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Silk? Down? Wool?  What type of comforter to buy?

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Allergy Relief General Organic Natural & Organic Bedding Organic Bedding Resources

Take refuge into coziness

Everyone wants a cozy, welcoming bed to escape to. When the days are getting colder, what better way to achieve that coziness than with a fluffy comforter? Wrapping up in a snug comforter can bring some welcome coziness (or hygge) into your life. At The Clean Bedroom, we offer comforters in various styles and materials from multiple highly esteemed brands. Also, our partners make their comforters with natural or organic materials so you can feel good about the choices you make. From down and Ogallala down to wool or even silk, there is something for everyone. Check out these tips on caring for different types of comforters! However, always remember to check your comforter’s specific cleaning instructions on the label or visit the product’s website. These tips are simply general guidelines to help you make your decision. Explore the benefits and contrast the different types of comforters below.

Down & Ogallala down comforters

Benefits

  • Breathable – A good down comforter allows air to pass through the fabric without trapping too much heat.
  • Warmth – Despite its breathability, down comforters are good for keeping you warm during the colder seasons. Down is the soft fiber immediately covering the flesh of a duck or goose. This means it’s an excellent temperature controller, managing to trap heat while still allowing air to pass through.
  • Soft & Light – Down is known for its light and fluffy properties, making it the perfect material to cuddle up with on a cold winter night.
  • Hypoallergenic – The Clean Bedroom offers Ogallala down comforters made with a mix of Syriaca (milkweed), which calms down the allergens naturally found in the down. This makes it an ideal choice for those with allergies.
  • Longevity – Down and Ogallala down comforters can last years with proper care, becoming a true heirloom item. Synthetic materials vary in how quickly they will deteriorate. A down comforter is eco-friendly, saving landfill space since it can be handed down rather than thrown away.

Guidelines for Care for Your Comforter (Check manufacturer’s instructions)

  • DO Fluff Your Comforter – Down is naturally absorbent. Therefore, you want to make sure oils and scents do not get trapped in your comforter. Fluffing it will move around the filling to create airflow and prevent this from happening.
  • DO Hang Outside – On a low-humidity day, airing out your comforter can help fight moisture and add some freshness to the filling.
  • DO Professionally Clean – Unless you have a front-loading washer and dryer, it’s best to take it somewhere else to wash it. This doesn’t mean dry cleaning, as that can damage the filling.
  • DON’T Wear Makeup and Lotions to Bed – They can easily get trapped in the comforter and create unwanted stains and odors.
  • DON’T Use Harsh Chemicals – For smaller stains, avoid the harsh chemicals and opt for a mild, non-bleach cleaning agent. Spot clean the area by blotting it gently with a cloth.

Organic and Natural Wool Comforters

Benefits

  • Temperature Regulating – As a thermoregulating material, wool helps keep you warm or keep you cool, depending on the temperature. While down is usually recommended for fall and winter use, wool is an excellent choice for a year-round comforter.
  • Water-Resistant – Rather than trap moisture from your body, wool wicks it away, keeping you dry throughout the night. This lowers the risk of mold and mildew growth. It also allows the comforter to dry faster than materials like cotton and down.
  • Odor Control – Unlike down, wool is naturally breathable, making it less likely for those unwanted odors to get trapped.
  • Naturally Hypoallergenic – Other types of materials, including some down comforters, can actually aggravate allergies. However, wool is naturally dust mite and mold-proof, providing a cleaner breathing environment. An ideal choice for those with allergies!
  • Fire Resistant – Wool is used as a flame retardant in a variety of natural bedding products. It’s overall a much safer product to expose to your home and family rather than chemical flame retardants.

Guidelines for Care for Your Comforter (check manufacturer’s instructions)

  • DO Sun Cure – Sunning your comforter periodically will keep it refreshed and revitalize the wool.
  • DO Spot Clean Stains – Spot treat stains as needed by soaking the area with hydrogen peroxide. Warning: this may cause lightening of fabric in some products
  • DO use your washer on Cold – Depending on the comforter, you may be all set to wash your wool comforter from home, as long as you manually set the machine to soak and spin cycles only. Some comforters should not be spun. If treating stains, you can add some live cultured enzymes in the soak cycle.
  • DON’T Wring Out or Machine Dry – Even though you wash it in the machine, it doesn’t mean you should dry it in the machine. Draping your comforter out to dry in a warm or sunny place is the best way to dry it.
  • DON’T Use The Wash Cycle – This will only agitate the wool and could damage the comforter.

Silk Comforters

Benefits

  • Naturally antibacterial & hypoallergenic – An ideal choice for those who suffer from allergies.
  • Super-absorbent – great at absorbing moisture to help keep you cool and comfortable all night long.
  • Odor Control – products are also naturally mold- and mildew-resistant to eliminate any worries and ensure an odor-free and bacteria-guarded bedding solution.
  • Temperature Regulating – Silk filling with the cotton exterior regulates temperatures yet is lightweight enough to be used as a year-round comforter.
  • Luxury – There is, of course, a luxurious feel to the silk material that makes it a superior fill and adds that layer of comfort to your bedding.

Guidelines for Care for Your Comforter (Check manufacturer’s instructions)

  • DO Stay Simple – With a cotton cover, your silk comforter is easy to care for. Keep washing and drying simple by just using water to wash and letting it air dry. Some silk comforters do have silk covering.
  • DO Sun Cure – One of the best ways to clean and add freshness to your comforter at home without causing damage or using chemicals. To do this, lay your comforter flat on the ground in direct sunlight for one hour. Then, flip it over and lay it in the sun for an additional hour.
  • DO Professionally Clean – For a deep clean or stains that can’t be removed with water, a good option is to get it cleaned professionally. To avoid potentially damaging the silk, try to find a dry or wet cleaner specializing in cleaning silk.
  • DON’T Use Harsh Chemicals – As stated above, keeping it simple when cleaning silk is the way to go. Using chemicals of any type could end up damaging your comforter.
  • DON’T Store in a Damp Area – If storing your silk comforter for the summer season, make sure you air it out, neatly fold it, place it in an airtight bag, and store it in a dry, cool area.

Protecting your comforter

Most importantly, for any comforter, you should cover it with a duvet cover. This functions as a large pillowcase for your duvet and has a zipper or button closure. It protects the duvet from body oil, makeup, dirt, sweat, or other things that you don’t want to touch your duvet. It can be changed to match your decor and is almost always washable. Now that you know more about the benefits and care of comforters, you can make an informed decision and find the comforter that’s best for you! We encourage you to continue researching the different types of comforters The Clean Bedroom has to offer.  If you need more information, contact us at 212-764-3232 or email us at info@thecleanbedroom.com Also, you can check out our selection of comforters HERE.