If you're thinking about buying a comforter for
your bedroom, don't shop without this information!
Knowing what to look for in a quality comforter can
save you money in the long run by making your
purchase the best quality for the money.
By saving yourself from some of the common
mistakes made by bedding buyers, you will be much
happier with the selection you purchase.
When choosing comforters, it is important to
understand the materials used to construct the
bedding as well as the construction methods used.
Let's take a look at some of the factors you need to
be aware of before making your purchase.
Feathers or down are commonly used as filling
material. There's a really big difference between the
two, however. Down is the inner plumage of ducks or
geese. It has a great many tiny, very
fluffy "miniature feathers" and no long feathers or
quills.
Check the product information carefully to be
certain of what the contents of the bedding you are
considering really is. Both feathers and down are
effective insulators against the cold, but down is the
more efficient of the two. Down is much softer and
warmer than feathers.
However, people with allergies can have problems
with either filler and may need to resort to allergy-
proof bedding. Some down products are created to
be hypoallergenic and may be used by any except
the most severe allergy sufferers. Quality bedding will
be made of down rather than feathers, but is very
expensive when used as the only fill. So comforter
manufacturers compromise abit by adding some
feathers into the mix as well to add to your
comforter's insulating ability.
Another fill that may be found in bedding is
polyester fiber. This filling is not as luxurious feeling
as down but can make an effective insulator
nonetheless. Preferred by allergy sufferers, a very
good quality 
selection using
polyester fiber fill can make a great bedding
choice.
An important factor to consider when purchasing
your bed covering is fill weight. Fill weight is the
amount of filling used between the top and bottom
covering of your bedding.
The greater the fill weight, the more filling is
contained in the bedding and therefore the more
body heat will be held in through the insulating factor
of the bedding.
If you live in a cold climate and reduce your
home's thermostat at night, you'll want to purchase
products with a high fill weight.
If you live in a more temperate climate or want
bedding for summer use, you will probably want to
choose a lower fill weight or remove the top bedding
from the bed at night to sleep in cool comfort.
Fill power refers to the amount of space which 1
ounce of down or fill material covers. Because top
quality down expands, this number is generated by
taking 1 once of fill and compressing it. Once it is
freed again, it will expand to cover a specific
area.
The fill number 575 fill power means that 1 ounce
of the filler covers 575 cubic inches of space. 650 is
a very high fill power. The loft of the bedding is
directly related to the fill power, as is the insulating
properties.
If you live in a warm climate, you'll be happy with
a much lower fill power. A fill power of 575 or below
would be great for winters in the Mid-South. Lower
numbers would be best for Southern California and
Florida while the cold northern state will enjoy a fill
power of 650.
Thread count is a factor to consider as well.
Especially with down/feather bedding, low thread
count fabric can result in filling materials working
their way through the fabric and escaping.
Higher thread counts of 330 or more provide a
more dense fabric with a close weave that will
prevent filling materials from working their way out of
the bedding. Higher thread count also provides a
silkier, luxurious feel to the bedding. Thread count is
much more important when buying bedding that
contains filling than if you are buying sheets.
The actual construction method of the shell of
the bedding is also very important. Inexpensive
bedding that contains filling will be constructed with
the "sewn-through" method.
This means that the bedding is divided into
sections by sewing through the top and bottom and
coming back through the fabric, much like the way a
quilt is constructed.
Top quality bedding, which is more expensive but
will last much longer, uses baffle box
construction.
Fabric is used to create walls inside the bedding
in which the fill is placed. This provides the fluffiness
of true luxury bedding. The bedding fill product is
allowed to expand to the maximum fluffiness and you
will find no cold spots when sleeping under this type
of bedding.
For the very best bedding, be sure to look for
the "closed baffle box" or "true baffle box"
construction. Closed box construction means the
filling can not move from section to section. An open
box construction or partially open box construction
means the filling can move and create bunches and
lumpiness.
Care of your bedding investment is important too!
Even if a luxury bedding item that contains fill
material says it may be machine washed, you will not
want to wash it in your home laundry equipment.
When large pieces of filled bedding get wet, they
are simply too heavy for the home machine. Washing
and drying can cause lumping even in good quality
products. Dry cleaning is the best method to
preserve your quality bedding that contains fill.
For only a little more cost, you can insure that
your bedding will last longer so you can enjoy it for
years and years to come.
Patricia Bowlin informs and entertains you as you
shop for home bedding! Find out everything you need
to know about chosing the perfect pillows,
comforters, and bedding here
now.
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