Hi Moms,
We need to purchase a new comforter for a guest room and I'm wondering if you have opinions about down vs. down alternatives. I am not looking to spend a fortune or get the very best as it is a seldom used guest room. Still, I would like it to be a nice, comfortable thing for guests when they do stay. Some have said that the alternative is synthetic and therefore not as "green" and healthy as natural down, but then I hear the feathers are treated with chemicals, so maybe it's a coin toss? I like my down comforter in my room, but wish I could wash it more easily and thought maybe the alternative would be good in that respect. Would love to hear if you have any info or preference to help make my decision! Thank you.
Also -- any good places to purchase at a good price in the north side of Chicago/Evanston area or online?
I have gone with the alternative because 1) it fits in my budget and 2) I can wash it in my machine. I wish it were greener, but a gal's gotta do what a gal's gotta do.
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/47432?page=baffle-box-goos...
This is what we have. I love down comforters an although you can't wash this one at home you can wash at a laundry mat in the big washers so you don't have to take it to the dry cleaners which is a huge plus
i have a super xtra large capacity washer and wash all of our down comforters in the washer at least once every season, esp. the childrens!! they come out perfectly! i prefer the real deal and get all my down products at the company store website. you can sign up and they'll send you a 20% off coupon asap. also, they have alternatives there, too. i love the way down feels, but it can get hot so we buy the colored comforters and don't put duvets on them:)
Buy down alternative. You never know when the person staying in your room will have an allergy to down. My mom bought real down pillows years ago for all of us...everyone except my mom was allergic to them (and my siblings aren't allergic to anything). I love that we can wash our down alternative comforter over and over again, and I agree that it is not nearly as hot as real down! Look at The Company Store (online/catalog)...they have some decent priced ones.
I am one of those allergic-to-down people, so I'd always prefer a down-alternative comforter if I was every staying away from home. If you're worried about the green side of synthetic, I got an AWESOME comforter for my wedding that was actually wool-filled--so, it's very "green"! And no injury to animals to get wool! It was so nice and cozy warm in the winter time! I loved that thing. Unfortunately, it took the brunt of a roof leak last year and we were forced to throw it out :(
I love and use down comforters all the time. I also wash them my washer. Just use less detergent, rinse twice and keep it in the the dryer for an extra cycle. I even wash my down pillows. No need to spend extra on dry cleaning. Overstock has some food comforters, just make sure you read reviews before buying.
I agree with Brenna M. I like synthetic, because it's not at hot, but I am the type that likes a window open in the winter. IKEA has a great selection on all bedding, for great prices. We use my boyfriends Ralph Lauren down comforter, and I hate it. I usually just pile it on him. But if you want to go with real, try looking for outlets like bed/bath/beyond, ralph lauren, etc.We have a ton in California, but I am not sure about your area. He got his at a steal. Good Luck.
It is only for a guest room, that is seldom used. Thus for me, why spend a huge chunk of money, on it?
I would, opt for a synthetic.... there are so many green options now. Research it...
Ikea in Schaumburg. You can get either down or down alternative (although I prefer alternative because they are not as "hot" but you still have the look of down - but I get really hot when I sleep). Ikea has a whole bunch of different weights for not too much money.
For my everyday bed I use down, it is better at regulating temp. But for a guest room I would go alternative due to washability which is important in a bed that has different people in it. We always get a good price on our down and down alternative at Costco.
I bought a down comforter years ago (8 years ago to be exact). It was a huge splurge at the time. We still use it and I like it a lot. I absolutely HATE that I cannot throw it in the washing machine, especially now that I have children. It can only be cleaned by taking it to the dry cleaners, and it isn't cheap to have dry cleaned. If I ever do it again, I will definitely go synthetic.
My only suggestion is to keep in mind that there are many people who are allergic to real down feathers...I have 3 in my extended family alone!
