and should regain it's original loft within 72 hours.

Comforters-Thread Count-Barrier Weave fabric
The comforters thread count is the number of threads that are contained in one square inch of fabric. Higher thread counts in a comforter's fabric mean it is lighter and softer. The tightness of the weave also prevents leakage of the comforters fill to the outside air. The lightness also helps the fill to " loft"- or "puff up" in layman's terms. The Comforters Downproofness is measure in millimeters. Lower numbers mean better down proofing. The industry standard in '10'. An air porosity test (how much air can pass through a fabric) is a measure of "downproofness". Higher thread counts are obviously better. In other words- no little feathers poking through the comforters fabric.

Comforters Cleanliness
There are acceptable government standards for the cleanliness of feathers and down used in down comforters. This cleanliness is a primary variable in determining the hypoallergenic nature of some down comforters. Some comforter fills are washed as many as fifteen times to get rid of dust, dirt and organic matter. There are two "cleanliness" tests in the industry. (a). A Oxygen test determines the amount of organic matter left in the material being tested. The industry acceptable standard is 10. Better products have lower numbers than that. (b). Turbidity tests. Turbidity is a measure of suspended solids, dust, dirt etc suspended in the comforters material. The scale goes from about 60 (unwashed feathers) to 550 best.

Comforters Construction, 3D Baffle Design
Comforters Sewing Quality. Better sewing means more durability, less tendency for sewing to break. Comforters are generally sewn through or baffled. The baffling is an internal fabric wall which allows the fill to "loft" more. It also adds strength to the comforter. Comforters which are sewn through are generally better for lighter weight comforters only. Our comforters come in different patterned baffles. (Cloud, Hexagon and Box comforter designs).

Comforters Piping
A comforter can be made with material sewn around the edges. The piping is the type of material that runs around the entire exterior edge of the down comforter.

Comforters Weight
A comforter can be made warmer in two ways. Fill power and weight. Clearly the aim is to get the maximum warmth at the lightest weight. To get this you would choose a higher fill power number. Feathers are a great deal less warm than high grade down. Once you have selected the fill power then add weight for extra warmth.

Type of Down for Comforters
These comforters are in order of quality. Please note that in some comforters labeled "pure down" or 100% down are not pure, as some feathers remain in the fill. As long as the comforter is 75% down it can be labeled 100% in many states!

Duck feather (Worst)
Duck feather and Down
Goose feather and Down
Goose down
Hungarian Down
Siberian Down (Best)

Siberian Goose Down considered the finest Goose Down available for comforters. Collected from Geese that live in very cold climates, it is the heaviest of all the downs, used in 800 fill, and will last the longest.	Hungarian Down the next step down from the Siberian Goose Down, this is also cold Climate down, the a fill power of 650+ Comforters.	White Goose Down is a by-product from Geese used for food. Smaller more condensed down 550+ Fill Power Comforters.	Feathers have quills. There fore are manly used as fillers in large comforters, or pillows. Can poke out of Comforters and be sharp to your skin.

Comforters Down (Goose and Duck)
A Comforters down is harvested during the natural Molting process from farm raised geese. Goose down is also the by-product of the worldwide poultry industry. The biggest difference between goose and duck down is odor. Goose down has little to no odor. If it does not say goose down on the label, It is most likely duck down and a lot less expensive.

Down vs. Feathers in Comforters
Down is used for insulation and loft in duvets and pillows and feathers are used for bulk and durability for featherbeds and some pillows. Sometimes these are mixed to create a firm, durable product. The more down in the mix, the fluffier and more expensive the comforter or pillow is.

Syriaca clusters
are hypoallergenic and stabilize the components in a comforters down that cause allergic reactions.Syriaca floss is a natural hollow fiber that is hypo-allergenic by itself. When syriaca floss and goose down are combined, the floss traps and suppresses the dust and dander to which some people have allergic reactions to. These clusters actually enhance the natural properties of down are a fantastic fill for comforters and pillows. Syriaca clusters are cleaned and separated from the pods through mechanical action and air. No chemicals are used. It takes 800 pods to make one pound of Syriaca clusters.

What is Hypodown?
Hypodown is a natural hypoallergenic combination of white goose down and Syriaca used in comforters and pillows. Asclepias Syriaca, or Syriaca, is also known as milkweed. Syriaca grows abundantly in the United States and is now cultivated on Nebraska farms. The fall harvest reaps soft and silky clusters from the plants pod. The Hypodown naturally traps and suppresses the dust and dander that people with allergies react to in traditional down products. This combination makes Hypodown the only natural, hypoallergenic down product in the bedding industry. Hypodown is warmer, more breathable, and more durable than down alone. With a Hypodown comforter, the moisture is transferred away from your body and released into the air 30% quicker than traditional down and about 70% quicker than synthetic filled comforters and blankets. Hypodown is four times warmer than most synthetic comforters and up to eleven times as durable.

Hypodown is Hypoallergenic
Goose down can cause allergic reactions in some people. It is not the down that does this, however, but rather it is the dust particles remaining on the down after washing and processing. Our duvets and pillows are guaranteed by the manufacturer to be hypoallergenic. This is accomplished by combining syriaca clusters (commonly known as milkweed) with the down. The syriaca clusters enhance the natural properties of the down as well as stabilize the components that cause people to suffer down comforter allergies.

Note: Hypodown has been tested in the offices of Allergy and Asthma Doctors in the United States and Europe. These tests prove that most people who are allergic to down can use Hypodown without reactions

Comforters Care:
We suggest that you protect your comforter from soil and wear with a Comforter or Duvet cover. Spot Clean when possible. Place your comforter in the dryer on low heat to refresh the down or hang on a clean line on a sunny day. Please do not leave your comforter in direct sunlight. These comforters are machine washable.

However, we recommend that these Hypodown duvets or comforters be professionally laundered by a company familiar with cleaning down comforters. You can send your comforter away to be cleaned by the Blanc Plume French Laundry (1-800- 307-0229), a company that specializes in cleaning fine linens, antiques and comforters.

To clean your comforters and pillows they use a special, natural process which preserves the life of delicate goose down comforters. They also ensure that your down is dried properly and thoroughly, at low temperatures, to allow for maximum loft in your comforter. They also offer comforter restoration services as well.