Goose Down Vs. Down Alternative Fiberbeds For Allergies

By Ben Warrens

Although a good mattress and a good comforter are essential for a comfortable night's sleep, the addition of another soft, insulating layer beneath the occupant of the bed can substantially improve comfort, as well as insulate when the ambient temperature is very low.

The fiberbed is such a product which sits between the bed and the sleeper. It's a cross between a thin portable mattress and a comforter. It has the softness of a comforter, but is laid upon the bed beneath the sleeper. Generally, it's a bit stiffer than a down comforter because of the addition of top feathers.

While quite a lot of people want to try out the fiberbed, the problem is that these people are allergic to irritants in the fill. The irritants can come from the water fowl which are the source of the down undercoat, or from dust-mites which coexist with people. Dust-mites have been established as a leading producer of allergens that accumulate in bedding.

The solution to such issues lies in the use of down alternative fiberbeds. Down fill actually has a surprising number of substitutes or similar substances. Good down alternatives must have three of the unique properties of down: great insulating power, light-weight, and high loft (or softness). In the case of synthetic fills, polyester is the favored material. In the case of natural fills, silk is likely to be the favorite. A famous example of a synthetic is Primaloft, which comes quite close to down in terms of its weight-to-loft ratio.

In addition to the possibility of reducing allergens, down alternative fiberbeds are also priced lower than down. This is because synthetics can be manufactured in greater volume and at lower cost. Harvesting down from water fowl is labor intensive, as well as time intensive. For example, raising water fowl takes months at least, whereas culling wild ones requires seeking them out. The prices of down alternatives are not fixed either. There are low cost varieties and premium varieties which vary in their closeness to reproducing the properties of down.

When purchasing a down alternative fiberbed, be aware that there are different kinds of stitching designs that have an impact on how the long-term loftiness of the fill. A box-type stitching creates small compartments that keep the fill separated, preventing it from bunching up. Shaking out the fiberbed once a week will also help keep the fill evenly distributed.

Finally, caring for a down alternative fiberbed is convenient. A simple detergent and a regular washing machine will do the trick. There's no need for special cleaning agents, and dry cleaning is reserved for but a very small segment of the down alternative fiberbed market. - 32378

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