FAQ

WHAT IS DOWN?

Down is the natural insulator of waterfowl protecting them from cold air and water. It is a 3-dimensional spherical plumule, a core with thousands of soft fibers radiating from it in all directions. Because down is grown closest to the skin of waterfowl, its main function is to maintain an even body temperature by "trapping" air for insulation with minimum weight.

WHAT IS FILL POWER? WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Fill power measures the amount of cubic inch space taken up by an ounce of down. Higher numbers relate to the size of the down cluster. Larger clusters "trap" more air resulting in fewer ounces needed to produce the lightest fluffiest down comforter!
Fill power Rating 550-600 Basic 650 Good 700 Superior 750 Excellent 800+ Finest

WHAT IF I AM ALLERGIC TO DOWN?

Many people who think they are allergic to down actually are not. They have simply been exposed to down products that were not thoroughly washed and fabrics that were not properly down proofed allowing down to leak through. Our down is washed thoroughly and must receive a low Oxygen Count of 3 or 4. Our fabric source in Germany is one of the leading facilities for down proofing technology.

WHY DID IT GET SO FLAT?

There are a variety of constructions for comforters. Many comforters have sewn through boxes. This limits the loft or expansion of the down. We prefer true baffle box construction (with mesh baffles). This allows the most air circulation (fluffy-ness) within the comforter.

WHY DID ALL THE DOWN MOVE TO THE EDGES?

The majority of down comforters today are made with baffle box construction. Some have a large gap along the box perimeter. This allows for faster production time but this large gap also allows the down to easily shift between boxes. Eventually, the down will clump to the edges of the comforter that hang off the bed leaving the middle area practically empty and cold. We produce true baffle box construction in which there is only a small opening just large enough for our filling pipe to fit. This helps prevent the down from migrating to neighboring boxes.

HOW DO I KEEP MY DOWN COMFORTER FROM GETTING TANGLED INSIDE MY DUVET COVER?

Since we opened in 1988, we have stitched soft fabric loops on each corner of the comforter. If your duvet cover comes with corresponding ties, this will keep your comforter in place.

WHY DOES THE DOWN KEEP FLYING OUT OF THE COMFORTER?

Very often when the comforter shell is not down proofed properly, even minimum usage will open small holes within the fabric leading to leakage. Another culprit is a high concentration of feathers. Their hard quills can poke holes from within. Our fabrics are technologically state of the art and down content is at least 95% (USA standard only 75%. 100% not possible in nature.) Yet another damaging offender is in the stitching. Not enough stitches within each inch or too large needle holes will cause leakage at these points.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I WASH MY DOWN COMFORTER?

Wash it every 3-5 years. Please visit our After Service page for more information on our washing and refurbishing service.
We suggest using a duvet cover to protect the comforter from spills and scratches.

HOW SHOULD I WASH IT?

Be absolutely sure you go to someone who has experience with down products. Too often dry cleaners are not familiar enough with the properties of down and feather. They may use harsh chemicals that damage the down and the down proof-ness of the fabric resulting in leakage. Our washing service is specifically designed to delicately wash down. Imported from Germany, our machine uses mild cleansers developed by the machine designers to bathe down thoroughly yet gently. The drying cycle is imperative. Down must be DRIED COMPLETELY. Damp down can become moldy and develop an odor. Where dry cleaners use high heat to fast dry, we dry on low heat for several hours. Not only is this gentler on the comforter, but also serves to ensure the comforter is utterly dry. Please see Cozy Down washing service.

MY DUVET COVER DOESN'T FIT MY DOWN COMFORTER. WHAT CAN BE DONE?

There is no standard measurement for top of the bed items such as comforters and duvet covers. Different brands will have different measurements which can make finding the perfect fit quite challenging. If you purchase a duvet cover from us, we would be happy to alter the duvet cover to fit our sizing for a nominal fee. Please inquire for more details.

WHAT IS A FABRIC THREAD COUNT?

Number of threads woven horizontally and vertically within a square inch of fabric. Finer threads result in higher thread counts. The weave is tighter making the fabric more downproof (to avoid leakage). The light weight of finer threads allows for greater down loft (fluffiness) and breathability of the comforter in order to maintain an even body temperature.

WHY IS BAFFLE BOX CONSTRUCTION IDEAL?

The baffle box construction is special because it allows air to flow from one box to another within the comforter itself while resisiting the down from shifting and lumping. These three-dimensional boxes are divided by baffle "tape" that can be made of a strip of cotton fabric. While some producers use this inexpensive method, ours is a mesh baffle tape. The mesh is more conducive to air circulation supporting the down to loft (fluff) to its full potential.

WHY IS THE STITCHING IMPORTANT?

The shell of the comforter must be stitched with care. Down can leak through if needle holes are too large or the edges do not have enough "stitches per inch" making room for fibers to sneak through.