Unknown Facts About down comforters Made Known

You think you know everything there is to know about down comforters? Let’s test your knowledge with the following facts. Hopefully, at least some of the information will be new to you.

Fill Power

Fill power is a measure used to identify the fullness and warmth of a down comforter. If you’re shopping for such an item, the fill power is one of the first characteristics to examine.

In technical terms, fill power refers to the amount of space that one ounce of down filling will occupy when reaching its maximum loft. The measurement is provided in cubic inches and it can range from 500 (least expensive) to over 800.

A down comforter that has a fill power of 500 is lightweight and far from fluffy. It is soft and somewhat insulating, which makes the comforter perfect for use during the summer or in countries that have a mild climate.

Fill power of 600 to 650 is considered of a much higher quality. The loft and the warmth of the comforter will both be higher.

The fill power in the 750 and beyond range is defining of a superior product. Such comforters are very warm and very fluffy. They provide ideal insulation and can be used in cold houses during the winter. Obviously, such comforters are the most expensive ones but the investment is well worth the benefits.

Long, Long History

Down comforters became popular in theUS in the 1970s. The energy crisis of this decade and the next one made people look for high quality, insulating materials that were capable of providing sufficient warmth.

Down has been used as a bedding material for a much longer period of time. There are Russian trade documents from the 1600s that suggest bird down bedding was being sold to Dutch merchants.

Today, down is more popular than ever. There aren’t exact statistics about the number of comforters sold in theUS but the industry generates revenue totaling millions of dollars.

Types of Down

While goose down is one of the most popular options out there, it’s not the only one.

Goose down is made in many countries but some of the top bedding options come fromHungary andPoland. The down clusters have a pure white color and they’re characterized by a very high fill power.

Duck down is a viable alternative. Elder down is the top pick within the category. This is the down variety that has the highest fill power out there – 1200! The elder duck down clusters are the largest ones out there.

Marabout down isn’t as popular. Originally collected from the marabou stork, it’s now mostly produced from turkey down. This type of down isn’t that popular in the world of bedding. It’s mostly incorporated in the trimmings of outfit and fashionable accessories.

Hungary for the Win!

We’ve already touched upon this fact in the previous entry, saying that some of the best goose down comes from countries likeHungary. You may be wondering about the reason. There’s a very simple and logical explanation starting with climate.

Weather inHungary is characterized by relatively harsh and cold winters. This is the main reason why birds living in this part ofEurope need a high level of insulation. The local geese species have evolved to have very fluffy down, offering a lot of warmth in the cold weather.

In addition, the down is lightweight. Thus, Hungarian down has an excellent warmth to weight ratio. It will not clump together and even the best comforters made in the country will remain lightweight.

Hungary is a country that has decades of development in the world of down comfort manufacturing. The most reputable down makers in the country stick to ethical practices and take good care of the birds. If you want to enjoy cruelty-free bedding, this is one of the options to pursue.

You’ve probably reached a conclusion already about the versatility of down. This material can be used for the creation of a wide array of bedding products. It’s suitable for use in just about every climate. Down has been used for centuries and even today, it’s unsurpassed in terms of lightness and warmth. Trying a down comforter is the only way to assess its characteristics on your own and figure out whether the bedding material is the right one for you.