Down Comforter Downproofness

When selecting a down comforter, it’s easy to get carried away by the magical allure of high thread count cotton fabrics, and use that as your only criteria for selection. High thread count bedding is very popular now and with good reason. It is soft and supple and lasts for years. But there are other features of a cotton down comforter cover (the actual fabric of the comforter, not a duvet cover) that are arguably more important.
 
Downproofness  - fabric’s ability to contain down and feathers.
 
The weave of a cotton ticking determines its “hand” (feel), but it also determines how that fabric functions as a barrier. Down proof weaves keep down inside the comforter.

Down Comforter Downproofness


Have you ever felt feathers come out of a feather pillow and poke you, or seen down come out of a comforter and float around the room? Most people have. It’s a common experience. So we know from experience that not all fabrics used for down and feather products are downproof.
 
Feathers are difficult to keep locked in because they have quills that can poke through the fabric and initiate their escape. But down is relatively easy to keep in for a fabric with a nice tight downproof weave.
 
The best way to create a downproof comforter or pillow is to use as little feathers as possible and use a cotton cover with a tight downproof weave. When purchasing a down comforter, select one with a downproof fabric.

Down Comforter Cover Weight Considerations


I have lab tested the high thread count fabrics (1000tc and 1200tc) used in William’s Loft Down Comforters. They are 100% downproof. The fabric has a luxurious feel and functions as an excellent downproof barrier. However, our high thread count fabrics do not answer all purposes for a down comforter.
 
High thread count fabrics pack a lot of threads into every square inch. This makes them thicker and therefore a little heavier. The added weight makes the silky smooth texture and wonderful draping ability of the high thread count fabric possible, but does not make the lightest comforter.
 
One of the best attributes of a down comforter is its light weight. With a lower thread count fabric, we can shave 1 – 1.5 pounds from the total weight of an 9 - 10 pound queen or king size comforter.
 
That’s why we also carry lower thread count fabric down comforters. It’s wonderfully soft, 100% downproof, and makes the lightest and fluffiest comforter possible. We use our fabric in summer weight down comforters / blankets, 4 season down comforters, and our big puffy down comforters, where we want to maximize lightness and fluffiness and minimize weight.

Down Comforter Cover Jacquard Weave


I’ve explored using jacquard weaves for down comforters. But of the ones I’ve tested, they are not very good at downproofing. A jacquard weave includes intricate floral prints, simple striped or checkered patterns, and anything in between.
 
Jacquard - a fabric with an elaborately woven pattern produced on a Jacquard loom.
 
A comforter cover with a jacquard weave will most likely allow down and feathers to pass through. If you want a jacquard look, I would recommend using a duvet cover. You can select any style duvet cover you wish and it will have the added benefit of keeping your down comforter clean.