During the fall and winter, many of us depend on down comforters, sleeping bags, and apparel to keep warm and cut down on energy costs. Although down has superior insulating properties, it can present problems that require special care. Fine down and feathers can puncture and work through the shell fabric, causing holes or tears
Comforters, sleeping bags, coats, and other cold weather garments are often made with down or fiberfill. Both down–a natural product, and fiberfill, a polyester fill–are effective in keeping out the cold. While cleaning down or fiberfill items is usually not a problem, a garment with poor construction and insufficient quilting can cause the down to
Although cleaning down items usually is not a problem, a comforter with poor construction and insufficient quilting can cause the down to shift, lose shape, or become matted. Inspect the comforter for these things before purchasing: Make sure the comforter is well-quilted. Quilting stitches should run both vertically and horizontally with quilting lines about 8–10
