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Frequently Asked Questions

The
Luxury
of
Nature





David Smith
President
and Founder of
Down and Feather Co.
Luxury Bedding

We get a lot of great questions from potential customers about our luxury line of down bedding. Some of their questions we get more frequently than others so we thought it might make some sense to ask the expert on luxury down bedding and the President and Founder of Down & Feather Company, David Smith.

Are the birds harmed in any way when you collect the down clusters? Absolutely not. The Hungarian goose down used to make all of our down bedding products is hand harvested during the molting season of the bird in a effort to not harm the beautiful birds or their habitat.What is a "Perfect Pillow Policy"? Pillows are very personal and buying pillows sight unseen over the internet can be difficult. So to reduce the risk of choosing the wrong firmness we have a "Perfect Pillow Policy" which states that we will adjust any pillow for one year from the date of purchase.

What's the difference between all the fill powers? It's easy really, the higher the fill power the finer the quality.

Where do you use a feather bed? Feather beds are typically placed on top of your existing mattress and under a fitted sheet.

Why do I need a pillow protector, feather bed protector or a pillow case? The reason you want to use a pillow or feather bed protector is to keep the natural oils and moisture from your skin away from the down clusters that fill your luxury down bedding so it will last longer.

Why? What happens to the down clusters? Hungarian goose down is a completely organic material that when exposed to moisture or the oils from your skin can cause it to break down and loose its resilience or support. The longer you can keep your down bedding from that exposure the longer it will last.

What do you recommend when it comes to caring for your down pillow, down comforter or feather bed? One of the easiest ways to care for your luxury down bedding so that it will last longer is

  1. protect it
  2. throw it in the dryer on a fluff cycle to air it out.

How do I clean my down pillow or down comforter if I spill something on it? That depends on the type of spill and how badly it has soaked through the outer cotton shell. Your first line of defense is spot cleaning. If that doesn't seem to do it send it off to Blanc Plume French Laundry in St. Louis for some serious attention. See Care Instructions.

What's the difference between your SnuggleSoft line and NaturalNights line of down pillows and down comforters? The only difference is the cotton shell that holds and surrounds the down. The NaturalNights organic bedding collection is a Eco-friendly, chemical free, all natural bedding with a unbleached Egyptian cotton shell that won't irritate your skin or your allergies and it's guaranteed to be hypoallergenic and allergen free.

So how do I get the firmness right the first time? How do I choose the pillow that's right for me? It all depends on your sleep habit. Are you a side sleeper? or back sleeper or do you like to sleep on your stomach? We have put a video on our "how to choose a down pillow" page to help people visualize each pillows firmness so that they choose the perfect pillow.

So what's next for the Down & Feather Company? Our commitment is to offer only the finest quality products to our customers whether we make it or not. We will continue to compliment our down bedding brands with luxury bedding and accessories from around the world. We want everyone to "Sleep Well". In addition we are always looking for ways to move closer to the customer and allow them to contribute to the business so we are currently looking into adding a blog to help facilitate customer interactions and questions.

Whether you are first time buyer or just looking to replace your existing down comforter, down pillow or featherbed it is a exciting time. At Down & Feather Company we realize you have many choices and appreciate you considering our down comforters, pillows, featherbeds and linens. Below you will find a Top 10 list and alphabetical listing of common terms used to describe many down products or terms used on our site to describe our down products and linens. Please don't hesitate to bookmark this page or reference it while you are making such a important decision about ours or our competitors down products. Obviously we would love to have your business but we have found that a well educated customer is the best kind of customer. Thank you for visiting Down & Feather Company™

What is Hungarian Goose Down?

Hungarian Goose Down is widely regarded as the finest goose down in the world. The Hungarian Goose Down used to make your SnuggleSoft™, QualityRest™ or NaturalNights™ down pillow, down comforter or feather bed is hand harvested during the molting season of the bird in a effort to not harm the beautiful bird's or there habitat. After harvesting the down is hand sorted into different levels of quality based on the size of the harvested clusters. The larger the cluster the better the quality. Harvesting and sorting goose down by hand is very tedious and time consuming but it ensures consistent fill quality across our brands from year to year.

What is Fill Power?

Fill power is difficult to explain given that regardless of the fill power it all seems to be stuffed into the same space like a down comforter, pillow or featherbed. but the difference is actually very dramatic. Technically speaking fill power is a measurement of the amount of space one (1) ounce of down will occupy in cubic inches when allowed to reach its maximum loft. The higher the fill power the more cubic inches need to allow the down to reach it's maximum loft. But the warmth of a down comforter is determined by both the fill power and the amount of down used to make the comforter.

As a consumer you should be looking for both the highest quality down, determined by using fill power, but also be looking for a down comforter designed to allow the down fill to reach it maximum loft. The design that allows down to reach its maximum loft is a baffle box design like all of our premium down comforters featured above (save the classic). A baffle box design allows the down, not the feathers (we don't use feathers in our any of our down comforters) to reach there maximum loft thus providing you with the maximum amount of insulation to keep you cozy warm at night.

What else are they made of ? Egyptian Cotton

All of our down comforters are made from Egyptian cotton. Egyptian cotton is used because it can be spun into a smoother, stronger and much finer yarn so that it's possible to weave more threads per square inch into the fabric. The high thread count makes the fabric denser and more substantial. Constructed almost exclusively as a sateen weave the result is a smooth silky finish of impeccable quality and refinement. Thread count is important but it's only one part of three other components that determine the quality of the fabric used to make your down comforter. So what are the other components?...Quality, Construction and Finish.

Quality of the yarn, or cotton fiber, is one of the most important components when manufacturing the ticking or shell used to contain the down fill of a down comforter. The quality of the yarn is basically a function of the length of the cotton fiber. So the longer the fiber the higher the quality of the finished goods. The finest quality yarn, or cotton fiber, use a long-staple cotton fiber found primarily in northern Africa or Egypt. The longer the cotton fiber the smoother, stronger and finer the yarn can be woven. Finer woven fabric means better quality and higher thread count.

Construction, or the weave, of that long-staple cotton fiber impacts how soft your down comforter will feel to the touch. Some weaves lend themselves to looking and feeling softer which is why we use a solid sateen weave which produces a smooth and lustrous surface.

We saved the finish for last. Mercerization is a wet finishing process for cotton yarn or fabric. This treatment increases a cotton's luster and strength allowing the fabric to retain its silky softness.

Enemies of Down - Compression, Moisture and Oil

What destroys down? Compression is a pretty big one but you can't really avoid it. Moisture from incorrectly washing the down piece or moisture and perspiration from our bodies while we sleep is the biggest challenge. Oils from your skin while you sleep slowly reach the down contained within your down pillow, comforter and feather bed. That is why highly recommend you use the appropriate protector and a pillow case, duvet cover or feather bed protector.

If you take a shower at night make sure you have dry hair before laying down on your down pieces. Managing that perspiration while we sleep so that it doesn't destroy the down contained in your down pillow, feather bed or down comforter is managed with syriaca. All of our down bedding products excluding our Classic down and feather pillows contain syriaca to control the moisture released from our bodies while we sleep adding years of life to our luxurious down bedding.

How do we keep it together ? Double stitch corded edges and satin piping

Our 10 Year Guarantee depends on the build quality of the finest down comforters in the world. Double-stitched corded edges and a beautiful satin piping give your down comforter the strength to last while adding a touch of elegance.

Alphabetical Listing of Terms:

  • A:
  • B:
    • Baffle Box Construction:
      This type of comforter design and construction is not sewn through, but has a vertical wall of fabric, baffle, joining the upper and lower portions of the shell (See Ticking). Baffles allow the down fill to reach it's maximum loft and prevent the down from shifting and creating cold spots. Down comforters designed using a baffle are typically much more expensive to manufacture than a sewn-thru box construction. Baffles allow our Hungarian White Goose Down to reach it's maximum loft giving you the softest most comfortable night of quality rest.
    • Billow:
      As in 'to balloon'. The perceived amount of ballooning done by the down while contained in the baffle of a down comforter, held by the ticking of a down pillow or contained in a featherbed.
  • C:
    • Care Instructions:
      All of this information is attached to your down products but is replicated here for your convenience. Always use a duvet cover for your Down Comforter. It will stay cleaner and last longer. For your Down Pillows always use a pillow protector and a pillow case. For your Featherbed it is not uncommon to find a deep fitted sheet, approximately 21", to place over your Featherbed to prevent your body oils from discoloring the outer shell of the Featherbed while you sleep at night.
    • Comforter Care:
      To protect against soiling always use a duvet cover. Spot clean when possible. Place in the dryer with a tennis ball on low heat to refresh the down or hang it outside on a clean line. For major cleaning use a professional launderer familiar with cleaning down products. For guaranteed cleaning result we recommend Blanc Plume French Laundry. They can be reached at 800-307-0229.
    • Pillow Care:
      Spot clean when possible. Place in the dryer with a tennis ball on low heat to refresh the down or hang it on a clean line. If the pillow looses it's bounce, it probably needs to be cleaned. Use a professional launderer familiar with cleaning down products. For guaranteed cleaning result we recommend Blanc Plume French Laundry. They can be reached at 800-307-0229.
    • Featherbed Care:
      Spot clean when possible. Hang it outside on a clean line. For major cleaning use a professional launderer familiar with cleaning down products. For guaranteed cleaning result we recommend Blanc Plume French Laundry. They can be reached at 800-307-0229. The less a Featherbed is cleaned the longer it will last.
    • Goose Down Bed Care:
      Spot clean when possible. Hang it outside on a clean line. For major cleaning use a professional launderer familiar with cleaning down products. For guaranteed cleaning result we recommend Blanc Plume French Laundry. They can be reached at 800-307-0229. The less a Featherbed is cleaned the longer it will last.
    • Corded Edges:
      Two rows of hand-guided stitches, typically 24-26 stitches per linear inch.
  • D:
    • Design:
      See; Baffle Box Construction or Sewn-Thru
    • Down and Feather Blend:
      Is a blend of 75% goose feather and 25% Hungarian goose down and is used to make our Classic pillow, down and feather feather bed, decorative pillows (unless noted otherwise).
    • Down Proof:
      This term is typically used to describe the fabric (or ticking) that holds the down inside the down comforter, pillow or featherbed.
    • Duvet Cover:
      A duvet cover serves a dual purpose. It acts as a decorative fashion accessory and protects your comforter like a pillow protector protects your pillow.
  • E:
    • Egyptian Cotton:
      Egyptian cotton is a long-staple fine cotton grown chiefly in northern Africa. Dictionary.com Unabridged (v1.0.1) American Heritage Dictionary.
  • F:
    • Fabric(s):
      To maintain such a high standard of quality we have to limit ourselves to only the finest down proof fabrics available.
      • 312 Thread Count, long staple Egyptian cotton unbleached and cleansed of all chemicals. Used for our NaturalNights™ down comforter and down pillows.
      • 300 Thread Count, long staple Egyptian cotton. Used for our Classic, Lightweight, Summerweight, Winterweight and hotel collection down comforters; goose down 600, 700, 800 and hotel collection down pillows. Used for our handmade Hungarian white goose down featherbed.
      • 230 Thread Count; Egyptian cotton for our classic down and feather pillow.
      • 230 Thread Count; Egyptian Cotton Twill is used in our down and feather featherbed for quality and strength.
    • Featherbed:
      Transform you bed into the softest comfort you've ever experienced. By sleeping on a featherbed you reduce pre ssure on your hips, shoulders and knees as the feathers contour to you body. The feathers natural loft allows air to circulate for year-round comfort.
    • Fill Power:
      Technically speaking fill power is a measure of the amount of space one ounce of down clusters occupy. The higher the fill power the better the quality and the larger the down cluster. A larger down cluster is typically more resilient, larger in diameter and while last longer. One ounce of our 800 Fill Power Hungarian Goose Down measures 800 cubic inches. Any down carrying 600 or better fill power rating is of exceptional quality.
      • 600 Fill Power: [Great Quality] The smallest sized plumule we use. Our least expensive fill, 600 fill power pure Hungarian goose down is of exceptional quality exceeding most goose down found at your local 'big box' retail stores. Still fluffy with a nice billow but the least fluffy and smallest billow of our down fills due to the smaller size of the plumule and down clusters. Will sleep cooler.
      • 700 Fill Power: [Excellent Quality] A medium sized plumule. Softer and lighter than our 600 fill power Hungarian goose down with a slightly larger cluster for added warmth and strength. Fluffy and sleep warmer with a larger billow because of the larger plumule and down clusters.
      • 800 Fill Power: [The Finest Quality] The largest sized plumule. Our finest and most expensive fill is very rare and exceptionally light and soft. Very fluffy with a large billow due to the size of the plumule and down clusters. Will sleep very warm. Highly recommended for featherbeds given the direct pressure environment they are subjected to and the strength of the larger plumule.
  • G:
    • 10 Year Guarantee:
      All Down & Feather Company down comforters, down and decorative pillows and featherbeds are guaranteed to be free from defects in workmanship and materials for 10 Years from the date of purchase.
  • H:
    • Hungarian White Goose Down:
      Hungarian Goose Down is widely regarded as the finest readily available goose down on the planet. Because we use the cleanest, fluffiest, whitest goose down in our down comforters, down pillows and featherbeds we are more expensive and represent no compromise in quality.
    • Hypoallergenic:
      Typically people aren't allergic to down or down feathers but rather the dust and the dust mites that can live in down if it's not properly cleaned. Our Hungarian goose down goes through a VERY thorough cleaning. So clean that we can offer you a 10 Year Guarantee.
  • I - O:
  • P:
    • Piping:
      The outer edge of the down comforter, down pillow or featherbed. Secures the top and bottom seam. Double-Edged for strength and durability with a elegant and shimmering satin shine.
    • Pillow Personality:
      Yes pillows have personalities. Below is a guideline for choosing the pillow personality that's right for you. All of our pillows come in the three personalities listed below. How you sleep determines the type of pillow you need. The pillow you sleep on cradles and supports your head through the night. It holds your head in the same relation to your spine as if you were standing. If you aren't sleeping with the correct pillow it will place undue stress and strain on your neck muscles which could lead to morning headaches. So you se choosing the correct pillow is very important.
      • Our Classic pillow is a down and feather blend that sleeps soft and typically remains flatter after use. Our Hungarian white goose down pillows will fluff themselves up after use because of down's natural tendency to return to it's normal shape.
        • Soft: Soft pillows are typically used by people who sleep on there stomachs or people who don't need a lot of head support
        • Medium: Medium pillows are typically used by who sleep on their backs but are firm enough to be used by people that sleep on there side.
        • Firm: Firm pillows are typically used by people that sleep on there sides.
    • Plumules: (ploom-yool) -noun
      Basically defined as a small down feather or the soft filaments that radiate from the center of a down cluster. Botanist have a much more elaborate definition; "the bud of the ascending axis of a plant while still in the embryo." - Dictionary.com Unabridged (v1.0.1)
    • Price:
      Why are we more expensive? Basically it's the materials we use. Down comforters, down pillows and featherbeds are a investment. You don't use them once or twice but at least, we hope, 365 times a year or more if you take naps which we highly recommend. We use only Hungarian goose down which is very rare in any size (600, 700 or 800) and is widely regarded as the finest readily available goose down on the planet. The use of the finest down proof fabrics and our attention to detail increases our costs but reduces our returns for replacement or adjustment. We believe we are offering you the finest down comforters, pillows and feather beds available anywhere. But don't take our word for it...buy one. When you hand it down to the next generation give them our number and have them call us to let us know what they think. The number is easy to remember (888-DOWNANDFEATHER).
  • Q:
    • QualityRest™:
      Down & Feather Company™ brand of luxury down comforters made from the finest materials commercially available.
  • R:
  • S:
    • Sateen: (sa-teen) -noun
      Sateen is a fabric formed with a satin weave using short staple yarns such as cotton. "A strong cotton fabric constructed in a satin weave and having a lustrous fact" - Dictionary.com Unabridged (v1.0.1)
    • Satin: (sat-n) -noun
      A Satin is a cloth that typically has a glossy face and a soft slippery texture. - Dictionary.com Unabridged (v1.0.1)
    • Sewn-Thru:
      This type of comforter design is sewn thru joining the upper and lower portions of the shell that hold the down clusters in place.
    • SleepTemp:
      It's a term we made up as a guideline for the approximate temperature of your sleep environment. Use your SleepTemp as a guideline for choosing which comforter is right for you.
    • SnuggleSoft™:
      A Down & Feather Company™ brand of luxury down pillows made from the finest materials available. All of our pillows are a double shell construction for additional quality. The outer shell that you place your head on is a 300TC a down proof Egyptian cotton fabric while the inner shell is 235TC. Most manufactures of down pillows don't add this extra shell because of the time and expense associated with the manufacturing process. When you purchase SnuggleSoft™ Down Pillow you know your getting the finest and most comfortable down pillow by design.
    • Staple:
      It's the raw material, or it's length and quality, of fiber from which textiles are made. Typically the longer the staple the higher the quality.
    • Syriaca:
      Silky soft syriaca fibers, milkweek, is used to enhance the longevity of down products. We use it to manage the moisture and oils released while we sleep increasing the longevity of the products containing syriaca. Completely hypoallergenic and all natural. Guaranteed for 10 years.
  • T:
    • Thread Count (TC):
      Down proof fabric must be at least 200 threads per square inch
    • Thread Count Myth:
      Thread Count determines the quality of a piece of fabric. Our down comforters start at 300 threads per square inch.
      • Thread Count is the most misunderstood factor of quality in the bedding industry. Thread Count has been abused and manipulated because most consumers are looking for a way to determine quality aside from looking at the price. Consumers assume that the higher the thread count the better the fabric quality. But this isn't necessarily the case. Has anyone noticed that it's not uncommon to see 1000TC bed sheets priced lower than 300TC bed sheets? How can than be? Because some manufacturers use a 2-ply thread, or a 1-ply thread and twisting it together, so the manufacturer can claim a higher Thread Count by counting each ply rather than counting the actual threads. So a 300TC fabric instantly becomes a 600TC fabric that the typical consumer believes to be of higher quality. The other factor that influences Thread Count is the thickness of the actual yarn or thread. A thicker yarn, or higher yarn size, indicates a finer yarn and a fine yarn can only be made from high quality long-staple cotton like that used in our QualityRest™ Down Comforters and SnuggleSoft™ Down Pillow products. As you look for that perfect down comforter for your bedroom, guest bedroom or loved one going off to college notice that all our products are made with long-staple cotton fabric because we use only the finest materials.
      • There are many factors that make up the quality of a piece of fabric but Thread Count, which is mistakenly used to determine quality, is merely a measure of the density of the woven fabric. Fine...so where is the quality if it's not in the Thread Count? Great question. The quality is in the fabric itself or the raw material as we like to say. More specifically the quality of the fabric is something that is determined by the fineness, length and strength of the actual fiber. The highest quality fabrics are spun from long-staple cotton fibers just like all our QualityRest™ and SnuggleSoft™ down products.
    • Ticking:
      The shell or outer covering of a down comforter or down pillow that holds the down clusters and feathers.
  • W:
    • Warmth:
      Please view our levels of warmth as guidelines and not rules. We give you the guidelines so that you can make a informed decision. It is not uncommon for warmer sleepers to choose some of our warmest sleep combinations. For instance, you may sleep in a cooler room at night, 70 - 72 degrees and sleep on our down and feather featherbed, under our QualityRest™ Winterweight Hungarian white goose down comforter and snuggle up with our SnuggleSoft™ Classic down and feather pillow. (Like our owner for example).
      • As a consumer you need to be more sensitive to the climate in your bedroom or the climate that you adjust your bedroom to while you sleep and less about the climate that you live in.
      • Lightweight - Designed for year-around comfort if the typical sleep temperature of your room is above 66 - 71 degrees.
      • Year Around - Designed for year-around comfort if the typical sleep temperature of your room is 65 - 60 degrees.
      • Winterweight - Designed for year-around comfort if the your typical room temperature is below 60 degrees.