There is simply nothing better for
comfortable sleeping than to be underneath fine linens and a goose
down comforter
. There are many options available when one chooses to buy a
down comforter. Down is, according to Webster, the “fine, soft, fluffy
feathers forming the first plumage of a young bird and underlying the
contour feathers in certain adult birds.” When collected and stuffed
between two layers of fabric, they create an air pocket with light
loftiness that takes away the weight of several blankets and provides
varying degrees of warmth, depending upon the concentration of the down
packed into the chambers or tunnels stitched into the comforter.
Down is often mixed with larger
feathers, since down is expensive and per pound is more difficult to
secure. If the consumer is going to purchase a down and feather
comforter, the outside cover should be at least a 250 thread count
fabric to avoid leakage of the feather ends and uncomfortable discovery
of the escaping feathers during sleep. Comforters are often marked with
ounces indicating how much down and feathers are used in each
comforter.
Light Weight comforters
may have only 14 to 25 ounces while
luxury comforters
have over 100 ounces of down. The trapped air within
each box, or baffle-box stitched comforter, provides a barrier over the
body with which to keep body heat close to the person and the cool air
in the room away. It is the ultimate cold weather bed covering and is
well worth the expense as when well cared for by dry cleaning yearly, it
will last for years and years on end. A down comforter even on sale
will typically run right around $100. The better the fabric cover…often
damask and fine linen, the higher the thread count and the higher the
ounces of down used, the higher the quality and cost. Here a consumer
may very well realize that one truly does “get what one pays for.”
Snuggle up and enjoy.
Maureen Renard for Wholelottashopping.com
