1) Why should I buy from The Down Source?
We at The Down Source are committed to providing luxury bedding at affordable prices. The average person spends a third of his life in bed. It is while we sleep that our body grows and heals, our minds process information, and our spirit is refreshed. Our sleep ought to be optimized by comfort! And nothing in the world compares to the comfort of a luxury down comforter! Our mission is to offer luxury down bedding products that help to enhance your sleep experience. Our down bedding, therefore, is superior in quality and attractively priced.
2) What is down?
--Down is the soft inner plumage of waterfowl such as ducks and geese. Down has numerous light, fluffy filaments extending in all directions, without a featherÂ’s quill shaft. Down keeps birds cooler in summer yet warmer in winter, and provides breathable comfort.
--Down gives insulation to down comforters & blankets. It also provides support, as in down pillows, due to its loft, its ability to spring back to its original shape.
--Down is more comfortable than synthetic filling because of its moisture-wicking properties: its ability to let moisture such as perspiration escape. You never feel clammy with a quality down comforter. Simply put, down is more comfortable in varying temperatures and climates than other materials.
--Down feels incredibly light to the touch, so it is much more comfortable to sleep under.
3) What about feathers?
--Feathers are the plumage or out-growth forming the external covering of birds. Feathers are flat, appearing two-dimensional, and characterized by a pointy central shaft. Since feathers are harder than down and provide support and resilience, they are used in items like pillows and featherbeds where additional support is preferred.
--Pillows with higher feather content are firmer than lower feather percentage pillows or those with no feathers (all-down pillows).
4) What is fill power?
--Fill power is a measure of the quality of the down. Once the down has been sorted, cleaned, and sterilized, it is measured for fill power rating. Fill power is the number of cubic inches that a single ounce of down occupies.
--The very finest down has a fill power of at least 750 cubic inches per ounce (very rare and extremely expensive) and the lowest is around 300 per ounce. Average department store comforters are often only 500-550 fill power.
--Higher fill power means more warmth with less weight, creating a better way to sleep comfortably and healthier. Higher fill power down is also fluffier in appearance.
5) What is fill weight?
--Fill weight is the weight of down/feather included in a comforter, blanket, pillow, or featherbed. Fill weight is a measure of the quantity of the down, not its quality.
6) What is thread count?
--Thread count equals the number of threads per square inch. Higher thread count means a tighter weave for a softer and silkier feel to the fabric. For down comforters and bedding, slightly higher thread counts such as 240 tc and above are required in order to prevent leakage of the down from the inside to the outside, and are termed 'down-proof.'
7) Is down hypoallergenic?
--It is a little known fact that few people are actually allergic to down, but instead to the dust, pollen, and other allergens found on down and feathers.
--Today, quality modern down bedding manufacturers put all of their processed down and feathers through a rigorous cleansing process that eliminates any existing dirt or dust, thereby ensuring the products are allergen-free. In addition, certain manufacturers in historic down producing regions are very sophisticated in producing hypo-allergenic down comforters and bedding.
8) What is a baffle or baffle box?
--A baffle is a wall of fabric (typically 1" to 1 1/2" wide) sewn perpendicular to the top and bottom layers of the comforter fabric. The baffled walls allow the down to expand to its fullest potential for the highest loft and no cold spots. In other words, baffles help to give comforters the appearance of depth. Baffle box construction is of a higher quality than sewn-through stitching (see below).
9) What is sewn-through stitching?
--Sewn-through stitching is where a stitch goes from the top of the comforter directly through the comforter and emerges on the bottom of the comforter. It can keep the down in place and is a cheaper form of construction than baffle box construction.
10) Caring for your Down Comforter
--Always use a duvet cover to protect your down comforter from dirt and oils. This will prolong your down comforters useful life.
--With normal care and use, your down comforter should require cleaning no more than every 3 years. Have your comforter cleaned by an experienced dry cleaner. DonÂ’t have your comforter dry cleaned too often as that deteriorates the quality of the down.
--Do not wash your down comforter at home as home washing machines are typically too small.
--Always store your down comforter or pillows in a breathable storage bag. NEVER store your down comforter or pillows in a plastic container. Do not vacuum--store your down comforter or pillows.
