How you (and your bed partner) sleep will determine which comforter is right for you

We use “comforter” and “duvet” synonymously to refer to the feather and down, or down alternative, blanket that is placed in a removable cover as the top layer of bedding. When it comes time to purchase a comforter, the choice depends on a variety of factors including how you sleep, the climate in which you live, and the season of the year. So you don’t feel overwhelmed, we’ve put together a buying guide to help you find the comforter that’s right for you.

1.  Do you prefer natural or synthetic fill?

Comforter fill refers to the material inside the fabric shell and determines, in large part, how cozy, soft, and warm the comforter will feel. Fill materials can vary widely from natural fibers, such as down and feather or cotton and wool, to down-alternatives made from synthetic fibers. We’ve chosen to manufacture an array of natural comforters with down and feather fill, as well as our collection of aquaplush® down alternative comforters. They each have their benefits.

Down and feather fill makes for cozy, soft, and lightweight comforters

Down and feather comforters are filled with down, feathers, or a blend of the two, and are sourced from either geese or ducks. The down and feathers trap the surrounding air to create the warmth of the comforter. To understand why we have chosen to manufacture our most luxurious natural comforters with white goose down, it’s necessary to understand the difference between down and feathers and the difference between goose and duck down.

• Feathers have a quill spine running down the center and soft fibers radiating from the quill.  Due to the curvature of the quill, over time, the feathers will align with one another, causing your comforter to flatten.  Feathers are firmer and heavier than down clusters, offering a substantial feeling.
• Down clusters are fine, soft filaments that form the undercoat of waterfowl. Spherical in shape, they tend to reinflate and create loft.  Down provides great insulation as it traps air to retain body heat while remaining highly breathable to allow temperature regulation. Down is lighter and fluffier than feathers and creates a soft, lightweight, but deliciously warm, comforter in which to nestle.
• Goose down clusters are typically larger and provide more insulation than duck down clusters. This is why goose down can be more costly than duck down. While duck down might have a slight odor caused by the broader diet of ducks (geese rely mostly on grass), this can depend greatly on the quality of the down and the way in which it is cleaned.

We have chosen to manufacture our premium down comforters and essential down comforters with white goose down fill for the maximum level of comfort and luxury with a natural fill.

Alternative fill can offer affordable and hypoallergenic comfort without the down and feathers

Often when people are allergic to down and feathers, it is because it has not been cleaned or cared for properly and has become soiled or mildewed, which can cause allergic reactions. For this reason, we recommend laundering bedding when it becomes soiled or after you have experienced any moisture build up in your bedroom. We further recommend thorough drying of all down and feather products. If you have pets and children sharing your bed, more frequent laundering is necessary.

For customers who are allergic or simply prefer something other than down and feathers, we created our aquaplush® down alternative comforters. Our proprietary blend of 100% combed polyester aquaplush® fiber is hypoallergenic and offers the benefits of plushness, comfort, warmth, and ease of laundering. The choice of hotel customers that want to give their guests the option of down alternative comforters, our aquaplush^® hypoallergenic polyester comforters, have all the luxurious warmth and comfort of a down comforter without the down.

2.  Do you sleep warm or cold?

After you’ve decided on the type of fill you prefer, you’ll choose the weight and loft of the comforter. This will depend upon how warm you sleep. If you and your bed partner have different sleep preferences, you may want to join the growing number of couples who have chosen to purchase two smaller comforters in place on one large comforter.

Weight will be determined by climate, season, and how warm you sleep

Consider the climate in which you live, as well as the temperature at which you keep your thermostat, to select the weight of your comforter. We manufacture natural comforters with white goose down in a variety of weights from our summer-weight comforters, perfect when you need the feel of a comforter without too much weight or warmth, to our premium winter-weight comforters, our heaviest white goose down comforters. We also offer a tropical lightweight down and feather comforter that feels like a cozy blanket that can be tucked in.

You may also want to switch your comforter according to the season—a summer-weight comforter in the summer and a winter-weight comforter when the temperatures drop. If you’re not sure how you sleep, or you and your bed partner sleep at different temperatures, we recommend you begin with one of our all-seasons weight comforters. They are the choice of many hotel clients as they can provide a superior sleep experience to a wide range of guests. 

We offer a range of weights in our aquaplush® hypoallergenic polyester comforters, as well. The original aquaplush® is a great all-seasons down alternative comforter. We also have the aquaplush^® lite comforter, which is a slightly lighter comforter due to less fill, the aquaplush^® microfiber comforter, which is covered in super-soft microfiber polyester ticking fabric, and our newest aquaplush® air down alternative comforter designed with mesh inserts to increase breathability to help those who sleep hot or suffer from hot flashes sleep comfortably. We don’t think menopause should prevent you from creating a bed that you look forward to climbing into each night.

Loft of your comforter will be determined by fill power

Fill power is a measure of the loft of a down product that is loosely related to the insulating value of the down. The higher the fill power, the more air an ounce of the down can trap and the more insulating ability an ounce of the down will have. The higher the fill power, the higher the quality and the less down that is required to achieve the desired level of warmth.  Therefore, higher fill power down results in lighter weight comforters. The comforters in our essential line have a fill power of 550+ and those in our premium line have a fill power of 650+.

Consider separate comforters for you and your bed partner so you can both sleep comfortably

If you and your bed partner sleep at different temperatures, which is often the case, we highly recommend creating a bed the European way with two twin comforters. Just because you like each other does not mean you have the same sleep preferences. A comfortable sleep environment is part of a great night’s sleep and temperature is a critical part of that environment. Our premium and essential white goose down comforters come in a twin size in a summer weight for those who sleep warm and a winter weight for those who sleep cold. Sometimes two comforters are better than one.

3.   What kind of construction should you expect?

Once you’ve invested in a great comforter, you’ll want it to last. The details of the design and manufacture of a comforter can play a huge part in the look and feel of the comforter, as well as its durability. Those details include the choice of fabric, construction, and quality certification.

Fabric ticking should be woven to contain the fill

The material from which the sack containing the fill of your comforter is made is called the ticking.  The ticking can be manufactured in a variety of fabrics but is most often woven from cotton.  The key factor is durability.  The last thing you need to worry about is down floating around your bedroom every time you hop in bed or launder your comforter because your comforter is coming loose at the seams or the down and feathers are poking through the ticking. For this reason, we construct our comforters with down-proof ticking.

Although ticking can be found in a variety of colors, it is most often found in white.  White is the standard of hygiene and cleanliness as it makes it hard to hide stains and damage. Thread counts in fabric ticking will vary from 235 to 300. Our essential comforters are constructed with 235-thread-count, down-proof, cotton ticking, and our premium comforters are constructed with 300-thread-count, down-proof, cotton ticking. We also offer down comforters with 100% organic cotton ticking.

Stitching and details prevent the fill from shifting and add to durability

The fill in a comforter is evenly distributed and held in place with sewn-through stitching or baffle-box construction. With sewn-through stitching, the two sides are sewn together in some pattern to leave pockets of feathers and to prevent the feathers from moving to one side. With baffle-box construction, a thin strip of fabric is sewn between the two covers to create a three-dimensional box for the feathers to allow them to achieve their full loft or fluffiness. This type of construction keeps the fill evenly distributed, prevents shifting, and reduces cold spots.

Our essential and premium down comforters are made with baffle-box construction, invisible seams, double stitching, and German cotton piping for strength and durability even through laundering. Our aquaplush down alternative comforters use sewn-through construction, with invisible seams, double stitching, and German cotton piping.

Our CentroClean™ cleaning process removes the allergens from the down and feathers we use in all our products. Additionally, the fabric used in our comforters is certified as meeting the Oeko-Tex® Standard 100, which ensures the fabric is free from harmful substances.

4.  Which size and style should you choose?

Each of our comforters is available in a variety of sizes.  Your choice of size can depend upon several factors including the size of your mattress, the type of bed frame, and your aesthetic. The size of your mattress and how you want your comforter to hang will be the main determining consideration in the size of the comforter you choose.  If you want the sides to hang to the bottom of the box spring, you will need to calculate a size above your mattress size. For something unique, we’ve introduced our cosi corners® comforter, which has angled corners to create a finished look on your bed.

We recommend selecting the comforter that meets your sleep needs and placing it in a cover that meets your aesthetic preferences. That way, you can change the look of the bed as easily as changing the sheets. After all, your bed is the centerpiece of your bedroom, and the look of the comforter cover should reflect your personal style. Each of our sheet sheets includes a coordinated comforter cover.

5.  How should you care for your comforter?

After you’ve invested time and expense in choosing the right comforter, you want it to last. By properly laundering and storing your comforter, it will provide cozy comfort for years.

Keep your comforter covered and protected

We encourage you to use comforter covers to create the most hygienic bed and to protect your investment.  It’s easier to remove a cover for washing along with the rest of your sheets than it is to wash the comforter.  A cover will also allow you to get the customized look that matches your décor.

Shake out your comforter when you make your bed

To keep your comforter fresh and fluffy, shake it out when you make your bed. You can also place it in a front-load dryer for a few minutes to freshen and open up the down. You may notice your comforter appears flat when you first pull it out of its packaging. That’s because it may have been compressed for shipping. You can shake it out or fluff it in your dryer.

Launder your comforter when soiled

Always follow the care label on your comforter.

You can spot clean minor stains or spills with mild detergent and a damp cloth; however, your comforter should be washed upon soiling or in the event of a buildup of moisture in your room. Even if there is no obvious soiling, comforters should be washed once a year or before they are placed in storage. Keeping down and feather bedding clean and thoroughly dry will prevent the buildup of dust or mold.

Down and feather comforters and aquaplush® hypoallergenic down alternative comforters should be laundered if there are visible stains or noticeable odors. They can be dry cleaned or machine washed in a large-capacity washer and dryer.

If machine washing, do so in cold or warm water on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent in a washing machine large enough to allow movement in the drum. Do not use bleach or fabric softeners. Tumble dry on low in a front load dryer until thoroughly dried to kill dust mites and to prevent mold growth. Down and feather comforters may be dried along with dryer balls or clean tennis balls to open up the down and create maximum fluff. You may have to reposition the comforter in the dryer as it begins to dry. It is very important that you dry your comforters thoroughly to avoid mildew.

Store your comforter so it’s ready for its season

If you store your down products (comforters, pillows, or feather beds), be sure they are clean and completely dry. Never put them in plastic bags or plastic containers. Down is a natural product—it needs to breathe. If these products are enclosed in a plastic bag with no air holes, moisture can build up and they may begin to smell. Always store down products in appropriate containers in a dry area with proper ventilation. We recommend our bedding storage boxes and zippered bags to protect them from dust or dirt when not in use.

In the event your down products do develop an odor, air them outside of the protector in sunlight or place them in the dryer on the lowest heat setting to absorb the moisture and eliminate the odor. Include three fresh tennis balls, clean white tennis shoes, or dryer balls in the dryer to agitate the fill.

Old comforters can have a life as pet cushions, travel blankets, and donations. If they’re past that point, consider recycling, composting, and, if all else fails, disposing according to the area in which you live.

Have a great night’s sleep in the comforter that's perfect for you.

-The Team at down etc

Read more:

5 Options for Pillows You’re Ready to Replace

5 Sleep Tips for Couples Who Share a Bed

 

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