Are Expensive Down Comforters Really Worth It?

Consider the Canadian Goose. How in the world do these fairly compact animals get enough insulation on their frames to avoid freezing, yet remain unencumbered enough to become airborne? The secret is goose down; fine fibers underneath their coarse outer feathers which capture layers of air and comprise nature’s perfect insulation.

Even with thousands of years spent fiddling with materials from animal hides to wadded newspaper, we haven’t yet formulate a product that combines lightweight comfort and world-class insulation the way in which goose down can.

Goose down comforters tend to be incredibly effective at keeping people warm and cozy during the night. As can be anticipated, a few comforters will be better made than others, and many comforters are merely intended for distinctive purposes. We have reviewed three pretty good, hypoallergenic comforters for the purpose of this article.

Pearl Crescent Down comforters are filled with 80% goose down and wrapped with remarkably silky 330 thread count cotton sateen material. These plush down comforters are accompanied by a 75 year limited warranty, which may likely be the most generous available. Because they start at $450, Pearl Crescent’s products are not bargain priced comforters by any measure, although they are value priced, signifying that the consumer will get a very good product for your money. Also, be sure not to miss the Full Bedskirt.

Willoughby advertizes goose down comforters constructed with Siberian White Goose down, yet they fail to explain why that certain kind of goose should produce better down than North American game birds. The baffle box stitching upon their comforters does a better job of retaining the filling in place than several other design variations, and their microfiber casing offers velveteen softness on top of the cushiony goose down core. These comforters include synthetic fibers, as a result if you have a problem with that, you could want to continue hunting. Willoughby’s comforters start at $375, however, so if you don’t really mind a little synthetic, maybe these can be a comfortable decision. Another good model is the King Bed skirt.

For customers who wish to gild lilies at every opportunity, there is such thing as a luxury down comforter which, you should understand, is luxury priced also. An Empress Hypodown Comforter is brimming with a very nearly perfect 95% down filling and wrapped in an equally extraordinary 350 count cotton shell.

An Empress Hypodown comforter is stitched with a very appealing baffle box cloud pattern which is moreover extremely effective at preserving the filling in place while making lots of those insulating air pockets. This stunning piece of comfort features a beginning purchase price of $1028.

Best Way to Wash Your Comforter

Comforters are usually the largest linen item in the home that require washing. This poses a challenge when it’s time to wash a comforter, because home washers are typically too small to care for something so big, and all the fluff will be disturbed if made to squeeze inside an inadequately sized vessel. However, there are several other options when one desires to wash a comforter.

Of course, before deciding where to wash, the tag must be consulted to determine how. Fabrics and fillings on comforters vary, and some require special handling. If the tag says to dry clean, it is best left to professionals, but it’s not difficult to wash a comforter if instructions are listed on the tag — they just require a larger receptacle than most have at home.

Laundromats can be found just about anywhere, and they have super-size capacity washers that are the perfect size to wash a comforter. Once a proper washer is located, turn the setting to cold. Hot water will cause the fabric to shrink, and it may be harmful to the fluff as well. Gentle detergents are the best option. Down comforters are a special case and must be washed with a product specifically made for down or the feathers will be ruined. Only a small amount of detergent should be used to wash a comforter, because the numerous fabric layers and fluff act as a sponge and absorb all the soap. Even with a small bit of detergent, comforters should be run through the rinse cycle at least twice to remove all the soap.

The frequency of washing determines the life span and condition of a comforter, so they should only be washed when absolutely necessary. Each wash shrinks a comforter a bit more and the fluff gradually disintegrates. Ultra-fragile comforters can be washed in a bathtub to avoid the wear and tear of washing machines. This is done by hand washing with a mild detergent in warm water. It should then bypass the dryer and be hung up.

Drying regular comforters can be done at the laundromat as well, or they can be hung up to dry. If using a dryer, use a low heat setting and toss in a few tennis balls. As the comforter spins, the balls will bounce around inside, keeping the comforter from bunching up in a ball and helping to maintain the fluffiness.

How to Protect a Down Comforter

Down comforters are beautiful soft, elegant and a key part of any luxurious bedroom set. In fact I believe once someone actually tries sleeping on one that it will provide them with the most remarkable sleep they have ever had. But, all of this can come at a heavy toll that can leave your wallet empty. That is why once you invest into down bedding you want to do everything you can to preserve it for as long as you can and here are some ways you can do that.

The first thing to know about down comforters are that unlike your sheet set they can not be washed in your washer machine. Instead you must either take the time to wash them by hand or take them to the dry cleaners. Although washing them by hand may be the more inexpensive route and may seem like the obvious way to go, it can take a long time and be very difficult to get completely clean especially if it has a very high fill power because stains seem to seep under the surface and can lead to the build up of bacteria. That is why I recommend taking it to the dry cleaners to get professionally cleaned. But if you do decide to wash it yourself I would recommend adding a teaspoon of dye to the water you use to wash it. Make sure the dye is the right color or you could end up ruining your down comforter even if it’s white it is important to find the right dye because too many people make the mistake of adding bleach when they hand wash their comforters and then they realize later that it wasn’t really white but a creme or off white.

Down comforters can take an extreme amount of maintenance. To properly maintain one you must wash it two to three times a week and let it air dry so not to ruin the down. So if you plan on buying one remember to take care of it so to get the most out of it. But, if you want to buy one but don’t have the money for dry cleaning or the time for hand washing I recommend another smart investment. Duvet covers can protect your down bedding and add years of longevity to them. Duvet cover sets work much like a pillow case dose. Just put the duvet cover over your comforter button,snap,or zip to close and your done. And when wash day comes around you can put the duvet in the washer machine with the rest of your laundry saving you a bundle of time and money. So if you want to preserve and protect your down comforter these are the best ways to do it.

Legends Royal Down Comforter / Duvet by The Company Store

Our luxurious down comforter is 700-750 fill power Hungarian white goose down, constructed with a 15″ baffled box to maintain loft and prevent cold spots.
Handsome 430-thread count 100% cotton Jacquard windowpane cover.
Our supersize comforters have a 15″ drop (4″ wider and 10″ longer than standard sizes on a queen size bed).
Also available in our luxurious oversized dimensions, perfect for today’s extra-deep mattresses.
Matching pillows also available.
Dry Clean.
Made in La Crosse, Wisconsin of fine imported materials.
All Legends® comforters and pillows come with a free storage bag

Legends Imperial Cashmere Comforter / Duvet by The Company Store

# For those who appreciate the ultimate in luxury, we present our most sumptuous comforter / duvet yet.
# A silky soft cover of 90% cotton / 10% cashmere provides better heat storage and softer, warmer hand than pure cotton.
# Filled with our 850-900 fill power Hungarian white goose down.
# Available in luxurious oversize dimensions perfect for today’s extra deep mattresses.
# Dry clean.
# Made in La Crosse, WI of fine imported materials.

Comforter Basics

A comforter is a thick, padded bed covering. The comforter is the main source of heat as it pertains to bedding. The comforter consists of a filling, fabric shell and detailing. The filling material gives the comforter its warm and soft feeling. The filling is commonly made of polyester, cotton batting, or wool. Comforters are available in standard bed sizes, which include twin, double, queen and king.

The “loft” of the filling will determine the thickness and insulation ability of the comforter. The filling is encased in the fabric shell, which is constructed using channels (horizontal or vertical columns), boxes; that form a pattern of 4 to 18 inch sized boxes, and rings; small dots sewn through the top and bottom layers of the comforter, giving it a dimpled look. The purpose of these methods is to keep the filling in place.

The heaviness of comforters varies among different models and styles. You can find comforters that are very heavy and designed specifically for extra warmth and you can also find many other forms that are aimed more towards design, while making your bed look nicer.

The fabric shell can be made of cotton, polyester, silk, satin, velvet and many other designs to choose from. As for the details, they can include embroidery, scalloped edges, fringes, ruffles, buttons, bows and so forth. Detailing should be minimized at the top of comforter so as to not irritate the face or neck during sleep. Many homeowners do not tuck their comforter underneath the mattress; instead they let the comforter hang over the sides and foot of the bed. This makes the bed appear neater and more put together.

A comforter is designed to provide comfort, but it also adds to the aesthetics in your room. Many individuals think it’s imperative that their comforter match the décor of their room. There are many designs to choose from when it comes to comforters for your bed. There are many floral designs, stripes, plaids and many other themes that are suited to match your bedroom. If you cannot find a style or design you want, there are many companies that will custom design a comforter for you.