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Down Alternative Comforters
Down Alternative Comforters: If You’re "Down" With Down
Down comforters have come along way from the days of
“Grandma’s Feather Bed.” However, there are still many
reasons that some people may opt for a down alternative
comforter. They may find some materials are more
hypoallergenic that others. They may like the “feel” of
certain materials. Some people may prefer a synthetic
down alternative comforter for ethical reasons.
Types of Down Alternatives
There are 3 basic types of down alternatives: silk, wool
and synthetic. In all these cases, the materials are
worked until they are thin, light and fluffy to produce
an effect like natural down. They may not always have
the warmth and density of feathers or down, but they are
certainly comfortable for sleep!
Wool
Wool comforters are made from sheep, Alpaca or Llama
wool. These wools are clean, dry and hypoallergenic.
Dust mites can’t thrive in wool fill because of its
porous qualities. Wool is also naturally fire retardant
and does not require chemical treatment to achieve this.
In addition, the wools are organic. The animals are not
treated with pesticides and the wool is processed
without dyes, chemicals and bleaches and contains no
lanolin or grease. Wool quilts require less fill to
provide warmth. Wools from Alpaca and llamas are
stronger and lighter than sheep’s wool. If you are
highly allergic, there are many good reasons for
choosing wool as a down alternative comforter.
Silk
The word silk evokes an image of exotic luxury. Most
people would not consider it as a viable down
alternative. However there are many reasons why silk
works well in comforters.
Silk is a deceptively strong fiber that can be stretched
out extremely thin. It will keep the sleepers cool in
the heat and warm in the cold as it repels moisture in
the air. This mechanism also makes it a poor home for
dust mites.
Silk, as a down alternative comforter, is amazingly
light – particularly when compared to wool comforters.
People who use silk comforters report that it is
difficult to return to regular blankets after the
whispering softness of the silk comforters. Ordinary
materials seem like sandpaper in comparison.
Synthetic Down Alternative Comforters
There are a variety of extremely inexpensive synthetic
quilts on the market. However, it is only the good
quality ones that mimic the warmth and fluffiness of an
authentic down comforter. People choose these particular
down alternative comforters for different reasons. They
are hypoallergenic. They are easier to care for. They
are also suitable for those who choose not to eat, wear
or use products from animal sources but who would still
appreciate the qualities of a down comforter.
A well made synthetic comforter is made from ultra fine
microscopic fibers, not lumps of fluff. These fine
fibers are blown into the comforters in the same manner
as natural materials. The result is a quilt with a
down-like appearance. They also rival down for warmth
although they are not suited to extremely cold climates.
The synthetic fibers are water resistant so these
alternative down comforters can be machine washed. This
makes them easier to care for than the natural
counterparts. However, dry-cleaning will help preserve
the lightness and fluffiness of a synthetic filled
quilt.
Choosing a Down Alternative Comforter
When choosing a down alternative comforter, consider
your health needs. Decide what you can afford to spend.
Think about the warmth you require and the weight of the
ideal quilt for you. If you make the right choice, you
will love your “down alternative” as much as the
“genuine” item.
About the Author
Valeria Vegas has a Masters degree in Writing and regularly writes for a local newspaper. She
also teaches writing workshops in
San Francisco and has taught high school
English. As a freelance job, she corrects essays for the
SAT and ACT through
Pearson scoring as well as write copy for websites. She is the
Associate Editor of a literary magazine, edit manuscripts for Behler
publications, and works for authors independently. One of her stories was
named Notable Story of 2004 by Million Writers. She is a regular contributor to http://www.comforter-n-duvet-cover.com.
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