Although down and down alternative comforters appear to be the same on the exterior and serve the same purpose, their fillings are vastly different. Down comforters are filled with bird feathers, whereas down replacements are filled with a synthetic material that mimics down.
The different types of material used have an impact on fluffiness, durability, maintenance requirements, and, most importantly, cost.Down is expensive, which is why down alternatives were created in the first place.
Are you on the lookout for a great comforter? We’ve got you covered if you’re debating whether to get a down comforter or save money and buy down alternative comforter.
We examine the details of the two in order to help you better understand their differences and choose the one that is right for you.
What Is a Down Comforter?
The feathers from the underbelly of ducks and geese are referred to as down. Down comforters are known for their softness, warmth, and fluffiness. At the same time, down is light and lofty, so you won’t feel overheated or burdened down by your blanket.
What Is Down Alternative, And How Does It Work?
Down substitute is a comforter fill that is created from naturally hypoallergenic materials like cotton, rayon, or synthetic fibers and is designed to mimic the qualities of down.
While choosing to buy down alternative comforter isn’t a perfect substitute for down, it’s a good alternative for vegans, allergy sufferers, and those on a budget.
How To Choose Between Down And a Down Alternative Comforter
Consider how down and down alternative comforters perform in terms of coziness, weight, and lifespan when purchasing a comforter.
Allergies
Allergy sufferers may prefer an alternative down comforter to a down comforter since allergies are less likely to be aggravated.
Down Alternative:
As synthetic fabrics and cotton are unlikely to trap allergens, down alternative comforters are naturally hypoallergenic.
Down:
Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and skin cells can get trapped in down feathers, causing allergic reactions like rashes, irritated eyes and throat, and postnasal drip.
Warmth And Fill Power
In a comforter, fill power refers to how many cubic inches one ounce of fiber or feather clusters takes up. It has an impact on the fluffiness and loft of the comforter, as well as its insulating ability and breathability.
Down Alternative:
Despite many businesses advertising down alternatives as having a certain fill power, determining the fill power of down alternative comforters is challenging due to their composition.
An alternative down comforter requires far more filling to achieve the same level of insulation as down, resulting in a heavier comforter.
Down:
Down clusters are fluffier and more insulating than other types of down. For most users, a fill power of 500 to 750 provides appropriate insulation and fluff. Any fill power of more than 750 is more insulating and fluffy but is suitable for people who live in colder regions.
High fills won’t feel weighty or confining because down is inherently light.
While down is warm and fluffy, it is also rather breathable, so hot sleepers won’t be sweaty or uncomfortable when they wake up.
Maintenance
Cleaning a comforter is usually straightforward. Traditional down comforters require more effort to clean than down replacement comforters, which can be washed in the washing machine.
Down Alternative:
Alternative down comforters are low-maintenance. The comforters can be machine washed and dried. They do, however, require more frequent washing than down, and if you use a duvet cover, you should launder it once or twice a year. Even so, biennial upkeep is a bare minimum.
Down:
Down comforters should not be washed; instead, they should be dry cleaned or taken to a laundry shop.
Durability
When it comes to down and down alternative comforters, natural materials are more likely to last longer than synthetic materials. The approximate lifespans of down and down alternative comforters are listed below.
Down:
Down comforters can last anywhere from ten to fifteen years. With careful care, you can extend the life of your comforter by several years.
Down Alternative:
Synthetic materials, such as polyester or microfiber, degrade quickly; therefore, down replacement comforters usually only last a couple of years. Due to the fiber’s composition, synthetic fillings lose their shape and become lumpy sooner than down comforters.
Price
Although down is enticing due to its outstanding durability and feel, it is usually avoided due to its exorbitant cost. Instead, going down is a considerably more cost-effective option.
The information mentioned above should help you understand the differences between down and down alternative comforters. When making a choice between those, the points mentioned above will help you make an informed decision.
