Nothing can be more relaxing and comforting than a restful night's sleep. And, when it comes to experiencing premium luxury, warmth, and durability, you can seldom overlook the importance of choosing the right comforter.
To help you make an informed choice, we have put together a comprehensive guide that will highlight:
- 1.About comforter
- 2.Reasons that make down alternative comforter an ideal pick
- 3.Things to consider when looking for the best down alternative comforter
- 4.Common materials for down alternative comforter
- 5.Best practices while selecting cotton down alternative comforter
- 6.Conclusion
Common mistakes to avoid when choosing down alternative comforter
Best practices while selecting cotton down alternative comforter
Without any further do, let's begin with our guide that will help in selecting breathable, lightweight, and easy-to-maintain comforters.
1. About comforter
A comforter, just as the name suggests, is a covering designed to provide the sleeper with utmost coziness and comfort. It consists of large pouches made from fabric that is filled with cotton, polyester, wool, or silk. Many often believe that comforters are the same as duvets (European counterparts). However, comforters are more on the flatter side and made from different variety of fillings. The comforters have special quilted stitching that keeps the filling firm at its desired place.
Apart from the duvet, comforters and bedspreads are also not the same things. While both of them offer a decorative look to the bed, bedspreads are much thinner and are not designed for sleeping. On the other hand, comforters provide warmth and protection at night.
Depending on the material used for filling the comforters, they can be classified into different types, and the popular ones include:
1.1 Cotton Comforter
The cotton comforters are highly versatile and come with a thread count as high as 600 to as low as 200. Many sleepers simply can't get enough of Egyptian cotton down alternative comforter as it’s hypoallergenic, breathable, and feels smooth to touch. There are thinner profiles of cotton comforters available, and these are suitable for warm weather. While fluffy, thick and heavy cotton comforters are great for the winters.
1.2 Down Filled Comforter
The down-filled are recognized to be traditional blanket-style comforters that often contain goose feathers. They are affordable in comparison to duck feathers and offer similar performance. The comforters that have down filled are mostly polyester, bamboo, and cotton. You can discover them in a luxurious grade of over 1000 thread count or an average being 200 to 500 thread counts.
1.3 Down Alternative Comforter
You might think that down-filled and down alternative comforters are the same but the reality is far from that. The down alternative comforter is created using synthetic fibers that are easier to clean, naturally hypoallergenic and offer better insulation, while down-filled comforters have animal-based filling such as the underside of ducks, geese, and feathers.
1.4 Flannel Comforter
When you are up for getting a comforter that gives a country feel then flannel is what you need. It is known for its rustic touch, but fuzziness is a major drawback associated with flannel. The good news is that you can use your washing machine to clean them. However, always wash the comforter separately and use the lowest temperature or air setting while drying the blanket.
1.5 Bamboo Comforter
If you are up for trying something modern, then a bamboo comforter might do the trick. Loved for being sustainable, the classic bamboo-based comforters are suitable for sleepers who often sweat, as the comforter has natural cooling properties, along with its incredible ability to wick away moisture or wetness. These are often filled with down, cotton, or poly fiber.
1.6 Microfiber Comforter
Microfiber comforters feel amazing on the skin and are hypoallergenic and non-irritating too. The material is made from fine polyester strands that make it breathable and eliminates the risk of moisture buildup. Now, if you are concerned about dust, insects, or mites, you may consider microfiber as they have powerful resistance against them.
If you are looking for the best down alternative comforter, the PeaceNest PrimeSoft™ Lightweight Down Alternative Comforter can be your best choice. Its 3D hypoallergenic and non-irritating microfiber filling mimics the softness of down without the bothering of feathers, odor, or sharp quills. Also the softest PrimeSoft™ knitted fabric can give silky touch and it is designed for the people who sleep naked.
2. Why should we choose a down alternative comforter?
Ever since their inception, the demand for down alternative comforters has been on the rise and that's for an important reason.
Every single night when sleepers hit their bed, their sleep, health, animals, and planets are at stake, and now people are keen on making a more sustainable and environmentally-responsible impact. The issues of toxicity and unethical production of feathers are what make down alternative a safer, wiser, and eco-friendly solution. Moreover, down has emerged to be a hazard triggering a higher carbon footprint, escalating the effects of asthma, and is made by live-plucking the feathers- this is when the undercoat of the ducks or goose gets violently pulled while they are in a state of complete consciousness - can someone go to a peaceful sleep after knowing their down comforter was made that way?
Down alternative resolves all the concerns that are related to down, as its fabrics are crafted from polyester and synthetic petroleum- not a single animal is harmed during the manufacturing process. Though the production needs ample energy, when your choice is for a non-toxic and planet-friendly material, you need to look no further than a down alternative comforter with cotton cover.
3. How to choose a down alternative comforter?
Several factors must be taken into account before you choose down alternative comforter, and the top five among them are:
3.1 Comfort:
Your comforter would be of no use if it's unable to provide the desired level of comfort and warmth. So, the idea is to search for an option according to your preferences. For example, if you are shopping for Claritin down alternative comforter that will keep you warm in extremely cold weather then a weighted version with optimal thickness would be the right option. On the contrary, if you are planning to buy a comforter for summer, you should go for lightweight and breathable options that guarantee the utmost luxury at competitive prices.
3.2 Health and Toxicity:
The skin is the most important and largest organ of the human body. And, many studies reveal that your skin often ends up absorbing the different types of chemicals that it is surrounded by. For instance, certain fabrics emit volatile compounds such as heavy metals, formaldehyde, silicone waxes, ammonia, flame retardants, and petroleum scours. Now, the body heat and sweat tend to accelerate this process of absorption, which is indeed a matter of concern, especially if you prefer wearing loose clothes or keeping a large portion of the skin exposed as you sleep. Fortunately, some manufacturers are certified to offer non-toxic and healthy cotton filled down alternative comforters, meaning you have nothing to be worried about.
3.3 Thermoregulation:
Did you know your quality of sleep is greatly influenced by the surrounding temperature? If you sleep at a place that feels too hot or too cold, you may end up waking up groggy and with mood swings the next morning. It is because too much cold or heat increases wakefulness and reduces the period of rapid eye movement (REM) or the sleeping stage. To prevent this, thermoregulation is extremely vital. With this, your body stays in slow-restorative stages, providing maximum healing and rest. Now, maintaining optimal sleeping temperature can be assured when you invest in the best cotton down alternative comforter. It is because, the comforter itself is naturally breathable that keeps the body at ambient temperature, allowing you to sleep without any difficulties.
3.4 Cool & Dry:
Apart from temperature, humidity also has a significant impact on sleep. Say, if you end up buying a comforter that causes excessive dampness then you may be at risk of aggravating the symptoms of asthma that would lead to innumerable complications such as respiratory infection, bronchitis, and sleep disruptions. Further, too much humidity will lead to an infestation of molds or other harmful creatures that may thrive under the box springs or the mattress. Also, the humidity will make you sweat excessively, which is not such a pleasant situation when you are trying to fall asleep. All the trouble can be avoided, only when you go for a superior-quality down alternative comforter that stays cool and dry throughout the night. Make sure that you go for 100 cotton down alternative comforter as they can wick away moisture naturally, and regulate the temperature that eases discomfort and keeps you cool.
3.5 Daily Care:
Unlike the other generation of down comforters, the down alternative comforter is super-easy to maintain, and that too with minimal effort. But, to experience the advantages of hassle-free maintenance, you should count on a reputable brand such as Eddie Bauer 400 thread count cotton down alternative comforter that can be washed using a washing machine. Never settle for a comforter that comes with the complexities of maintenance, as this would later add up to the costs of having them. That's right; always check the guidelines that are formulated by the manufacturer for daily care, and then select the one that you think would be the best for you.
4. Common materials for down alternative comforter
When choosing the best cotton down alternative comforter amidst the thousands of sizes, colors, fabrics, and brands available, buyers often tend to commit certain common mistakes.
If you want to own the cotton shell down alternative comforter, and want to save yourself from the common buying mistakes, then here are the important things that you need to know about the materials of down alternative comforter:
4.1 Cotton
Though down alternative contains materials that mimic the feel and comfort of down-filled comforters, they are also crafted using organic 100% cotton down alternative comforter, especially for those who dislike the polyester feel. They are all-season, have impeccable quality construction, and are designed in multiple sizes.
Pros of Cotton Down Alternative:
- Suitable for sleepers who hate the polyester feel
- Organic and zero toxins make them skin-friendly
- Eco-friendly substitute for the down comforter
4.2 Microfiber
If you want the super soft and cozy feel of a comforter without the added heaviness, a 100% microfiber-down alternative comforter would just tick all the boxes for you. Similar to cotton, the microfiber filling doesn't feel too hot or too cold, meaning you can use them during any season.
Pros of Microfiber Down Alternative Comforter
- Durable down alternative microfiber comforters
- Capable of regulating body temperature thanks to its breathability
- Provide a soft, pillow feel of the traditional comforter, and that too at a fraction of its cost.
5. How to choose cotton down alternative comforter?
5.1 A 100% Cotton Cover with Microfiber Filling is the Best.
Down alternative comforters are less expensive, easy to maintain, and last for a long period than their conventional counterparts. But, the advantages can only be witnessed when you select the best cotton down alternative comforter with the right fill.
What's inside the comforter plays a crucial role in determining how you would feel while using them. A variant of fill that remains popular among users is microfiber. This fill offers a cloud-like feel and is fluffier than the traditional comforters. It is because small pieces of microfiber strands are used in making the comforter that takes up more space and leaves you warm and comfortable.
5.2 Pros of Microfiber Fill-Based Down Alternative Comforter
- Comforter has natural resistance against dust, mites, and bugs
- Light and warm, which allows the air to circulate through the comforter
- Eliminates the risk of allergic reactions and is paired with a down alternative comforter cotton cover
6. Conclusion
While classic down alternative comforters are known for their fluffy feel, a cotton down alternative comforter turns out to be the right option if you are looking for a higher level of comfort at the same cost.
No matter what your requirements are when craving some sweet sleepy comfort, you can never go wrong with high-quality, durable, and soft-down alternative comforters after reading this article.
