Down comforters are light weight bed covers that provide exceptional warmth. Down consists of the fine, soft feathers from very young birds, such as geese. Down comforters are available in the standard bedding sizes such as twin, full, queen and king. The cost of a comforter depends on both the thickness (or feather weight) of the down and the size of the comforter, generally $100 to $300. These comforters are quite easy to purchase online or through catalogs as they are easy as well as inexpensive to ship.

The following should be considered when deciding on a down comforter:

• Study how many ounces of down the comforter contains as good quality twin size comforter should have between 20 to 40 ounces, depending on how warm you wish to be. Full comforters should have between 24 and 48 ounces; queens 26 to 58 ounces and kings 35 to 68 ounces. A lightweight comforter may be more appropriate in warm climates or if you will use it year round. The thickest weights are best used in the coldest climates.
• The stitching on the comforter determines how the down shifts inside the cover. Box stitching will help prevent the down from clumping together in parts of the comforter. Some people prefer a design that allows the down to shift with you, molding to your body. This type of comforter will usually require frequent shaking to maintain its loft and thickness.
• Comforter covers should be made from a sturdy, dense fabric that does not allow the interior feathers to escape. High quality cotton that is at least 250 thread count is the most popular choice. Traditional colors for the covers are white and cream, but down comforters can be purchases in a wide variety of colors.
• Better comforters are made from premium quality white goose down that has been repeatedly washed to make it hypoallergenic. Most down comforters can be washed; but because of their size, it is best to use large commercial type machines.