Down Comforter Bedding

Down pillows, comforters and blankets are filled with feathers. Everyone covets down bedding because of its superior insulation and softness. But what makes feathers the ultimate source of comfort and warmth?

Scientifically speaking, feathers are an epidermal growth covering birds. Feathers are made of proteins and are very complex structural organs on vertebrates. Feathers insulate birds from the elements and keep them warm. A bird is known by the appearance of its feathers. Two types of feathers cover a bird’s body – vaned feathers and down feathers. Vaned feathers have a central shaft with branching on either side. Down feathers are soft and found underneath the vaned feathers. Down bedding may contain either type or both types of feathers.

veryday people realize the insular benefits of feathers when they snuggle up under high end down bedding. Down comforters keep you warm on a cold day yet they are lightweight. Down pillows cradle your head in complete comfort. When you relax on the sofa, there is nothing more cozy than a down throw blanket. The incredible warmth offered by soft, light feathers is absolutely amazing.

Egyptian cotton is a term applied to the extra long staple cotton produced in Egypt.  Ironically, this cotton species is the same as the native American species, and was introduced to by Mohammad Ali Pasha in the early nineteenth century.  During the American Civil War, Europeans purchased their cotton from Egypt, and the cotton became an important part of producing clothing in Europe.  Earlier Egyptian peoples made their clothing from linen. 

Egyptian cotton is often associated with luxury and high class brands in modern times, with Egyptian cotton sheets in constant demand for their warmth and incredible breathability.

Most people don’t get enough sleep at night, and wake up feeling sluggish, groggy, and unrested regardless of how much time they spend in bed.  To have a more restful and comfortable sleep, consider a feather bed to place beneath your sheets.  These add a layer of down to your bedding to maximize comfort.  In addition to a feather bed, you might consider a new mattress (though this is a more expensive option).  Traditional spring mattresses can often be uncomfortable, and wear down over time.  Therapeutic pillows can help to keep your spinal cord aligned and rest your neck. 

Though changing your bedding can be a solution for a better night’s sleep, you might also think about an air purifier to prevent congestion or coughing.

Now that the winter chill is setting in, I started to feel under the weather. At the end of last week, my head was aching, my eyes were red and puffy and my throat felt sore. After taking all the Vitamin C and Tylenol I could, I decided the only way to get rid of that flu-like feeling was some rest.

Once the kids got home from school on Friday, I was free to lay down. Armed with a box of tissues and a tall glass of juice, I headed to my bedroom for some much-needed rest. I sank into my soft featherbed and wrapped myself in my puffy down comforter. The warmth and softness completely enveloped me. Within minutes, I was peacefully sleeping.

My husband brought me some chicken soup later that night. I woke up to sip some soup then settled right back into my comforting down bedding. For the past two days, I was cuddled by my down comforters as I nursed myself back to health.

On Sunday night, I finally emerged from the depths of my down bedding to take a shower and get the kids prepared for school. Spending a couple of days relaxing under my down comforter definitely did the trick.

Now that I’m back on my feet and faced the hectic pace of Monday, I’m thankful for the oasis my down bedding offers when I don’t feel good. If only there were more reasons to spend all day under the down blankets!

 
Although many people cover their down comforters with a colorful duvet, you can also keep your down white. Pale duvet covers and the beauty of the down comforter itself is a great beginning to a beautiful room.

There are a variety of ways to decorate with white. If you decide to keep your down bedding white, here are a few suggestions:

-Place a colorful down blanket over your down comforter. When you lounge in your bedroom, you can slip under the blanket without disturbing your bedding. It also adds a splash of color to your bed.

-Use various shades of white throughout your room for a dazzling effect. If you use a single shade of white, your room looks sterile rather than pristine. From bright white to ivory, an array of shades adds interest and depth to your bedroom décor.

-Mix up your bedroom décor by season. Keep all your down bedding white and add accessories to customize your room. Floral curtains and pastel throw pillows are perfect for spring and summer. Bold colored throw rugs and matching curtains add appeal during the fall and winter. When you have white bedding, you can add a rainbow of other colors without clashing.

White is a good beginning for literally thousands of different bedroom designs. Be adventurous and spice up your décor more often when you choose basic white down bedding.

Now that you have a decadent down comforter, how do you keep it clean and puffy? Whether you have a windowpane down comforter with sewn-through boxes or a single constructed down comforter, there are simple ways to keep them looking and feeling great.

Shake out your down blankets, comforters and pillows everyday to give them proper fullness. When you strip your bed, fluff your featherbed. You can also tumble dry your down bedding for five or so minutes to bring it back to life.

Protect your down comforter with a duvet and your down pillows with pillowcases. Refresh your bedding by frequently washing the duvet and pillowcases while you shake out and air your down items.

Gentle machine washing with mild dish detergent can be used to clean down bedding. Many down enthusiasts prefer to have their down bedding professionally dry cleaned. Either method will get your down bedding clean and refreshed.

Did you also know down comforters can last for decades? There is no set time for down spoilage. If you take good care of your down bedding, it will keep you warm and happy for a lifetime.

When I finally found an affordable city apartment, everything needed renovation. From painting the walls to buying rugs, it really required an overhaul. The rooms were so tiny I could only fit a loveseat and a rocker in the living area. A bistro table for two took up most of my kitchen space. The crowning glory in my new metro pad was a fireplace in the bedroom. It was a good thing because the apartment was cold and I couldn’t afford a down comforter after paying the first month’s rent.

I was really excited about having a fireplace in my bedroom, imagining romantic nights with a fire roaring in the background. It almost made up for the fact I couldn’t afford a soft down comforter yet. I imagined myself clad in silk pajamas with a glass of wine in one hand as I laughed and lured my boyfriend. All my fantasies were shattered when I discovered I wasn’t actually allowed to light a fire in the fireplace. Because of city ordinances and the health of my neighbors, my fireplace was all show and no go.

I’d counted on that fireplace as a source of heat in my chilly little place. My handsome boyfriend assured me we could have plenty of warm, romantic time in the bedroom without the fireplace. When I asked him how that was possible in my freezing apartment, he handed me a big, wrapped box. He smiled and said it was my housewarming gift. I tore the shiny wrapping paper open and discovered a beautiful down comforter set inside. Now it’s always cozy and warm in my bedroom because I’m tucked under a toasty down comforter!

Using a down comforter means you can turn the heat down on chilly nights. With rising fuel costs, we all want to save money. The warmth and comfort of down is superior to any other blanket. Investing in a durable down comforter can save you hundreds of dollars over the course of the winter season.

When you cover your bed with down, it doesn’t have to be boring. While some people prefer the solid, puffy white surface of down comforters, others seek more pizazz. Duvet covers are used to cover down comforters to keep them safe and the feathers contained. Duvet covers are also very versatile because they are available in a variety of colors and styles.

Whether you prefer patterns or solids, floral designs or artistic swirls, there are duvet covers to match every mood and décor. You can even change your duvet covers with the seasons. Use warm, rich autumn hues during the fall. Bold, dramatic colors are beautiful during the winter. Floral designs and pastels work well in the spring. For the summer, pale shades and seafaring colors bring the beach to your bedroom.

No matter what your décor, there are eye-catching duvet covers to make your warm down comforter even more appealing.

People often become tired of the appearance of their bed or linens, and want to change it but avoid the cost of purchasing a new quilt, comforter, or bed frame.  Here are a few quick options for mixing it up in your bedroom:

~Pillows; though not for practical use, adding more pillows or using different pillow cases can add style to your bed and change its appearance.

~Duvet cover; this will change the appearance of your quilt or comforter, and duvet covers tend to be available in fashions suitable to most tastes. 

~Bed ruffles or skirts; these go beneath the mattress and drape down towards the floor, also available in different fashions to suit your tastes.

When choosing between a down pillow and a traditional stuffed pillow, there are a few factors which differentiate the two.  The down pillow will be much softer than a stuffed pillow.  Down pillows will contour to the shape of your head and can offer a much more comfortable place to rest.  The traditional stuffed pillow will not contour as well to your head, but it is much more firm.  If you are looking for neck support or to tilt your head upward in bed, a stuffed pillow tends to be the better option. 

Down pillows tend to be more expensive than stuffed pillows, but if you are looking for comfort, are often more than worth it.