Do you want the look and
feel of down on your bed without the cost, bulk and dry cleaning
hassle? Then a down duvet may just be the perfect solution!
More often than not, people will use a simpler duvet to protect and
cover their down comforter. However, the down comforter will still
have to be washed eventually. An ever more popular option is to use
a down duvet cover as your down bedding. This way, you still have
the look and feel, without causing a major washing nightmare.
There are two ways this could be true.
Although the jury is still out on this, most people have experienced
good luck washing their down duvets (or comforters) in an oversized
and/or top-loading washing machine on the gentle cycle, and putting
it in the dryer with a few tennis balls.
So, first, if you have a down duvet, it will be much less bulky than
a down comforter, which makes washing it that much easier.
Or, second, if it is mostly the "look" you are interested in, you
can take your duvet cover off whenever you want to keep it looking
new. It is also suggested that your down duvet be fluffed and shaken
("shaken, not stirred") :) frequently. It will also stay fresh
longer if you periodically throw it into the dryer for a few minutes
with a nice smelling dryer sheet. Your duvet will fluff up and come
out with a clean, fresh scent.
Whatever purpose your down duvet will serve, it will look and feel
wonderful!
Now, for the nitty-gritty of down. After all, an educated customer
is the best customer! We want you to be completely satisfied with
your duvet purchase. So, let us help you make the most informed
decision possible.
It's all about the down and feathers! Your most informed choice will
come from knowing the "4 basics of down; content, cleanliness, fill
power, and species."
"Content" refers to what is in the down product. This will include
the actual percentage of down (a minimum of 75%), down fiber
("broken down clusters"), feathers, feather fiber, and other
residue.
"Cleanliness" refers to how murky the waters become if the down is
soaked in water. The highest, cleanest number is 550. The lower the
number, the "dirtier" the down.
"Fill power" refers to the amount of space one ounce of down takes
up (in cubic inches). It is tested by compressing one ounce of down
and measure how much "loft" it regains after 72 hours of going
undisturbed. The higher the fill power, the more space the down
takes up. 800 is the highest quality, 700 is great, 600 is good, and
anything below is, shall we say...less than good.
"Species" simply refers to which bird, goose, or duck the feathers
came from. Did you know that ALL "birds" (Blue Jays, Robins, Ducks,
Geese, Doves, etc.) have down AND feathers? True. So, species simply
lets you know which bird it came from.
Goose down and duck down are certainly similar. However, goose down
is considered superior to duck. One main reason is because goose
down is virtually odorless, while duck is not.
The best goose down you can find is Eiderdown (which is rare and
extremely expensive!) Next for superior quality is 100% Hungarian
down and Siberian down. Remember, 100% goose down is also better
than goose and duck mixed. Your least expensive and lower quality
will be all duck down (i.e., if it doesn't say "goose down" on the
label, then you can be sure it is duck or another "bird").
So, when choosing YOUR down duvet cover, make sure you know what you
are getting (since it will be sleeping with you!). Be an educated
consumer... you will be much more content with your purchase!
We truly hope you find the quality, comfort and price you desire
with the fine selection of online merchants we have carefully chosen
for YOU. So, go do your "homework" and find the best down duvet for
your money. Then enjoy it!
