What Determines Down Quality?

Quality of down varies greatly and depends on maturity and type of down. Usually, the best down comes from a mature goose. However, down from a mature duck is higher in quality than down from an immature goose. The fibres of down from immature birds do not have a good lofting ability and so collapse in a relatively short time period. Mature down will last much longer and provide a warmer, lighter duvet than an immature one.

Down provides three times the warmth per ounce than synthetic materials. Less down is needed by weight than any synthetic and as such provides a much lighter & warmer cover. Down continually lofts & forms itself to the body.

Care of a Down Product

Can Down be washed?
Yes, if the manufacturers recommend such care. Refer to the manufacturers instructions for care of their specific product.

Can down be dry cleaned?
Yes, however it is important to air out your down filled item after dry cleaning before using it again. Check manufacturers care instructions for your product.

How do I clean my featherbed?
Featherbeds can be difficult to clean simply due to their weight and bulk. It is therefore, important to use a featherbed protector to keep it as clean as possible. Manufacturers instructions will assist you in the care and cleaning of your featherbed.

How do I store my down products?
Down products should be stored in a breathable bag. Once removed from storage, it should be shaken out to allow the down to re-loft. Down should not be compressed for extended lengths of time.

What Is…

Loft: Loft is the technical term for measuring number of cubic inches that one ounce of down will fill under specific conditions: The larger and more mature the bird, the higher the loft of its down.

Specific weights (800 is the highest loft) are determined through standard testing of the down. A high quality down product will be much lighter and at the same time much puffier than a lower quality item. The higher the loft the less down required to fill a product.

Density: This number describes how dense the fibres of the down are at its center. The denser the down, the better it keeps in air, & the better insulator it is. High density is found in very mature downs only.

Breathability: Down has an ability to allow water vapour to pass right through it, preventing the clammy and dampness that can occur with synthetics.

Cleanliness: High quality downs are washed, rinsed & dried with specialized equipment, providing a high level of cleanliness. Sanitizing processes can be used to ensure product is hypo allergenic. See specific style information.

Which Down Fill Is Best?

White Goose Down: This is the very best natural filling and the best insulator. White Goose Down lofts the highest out of all the fills. It is superbly soft, light and the warmest.

Duck Down: Duck Down has a lower lofting quality than White Goose Down and as such is not as warm. It is less expensive than White Goose.

Feather (Goose/Duck): Feather is heavier than down and has a lower lofting quality. It does not keep you as warm as down.