Can you use a down comforter in summer?
Many people mistakenly associate down bedding with being too warm, difficult to care for, or a source of bedding allergies. In fact, down bedding offers a great consumer choice in terms of comfort. It’s also an eco-friendly option because it allows you to lower the thermostat in the winter, saving you money. But can you wear down bedding in summer? If so, what types should be used?
Down bedding is measured by how high or fluffy it is, or in technical terms its filling power. Fill power is a measure of how much volume is filled with a standard amount of down. Technically, an ounce of down is put into a calibrated tube and a weight is added on top to see how strong the filling is. The higher the filling power, the fluffier the material will be and how warm it can keep you.
Consumers generally don’t like heavy things, so down bedding is great because it provides warmth without the weight. A high fill power comforter can keep you as warm as a low fill power comforter assuming the weight is the same. Down bedding allows your body heat to be balanced.
Most households prefer to save money and use air conditioning as little as possible. In the summer, the heat and humidity present a challenge for most consumers, which is why it is important to select your summer bedding. Buying something too thin will not offer coverage and an uncomfortable night’s sleep because many of us are used to cuddling with something. Buying something too warm will only give you night sweats.
Down bedding is a great option for summer because the material is usually made from cotton, which is an all-natural, breathable material. Other options you may find include polyester fabric blends that can trap too much heat and offer discomfort, so avoid anything other than cotton or natural fabrics (Tencel Lyocell is a great option for cool comfort and is derived from trees eucalyptus).
When selecting down bedding for the summer, we recommend a lighter down blanket. Down blankets contain about half the amount of down filling as a down comforter. Most down blankets use a duck down filling and use a stitched construction to hold the filling in place. Many down blankets use a decorative border such as a satin border, and sometimes a flanged border of its own.
Down blankets are usually oversized and designed for the top of the bed on a flat sheet. They are oversized and can sometimes be placed on the foot or the sides of the bed for a clean, finished look.
You may also want to consider using a feather mattress. Feather mattresses usually contain a mix of 5% down and 95% feathers. Most feather beds are three to four inches thick and can help provide soft, loft comfort. Another secret to feather beds is that they allow air to circulate, making them a great option for providing cool comfort under a sleeper.