Yes! Pillowcases on their own are not enough to protect your pillows from moisture, bacteria, dust and mold. It is always a good idea to use pillow protectors, not only to extend their life, but also to keep possible allergens to a minimum.

Both down and down alternatives make wonderful filling for comforters, mattresses, and pillows. The biggest difference, of course, is that down is organic, whereas down alternatives are synthetic. Those who suffer from severe allergies may opt for a down alternative pillow because of the bacteria-inhibiting and hypoallergenic properties. While high-quality down can also be hypoallergenic, if it gets wet, there is a greater risk of mildew.

If allergies are not your main concern, you may feel that there is no improving on nature. Real down is warmer than any alternative, and has a softer, more organic feel than down alternatives.

One of the worst feelings is to be ready to snuggle into your new bed and realize that the covers don’t fit!

You don’t want your duvet cover to be loose and flopping around, nor too tight to where the fabric is strained. Keep size in mind as you shop, especially if you are purchasing online and can’t see the product beforehand. A good duvet cover is an inch or two smaller than your comforter.

It should be fairly easy to match them. Unless you have a non-traditionally-sized bed, all duvet covers come in standard sizes. So, if you have a twin-sized mattress, you’ll pick out a twin-sized duvet cover, and so on.

Getting the right size is easy; choosing from all of the wonderful styles and patterns that are out there is the hard part!

Aside from care, down quality is the greatest determiner to how long your product will last. Generally, the best down comes from larger, more mature birds. When all else is the same, goose down is better than duck down.

High quality down is carefully washed, rinsed, dried and sanitized to ensure the product is hypo-allergenic. If your down is not pure to begin with, it is not going to be pleasant to have around for years.

The breakdown for down products is as follows:

• Down pillows will usually be good for at least 3-5 years. If you’ve had a pillow for a while and want to know if it’s still holding up, try folding it in half and squeezing the air out. If it doesn’t spring back to its original shape, it’s time for a new one!
• Feather beds need to be replaced between 3-10 years. Moisture causes down to mildew, so a feather bed’s longevity depends on the dampness of your climate and how much you perspire.
• Comforters: If you take great care of them and use duvet covers to protect them, comforters can last 10 years or more.

The quick answer to this question: as rarely as possible.

It’s not good to get down wet, and chemicals and heat can damage the fibers. Ideally, you will be washing your protectors and duvet covers rather than your down bedding. However, once or twice a year is okay to give your down products a cleaning.

Whatever you do, don’t take them to the drycleaners! The chemicals are too harsh. Instead, take them to the Laundromat (or you can do them at home if you have a big, non-agitator machine). Feather beds should only be spot cleaned and not washed in a machine.

Please, please, please don’t dry-clean your down bedding!

Dry cleaning damages the down and greatly reduces its life. Instead, make sure you cover your down bedding with mattress and pillow protectors, sun dry it occasionally, fluff it daily, and wash it once or twice a year.

This is the recipe for keeping your down happy, healthy, and fluffy!

Down is the light, fluffy coating beneath the feathers of ducks and geese. Each down cluster is made from thousands of tiny fibers, like little cotton balls between the bird’s skin and feathers. Ounce per ounce down is the most efficient insulator for bedding products. It is not only lighter weight, but also has the unique ability to “breathe” allowing excess heat and humidity to escape and allowing you to reach an ideal temperature. Down clusters are naturally very durable, it is not uncommon for people to use a down bedding item for a dozen years or more before replacing it. Down is also naturally flame retardant, making it an excellent choice for safe sleeping.

If you have a down comforter, chances are the fabric has been treated with a starch to fill the gaps in the weave. This ensures that the down filling does not spill out. As the fabric is washed and worn, the weave will naturally tighten, releasing the starch a bit at a time. If you see white dust shedding from your down comforter, this is actually a good sign! It means your comforter is aging well and that the fabric is becoming stronger.

If you are going to wash down products or delicate linens yourself, make sure you use a gentle, mild soap. There are many delicate soaps available online or in specialty shops, but normal dishwashing detergent also works!

Don’t worry, this is completely normal! That crunching noise when you get in the sheets is a result of the extremely tight fabric weave. With use and washing, these threads will eventually soften up, and the crinkle sound will disappear.

Many people worry that down bedding will affect their allergies. Most of the time, any allergic reaction to down bedding is due to impurities trapped in the down itself. When shopping, look for down bedding that is hypoallergenic.

Another important factor is to keep the bedding dry. Use mattress and pillow protectors and duvet covers. The less dust, mold and moisture that makes its way into your bed, the less chance you will have a problem with allergies.

Also remember to keep the room clear of dust and pet hair or dander; often allergies may be a result of other environmental factors as well!

It’s best to store your down bedding in breathable bags or cotton so that moisture does not build up. Plastic bags should be avoided as condensation can build up, leading to mildew.