Information on Goose Down Comforters
Down comforters are not just for those who live in northern climes. They come in different sizes and weights and are a luxurious addition to any bed set. A down comforter can keep you warm in winter and cool in summer. Down is a good insulator and works to repel extreme cold and heat, keeping the person beneath it comfortable. Does this Spark an idea?
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Properties of Down
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Down feathers are the fluffy under feathers of a goose or duck. They are curly and intertwine, causing them to trap air and naturally insulate comforters, pillows, vests and jackets. This is what makes down items so warm. Because down effectively uses air as the insulator, instead of the actual material (like a polyfill would), it "breathes," allowing moisture and humidity to wick away and preventing the user from feeling sweaty or clammy beneath the comforter.
Fill Power
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Fill power is the rating of a down comforter. Because all down is not the same, the fill power is a much better indicator of quality than weight. Fill power indicates the expansion abilities of 1 oz. of down in cubic inches. Down from adult birds will, when fluffed up, expand to fill a larger space than the same weight of down from a smaller bird. The down comforter from the adult bird will be warmer and thus have a higher fill power because it fills more space, even though the weight is the same.
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Fill Power Classifications
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Comforters are generally rated for their fill power at 500-550; 600-650; and 700-750, with 700-750 being a very warm comforter. Essentially this means that 1 oz. of 750 fill power down will fill 750 cubic inches of space. Choosing your comforter will depend on how warm or cool you like your room. Those who like to sleep cooler will want a lower fill-power than those who like to sleep warm.
HIstory
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Feathers have been used in bedding for many years. The down and feathers from geese, ducks and chickens have been known to be a great insulator as well as soft and comfortable.
Goose down is the most popular choice since it is known as the best insulator, particularly for bedding. Down from the Eider duck is considered the best, but also the most rare. Eiderdown is hand collected from the nests of the Eider duck and is very expensive due to its rarity. In many places, the Eider duck is considered an endangered species.
Most of the down feathers used today in commonly found comforters are a byproduct of agriculture. After a duck, chicken or goose is killed for its meat, the feathers are sold for use in bedding, clothing and furniture.
Allergies
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Many people fear they suffer from an allergy to down feathers. However, scientists believe that the allergy is actually to the dust on the feathers, rather than the feathers themselves. Dry cleaning the comforter, hanging it out on a clothesline or simply running it in a dryer on very low heat can help prevent allergy symptoms.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit duck image by Henryk Olszewski from Fotolia.com
