It's Time To Think About Comforters!
By Pat Bowlin

Editor's Summary: This is a rather extensive look at comforters and what you should look for when shopping for a quality comforter. Qualities such as fill weight and fill power are discussed so that you can make an informed bedding purchase.

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.