| Your Questions Answered |
| Will having a down quilt weigh me down?
|
| Birds fly just fine with it. Cosy doesn't have to mean heavy. When
choosing a down comforter,
look for a combination of fill power (how warm and insulating it is) and
ounce weight
(how heavy it feels) that will give you the warmth and weight that works for you.
|
|
| I like to keep the windows cracked open and the room temperature
cool, even in winter. Which down comforter should I choose? |
You'll want a medium- to heavyweight down comforter that will keep
you cosy in cocoon-like warmth.
Look for one with a fill power between 550 and 650. |
|
| Is down too heavy to use in the warmer seasons? |
| Not if you get a lightweight or medium-weight down comforter, which
are both excellent options for
summers in northern climates or year-round use in more temperate zones.
Choose a down comforter
with a fill power between 500 and 600. |
|
| Is it hard to keep a down comforter clean? |
| With the use of a regularly cleaned duvet cover, you only need to
wash the down comforter itself every
three to five years. Home washing machines are too small for the job, so
bring the comforter to
professional launderer or a Laundromat with a front-loading machine. |
|
| What is the low-down on down? |
| Down is a bird's undercoat of feathers. It traps warm air next to
the bird's skin. The more mature the
bird, the thicker and more insulating the down. Soft, warm White Goose
Down is generally usedwith light-coloured fabrics, and European White Goose Down is the most
sought-after for its
plump, resilient quality. The quality of down is reflected in its "fill
power". |
|
| Can you fill me in on fill power? |
Technically, fill power is the number of cubic inches one ounce of
down takes up.
The higher the fill power, the lighter, fluffier and more insulating the
comforter will be.
The suggested fill power range is 500–650+ cubic inches. In this range,
down retains body heat
evenly, provides greater breathability and is very resilient. The fill
power you prefer will depend
on your sleep style and climate.
500–550: for light night time coverage, summers in
northern zones, or year-round use in moderate +climates
550–600: a touch of warmth year-round for versatility
in a variety of climates, room temperatures
and sleep preferences
600–650+: heavier weight for warmth lovers, colder
regions and very cool rooms |
|
| Why should I note a comforter's ounce weight? |
| Because down's weight is measured in ounces, the higher the ounce
weight, the heavier the comforter. |
|
| Why does thread-count matter when it comes to a comforter? |
| As with sheets, a comforter's thread count—the number of threads
woven into a square inch of
fabric - indicates its quality, durability, and feel. Higher thread
counts have a tighter weave for a smooth,
luxurious touch. Just as important, a high thread-count keeps the dirt
out and the down in, making
a comforter "down proof". At least 200 threads per square inch are
needed to down proof a comforter. |
|
| I'm baffled about baffling. Does my comforter need it? |
| Keep your eye out for it. Baffling is a type of construction that
uses sewn-in cloth "walls" to keep down from shifting and clumping,
which can create empty pockets where there is no down (and therefore no
insulation). Not all comforters are made with baffling, because it is a
costly and time-consuming process, but it does guarantee a highly
insulated comforter free of cold spots. |
|
| How should I care for my comforter? |
If when you first unpack your comforter it seems wrinkled and flat,
give it a good shake. This will restore the natural fluffiness of the
down. You can also briefly put it in the dryer on low heat.
Next, cover it with a duvet. Aside from being an expression of your
personal style, a duvet cover is essential to protecting the comforter
from dirt and impurities. With the use of a regularly cleaned duvet
cover, you only need to wash the down comforter itself every three to
five years. Home washing machines are too small for the job, so bring
the comforter to a professional launderer or a Laundromat with a
front-loading machine. Use mild detergents and lower heat to keep the
down from becoming brittle, and dry the comforter in a large-capacity
dryer. Check it for wet spots - you don't want mildew.
A neat trick: toss a tennis ball in with the comforter – the bouncing
ball will keep the comforter from clumping and provide extra fluffiness.
Please refer to your comforter's specific care instructions for more
information. |
|
| What does the proper pillow do for me? |
It aligns your head and neck with your spine, which is important for
a healthy night's rest.
You'll sleep better and awake more rested. |
|
| Is a down pillow better for the cooler months, and a synthetic
pillow better in warm weather? |
| Not necessarily. Down is lightweight, and synthetic materials can be
very plush. It depends on your preference and sleep style (on your back,
side or stomach). |
|
| I think my luxury pillow came with a pillowcase. Do I need
another? |
| Actually, that's a pillow protector. Higher-quality luxury down
pillows have a double cover consisting of a zip outer shell protector
that is down-proof (at least 200-thread count), as well as an interior
shell encasing the fill. But you still need a pillowcase! Both act as a
barrier against impurities and help prolong the life of your pillow. |
|
| I sleep on my back. What sort of pillow do I need? |
Look for a medium pillow to achieve the perfect position for your
head and neck.
|
|
| I sleep on my side. What sort of pillow do I need? |
| Look for firm pillows that provide complete support for your head,
neck and shoulders. |
|
| I sleep on my stomach. What sort of pillow do I need? |
| Try a soft, plump down pillow. It will cushion your head and neck at
a comfortable angle. |
|
| What goes into a pillow, anyway? |
| Pillows are typically constructed with one of two basic fill types –
natural or synthetic. Natural-fill consists of feather, down or a
combination of both. Synthetic fill is most commonly polyester, though
visco-elastic foam pillows are becoming more popular. |
|
| Why is thread count important to a pillow? |
As with sheets, a pillow cover's thread count – the number of
threads woven into a square inch of fabric – indicates its quality,
durability and feel. Higher thread counts have a tighter weave for a
smooth, luxurious touch. Just as important, a high thread count keeps
the dirt out and the down in.
|
|
| Sleep style? You mean there's more than one? |
The term "sleep style" refers to the position in which you start
your night's sleep. Different sleep positions require different levels
of support to comfortably – and properly – keep your head and neck in
the correct position. The right pillow will align your head and your
spine.
Back Sleepers: look for a medium pillow to
achieve the perfect position for your head and neck.
Side Sleepers: opt for firm pillows to
provide complete support for your head, neck and shoulders.
Stomach Sleepers: try a soft, plump pillow
to cushion your head and neck at a comfortable angle. |
|
| Should I wait until my pillow is as flat as a pancake before
I buy a new one? |
Generally, you should replace your pillow every two to three years
to ensure restful sleep, and proper head and neck positioning throughout
the night. But if it's been less than two years, you can put your pillow
to the test to see if it's time to get a new one.
To test a down or feather pillow, fluff the pillow well, and then fold
it in half. If the pillow unfolds itself, it means the down or feathers
can still return to their naturally fluffy state and that your pillow is
in fine shape. If not, it may be time for a new pillow.
To test a synthetic pillow, fluff the pillow well, and then fold it in
half. Place one of your shoes on it.
If the pillow unfolds itself, the shoe gets tossed off, and the pillow
returns to its original shape, your pillow is fine. If not, it may be
time for a new one. |
|
| Hearing the word "down" makes me sneeze. Any allergy-free
options? |
| Actually, scientists believe that it is dust, not down, that people
react to. Look for pillows that feature hypoallergenic down, which is
cleaned with a process that eliminates dust and impurities. |
|
| How should I care for my pillow? |
If when you first unpack your pillow it seems wrinkled and flat,
give it a good shake. This will restore its natural fluffiness. You can
also briefly put it in the dryer on low heat.
Next, keep it clean. Higher-quality luxury pillows will have a double
cover consisting of a zip outer shell protector that is down-proof (at
least 200-thread-count), as well as an interior shell encasing the fill.
If yours doesn't, simply add one. Finally, top it off with a pillowcase.
Ideally, both the protector and pillowcase should have a thread-count of
at least 200 threads per square inch to act as a barrier against
impurities and help prolong the life of your down pillow.
Even with the use of a regularly cleaned pillowcase and pillow
protector, you should wash your down pillow in hot water and mild
detergent every six months to prevent unpleasant odours. Then place the
pillow in a dryer for several hours. Check it for wet spots - you don't
want mildew. Neat trick: toss a tennis ball in with your pillow – the
bouncing ball will keep the pillow from clumping and provide extra
fluffiness. Please refer to your pillow's specific care instructions for
more information. |
