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Down and its Care
Down is a popular garment for many people. It is lightweight, while
providing plenty of warmth.
When purchasing down garments, look for these tips:
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Seams well sewn to prevent feather leaking |
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Well quilted, approximately 8 inches apart, to prevent down
shifting |
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Each square or rectangle should be full of down, for the
greatest insulating properties |
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The outer shell should be of tightly woven material, nylon or
cotton blends are best |
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Insure a proper fit, too tight will actually cause loss of
insulation factors |
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Sewn-through seams cause cold spots, if
under stuffed, but
sewn-through quilting is necessary |
A true down garment must contain 80% down and the rest feathers.
Eiderdown is considered to be superior to other forms of down, but the
supply is limited, driving up the cost of the product.
Cleaning of down depends on the outer
fabric and the quilting. Washing of down causes the feathers to mat
and will affect insulation qualities.
Dry cleaning allows the feathers
to move freely because there is no water involved in the dry cleaning
process. Tears should be noted so they can be repaired before
cleaning, eliminating the loss of feathers.
Anderson Cleaners has
great success in cleaning your down comforters. For maximum comfort
and extended life, the down in your comforters should be evenly
distributed, not lumpy, which is a result of laundering.
Garments
should be cleaned, once during the wearing season and then before
storing the garment for the summer. Storage of down garments should be
in a loose bag. Proper care can extend the life of a down garment.
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