Goose Down Comforters

Down Comforter weblog
August 20, 2008

How to Choose the Right Pillow

Author: iheartdown

Goose down pillows

Simply put, a good pillow is comfortable and provides good neck and back support.  Before you purchase a pillow, you should decide if you want soft, medium, or firm support.  Once you are shopping, read labels to determine the ingredients of pillows, which are filled with polyester, foam, goose down, or a combination of feathers and down.   Buckwheat pillows are gaining in popularity, as they are said to provide good back and neck support and stay warm in winter and cool in summer.  Goose down pillows are more expensive than some other types of pillows, but they are also uncommonly soft, molding to your head and body as if made for you.

 

Check the amount of fill in the pillow; the more fill the pillow has, the firmer the pillow will be.  Select a softer pillow if you are a stomach sleeper who tosses and turns to keep from straining your neck.  Medium pillows are good for back sleepers, and firm pillows provide maximum support for side sleepers.  The pillow fabric cover should be breathable, and the stitching should be of good quality.  If you have allergies, look for hypoallergenic or dust-free pillows, and purchase a zippered pillow cover to keep dust mites away from you.  It is time to replace your pillow if it has weird lumps, is flat, stained, or smells bad!

August 20, 2008

Why Egyptian Cotton?

Author: iheartdown

Egyptian bed sheets

We’ve all heard the praises sung for Egyptian cotton.  Egyptian cotton is used to create every type of bedding item imaginable, but it seems Egyptian bed sheets are the ones we hear about the most.  Why is Egyptian cotton considered superior?  It has a long fiber that is smaller in diameter, but stronger than other varieties of cotton.  Smaller yarn means a higher thread count is possible, creating a lightweight fabric that breathes well and wears like iron.  Lint production by Egyptian cotton is reduced, so the fabric does not pill as other materials may.

 

When the bedding is new, Egyptian cotton can have a harder feel than other sheet materials, but the cotton will soften and actually improve with each subsequent laundering.  Higher thread count when purchasing sheets is not the only measurement of quality, but if the bedding is also constructed of Egyptian cotton an Egyptian could last for many years–even decades–if cared for properly.

July 28, 2008

What Does “Baffle Box” mean?

Author: iheartdown

Baffle Box stitching


Baffle box is a type of stitching used in the construction of down comforters.   Down comforters are constructed by sewing down and feathers between a top and bottom cover, usually made of cotton, silk, or polyester.  There are two main kinds of stitching used to sew down comforters:  baffle box and box stitch (also known as “sewn through”).  A baffle box comforter has strips of material sewn between the top and bottom in a checkered pattern. The modern construction using baffles or boxes is intended to keep the down evenly spread out across the down comforter.

Box stitch is more common and more expensive to create than baffle box stitching.  It is generally the best weight for lighter weight comforters.  Box stitch also is best for heavier comforters where a sculpted or puffy look is desired.   Baffle box is generally better in heavier comforters because the down expands more fully, maximizing the insulation value of the comforter.

July 28, 2008

How Do You Clean a Down Comforter?

Author: iheartdown

 

How Do You Clean a Down Comforter?

 The softness, warmth, comfort, and hypoallergenic properties of down comforters may be worth a little extra effort when it comes to cleaning them. A cover should be kept  on your down comforter to protect it from dust, dirt and body oils, shaking it out once a week to keep the down evenly distributed.  Air out your down comforter occasionally to keep it fresh, and take it to be professionally laundered every three to five years if you choose not to launder it yourself. 

 

If you do choose to wash your down comforter yourself, spot clean it prior to washing.   Your down comforter should be laundered in cold water only, using a detergent that has a degreaser so that oils will be removed.  Squeeze any excess water out of the comforter gently, and dry the comforter on a low-heat setting, adding a tennis ball to the dryer to keep the down moving as it dries.  Finally, during the times of year when down comforters are not in use, they should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated area to prevent mildew.

June 26, 2008

Keep the Children Warm

Author: iheartdown

kids goose comforters

Kids are much more weather sensitive than adults and some of them can’t even reach the thermostat when the temperature drops.  To combat those cold nights, you may want to invest in goose comforters for your little one.

 

These comforters are not only comfortable, but they also retain the heat very well.  They are perfect for those frigid winter nights.  So if you want to make sure that your child has all the comfort and warmth possible, you can’t go wrong with goose down.

June 26, 2008

Benefits of Goose Down Comforters

Author: iheartdown

cal king down comforters

It’s a safe bet that you’ve never heard a goose complaining about the cold! Geese are equipped with down, thick fluff that grows on their undersides. This keeps them warm and protected, even in the coldest water. Goose down is incredibly insulating, while still lightweight and breathable. That is why bedding made from goose down is such a popular choice.

 

There is a wide variety of down comforters available, ranging from those made with duck down and feathers to those made from synthetic down alternatives. Of all the down comforters, though, goose down is the most luxurious. Goose down grows thicker and in bigger clusters than duck down, resulting in a higher-quality comforter. Unlike duck down comforters, goose down does not have an unpleasant odor. In fact, they have virtually no smell at all.

 

There is some variety among goose down comforters. At the low end of the spectrum are the down and feather mixed comforters. While it is virtually impossible to completely remove feathers from down, the less feathers the better. Feathers are heavier and harder than down, leading to firmer comforters. Down is much more lightweight, creating a fluffier product.

 

May 13, 2008

The Dangers of Snoring

Author: iheartdown

comfort pillow

Snoring isn’t always a simple annoying trait that some people have.  While snoring can cause sleep depravity and irritability, studies have found, in addition, a correlation between loud snorers and heart attacks and strokes.  Further studies have shown that snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea, a sleep disorder that affects breathing.

 

There are a number of treatments ranging from dental devices to surgery.  A less complicated method is to buy comforter pillows.  These are elevated pillows that keep your airways open and prevents air blockage. 

 

Before you consult a doctor about surgery, you may want to give the pillow a chance, since it will no doubt provide more comfort than if you were to get surgery.

 

May 13, 2008

Sleeping Well to Feel Better

Author: iheartdown

Goose down pillows

Studies have shown that people are sleeping less and as a result succumbing to stress and malaise.  Additionally, a lack of sleep will cause a significant reduction in your immune system and makes it harder to fight off the common cold and flu.

 

In order to get more sleep, it might begin with something as simple as comfort.  Finding a great pillow is paramount.  The average human head weighs 8 lbs. which makes neck comfort so vital. 

 

Purchasing something like a foam pillow will help alleviate stress accrued throughout the day.  Goose down pillows have properties that allow your neck and head to align with your spine, causing a massive amount of relief.  Add a foam mattress topper and you’ll have the ideal sleeping arrangement, which your body will thank you for.

 

April 18, 2008

Just what the doctor ordered.

Author: iheartdown

comforter pillows

Anyone who’s ever struggled with back and neck pain can tell you that it can get quite miserable.  Trying to sleep becomes a veritable dance that you do while laying down and searching for the perfect position.  And when you suffer from chronic pain that perfect position may never come.  It’s often been quite a challenge to get a good night’s sleep no matter where I am but now with these ultra-affordable comforter pillows I can finally sleep in comfort even if it’s on the floor.

 

 The Egyptian cotton fabric is another real upside.  When I buy pillows I usually end up wanting to put pillowcases on them because they feel like a tarp against your face.  Now I will be putting cases on these but it’s not out of necessity.  These are by far the most comfortable pillows I’ve ever owned!

April 18, 2008

Year-Round Comfort

Author: iheartdown

Hungarian goose down

I was pretty happy when I discovered I could have the luxury of Hungarian goose down without having to take out a second mortgage.  I’ve never even seen these at the local stores.  Most places offer to order them and they can cost nearly a thousand dollars at time.  Needless to say I don’t have that kind of money to pour on a comforter but I will admit I do love the blankets.

 

 These Hungarian goose down comforters really made it easy since I could buy the one I wanted for a fraction of the retail price.  I can say goodbye to Bed, Bath & Beyond and hello to ComfortersGooseDown.com.