A cuddly goose down comforter is not just for people living in the Arctic. Down bedding products are available in a variety of weights, qualities, colors, and sizes for a cool sleep or one that will warm you from the chilliest of night winds. Because down is so lightweight, it's one of the most comfortable and sought after fills for a blanket or comforter.

 

Down comforters come in a wide variety of weights and fills, you'll want to have an idea of what will give you the most comfortable sleep. Fill power is a term used to describe the quality of down-- the number of cubic inches per ounce of down. The higher the fill number, the warmer the comforter is and the better the quality. Standard fill is 500 to 550; high quality is 600 to 700. Above 700 is unusually high and very expensive. Also, the higher the fill power, the larger and stronger the clusters of down are. Large clusters provide superior insulation, breathe better and last much longer than smaller, fragile down clusters." So in order to get the proper warmth for your needs, compare the "fill power" that different manufacturers offer. There's no point in buying more than you need, but you don't want too little either. Don't buy a heavy comforter if you live where it is very warm!

 

Baffles are used in down comforters to help keep the down in place for an even distribution. Baffling also gives the comforter a design with either long channels or a sewn-through box design.  Strips of fabric are actually sewn between the layers of fabric to keep the clusters of down from shifting. With baffles sewn in, there won't be any "cold spots" in your down comforter. Be sure to buy a cover with

a high thread count and tightly woven to keep you from having to worry that the down or feathers will sneak out. Many companies take special care to seal in the edges, too.

 

With proper care, a down comforter will last 8 to 10 years. Goose down is best because the large clusters have better (fluffing) than duck down. Although white and gray goose down give the same service, gray may show through a light-colored duvet.

 

Down comforters used daily should be dry-cleaned at least annually. Synthetic comforters generally can be machine washed following manufacturer's directions. If you own another type of natural-filled comforter, such as wool or cotton, check the label or launder at a professional laundry that has larger-capacity machines and experience in cleaning bedding.