Lycella® - FAQs


Care & Cleaning
How to care for and clean a down comforter. First, if properly covered with a protective duvet cover, comforters need very infrequent cleaning. When you must clean it, we suggest that you have your comforter professionally laundered in water (after all, geese do live in water). We do not recommend dry cleaning unless the fabric used specifically requires it to be dry cleaned. Comforters should not be washed at home. Down comforters are too large for most home washers, and if the fabric is torn by the agitator, the down can escape, damaging your washer and possibly causing the water to back-up into the laundry room. As it dries, the comforter may expand so much that it will block the escape of hot air from the dryer, resulting in a scorched comforter and a high risk of fire. Do not leave any down product in a dryer unattended. After washing, do not store in plastic, but allow to air. Store in the breathable bag in which it was purchased.
How to care for and clean silk-filled comforters and throws. DRY CLEAN ONLY. While in some cases, some manufacturers state that cool water wash is appropriate for silk sheets, never wash a silk-filled comforter or throw.
Down Comforters
How to choose the correct weight down comforter. Lycella^® comforters are filled to four different weights: Level I, II, III, IV. Consider your climate, the temperature at which you keep your bedroom, the length of season that you're going to use the comforter, and your own body temperature. Levels I and II are our most popular weights. Level I is perfect for a summer weight comforter or for use in warmer homes. Level II is great for year round use. Level III is for cooler bedrooms kept in the lower 60's. Level IV is usually suitable for use in a bedroom that is kept at less than 58 degrees Fahrenheit. A Level IV comforter is similar to those that customers remember from their trips to Germany.
Understanding fill power. Down is the most insulating of all materials because of its unique ability to loft and trap body heat within the air space it creates. The greater the loft, the warmer the comforter. The wonderful characteristic of down is that very little of it (by weight) will loft and fill a great volume. A comforter can be made warmer in two ways: by increasing the quantity of down (in ounces) or by using a a higher quality down with greater loft. The ability of down to loft, or to fill a given volume of space, is called fill power. Fill power is measured in cubic inches of volume. One ounce of 650 fill power down will loft to fill a volume of 650 cubic inches. Fill power ranges from about 500 to 900 for special types of white goose down. Thus, in order to achieve maximum "warmth without weight," we recommend at least a 650 fill power down. Our large cluster 750 fill white goose down has approximately 15% more warmth than our 650 fill power down. Feathers have little insulating ability because they do not have the same lofting characteristics of down.
Origin of our down. All of our down fills are a by-product of the food industry in Europe. Europeans eat goose and duck as often as Americans eat chicken and turkey. The geese are never killed for the purpose of getting the down but rather the down is plucked from the birds after they have been processed and are no longer alive. The down is seperated from feathers during this process. We do not use a "live pluck" method for procuring down. All European down washed, sorted and processed in the U.S.A.
Understanding baffled-box construction. Comforters can either be baffled or sewn-through. A baffle is an internal fabric wall that separates the top and bottom layers of fabric in a comforter. It allows the down to reach its maximum loft. It also adds strength to the comforter - allowing it to "give" and thus reducing stress on the stitching when you toss and turn at night. A sewn-through comforter is suitable only for the thinnest and lightest weights. And even then, completely stitching through the comforter makes it feel more like a quilted spread and less like you would expect a down comforter to feel. Unklike most comforters, our comforters are sewn with baffles that attach to all internal seams so that no threads are visible on the outside of the comforter. Our exacting internal construction and close sewing tolerances minimize the potential for the down to shift.
Need a custom-sized comforter? In deciding what size comforter you need, remember that the size of the comforter on the bed will actually be the size of the duvet cover that it is in. And in order to fill out your cover, ideally your comforter should be at least as large, or larger, than the cover. There is no such thing as having a down comforter that is too big for the cover. Down is a "fluid", in that it conforms to any shape of any container into which it is placed. So simply order the proper size, or larger size, than the cover. Keep in mind when ordering, that in our industry the advertised size of any comforter is the "cut size" before it is filled with down. After filling, it will draw up several inches, depending on how full it's stuffed. There is normally a wait of 6-8 weeks for custom sized comforters.
Down Pillows
How to choose the correct down pillow. We recommend a soft pillow for stomach sleeping, a firm pillow for side sleeping (to keep your head level) and a medium firmness for back sleeping. We often hear from customers who suffer from headaches and discomfort from sleeping with a wrong pillow. Of course, we make no claims about curing headaches, but the right pillow can make a difference in a comfortable night's sleep. We even hear of customers who complain of neck aches from sleeping on a too firm pillow. For these people, we recommend a softer pillow that fits into the curve of the neck, permitting the head to slightly tilt backwards, relieving stresses on the neck area. If you sleep on your stomach, choose a soft or extra soft pillow so that it doesn't push your head up too high. And if you sleep on your side, choose a pillow that is firm enough to fill the breadth of your shoulders and to allow your head to remain at a comfortable level.
How to decide between a down pillow and a feather one. There are many differences, but the biggest difference is that down traps more air and makes a fluffy, balloon-like pillow that has "bounce." Feather pillows tend to pack harder and flatten more quickly with use. While either pillow can be made soft, medium or firm, just by adding more or less fill, choose down for its ability to loft, and feather if you prefer a flatter, harder packed pillow.
How to extend the life of your pillow. The absorption of body oils, perspiration, and humidity through the cotton shell and into the down cause a pillow to break in. A pillow protector will help protect your down pillow, provided you remove it and wash it often. We've noticed that down pillows last far longer in dry climates and in air conditioned bedrooms. Oils and humidity are their enemy, working their way into the fill causing it to mat, clump and deteriorate. But remember, this happens to synthetic pillows as well. Consider the relative cost of your pillow to the years of comfort and use you will receive. It seems reasonable that a pillow, like everything else, should be replaced after its usable life.
How to wash a down pillow. While we hear of customers who have great success in washing pillows, we have many who tell us that it is extremely difficult. And it can be dangerous to your home washer. First, we do not recommend doing it at home or in an agitator machine. If the agitator tears the fabric, and the down escapes, it can block the water exhaust and overflow into your home. This is especially likely to happen with older pillows whose fabric is weakened from oils, perspiration, and age. Pillows tend to trap air and "balloon," causing them to pop out of the top of the washer. So, we recommend washing only in a front loading commercial washer, using regular detergent. But even here, be sure that the fabric is not too old or deteriorated from body oils or weakened from age. When the pillows are wet you will smell a pungent odor. This odor is natural with all down products, and will disappear when the pillows are completely dry. Be certain to dry the pillows very thoroughly so that they don't mildew. This will take three to four hours in a large commercial dryer on medium heat. Pillows in a hot commercial dryer can easily burn so be careful. Do not leave them unattended in the dryer. Take them out and fluff regularly when drying and check for over heating. If too many pillows are placed in the dryer the hot air connot escape and a fire is possible. Finally, the downproof ticking on good quality pillows does not want to let water pass through, nor let the oils or dust inside escape. For most people, the answer is to use a good quality pillow protector, wash and change it weekly with your laundry, and discard the pillow when its life expectancy is over.
Featherbeds
How to cover and protect a featherbed. Featherbeds go on top of your mattress and should be covered for protection. A zippered cover is often used to protect the featherbed. You should use a fitted sheet deep enough to cover the featherbed and mattress without being too tight on the featherbed. Some customers tell us that they like to use a quilted mattress pad over their featherbed for additional protection. It's probably not a bad idea. Consider our featherbed protector in a classic European white-on-white jacquard stripe, designed to protect your featherbed and look beautiful.
Down & Downproof Fabrics
Why it's important to understand thread count and downproof. Placing reliance on thread count as an indicator of the downproof quality of fabric is a mistake. What is important is the type and size of yarn, the density with which it is woven (which is a different issue than thread count), and the specialized finishing techniques needed to insure the fabric's downproof qualities. We use several different types of fabrics on our comforters. Most of our down products are made from fabric woven by German, Austrian or other European mills, many of which are still family owned, and have been weaving downproof fabrics for well over a century. These fabrics offer the ideal combination of downproof qualities, strength, and durability, and fine hand. Their downproof character is derived from the fact that they combine the appropriate size yarn necessary to provide durability over years of use with a dense weave. While our thread counts range generally from 262 to over 400, we do not think that consumers should focus on this issue. In our years in business we have seen high thread count fabrics woven by less experienced mills, or with inadequate quality control or finishing process, that have leaked down excessively. Our experience is that downproof fabric must have the best combination of durability, absorbency, performance and feel. Fabric can be woven densely at 262 thread, or at 400 threads. But in order to weave more threads per inch, each yarn has to have a smaller diameter. This results in a cloth that is too fine and delicate for the heavy use that pillows and comforters take at night. The fabric must be durable enough to hold down and feathers, to hold the stitching over many years of "tossing and turning" and to withstand exposure to perspiration. Indeed, the weave in our 262 thread count classic is actually "tighter" than most fabrics that are advertised at twice the thread count; it's just that the yarns are of the optimum size and the weave is appropriate. Additionally, the fabric goes through a finishing process by being put under trememdous pressure and heat to assure complete downproofness and fine touch. The thread count on the pillows ranges from 226 to 300 thread count, and we do match the weave to the relative percentage of down and feather blend being used. Every blend of fill requires a different fabric. All of our pillows, and all of our comforters made from European fabrics carry our Confidence in Textiles guarantee that they have been produced according to strict European environmental standards, with no heavy metals such as chromium, or other harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde or chlorine. See our swatch folder to inspect our fabric yourself.
How to read a law label on all down products. WHAT IS A LAW LABEL? A "law label" is a disclosure label required by state law to be sewn into every bedding product made of filling encased in an outer cover. This includes comforters, pillows, featherbeds and mattresses. The label must disclose, in language specified by law, the type of filling, and in the case of down products, the exact percentage of down and feathers. This is the best way to determine the exact contents of the product you intend to buy - because advertising and packaging regulations are vague and rarely enforced. Law labels may be attached only by bedding manufacturers and others licensed to do so. The agencies which license manufacturers and regulate the content of their law labels are usually a part of a state's department of public health. HOW DO I TELL IF MY PRODUCT REALLY CONTAINS DOWN OR FEATHERS? First, understand three terms: down, feather, and fiber. Down is the soft, fluffy cluster taken from the undercoating of geese or ducks (and it is many times more expensive than feather). Feathers are the bird's outer covering, and have a hard, spiny quill. Down has little weight, but great insulating abilities. Feathers are relatively inexpensive, but are heavy and do not insulate nearly as well. Fiber refers to pieces of damaged or broken down cluster or feather. ALL THREE OF THESE ARE PRESENT IN PRODUCTS SOLD AS "DOWN." This is because the mechanical process used to sort down from feathers is not perfect. And some feathers and fiber, in a trace amount, will always remain in the purest down fill. So, it is inaccurate and contrary to law, to state that a product contains "All Down," "Pure Down," or "100% Down." Recognizing that all down products contain some trace of feathers and fiber, new regulations require manufacturers to tell you the minimum percentage of down cluster in the product. As long as it contains at least 75% white goose down cluster, the product may be labeled as "White Goose Down." However, that label must also state, in slightly smaller typeface, that the product actually contains "minimum 75% down (75% down is actually pretty average for most down products offered for sale in the United States today). A better quality down that measures 650 fill power might be labeled as "minimum 85% down." Thus, a typical 650 fill power down pillow might be labeled as follows: This product contains all new material consisting of WHITE GOOSE DOWN (minimum 85% down). The 85% does not mean that the product is inferior. Indeed this item would contain over 13% more "down" cluster than the 75% minimum that is required by law. And remember, any product with 85% down cluster would have such a small trace amount of feather and fiber that it would be virtually undetectable. Moreover, it is practically impossible to mechanically sort the down better than 90 to 95%. WHAT NEED NOT APPEAR ON A DOWN LAW LABEL? Although every state has different disclosure requirements, many states do not require that the color or the species of the bird be disclosed. For instance, many states allow the use of the term "White Down" without stating if it is made of goose or duck. Similarly, many states allow the term "Goose Down" without disclosing if it is gray or white. In our experience, if the label does not say "white goose down" then it is probably filled with gray down or even with inferior duck down. Beware of feather pillows labeled "Crushed Feathers" as they are made of large feathers in excess of the legal limit to be sold as whole feathers, and had to be crushed in order to be used. Of course, there are many variables that determine the quality of a down or feather fill . . . and in the end, the best advice is to purchase only from a manufacturer that you trust.
The truth about hypoallergenic down. ARE YOU ALLERGIC TO DOWN . . . OR TO MOLD? Before we talk about allergies to down, keep in mind that there are probably more people allergic to mold or dust mites than to new down fill. We often hear stories of someone who won’t sleep on a new down pillow because they once had an allergic reaction to one while sleeping at “Grandma’s house.” Before you give up the great comfort of a down pillow, consider whether that old pillow was stored in a damp, mildew-prone area of the house. If so, you may not really be allergic to down at all. USE OF THE TERM HYPOALLERGENIC We will never use the term “hypoallergenic” with regard to any down or feather product because we do not believe that the use of the term is appropriate. Anyone who is allergic to goose dander is simply going to be allergic to goose down. There is no scientific basis for concluding that washing and rinsing down, no matter how well, or by treating it with any solution, will remove 100% of the dander, or result in hypoallergenic down, and we encourage you to beware of claims otherwise. To illustrate, if you are allergic to eggs, there is no way to process them, treat them with chemicals, cook them or bake them, that will prevent an allergic reaction. Indeed, science tells us that we would have to alter the DNA molecule in order for someone with true allergies to no longer be affected by that allergen. An impossible task indeed. It is common sense that washing down and feathers will not prevent it from causing an allergic reaction in those truly allergic. WASHING AND RINSING Our quality fills do go through state-of-the-industry washing and processing with German-made down soaps, containing surfactants and emulsifiers, and using German-made equipment. Our down undergoes multiple washing and rinsing cycles, to assure cleanliness and sanitation. Air drying includes a specialized de-dusting vacuum system that further removes dander and fine particles. Despite this level of cleaning and processing, we will not label even our finest down fills as “hypoallergenic”. WE USE NO CHEMICAL FUNGICIDES OR MOLDICIDE IN OUR FILLS We believe that some companies using the term hypoallergenic are referring not to allergies to down, but to allergies to molds or spores that can form in pillows or comforters that are not properly cared for. We have seen claims that some down is treated with moldicides and fungicides that will retard the growth of bacteria and spores. In using the term “hypoallergenic” these companies may be referring to allergies caused not by down, but by mold. Our experience has shown, however, that these chemicals are toxic and not something that we, or our customers, would want to sleep under every night. We know of one case where an employee was exposed to these chemicals, causing burn-like blotches that required several weeks of treatment. It’s far easier and safer to just store your down products carefully, and like anything else, away from damp areas. DUST AND DUST MITES Keep in mind that many people truly are allergic to dust and dust mites. While mites can attach to the surface of the comforter, scientific studies done in Europe have shown that dust mites cannot penetrate the downproof fabrics used in down comforters, pillows or featherbeds. We recommend a good duvet cover that closes securely and is laundered often. Our pillow protectors are made from downproof fabric and are inherently dust mite proof. In conclusion, if you are truly allergic to down, then we recommend that you select another product. For instance, we offer a silk filled comforter that is hypoallergenic and a natural alternative to down. Silk is one of the purest fibers, unable to lint and containing absolutely no dander.
Why dark spots show up in down pillows and comforters. Those dark spots seen through the fabric are dark clusters of down. They are found in all white goose down, regardless of quality, and the more you press on the fabric the more you’ll see them. Just like we get gray hairs, even white geese get some gray clusters as they get older. They are not feathers, and the fill is not inferior in any way. Indeed, if you were to open the pillow and allow the down to expand you probably wouldn’t see them at all. They are usually only visible when compressed under fine, white fabric.
What is the meaning of the Confidence in Textiles guarantee? This fabric is guaranteed to meet strict European environmental standards for ecologically safe and healthful textiles and to be free from formaldehyde, chlorine, chromium, and other heavy metals and harmful chemicals. Good to sleep on, and good for the environment. Awarded at the International Association for Research and Testing in the Field of Textile Ecology. Hohenstein, Germany.

Care & Cleaning

How to care for and clean a down comforter.

First, if properly covered with a protective duvet cover, comforters need very infrequent cleaning. When you must clean it, we suggest that you have your comforter professionally laundered in water (after all, geese do live in water). We do not recommend dry cleaning unless the fabric used specifically requires it to be dry cleaned. Comforters should not be washed at home. Down comforters are too large for most home washers, and if the fabric is torn by the agitator, the down can escape, damaging your washer and possibly causing the water to back-up into the laundry room. As it dries, the comforter may expand so much that it will block the escape of hot air from the dryer, resulting in a scorched comforter and a high risk of fire. Do not leave any down product in a dryer unattended. After washing, do not store in plastic, but allow to air. Store in the breathable bag in which it was purchased.

Down Comforters

How to choose the correct weight down comforter.

Lycella^® comforters are filled to four different weights: Level I, II, III, IV. Consider your climate, the temperature at which you keep your bedroom, the length of season that you're going to use the comforter, and your own body temperature. Levels I and II are our most popular weights. Level I is perfect for a summer weight comforter or for use in warmer homes. Level II is great for year round use. Level III is for cooler bedrooms kept in the lower 60's. Level IV is usually suitable for use in a bedroom that is kept at less than 58 degrees Fahrenheit. A Level IV comforter is similar to those that customers remember from their trips to Germany.

Understanding fill power.

Down is the most insulating of all materials because of its unique ability to loft and trap body heat within the air space it creates. The greater the loft, the warmer the comforter. The wonderful characteristic of down is that very little of it (by weight) will loft and fill a great volume. A comforter can be made warmer in two ways: by increasing the quantity of down (in ounces) or by using a a higher quality down with greater loft.

The ability of down to loft, or to fill a given volume of space, is called fill power. Fill power is measured in cubic inches of volume. One ounce of 650 fill power down will loft to fill a volume of 650 cubic inches. Fill power ranges from about 500 to 900 for special types of white goose down. Thus, in order to achieve maximum "warmth without weight," we recommend at least a 650 fill power down. Our large cluster 750 fill white goose down has approximately 15% more warmth than our 650 fill power down. Feathers have little insulating ability because they do not have the same lofting characteristics of down.

Origin of our down.

All of our down fills are a by-product of the food industry in Europe. Europeans eat goose and duck as often as Americans eat chicken and turkey. The geese are never killed for the purpose of getting the down but rather the down is plucked from the birds after they have been processed and are no longer alive. The down is seperated from feathers during this process. We do not use a "live pluck" method for procuring down. All European down washed, sorted and processed in the U.S.A.

Understanding baffled-box construction.

Comforters can either be baffled or sewn-through. A baffle is an internal fabric wall that separates the top and bottom layers of fabric in a comforter. It allows the down to reach its maximum loft. It also adds strength to the comforter - allowing it to "give" and thus reducing stress on the stitching when you toss and turn at night. A sewn-through comforter is suitable only for the thinnest and lightest weights. And even then, completely stitching through the comforter makes it feel more like a quilted spread and less like you would expect a down comforter to feel. Unklike most comforters, our comforters are sewn with baffles that attach to all internal seams so that no threads are visible on the outside of the comforter. Our exacting internal construction and close sewing tolerances minimize the potential for the down to shift.

Need a custom-sized comforter?

In deciding what size comforter you need, remember that the size of the comforter on the bed will actually be the size of the duvet cover that it is in. And in order to fill out your cover, ideally your comforter should be at least as large, or larger, than the cover. There is no such thing as having a down comforter that is too big for the cover. Down is a "fluid", in that it conforms to any shape of any container into which it is placed. So simply order the proper size, or larger size, than the cover.

Keep in mind when ordering, that in our industry the advertised size of any comforter is the "cut size" before it is filled with down. After filling, it will draw up several inches, depending on how full it's stuffed. There is normally a wait of 6-8 weeks for custom sized comforters.

Down Pillows

How to choose the correct down pillow.

We recommend a soft pillow for stomach sleeping, a firm pillow for side sleeping (to keep your head level) and a medium firmness for back sleeping. We often hear from customers who suffer from headaches and discomfort from sleeping with a wrong pillow. Of course, we make no claims about curing headaches, but the right pillow can make a difference in a comfortable night's sleep. We even hear of customers who complain of neck aches from sleeping on a too firm pillow. For these people, we recommend a softer pillow that fits into the curve of the neck, permitting the head to slightly tilt backwards, relieving stresses on the neck area. If you sleep on your stomach, choose a soft or extra soft pillow so that it doesn't push your head up too high. And if you sleep on your side, choose a pillow that is firm enough to fill the breadth of your shoulders and to allow your head to remain at a comfortable level.

How to decide between a down pillow and a feather one.

There are many differences, but the biggest difference is that down traps more air and makes a fluffy, balloon-like pillow that has "bounce." Feather pillows tend to pack harder and flatten more quickly with use. While either pillow can be made soft, medium or firm, just by adding more or less fill, choose down for its ability to loft, and feather if you prefer a flatter, harder packed pillow.

How to extend the life of your pillow.

The absorption of body oils, perspiration, and humidity through the cotton shell and into the down cause a pillow to break in. A pillow protector will help protect your down pillow, provided you remove it and wash it often. We've noticed that down pillows last far longer in dry climates and in air conditioned bedrooms. Oils and humidity are their enemy, working their way into the fill causing it to mat, clump and deteriorate. But remember, this happens to synthetic pillows as well. Consider the relative cost of your pillow to the years of comfort and use you will receive. It seems reasonable that a pillow, like everything else, should be replaced after its usable life.

How to wash a down pillow.

While we hear of customers who have great success in washing pillows, we have many who tell us that it is extremely difficult. And it can be dangerous to your home washer. First, we do not recommend doing it at home or in an agitator machine. If the agitator tears the fabric, and the down escapes, it can block the water exhaust and overflow into your home. This is especially likely to happen with older pillows whose fabric is weakened from oils, perspiration, and age. Pillows tend to trap air and "balloon," causing them to pop out of the top of the washer. So, we recommend washing only in a front loading commercial washer, using regular detergent. But even here, be sure that the fabric is not too old or deteriorated from body oils or weakened from age. When the pillows are wet you will smell a pungent odor. This odor is natural with all down products, and will disappear when the pillows are completely dry. Be certain to dry the pillows very thoroughly so that they don't mildew. This will take three to four hours in a large commercial dryer on medium heat. Pillows in a hot commercial dryer can easily burn so be careful. Do not leave them unattended in the dryer. Take them out and fluff regularly when drying and check for over heating. If too many pillows are placed in the dryer the hot air connot escape and a fire is possible. Finally, the downproof ticking on good quality pillows does not want to let water pass through, nor let the oils or dust inside escape. For most people, the answer is to use a good quality pillow protector, wash and change it weekly with your laundry, and discard the pillow when its life expectancy is over.

How to cover and protect a featherbed.

Featherbeds go on top of your mattress and should be covered for protection. A zippered cover is often used to protect the featherbed. You should use a fitted sheet deep enough to cover the featherbed and mattress without being too tight on the featherbed. Some customers tell us that they like to use a quilted mattress pad over their featherbed for additional protection. It's probably not a bad idea. Consider our featherbed protector in a classic European white-on-white jacquard stripe, designed to protect your featherbed and look beautiful.

Why it's important to understand thread count and downproof.

Placing reliance on thread count as an indicator of the downproof quality of fabric is a mistake. What is important is the type and size of yarn, the density with which it is woven (which is a different issue than thread count), and the specialized finishing techniques needed to insure the fabric's downproof qualities.

We use several different types of fabrics on our comforters. Most of our down products are made from fabric woven by German, Austrian or other European mills, many of which are still family owned, and have been weaving downproof fabrics for well over a century. These fabrics offer the ideal combination of downproof qualities, strength, and durability, and fine hand. Their downproof character is derived from the fact that they combine the appropriate size yarn necessary to provide durability over years of use with a dense weave.

While our thread counts range generally from 262 to over 400, we do not think that consumers should focus on this issue. In our years in business we have seen high thread count fabrics woven by less experienced mills, or with inadequate quality control or finishing process, that have leaked down excessively. Our experience is that downproof fabric must have the best combination of durability, absorbency, performance and feel. Fabric can be woven densely at 262 thread, or at 400 threads. But in order to weave more threads per inch, each yarn has to have a smaller diameter. This results in a cloth that is too fine and delicate for the heavy use that pillows and comforters take at night. The fabric must be durable enough to hold down and feathers, to hold the stitching over many years of "tossing and turning" and to withstand exposure to perspiration. Indeed, the weave in our 262 thread count classic is actually "tighter" than most fabrics that are advertised at twice the thread count; it's just that the yarns are of the optimum size and the weave is appropriate.

Additionally, the fabric goes through a finishing process by being put under trememdous pressure and heat to assure complete downproofness and fine touch.

The thread count on the pillows ranges from 226 to 300 thread count, and we do match the weave to the relative percentage of down and feather blend being used. Every blend of fill requires a different fabric.

All of our pillows, and all of our comforters made from European fabrics carry our Confidence in Textiles guarantee that they have been produced according to strict European environmental standards, with no heavy metals such as chromium, or other harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde or chlorine.

See our swatch folder to inspect our fabric yourself.

How to read a law label on all down products.

WHAT IS A LAW LABEL?
A "law label" is a disclosure label required by state law to be sewn into every bedding product made of filling encased in an outer cover. This includes comforters, pillows, featherbeds and mattresses. The label must disclose, in language specified by law, the type of filling, and in the case of down products, the exact percentage of down and feathers. This is the best way to determine the exact contents of the product you intend to buy - because advertising and packaging regulations are vague and rarely enforced.
Law labels may be attached only by bedding manufacturers and others licensed to do so. The agencies which license manufacturers and regulate the content of their law labels are usually a part of a state's department of public health.

HOW DO I TELL IF MY PRODUCT REALLY CONTAINS DOWN OR FEATHERS?
First, understand three terms: down, feather, and fiber. Down is the soft, fluffy cluster taken from the undercoating of geese or ducks (and it is many times more expensive than feather). Feathers are the bird's outer covering, and have a hard, spiny quill. Down has little weight, but great insulating abilities. Feathers are relatively inexpensive, but are heavy and do not insulate nearly as well. Fiber refers to pieces of damaged or broken down cluster or feather. ALL THREE OF THESE ARE PRESENT IN PRODUCTS SOLD AS "DOWN." This is because the mechanical process used to sort down from feathers is not perfect. And some feathers and fiber, in a trace amount, will always remain in the purest down fill. So, it is inaccurate and contrary to law, to state that a product contains "All Down," "Pure Down," or "100% Down."
Recognizing that all down products contain some trace of feathers and fiber, new regulations require manufacturers to tell you the minimum percentage of down cluster in the product. As long as it contains at least 75% white goose down cluster, the product may be labeled as "White Goose Down." However, that label must also state, in slightly smaller typeface, that the product actually contains "minimum 75% down (75% down is actually pretty average for most down products offered for sale in the United States today). A better quality down that measures 650 fill power might be labeled as "minimum 85% down." Thus, a typical 650 fill power down pillow might be labeled as follows: This product contains all new material consisting of WHITE GOOSE DOWN (minimum 85% down). The 85% does not mean that the product is inferior. Indeed this item would contain over 13% more "down" cluster than the 75% minimum that is required by law. And remember, any product with 85% down cluster would have such a small trace amount of feather and fiber that it would be virtually undetectable. Moreover, it is practically impossible to mechanically sort the down better than 90 to 95%.

WHAT NEED NOT APPEAR ON A DOWN LAW LABEL?
Although every state has different disclosure requirements, many states do not require that the color or the species of the bird be disclosed. For instance, many states allow the use of the term "White Down" without stating if it is made of goose or duck. Similarly, many states allow the term "Goose Down" without disclosing if it is gray or white. In our experience, if the label does not say "white goose down" then it is probably filled with gray down or even with inferior duck down. Beware of feather pillows labeled "Crushed Feathers" as they are made of large feathers in excess of the legal limit to be sold as whole feathers, and had to be crushed in order to be used.
Of course, there are many variables that determine the quality of a down or feather fill . . . and in the end, the best advice is to purchase only from a manufacturer that you trust.

The truth about hypoallergenic down.

ARE YOU ALLERGIC TO DOWN . . . OR TO MOLD?
Before we talk about allergies to down, keep in mind that there are probably more people allergic to mold or dust mites than to new down fill. We often hear stories of someone who won’t sleep on a new down pillow because they once had an allergic reaction to one while sleeping at “Grandma’s house.” Before you give up the great comfort of a down pillow, consider whether that old pillow was stored in a damp, mildew-prone area of the house. If so, you may not really be allergic to down at all.

USE OF THE TERM HYPOALLERGENIC
We will never use the term “hypoallergenic” with regard to any down or feather product because we do not believe that the use of the term is appropriate. Anyone who is allergic to goose dander is simply going to be allergic to goose down. There is no scientific basis for concluding that washing and rinsing down, no matter how well, or by treating it with any solution, will remove 100% of the dander, or result in hypoallergenic down, and we encourage you to beware of claims otherwise.
To illustrate, if you are allergic to eggs, there is no way to process them, treat them with chemicals, cook them or bake them, that will prevent an allergic reaction. Indeed, science tells us that we would have to alter the DNA molecule in order for someone with true allergies to no longer be affected by that allergen. An impossible task indeed. It is common sense that washing down and feathers will not prevent it from causing an allergic reaction in those truly allergic.

WASHING AND RINSING
Our quality fills do go through state-of-the-industry washing and processing with German-made down soaps, containing surfactants and emulsifiers, and using German-made equipment. Our down undergoes multiple washing and rinsing cycles, to assure cleanliness and sanitation. Air drying includes a specialized de-dusting vacuum system that further removes dander and fine particles. Despite this level of cleaning and processing, we will not label even our finest down fills as “hypoallergenic”.

WE USE NO CHEMICAL FUNGICIDES OR MOLDICIDE IN OUR FILLS
We believe that some companies using the term hypoallergenic are referring not to allergies to down, but to allergies to molds or spores that can form in pillows or comforters that are not properly cared for. We have seen claims that some down is treated with moldicides and fungicides that will retard the growth of bacteria and spores. In using the term “hypoallergenic” these companies may be referring to allergies caused not by down, but by mold. Our experience has shown, however, that these chemicals are toxic and not something that we, or our customers, would want to sleep under every night. We know of one case where an employee was exposed to these chemicals, causing burn-like blotches that required several weeks of treatment. It’s far easier and safer to just store your down products carefully, and like anything else, away from damp areas.

DUST AND DUST MITES
Keep in mind that many people truly are allergic to dust and dust mites. While mites can attach to the surface of the comforter, scientific studies done in Europe have shown that dust mites cannot penetrate the downproof fabrics used in down comforters, pillows or featherbeds. We recommend a good duvet cover that closes securely and is laundered often. Our pillow protectors are made from downproof fabric and are inherently dust mite proof. In conclusion, if you are truly allergic to down, then we recommend that you select another product. For instance, we offer a silk filled comforter that is hypoallergenic and a natural alternative to down. Silk is one of the purest fibers, unable to lint and containing absolutely no dander.

Why dark spots show up in down pillows and comforters.

Those dark spots seen through the fabric are dark clusters of down. They are found in all white goose down, regardless of quality, and the more you press on the fabric the more you’ll see them. Just like we get gray hairs, even white geese get some gray clusters as they get older. They are not feathers, and the fill is not inferior in any way. Indeed, if you were to open the pillow and allow the down to expand you probably wouldn’t see them at all. They are usually only visible when compressed under fine, white fabric.

What is the meaning of the Confidence in Textiles guarantee?

This fabric is guaranteed to meet strict European environmental standards for ecologically safe and healthful textiles and to be free from formaldehyde, chlorine, chromium, and other heavy metals and harmful chemicals. Good to sleep on, and good for the environment. Awarded at the International Association for Research and Testing in the Field of Textile Ecology. Hohenstein, Germany.

DRY CLEAN ONLY. While in some cases, some manufacturers state that cool water wash is appropriate for silk sheets, never wash a silk-filled comforter or throw.