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Canadian government regulations define a down product as containing at least 75% down and no more than 25% small feather. The best quality down comes from mature geese, so that clusters are fully formed and able to trap the maximum amount of air. This layer of air is what surrounds your body, reflecting back body heat, keeping you warm. Hutterite down, produced in the Hutterite communities in Alberta, Canada, is always collected from mature birds, is twice soap cleaned rather than chemically cleaned (which does less damage to the down) and is twice sorted, making Hutterite down 90% to 95% down and only 5% to 10% small feather. All of these features make Hutterite down the best choice for durability and warmth.
Our Silver Goose Down, like most white goose down on the market in North America, comes from China where geese are raised for food, so the down is not as mature when it is harvested. While it produces an economical, warm duvet, it will not last as long as Hutterite down and requires more fill to get the same warmth.
Out third choice of fill is 50% brown duck down and 50% duck feather. We choose duck because their small feathers have much smaller quills, so your pillow feels soft, not prickly.
Our 20/80 is 20% brown duck down and 80% duck feather. The increase in feather content provides firmness in pillows and cushions.
| Questions |
| Are Channels better than Box construction?
Isn't down too hot?
What if I have allergies?
Is goose down better than duck down?
How often should I have my duvet professionally cleaned?
Can I alter the size of my duvet?
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| Answers |
We believe they are for two reasons:
a) Channeled Duvets can be used year round. In the winter you use the duvet with the down evenly spread; in the summer you can leave some of the down near the end of the bed for maximum comfort. If a couple have different warmth needs, they can shift the down as needed on either side of the duvet, allowing for maximum flexibility.
b) A channeled duvet can be cleaned properly. The down can be cleaned separately, and new down can be added to increase the loft. Because down breaks down over time (as does everything in the universe) a duvet will lose approximately 10% of its insulating power every five years. Topping up your cleaned duvet with new down or down and feather will keep it in top condition and prolong its life (and your investment). The casing can then be washed to remove perspiration and dirt without harming the down. Thus your duvet can be returned to its original condition and comfort level.
Down in itself has no heat. It traps a layer of air which reflects back heat. When you are lying under your duvet it is your body heat that is being reflected back. If your body gives off less heat you require more down to be comfortable. Conversely someone who produces more heat needs less down for a comfortable sleep.
Actually, even people with allergies can often use a down duvet, whereas using a down pillow or a featherbed can be a problem for those with feather allergies. The reason is this: using a down pillow or featherbed puts a lot of pressure on the fill which breaks some of it into very small particles, or dust. If there is dust present the pressure your head puts on a pillow can force out these tiny particles which can affect you. In a duvet, dust is created but at a much slower rate because you are not putting the weight of your head or body on it. Even when there is some dust in your duvet, as will happen over time, there is no pressure that will force that dust through the ticking (down-proof fabric) to affect you. Because it is next to your head, people allergic to feathers are advised not to use a natural fill pillow. However a duvet may not be a problem.
If you are not sure if you have an allergy problem, a good test is to wear a down coat or vest for a few hours. If you don't have a reaction, you will probably be fine under a down duvet.
Not necessarily. More important is the maturity of the down. The more mature the down the better the air trapping ability (loft) it has. So immature goose down has less air trapping ability than mature duck down. Color also has no bearing on down quality. Hutterite down is the best down available commercially in that its ability to trap air far exceeds any other mature goose down. For more down facts, check the web site of Feather Industries, our down and feather supplier. They can be found at www.featherind.com .
We recommend every three to five years, depending on how much perspiration has penetrated to the duvet. Perspiration contains salt which is very corrosive, so if there is any visible yellowing of the cloth cleaning is recommended. Also, the insulating value of your duvet is reduced over time by the breakdown of the fill. We can top up your clean duvet with new fill, as needed, to keep it in top condition.
Yes. We can add channels or boxes to increase size, or remove them to decrease size as your needs change over the years.
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