All about down comforters: a buyer's checklist.
When shopping for a down comforter, you need to know what separates the good from the bad. A cheaply made down comforter may "look good" but they will go flat and perform poorly after just one or two seasons of use.
By avoiding the common mistakes many buyers make you'll be delighted with your purchase. In fact, you'll miss your comforter when you sleep in a hotel or other location!
Your Checklist of Down Comforter Buying Tips:
Don't bother going to the "Big Box" stores. * WHY? Because they carry the lower price, lower quality, comforters. Shop online where the selection, quality and value are best.
Select a comforter that is filled with GOOSEDOWN (or Eiderdown) ONLY. * WHY? Three reasons: (1) mature goose down is the best insulator against cold air. (2) It is softer and warmer than most "duck down" and "feathers and down." (3) Goose down has no stiff feather quills that can poke through the comforter.
Choose a HYPOALLERGENIC goose down comforter and only one that is certified to an international standard (like Zurguard) and carries a MONEY BACK GUARANTEE that it's HYPOALLERGENIC. * WHY? Allergic reactions are triggered by dust and debris on the down when it's first gathered, NOT the down itself. The manufacturer cleans the down to permanently solve this problem. Even people with allergies love a hypoallergenic down comforter.
Select a comforter with the right weight for your climate and your bedroom. * WHY? If you don't you'll be either too warm or not warm enough.
Regular Weight: Recommended for average sleepers in cool to cold climates/bedrooms.
Lightweight Recommended for warm sleepers, and for warm bedrooms.
Ultra Light Recommended for very warm sleepers, in warm conditions.
If you like to be "really warm" when you sleep and your partner likes it "cooler" then buy a goose down comforter that is CUSTOM MADE AT NO ADDITIONAL COST with more goose down fill on one half than on the other half!
Choose a goose down comforter with the down enclosed in top quality fabric with a high thread count and is DUST-MITE PROOF. * WHY? Because the high thread count creates a more tightly woven fabric that: (1) prevents allergy causing dust mites from getting into your comforter. (2) prevents the precious down fill from getting out and (3) provides a silky, luxurious feel to the touch.
Choose a goose down comforter that has been made with "SEALED BAFFLE BOX CONSTRUCTION." * WHY? It's best. It prevents the down from shifting or moving which causes the down to lose much of its' insulating power - a common problem with the cheaper "Sewn Through" method. * It makes taking care of your down comforter a ten-seconds-a-day simple "fluffing" or shaking a few times, so that the down lofts back up again.
ALWAYS, ALWAYS buy a QUALITY DUVET COVER. * WHY? (1) Because it provides protection for the comforter and add years to its' life. (2) it provides beauty and many decorating options to your bedroom. Italian and German made Duvet covers are often the highest in quality, beautiful and reasonably priced.
TAKING CARE OF YOUR DOWN COMFORTER PROPERLY is as important as how it was made. Even if the down comforter label reads "machine washable"do NOT do it yourself! * WHY? Because home washing machines are too small to do the job properly and it is too likely that you will damage your comforter.
Take your comforter to a professional cleaner. One who has experience cleaning down comforters, has a good reputation and uses a "green" cleaning method (no toxic chemicals).
Make sure your down comforter is always aired and not stored in a plastic bag or damp enclosed space.
Goose down comforters are also a great wedding gift. Choose a neutral white duvet cover that goes with any décor or give them a gift certificate so they can choose the duvet cover they love. Any couple that receives a hypoallergenic goose down comforter is bound to love it.
The bottom line is by following this down comforter buying checklist you will find a great goose down comforter that will keep you warm in Winter and Cool in Summer, year after year, save you thousands of dollars in heating costs and you will wonder why you didn't buy one sooner!
www.downcomfortersandpillows.com is a leading online retailer of quality down comforters, down pillows and Italian duvet covers. Their down comforters keep you warm in winter and cool in summer. A huge bonus is down comforters and pillows will save you thousands of dollars in heating costs.
About the author:
Instead of purchasing a heat pump to save energy Nadia purchased a luxurious down comforter for 1/10th the cost. Using down comforters in her home has allowed her to turn down the furnace and contribute to saving energy. Nadia built a successful company and green web site, www.downcomfortersandpillows.com which encourages other complimentary green web sites to link trade. |
