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Goose Down vs Duck Down Which is better – goose down or duck down? This is a question that is often asked in the world of bedding products. It is an important question to consider when you are looking for a down comforter for your bedroom. As you may already know, goose down has a higher value when compared to duck down. However, this depends largely on the product – for example, a high-quality duck down comforter may be better than a mediocre goose down one. It also depends on your specific needs and your budget. Let us take a quick look at a few things about the goose and duck down to find out which one is a better choice for you. Is There a Major Difference Between Goose and Duck Down? This is another important question to ask when checking out down comforters for your bed. The answer is no. Both types of down provide equal insulation, and they both share the same essential structure that makes down an incredible insulator. If there is a difference between a goose down comforter and a duck down one, it would be that the duck down blanket has about 87% of the insulating power that the goose down comforter has. Goose down and duck down have the ability to maintain their warmth and loft for many years, maybe even decades, if they are well cared for. It does not matter which bird provides the feathers or down for your comforter. The secret is to find a well-made down comforter from a reputable manufacturer and take proper care of it to ensure that you always have a cozy and luxurious sleeping experience for many years. Here is a look at a few important things you should know before deciding between goose and duck down: Durability Generally speaking, regardless of fill power, there is no major difference between the durability of goose down and duck down. Part of how durable they are depends on the down’s fat and oil content – there is an inherently higher content of oil and fat in some birds. Moreover, down, whether goose or duck, is an organic product and will vary from one season to another because of several factors including weather, bird condition, feed, etc. To ensure warmth-trapping – keeping the down resilient and pliable – there needs to be a certain percentage of fat and oil. If the down is “over washed” during processing and an excessive amount of oil and fat is removed, it can become dry and brittle. This makes it easier to break down, which in turn decreases the fill power of the down. High-quality down comforters have properly processed down to optimize performance and durability, irrespective of whether it is goose or duck down. Odor As mentioned earlier, down is a natural product. Although a certain percentage of fat and oil is necessary to ensure its resilience and pliability, the presence of these substances also plays a part in the scent of the down. People with a highly acute sense of smell may notice a slight odor, even when the down is in the cleanest condition. Because there is a difference between the feeding habits of goose and duck, there may be minor differences in smell between goose and duck down. This is due to the scent in the oil content, which is necessary to make the down resilient. You should look for a down comforter made with DWR-treated down – you will find that the odor of these products is minimal. Higher Fill Powers Birds, whether goose or duck, that are older more mature tend to provide down with higher fill power. When a bird lives long, it’s down cluster becomes more developed. Furthermore, to ensure that they achieve the fill power they desire, processors sort through large down clusters, small down clusters, feathers, etc. to produce down of a certain fill power and content. Currently, the highest goose down fill power is roughly 1,000 FP. However, this is available in very limited quantities, and usually at extremely high prices. Comparatively, the highest-end and most expensive down, Eider duck down has an anecdotal rating of up to 1,200 FP. The more common fill power range for goose down and duck down is between 450 and 850 FP. As a result of improvements in the sorting process that filters out extra small down clusters and fibers, high-end 850-FP duck down has become more accessible in recent years. Color Goose and duck down are both available in white and mottled grey. If you look at things from a historical point of view, the bedding industry desires white-colored down more, which is mainly due to the fact that manufacturers commonly use white in bedding fabric and prefer to hide the presence of down. Apart from a visual difference, white and grey colored down do not have a difference in performance – meaning that one is not warmer or more durable than the other. The Conclusion Both goose and duck down can insulate equally efficiently when you take variables such as quality of fill, fill power, processing, etc. into account. Down quality has a direct connection to everything from the bird’s feed during its lifetime, to the length of its life, to the method of washing that is used in processing. When you are looking for a great down comforter, you will need to choose between, goose and duck down. It is a good idea to know what goes into the manufacturing process to make sure that you make the best choice. Keep in mind that although goose down is considered superior to duck down, there are countless high-quality duck down comforters available in today’s market. They are, more often than not, more affordable and you get the same insulation that a goose down comforter provides. Whether you choose goose or duck down, make sure that you pick the best quality down comforter for your bed. You can have a cozy, luxurious sleeping experience and make sure that you get restful, relaxing sleep every night, no matter what time of the year.

The only time you get for yourself is when you are sleeping. This is when you are free from your worries, stress, anxieties, and not to mention, exhaustion from a long day of work. Since this is the only time for you to relax, how do you make the most of it? Well, a great idea is to have a down comforter to cuddle up with. No matter what time of the year it is, a down comforter is sure to give you a relaxing sleep and make sure that you are well rested for the next day. What Makes A Down Comforter? A down comforter is made of three things: Construction: This refers to how the down comforter is made and sewn together. It is important to keep in mind that these comforters are filled with animal feathers. This may trigger allergies for some users. This is why different manufacturers have different ways to make these products. You may find that some comforters look fluffier and cozier, but they may not have been thoroughly sanitized – this is a major reason that allergic reaction may be triggered. On the other hand, you will find other comforters that look and feel cozy and luxurious, and are also hypoallergenic. It all comes down to how the manufacturer constructed the comforter. Fill: This refers to the type of feathers and down that is used in the comforter. Needless to say, this is the most important component as it determines the comforter’s performance. There are two options when it comes to the fill that comforter manufacturers use – duck down or goose down. Comforters that have a goose down fill are more expensive than those with duck down. However, you should keep in mind that comforters with duck down provide an equal amount of insulation as goose down comforters. However, goose down and feather are larger and fluffier, so comforters with this fill are cozier and more luxurious and provide better performance. Fabric: The texture, quality and feel of a comforter are determined by the fabric that it is made with. Down comforters are most commonly made with four fabrics: Damask: Outstanding quality that comes at a great price Cambric: Uses basic weaving to provide excellent value Batiste: Lightweight and provides high durability Sateen: Offers a soft feel with high sheen How to Choose the Best Down Comforter With the right comforter, you can add a special touch to your bedroom and have a soft, fluffy and luxurious bed to sleep on every night. So how do you make sure that you have the right down comforter? With a few tips in mind, you can choose the best down comforter for your bedroom: Choose the right design and size: Before you start checking out comforters, the first thing you should do is figure out the size of bedding you need. For instance, if yours is a queen-sized bed, your comforter should be a queen-sized one too. However, you could also treat yourself to a king-sized comforter to extra comfort and luxury. A larger comforter also gives you that extra length and width for coziness and warmth during the cooler months. Comforters come in different designs that you can choose from as well. For instance, you will find some comforters with box-stitch pockets that are placed for holding down and feather fillings firmly in place, while others are reversible and colorful, which is superb when you want interesting accent pieces in your bedroom. Choose the ideal weight: The best down comforter for, you might be a medium-weight quilt that can be augmented with extra blankets or an all-season type that comes with a mid-level tog rating. You may, alternatively, prefer a lightweight down comforter for late spring through early fall. You can also pick a winter-weight quilt for the colder months. To get the ultimate experience in luxurious sleeping, you might want to consider adding a featherbed to your bedding during the winter months. Choose the best filling: Lightweight comforters usually contain a mixture of duck and feather down, which provides both warmth as well as cost-effective construction. Nowadays, there are also feather fiber, down fiber and down-alternative fillings that you can choose from. Down alternatives like foam work quite well with feather fillings and create a lighter, loftier comforter. If you suffer from allergies, you should consider buying a hypoallergenic comforter – these have a special down-resistant shell fabric that keeps the feathers firmly inside the quilt, thereby reducing your overall potential for sneezing. Check out ultra-light down alternative comforters: As mentioned already, there are a few down alternative comforters that are made to feel like the real thing. If you cannot tolerate down, these blankets may be the best option for you as they still provide the luxurious, cozy experience you get from down comforters. Polyester batting or fiberfill pieces can give you the light, warm feel of goose down and feathers. Ultra-light down alternative comforters are hypoallergenic, naturally resistant to dander and dust and not to mention, conveniently washable and dryable. You will have no problem finding the best down comforter for your bed, no matter what your personal taste or style. There are numerous amazing choices out there these days. Apart from the natural goose and duck down and feather comforters, you can also choose from a wide array of down-alternative materials that are excellent for people with allergies and other problems. You do not have to compromise on comfort and luxury with a vast selection of down comforters that are available nowadays. If you are looking for a relaxing, comfortable bed to sleep in every night, you should definitely consider getting a down comforter to cozy up with. You can forget about sleepless nights when you have a fluffy, cozy comforter in your bedroom. With the best down comforter, you can make sure that you get restful sleep every night and say goodbye to stress, anxiety and fatigue. Wake up feeling refreshed each morning after a comfortable sleep with your down comforter.