Down Guide: Part One

Ever wonder what makes certain down better than others? What does fill power even mean? Or how about selecting the perfect comforter?

We recently hosted a Down Master Class, where we learned the ins and outs of down from Saul Moreno of Downright. 

Part One of our Down Guide will start with the basics of down, then how to select pillows and comforters, and finally how to care for your luxury down products.

1. All About Down

WHY BUY DOWN?

Down is nature’s premiere fill and insulator; And, because down is so lightweight, it’s one of the most comfortable and most desired fills for a blanket or comforter.

Down clusters look like little cotton balls with a round center called a plumule. Each plumule has thousands of tiny fibers emanating from its core. As these fibers link to others, they create air pockets, which keep you insulated by trapping the heat. The air within the pockets warms you naturally, using minimal weight.

​Down also has the amazing ability to breathe, lifting moisture away from the sleeper. Far less down is needed in weight than other fillings, which means a much lighter, but warmer product.

WHAT IS FILL POWER?

All down is not the same. Down from larger, mature birds offer more insulating power and a better ability to loft. This means they will have a higher fill power.

​Fill power is measured by the amount of cubic inches that one ounce of down will fill once it expands. The higher the fill power, the better the quality and warmth. This means that a higher quality comforter will weigh less than a heavier, lower quality one; yet still provide more warmth, fluffiness, and lightweight comfort.

DOWNRIGHT'S  HIGH QUALITY FILLS

WHITE GOOSE DOWN
920+ Fill Power – When nothing but the very best will do. 920+ Canadian White Goose Down is made up of the largest uniform clusters – hand selected from mature, specially bred Canadian geese – that will give you optimal warmth, minimal weight and utmost in comfort. 

800+ Fill Power – 800+ Siberian White goose down is handpicked from the the choicest, premium, specially bred Siberian geese. This down will deliver incredible loft and insulating warmth. 

700+ Fill Power – 700+ Polish White Goose Down is made from premium clusters that deliver superior loft and a higher degree of comfort compared to the top offerings of other leading brands. 

650+ Fill Power – 650+ Hungarian White Goose Down comes from the finest of mature Hungarian geese. It is exceptionally soft and fluffy – guaranteed to yield pure warmth and pleasure. 

600+ Fill Power – The fine down of European geese. This 600+ White Goose Down is the best in its grade. Soft, yet resilient, this down is a remarkable product that doesn’t compromise the warmth you crave.

WHITE DOWN
600+ Fill Power – This 600+ White Down is the best in its grade. Soft, yet resilient, this down is a remarkable product that doesn’t compromise the warmth you crave. 

560+ Fill Power – Our most affordable choice for Down. This 560+ White Down has been carefully washed, making it one of the select few in this category that are also hypoallergenic. Its soft clusters, durability and light weight, make this down a favorite entry level into a world of luxury and warmth.
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EIDERDOWN
Eiderdown is the finest, warmest, most rare down in the world. The down is hand collected from abandoned nests in Eider Duck sanctuaries. Eiderdown’s unique characteristics provide you with the utmost in luxurious comfort; and while the Eiderdown comforter provides you with the greatest warmth and insulation, it is extremely lightweight and will have you feel like you are sleeping on a cloud.

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2. What if I'm Sensitive to Down?

OXYD ® HYPOALLERGENIC PROCESS

OxyD ® is an exclusive Downright process that ensures that their down products are 100% hypoallergenic. All their downs exceed government standards for purity, without compromising volume and uniformity. Their down goes through a unique double-wash and quadruple-rinse program so you can be assured you are getting the cleanest, highest quality down in the market.

DOWN ALTERNATIVE FILL

Downright's Comforel Down Alternative Fill is a great option for those who'd prefer no down, or need a more economical option.

HOFF MILLER'S OWN TEST STUDY

Leanna Hoff Boers always believed she had an allergy to down, and experienced symptoms when touching traditional down products. We've sold bedding and down products for many years, and Leanna was never able to get too close to the bedding displays.

​When we began selling Downright products, she was nervous to visit their factory in Brooklyn and was shocked when she didn't have a reaction to the down.

Leanna now happily sleeps in a cloud of Downright!

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3. Choosing the Right Pillow

YOUR FIRMNESS LEVEL

Stomach sleepers: soft, plump pillow that cushions and supports the head and neck gently, while allowing the head to sink into the perfect level.

Back sleepers: medium density pillow that positions the head and neck in line with the natural curvature of the spine.

Side sleepers: firm pillow that provides more support and positions the head, neck, and shoulders in harmonious horizontal alignment.

YOUR PREFERRED FILL TYPE

Down: choose from our six luxurious fills (above). 

Down/Feather Blend: firmer than down filled pillows. They are an excellent choice for those who want a firmer support.

Comforel Down Alternative Fill: microfiber fill that offers down-like comfort, loft and softness, at a more economical price than down. 

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4. Choosing your Comforter

YOUR LEVEL OF WARMTH

To select the ideal comforter, you must consider such factors as season, climate, heating system and thermostat setting. Most of our classic comforters are now offered in three weights to best suit your needs.

Summer Weight: Ideal for the warm sleeper, warm climates or when the room temperature is above 70°F.

All Year Weight: Our most popular choice (especially in our Rocky Mountain climate). This all-season comforter is perfect for year round use and for those who keep their bedroom temperature between 60°F and 65°F.

Winter Weight: Ideal for the cold sleeper, cool bedrooms, very cold climates and for those who prefer extra warmth during the winter season. Unless you're in Alaska, we wouldn't recommend this weight.

YOUR LEVEL OF QUALITY

Introductory: Our most affordable down comforter features a 233 thread count cover filled with 560 fill power white down. View Mackenza Comforter

Classic: These classics feature a soft, 300 thread count cover filled with high loft, 600 fill power white goose down, guaranteed to provide many years of warmth and pleasure. View Cascada, 3-1 Anytime Comforters

Best Value: Opting for lasting comfort and value? The comforters in this class offer remarkable quality and sumptuous softness. A high quality white goose down with large and plump clusters, our 650 and 700 fill power white goose downs, provide luxurious warmth with minimum weight. Choice of 330 or 383 thread count cotton sateen gives the finishing touch to this amazing selection. View Andesia and Nirvana Comforters
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Supreme: Exceptional superiority, the 700 and 800 fill power is one of the word's finest downs. Premium clusters of down deliver superior loft and maximum warmth with minimal weight. Moreover, our silky smooth downproof fabric is made in Europe using the exclusive SanProCare process-known to enhance temperature regulation, absorption and release of moisture, and superior durability. View Bernina and Himalaya Comforters

Ultimate: When only the very best will do; our most magnificent comforters offer unparalleled luxury, warmth and craftsmanship. The very largest, softest 920 fill power Canadian white goose down paired with a choice of Batiste lightweight fabric- or our 100% Pure Silk, Flowering Vine pattern cover, introduce you to the incredible lightness of warmth. These opulent comforters result in extraordinary comfort and promise luscious sleep for years to come. View Logana and Eliasa Comforters

Down Alternative: Filled with Comforel;reg, a wonderful hypoallergenic microfiber fill that offers down-like comfort, loft and softness at a more economical price than down. Perfect for sleepers who are allergy prone. View Sierra and Astra Comforters

​Tencel Ecofriendly: The combination of high quality 650 fill power white goose down and a Tencel® lyocell cover offers you easy-care comfort that’s soft on you and the environment. Tencel® lyocell is a natural fabric manufactured from wood pulp from Eucalyptus trees, which is extremely silky to the touch, has a very soft finish and is noted for its durability, light weight and strength. View Innutia Comforter

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5. Caring For Your Down Comforter & Pillow

• Pillows and comforters should always be used inside a cover.
• Pillows should always have on a protector in addition to a cover.
• Comforters may be spot cleaned for spills and aired out occasionally.
• While frequent washing is not advised, down products may either be washed or dry-cleaned.
• Dry cleaning should only be performed by a company experienced with down products, as dirty cleaning fluid will cause the Down to clump, lose its lofting ability and occasionally develop a mild odor.
• We recommend washing only in a front-loading commercial capacity washer. No machines with agitators as these are too rough and will tear the baffles, which would void the warranty. Use a low sudsing detergent or a product specifically designed for washing down products. Run through the rinse cycle twice to remove all soap. Place in large capacity dryer on lowest heat setting and dry for several hours. This step is very important, because if down is not thoroughly dried, it may develop mold and odors.

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Stay Tuned for Part Two

Whew! That was a lot of information to take in ...
And there's so much more we can cover ... So stay tuned for Part Two!

Also, from now until the end of November, we're offering designers 20% off all Downright orders.
​Shoot us an email, give us a call, or swing by to get your order placed!