How Long Should a Down Comforter Last?
A decade or more, depending on these 3 things:
- The quality of materials.
- The quality of construction.
- The quality of care.
Quality of Materials
It's important to start with quality materials. Down proof fabrics that have been tested with the actual down that they will be filled with, and goose down that has been properly cleaned to preserve the natural fats and oils, and the inherent loft, that is present in all goose down. Improperly cleaned goose down can result in brittle clusters that will break apart into small fibers much sooner than properly cleaned goose down.
When testing a down proof fabric, the shell will be filled with down, and then beaten repeatedly to mimic the use that a comforter or pillow will experience over time. The testers will then count the amount of down fibers that are poking through the fabric.
A thorough test, by an independent laboratory, will include washing the item that is being tested, after the first round of pummeling, then another round of beating, then more counting of fibers that have worked their way through the fabric.
Even the very best down proof fabric will typically have some down fibers (broken pieces of down) that have worked their way through the fabric after this testing. Obviously, the less fiber that is observed, the better.
With a quality down proof fabric, most (but not necessarily all) of the broken fiber leakage will be observed around the seams, where the fabric has been sewn straight through the fabric, such as around the edges.
Quality of Construction
The internal seams for comforter baffles should never be stitched straight through. A quality baffle box comforter will be internally tucked and sewn with no stitches (thread) visible on the outside of the duvet. The only place where there will be visible stitching (thread) will be on the outside edges, along the border of the comforter, and these should be double stitched.
The design of the internal baffle is also very important to the longevity of a down comforter. A down comforter is typically filled via long long tube that is inserted through an opening in the baffles. In most baffle box down comforters, these openings remain open after the comforter is filled. Often times, these openings are on the side of each baffle, since that is an especially challenging area to close to begin with.
Our baffles are designed differently. We use a double layered wall that the filling pipe must be threaded through. When the filling pipe is removed, the double baffle walls close so that there is no opening for the down to migrate from box to box. This takes more time and care to manufacture, and fill, but the end result is worth it.
Quality of Care
Even with the best goose down, state of the art materials and superior construction techniques, a down comforter still needs some care. How to care for your Plumeria Bay® goose down comforter.
Goose down is soft and lofty, breathable with incredible insulating ability, yet amazingly durable. However, goose down is not indestructible. If the down is repeatedly crushed, or improperly washed, the clusters break into small pieces which will start to leak through even the best down proof fabric, and migrate from box to box in even the best baffle box construction.
If properly cared for, a quality goose down comforter can last for many, many years. Use a duvet cover. Keep your comforter clean and dry, avoid crushing the clusters, and it will keep you warm and cozy for a lifetime.
