1. How well the feathers and/or down were cleaned and sterilized before the product was manufactured (closely linked to the quality and price of the product)

In the finest products, such as those imported by Confort Suizo, the feathers and down are washed, cleaned and sterilized seven to ten times. The feathers and down used in inferior products are washed just two or three times. The cleaning and sterilization process removes dirt, dust, dander and invisible skin residues that adhere to feathers and down. These substances are the cause of most allergic reactions.

2. How well you care for the product It is important to shake and air feather and down bedding (hang it on the clothesline to eliminate dust and moisture).

These products must always be aired in the shade, as exposure to direct sunlight can cause deterioration of feathers and down.
Only people allergic to bird proteins would have an allergic reaction to the down itself, as feathers and down are composed of proteins.

What to look for

Recommendations

1. Is the product filled with feathers or down?

Down is much finer (and more expensive) than feathers. Down feathers are much smaller and do not have a quill. It is the down that provides temperature regulation in a duvet, while feathers trap and retain body heat, making the bed unpleasantly hot.

2. Even for a product described as "down filled," what percentage of down does it contain?

According to U.S. law, a duvet must contain at least 80% down in order to be considered a down duvet. The remaining percentage may consist of feathers, cotton, or any other material. Fur is commonly used. Confort Suizo comforters are filled with 100% goose down of the highest quality.

3. Is the down natural or synthetic?

For insulating effect, it is important that the down be 100% natural. Synthetic materials trap and retain the heat that the body emits during sleep, producing an uncomfortably hot, sweaty feeling in the bed.The outer material of the pillow or duvet is also important. Covering materials of 100% cotton are pleasanter to the touch and help the down work efficiently.

4. Is the item filled with down or pure down?

Down is found at the base of the feather or on the bird's breast. Pure down comes from the breast and is of higher quality. It is denser and able to absorb more air, which directly affects its capacity to regulate temperature. Comfort Suizo duvets are filled with pure down.

5. Where does the down come from?

High quality down comes from mature birds in cold climates. The highest quality down available for use in pillows and comforters is the white down from the breast of adult geese from Hungary, Poland and France.

6. How well has the down been cleaned?

Obviously, the more thoroughly and carefully the down is cleaned, the more costly the final product will be. Down that is not processed appropriately before being used in bedding products can contain dust, pollen, bacteria, dander, skin residues, etc., which can cause allergic reactions and even give off an unpleasant odor.

The down used in Confort Suizo's pillows and duvets is cleaned and sterilized to comply with strict standards of hygiene, eliminating any chance of an allergic reaction.

7. How heavy is the duvet?

The duvet should not feel heavy or dense. The higher the quality of the duvet, the lighter it will be. If a duvet feels heavy, its filling probably has a high percentage of feathers.

The higher the percentage of feathers, the lower the quality of the duvet. Obviously, a duvet with 1000 grams of pure down in its filling will be more expensive than one with just 500 grams.The flexibility of the down and its ability to trap air (another measure of its quality) are what allow it to maintain a consistent temperature.

The lighter and more flexible the duvet, the greater its capacity to fill with air.It takes more ounces of the stiffer, smaller down feathers from young birds to obtain the effect of a smaller quantity of elastic down from mature birds. Because the lighter down from mature birds is of higher quality, the highest quality duvets tend to be lighter and generally have a higher price.

8. What is the outer shell made of?

The best material for the outer shell of a down duvet is 100% cotton, which repels dust and is breathable, permitting air to pass through to the down. Confort Suizo duvets are made from Sarcenet, a very fine, high quality cotton weave that feels soft and silky.