Down Comforter Sets: Reviewed & Rated

Down Comforter Sets...

Hi my name is Mary and I have been buying and selling Down Comforter Sets for a Fortune 100 company for over 17 years. I thought I would enjoy putting a website together to write some of things I have learned. Hope this info helps you in your decision to find the comforter that is right for you.

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Bargain Values with Down Comforter Sets:

There is nothing more refreshing and as comfortable as sleeping under the warm down of a comforter. The soft and luxurious feel of a down comforter set doesn’t have to set you back financially.

In fact by purchasing a three piece set you might actually pay just as much as you would for the comforter itself. Surprisingly, some sets go for under $100 with decent quality down. The differences in sets vary from the different pieces included to the quality of down used. Hopefully after reading this you should be better accustomed with the finer points of down sets.

The first thing you should take note of is how many pieces are included in the down comforter set. They always include the comforter but the rest of the pieces are mix of varying accessories such as pillows, pillow shams, and maybe a duvet cover. Depending on what your needs are most vendors have anywhere from three-piece sets to six piece sets. The price difference is mild between them and if you shop around you are likely to notice that a three piece can cost as much as a six piece. The biggest price discrepancy is on the quality of down used.

Duck down is the cheapest quality of down that is used while white goose down is the most common type of down you are likely to encounter. The holy grail of down is that of the eider duck, which is also the most expensive and the most rare.

Down comforter sets that have eider duck down will raise the price drastically yet will offer the highest quality of warmth and feel. Yet if you want quality at a bargain price then white goose down is your best bet. The next step is to look at the different fill powers and thread counts.

Fill power is the primary gauge of price, for a good balance of price and comfort the best area to shoot for is 550-600. Anything higher the price might be to great and any lower you will notice your down to be heavy and coarser then soft. For a typical three piece set with a fill power of that level goes for anywhere between $80-$150 which is a bargain considering an eider duck down comforter set can cost well over $11,000!

Just remember there is nothing bad about a mid range down comforter, they are still comfy and soft but just don’t cost an excessive amount of money. I myself use a comforter with a fill power of 550 and I can say that it keeps me warm in the winter and just warm enough in the summer or spring. Don’t think because you aren’t spending a ton of money you are missing out a small piece of luxury.

Summary: Buying a down comforter set can actually cost less then getting the comforter alone. Coming with many different accents ranging from three to six piece sets that can make your bedroom stand out in comfort and style. Just make sure to check the thread count and fill power for quality assurance.

The Truth About Down Comforters:

Nothing feels as comfortable and relaxing as laying down on a soft down comforter. However what most people fail to consider is the complexity of the varying degrees of quality.

If you are in the market to purchase a new comforter then here are the things you must consider before purchasing.

The differences between the types of down feathers used all the way to the amount of threading can have a large impact on durability and insulation. A more subtle implication is synthetic down versus natural goose down. Each of these factors contributes greatly to the quality and lifetime of the comforter.

The term ‘fill power’ is a measure of the quality of the feathers used in the comforter. Once the feathers are processed they are measured by seeing how much space one ounce of the feathers occupies in terms of cubic inches. The cheapest and lowest quality down comforters use a fill power of around 300. While the highest quality comforters use a fill power at or above 750.

A high fill power is desirable for a few reasons, other then feeling softer it means more warmth with less weight. A trademark of high fill power comforters is the versatility in any season; they are able to keep you warm in the winter and just warm enough in the summer. While this is the most important factor in purchasing a comforter the thread count is nearly as important for a long lasting investment.

The thread count like the fill power is also measured in cubic inches and is a reference to how many threads are used. It affects the texture of the surrounding linen giving it a softer and sleeker feel, more importantly it affects the durability. Cheaper down comforters with a low thread count are more inclined to small tears over the years. For a lasting comforter it is crucial to have a high thread count around 240 or else you will notice leakage within a year or so of normal use. The last but not least thing to consider is synthetic down versus natural down.

The only real advantage of synthetic down is that there is no chance of an allergic reaction. Other then that synthetic down is less durable, less breathable and a bit heavier then natural down. Price wise they are both comparable with the exception of high end natural down. Now that you understand the differences let me conclude with a few shopping tips.

When purchasing your new down comforter the first thing you need to look at is the fill power then the thread count. Some distributors offer similar products but at a major price difference, so it is impetrative to shop around. The reason being is where the down came from; Hungarian down is the most prized and is therefore more expensive. Lastly if you know you are allergic to natural and have to go synthetic then it is advised that you get a warranty just in case.

Summary: When purchasing a down comforter it is imperative to know what you are doing. Everything from the type of down to its quality all the way to the amount of threading used affects the warmth and life span of the comforter.

Insomnia Got You Up? Cure it With A Down Comforter Set:

Insomnia is one of the most common disorders that only seem to be growing each day. Only 100 years ago, cases of the disorder were few but now with the advent

of electricity and the television we are staying up longer and waking up more tired then when we went to bed. There are various solutions to this problem that don’t involve a drug or some overly drawn out process. A down comforter set for example is a practical solution if you wanted a more comfy sleeping experience. Here are a few other tips that will help you get that sleep you need.

Aside from a down comforter set, there are some bad habits you might be taking part of that you may want to reconsider. First off, if you do any other activity in your bed other then sleep it hotwires your mind to think that your bed functions like a couch. Not meant to sleep in necessarily but if it happens its coincidental. So if you eat, watch TV, or even read a book in bed it gives your mind the message that sleep is supposed to be somewhere else. Just be mindful of that, particularly if you have a TV in your bedroom and frequently watch it before dozing off.

An interesting aspect of modern society is the use of light bulbs, something we rarely consider when wondering why we can’t sleep. Ambient light is actually the leading cause of insomnia!

Ambient light is such a problem that it has even screwed up the migratory patterns of birds and the hunting patters of nocturnal animals. For humans it means that if the lights are on in any form, our minds think it is still daylight. We are biologically programmed to sleep in darkness so when we leave those florescent bulbs on and stare at a TV we are telling our minds that it’s two in the afternoon and not two in the morning.

I know the aspect of having a bedtime seems juvenile but parents have it right when teaching their kids. If you go to bed consistently at the same time and have all the lights off, you will not only get tired but sleep within minutes. Our bodies crave darkness and consistency when it comes to sleep. So keep in mind of that as well.

Lastly, if you have the proper sleep habits then it is most likely the bed. I’ll say it again; down comforters sets are almost doctor recommended. Natural down has various properties that promote sleep. It is breathable but also insulating, it has the ability to be both warm in the winter and just warm enough in the summer. If your habits are in check then it is likely an issue with your bedding.

Summary: Insomnia got you up at night? Try getting a down comforter set if your bed feels uncomfortable. Also make sure your habits are in check, keeping the lights on or watching TV in bed can off set your internal clock. It’s the little things that make a big difference.

Three Precautions to Take When Buying a Down Comforter:

Unfortunately, like in many other businesses the down comforter industry is also subject to some unscrupulous business practices. Advertising a power fill count of 600-700

when in reality it is 500 or less and selling it at an outrageously high price is less common then you would hope to think. While most makers and distributors are honest businesses there are some bad seeds in the group that are able to take advantage of the situation. So it is important to be a knowledgeable consumer in order to avoid being scammed by a few simple precautions.

First off, unless you know of a trustworthy website to purchase your down comforter then it is advised that you go to a store and see it in person. You don’t have to be a specialist to identify a low power fill comforter, especially since you are able to sample various brands and qualities.

Make your decision based off how soft the comforter is and how heavy it is. Low end comforters with a low power fills are often heavy and don’t breath all to well. You will be able to discern with confidence after getting a feel for it. The next tip is just as important and offers some more peace of mind.

Certifications and the class of down used in the comforters is something that cannot be altered. Class I down is of the best quality while class III down can have recycled feathers that other people had previously slept in. As for certification there are various independent companies that run quality checks, the most common and notable are the ‘EN-12934 Class I’ and the ‘Downafresh’ certificates which are as good of marks or quality then anything else. They ensure that not only the down is of the best quality but the facilities at which they are processed are clean and environmentally friendly.

This should go without saying but it is also worth mentioning when buying anything. Before you purchase your down comforter make sure to check in what the refund policy is. Should you find that your down comforter is made of class III down and you paid premium price for it then you should have the ability to return it. However this precaution would be avoidable if you followed the last two paragraphs of advice.

If you need to buy your down comforter online then you need to find a reputable site. Just be more cautious and look to see if they have any certification advertised on the site. Make sure to check on the refund policy and you should be in good condition for a safe purchase. Now that you know more about fraudulent practices you are now better prepared to avoid it. So good luck and happy shopping.

Summary: To ensure you get the best quality down comforter and don’t get ripped off you need to check for certifications right away. If you buy it online then it is even more imperative that you do a background check on what you’re buying.

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