What Is The Best Type Of Down Comforter To Buy
A quality down comforter can last from 10 years up to as long as 20 years, depending on the care it has been given. If the filling starts to come out, or it is not fluffy anymore, it's time to consider replacing the comforter.\"}},{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"How much fill power should I get in a lightweight down comforter\",\"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"For a lightweight down comforter that is great for those warmer summer days, look for a fill power of 400 or below. If you want a down comforter that can work all year-round, the fill power should be around 400 to 600.\"}},{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"Down vs. down alternative comforter\",\"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"The difference between a down comforter and a down alternative comforter is quite simply the fill. Down comforters have the down from geese or ducks for the filling, while down alternative comforters have cotton or a polyester/synthetic fill.\"}}]}]}] .icon-garden-review-1{fill:#b1dede}.icon-garden-review-2{fill:none;stroke:#01727a;stroke-linecap:round;stroke-linejoin:round} > buttonbuttonThe Spruce The Spruce's Instagram The Spruce's TikTok The Spruce's Pinterest The Spruce's Facebook NewslettersClose search formOpen search formSearch DecorRoom DesignDecoratingDesign StylesSmall SpacesFeng Shui See all GardenPlants A to ZHouseplantsLandscapingPests & ProblemsWild BirdsIn the Weeds With Plant PeopleThe Spruce Gardening Review Board See all Home ImprovementSkills & SpecialtiesPaintingKitchenBathroomInterior RemodelExteriorsOutdoor BuildingHome ServicesGreen ImprovementsThe Spruce Home Improvement Review Board See all CleaningCleaningOrganizingLaundryPest ControlThe Spruce Cleaning Review Board See all CelebrationsEvents & PartiesEtiquette & AdviceBirthdaysGraduations See all What to BuyHow We Test ProductsBeddingFurnitureVacuumsBest GiftsCleaning Products See all NewsHome TrendsBrands & CollectionsSales & DealsHouse ToursPerspectives\"One Thing\" Video SeriesIn the Weeds With Plant People See all About UsEditorial PolicyProduct TestingDiversity & InclusionGardening Review BoardHome Improvement Review BoardCleaning Review Board See all Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home.Subscribe The Spruce's Instagram The Spruce's TikTok The Spruce's Pinterest The Spruce's Facebook About UsNewsletterPress and MediaContact UsEditorial GuidelinesHome Design & DecoratingRoom DesignBedroomsHow to Pick Out a Down Comforter ByCoral NafieCoral NafieCoral Nafie is an interior design expert with over 25 years of home decorating experience. She has authored the book \"The About.com Guide to Home Decorating.\" Her expertise covers every aspect of home decor projects, including budget makeovers and extensive renovations.Learn more about The Spruce'sEditorial ProcessUpdated on 06/17/22 The Spruce / Michelle Becker
A quality down comforter can last from 10 years up to as long as 20 years, depending on the care it has been given. If the filling starts to come out, or it is not fluffy anymore, it's time to consider replacing the comforter.
For a lightweight down comforter that is great for those warmer summer days, look for a fill power of 400 or below. If you want a down comforter that can work all year-round, the fill power should be around 400 to 600.
The difference between a down comforter and a down alternative comforter is quite simply the fill. Down comforters have the down from geese or ducks for the filling, while down alternative comforters have cotton or a polyester/synthetic fill.
Some of these factors include knowing the difference between goose and duck down, the right warmth level, the different weaves, and how to find the best size. Doing research beforehand is an extra step, but it can help you find the best down comforter.
On the other hand, duck down has smaller clusters and provides less insulation, but duck down comforters cost less than goose down. For those on a budget and looking for a down comforter, duck down is an excellent choice.
Fill power is defined by how much material is contained inside one ounce of fabric, and measured in grams per square meter (GSM). The higher the fill power, the more insulation a down comforter has to offer. Most comforter brands list the GSM in the product description or specifications.
You may notice some down comforters have higher prices because the thread count is higher. However, separating a single-ply fiber makes the thread weaker. A high thread count comforter may only last a few years compared to a comforter with a thread count under 800.
Chemicals from laundry detergent strip the down feathers of these oils, causing the down comforter to go flat. Dry cleaners use special solvents, effectively cleaning your comforter without damaging the material.
Another way to help your down comforter last is by adding a duvet cover. Many down comforter brands have built-in corner tabs to secure the comforter inside a duvet cover. Duvet covers protect your down comforter from stains. In case of an accident, simply remove the duvet cover and place it in the washing machine for easy cleanup.
A warranty reassures customers of a sound purchase. Enjoy your down comforter fully without having to replace it because of any manufacturing defects prematurely. These defects include loose seams and small tears.
In contrast, down alternative fill mimics the feel of down. Down alternative comforters usually contain synthetic materials, like polyester. Down alternatives are soft, but may not be as plush as down. Other down alternatives include rayon and cotton. Unlike down, down alternative comforters are hypoallergenic.
Down comforters are usually more expensive than other bedding materials because they mostly contain pure fluff from ducks and geese. The average price for a down comforter ranges between $80 to $850, depending on the type of down and the comforter size. Comforters with goose down will cost more than duck down because goose down has larger clusters.
To find out what makes an excellent comforter, we spoke with down expert Jack Sukalac on two different occasions when writing and updating this guide. Sukalac is an engineer who started repairing down comforters more than 40 years ago. And he turned it into a business, All About Down, making and repairing down comforters in his Seattle basement. We also consulted David Sweet, then-president of the American Down and Feather Council; Gary Peterson, a longtime manager at famed outdoor-gear maker Western Mountaineering; Daniel Uretsky, president of down and down-alternative supplier Allied Feather + Down; and Shannon Maher, interim dean at the Fashion Institute of Technology and former product designer for The Company Store.
All comforters consist of two outer layers of fabric with an insulating material (like down) sandwiched between them. Most are stuffed with clumps of fill (like down, feathers, or polyfil) that are evenly distributed in channels throughout the entire comforter. There are two ways to do this: the sewn-through method and the baffle-box method, illustrated by the comforter cross-sections below.
Duvet or comforter: Technically, a comforter is a bed covering that is filled with some kind of insulation and sewn shut; it usually features a color or pattern and does not require a cover. A duvet typically contains down or down-alternative fill and is made to be inserted into a duvet cover. However, according to Shannon Maher, the interim dean at the Fashion Institute of Technology, in the US these terms have become interchangeable.
Our best overall pick is the Brooklinen Down Comforter, a luxurious bed cover with generous fill power and a cotton sateen shell. If you're looking for a down-alternative option, you can't go wrong with the Buffy Cloud Comforter, which earned high marks from our tester for its lightweight yet cozy feel.
You can expect most down comforters to last between 10 to 15 years, but with proper care, a high-quality down comforter can last up to 20 years. Using a duvet cover will greatly extend the life of a down comforter, as it will allow you to wash it less frequently. Down is a fragile material that breaks down over time, so washing and drying down comforters on the gentlest cycles possible is imperative. Also be sure your comforter is completely dry before replacing it back into a duvet cover, as a damp down comforter can develop mildew easily.
Ideally, down comforters should get a good fluffing every day when you make the bed. Just give each side of the comforter a quick shake to help redistribute the down inside and you'll prevent any clumps from forming. You can also fluff a down comforter in a dryer with an air fluff cycle. Most dryers have an air fluff setting, which tumbles without any heat, but if your dryer doesn't, you can select the lowest heat setting and tumble in 10-minute increments. Add the comforter and a few clean tennis or dryer balls (if you're using tennis balls, insert them into clean white socks to make sure the neon green color doesn't transfer to your comforter) to help prevent the down from clumping.
A comforter can add warmth and coziness to a bed and a down comforter is often sought after for its insulating feel. Having high-quality bedding is beneficial for sleepers, as it can help create a relaxing bedroom environment and regulate temperature at night. 59ce067264