The Proper Use of a Feather Bed

Feather beds are used for warmth and comfort.

“But the best darn thing about Grandma’s house was the great big feather bed…Soft as a downy chick. It was made of the feathers of four-eleven geese…Didn’t get much sleep but we had a lot of fun in Grandma’s feather bed,” are lines from a John Denver’s song. The words imply that the proper use of a feather bed was comfort and warmth. Today, the comforter is a home decorating centerpiece in bedrooms.

History

The comfort of feather beds became popular in the 19th century. Having one was a treasure because the ingredients of making one included at least 50 pounds of feathers. It took years of plucking geese or ducks to save enough feathers for a bed. It was not unusual for families to pass on a comfortable feather bed to the next generation.

Function

Comfort was considered so much the proper use of a feather bed that some people steam cleaned them or aired them outside. The purpose was to make them smell better and to expand and bulk up the feathers. This was done to make the bed softer and more indulgent. Today down comforters should be fluffed daily, never slept on and properly covered to necessitate a cleaning only every 5 years or so.

Features

Feather beds were used for warmth as well. Having a feather bed under you and on top of you was the best way to keep warm on wintry nights. The coverings of feather beds were called duvets and the insides, down comforters. They were loosely quilted with broad channels sewn into the fabric to keep the feathers from bunching up. If all of the feathers were to end up in one corner, the feather bed would not keep a sleeper warm.

Comforters and Duvets

Today the down comforter, short for comfortable, is a modern version of the feather bed. The insides are still filled with real feathers. Also, down comforters are often covered with duvets. They are available in fashionable styles and fabrics. The proper use of feather beds has extended beyond comfort and warmth. They are now used as decorative accessories in bedrooms. A beautiful duvet covering a down “feather bed” is a popular décor item.

Proper Uses

The original and proper uses of feather beds for warmth and comfort still exists. Many people still sleep with a down comforter under and over them on chilly nights. Ski resorts often use them to attract guests. The idea is that feather beds are important for warmth and comfort after a chilly day on the slopes. However, warmth is not the only reason to use comforters. They are no longer a seasonal item. Lightweight comforters are made for warmer climates and room temperatures.

The New Featherbed

Light and medium weight down comforters may function as the focal point of a room. Some of the fabric choices are organic cotton, batiste, silk and many others. Designer names and artistic creations are synonymous with comforters. The sizes range from a simple twin to a California king. The bed's other accessories are often coordinated as well. These include window dressings, furnishings and rugs. In fact, selecting and displaying a comforter is very important to some. Many people buy their bed and furniture to compliment the bed covering.

Speculation

The featherbed has come a very long way since its humble beginnings. The proper use of featherbeds is decorative now. Some people do not even sleep under them. They are folded at night and replaced in the morning. They are still, however, very comforting.

References

• OldandInteresting: History of Featherbeds and Duvets
• E-chords: Grandma's Feather Bed
• PlumeriaBay: Down Comforter Care