A Guide to Down Comforters

Down comforters are not created equal, although they might appear that way to the uneducated consumer. There are several important variables to consider when choosing a down comforter.

A Comforter’s 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 its original loft within 72 hours.

Comforters-Thread Count-Barrier Weave fabric

The comforter’s 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.

Average bedroom temperature and comforter weight recommended:

Below 55° F – Winter weight (Arctic)

55-70° F – Medium weight (Classic)

70+ ° F – Light Weight (Southern)

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 Comfortersand be sharp to your skin.

Comforters Down (Goose and Duck)

A comforter’s 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.

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.

We searched to find the best hypo-allergenic comforters for our customers. We feature Hypodown natural goose down, Hyperclean comforters, Primaloft synthetic down and comforters, and Alpaca Wool comforters.

Hypodown Goose Down Comforters

A comforter filled with goose down can be an wonderful on a cold winter night. It can also be a irritant to consumers who are allergic to dust and dander. An environmentally benign and health-sensitive alternative now exists in Hypodown pillows and comforters, made from a combination of traditional goose down and natural downy Syriaca clusters from the milkweed plant grown in Nebraska. Hypodown is warmer, more durable and more breathable than down alone.

The down and syriaca in these comforters is the cleanest, least treated fibers we could find anywhere. The down is de-dusted and gently washed up to 8 times in an environmentally friendly cleansing solution and rinsed three times. This cleaning process and renders it pH neutral. This is the most hypoallergenic down comforters we could find – due to the quality of materials used, cleaning process and the addition of the addition of the natural syriaca clusters.

Allergy Buyers Club Down Comforter Styles

Restful Nights Down Alternative Comforters– 100% cotton covers have a thread count of 230. These beautiful hypo-allergenic polyester fiber comforters , and has a “Cloud” baffle design. Comforter guaranteed to be hypoallergenic for 10 years. The very best of the best!

Primaloft Synthetic Down Comforters
The Primaloft comforter is made from ultra-fine microscopic fibers. And just like down, primaloft clusters are blown into pillows and comforters. This results in a down-like appearance and lightweight warmth. Primaloft’s micro-fibers are softer and finer than silk, creating a feeling matched only by down. This is why Primaloft is the only patented alternative to a down comforter.

CleanRest MicronOne Down Alternative Comforters
MicronOne is a patented fabric cover that creates a barrier between you and micro-toxins. It makes this a great comforter for those who thought they were allergic to down. Also see our CleanRest MicronOne Blanket.

Alpaca Wool Comforters
Alpaca wool duvets or comforters use 100% natural, organically grown wool from llamas that absorb up to 35% of it’s weight in moisture – keeping you dry and comfortable in one of the warmest natural fibers available. Synthetic materials used on typical bedding does not breathe and can emit toxic fumes as they age – affecting sleep and breathing. Naturally fire retardant.