Villa Novum Comforter (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between down and down alternative comforters? ›

Down and down alternative are made from different materials: down is a natural material that is made from goose or duck plumage (the fluffy stuff beneath the feathers), whereas down alternative is a synthetic fiber made to act like down.

We recommend choosing down if you prefer a cozy warm top layer, and are willing to spend a bit more on a comforter made with one of the most durable bedding materials. You may prefer a down alternative comforter if you sleep hot since they tend to regulate temperature better.

What Is a Down Comforter Made Of? A down comforter is made from the feathers of waterfowl like ducks and geese. The feathers and plumules come from the waterfowl's undercoat, which is beneath the tougher exterior feathers. Down feathers are lightweight and fluffy and are known for being warm, durable, and breathable.

Feathers and down, the natural protectors of birds, have absolutely no allergenic properties. It's actually what rests between the feathers that start the itching. Pores in the bedding are the perfect grounds for bacteria and germs, most commonly dust mites to build their home.

Anything with 600 fill power or less is ideal for summer months because there's less air and therefore less heat being trapped. Down alternative is popular for cooling comforters as it won't trap as much heat as down.

Due to the naturally higher fill power of down, the duvets can be warmer with less filling, which makes them so lightweight. Down alternative duvets will need to be filled with much more synthetic material to reach the same fill power level of warmth as down ones.

Down duvets are often a preferred choice in upscale hotels. They are filled with soft, fluffy feathers found beneath the exterior feathers of ducks or geese.

Do not lay on top of it as this is the worst thing you can do to your down comforter. The weight from your body crushes the down clusters and winds up gradually grinding the fibers into dust.

Farmers usually harvest goose down after the birds are slaughtered for meat, and most geese are killed about 15 weeks after hatching. But farmers may also pluck the feathers when geese are still alive, a painful process akin to someone ripping out human hair, animal welfare and advocacy groups say.

What are the disadvantages of down comforters? ›

The most common criticism of down insulation is its tendency to clump up and lose loft when it gets wet, thereby losing its insulation properties. Proprietary technologies have been developed over the years to treat down at a microscopic level with a water-resistant application.

Fill power is an indication of the quality and thickness of the Down inside the duvet and applies to Down-filled pillows also. This rating describes the number of cubic inches that one ounce of down will fill. A general rule of thumb is: the higher the fill power, the thicker the duvet.

Experiments have shown that dust mites (and fungal spores which can be similarly problematic) thrive in warm, damp conditions. Unfortunately, this is just the kind of environment synthetic and down comforters create.

Dust mites feed off of dead skin cells, and your comfy bedding is a perfect home for these microscopic organisms. Mites are also known to flourish in warm weather, so the months of July and August are perfect times to clean your down and feather bedding.

Because down is a natural material that requires time and effort to collect and process, it's typically a more expensive product. However, down has been used in bedding material for centuries for a reason, namely durability. So although the initial investment may be greater, down bedding can pay off in longevity.

Down alternative fill is crafted from fibers designed to mimic down and can include cotton, rayon, polyester and other synthetic material. Parachute's down alternative products are made from 100% hypoallergenic microfiber fill, which allows its down alternative bedding products to be a cozy alternative to down.

Real down bedding locks in warmth very well, but is usually more breathable compared to alternative down. This makes it superior if you tend to run cold or live in a cold climate. However, down alternatives may provide an "all year round sleep layer," since it doesn't keep you as warm, says Adams.

Down alternative pillows are hypoallergenic, versatile for all sleeping positions, breathable, and lack animal-derived materials. Drawbacks include potential insufficient insulation and fluffiness. Prices can range from $60 to $150. Care varies, with some machine-washable options.