First of all, if you're confused about what a down comforter is, let me explain. The “down” filling in a down comforter is the feathers from geese or ducks. Down is a highly desirable stuffing for a comforter because it is very light, holds in body heat while also allowing moisture to escape, and is very soft.

If you are allergic to goose or duck feathers, you may still be able to own a down comforter. Look for a comforter that has down that has been purified, ideally purified several times. The purification process removes the dust and dirt from the down which is what typically bothers most allergy sufferers. But if real down isn't for you, there are some very good synthetic comforters on the market that do a fairly good job of mimicking the fluffiness and softness of a down comforter.

“Fill power” is a term you need to become familiar with if you are purchasing a down comforter. Fill power directly relates to the amount of warmth you will get from a down comforter and is also an indicator of the quality of the down.

One ounce of down with a fill power of 650 means this: one ounce of that down takes up 650 cubic inches. A down comforter with a fill power of 350 means that once ounce of that down takes up 350 cubic inches. The higher the fill power, the higher the quality of the down and the more warmth it provides. Also, the higher the fill power the more warmth you get with less weight. So higher fill power means more warmth, and more fluffiness while also having a comforter that is lightweight.

You don't necessarily need a high fill power though. It depends on how much warmth you want. If you live in a cold area a high fill power comforter is nice to have in the winter. A lower fill power comforter is nice in the summer or if you live in an area with a warm climate. But I've found that the 550 down comforter I own is comfortable in both the summer and the winter. And I live in a cooler climate.

You want the down comforter you purchase to having baffling. Baffling holds the down stuffing in place in the comforter and prevents it from shifting around. My first down comforter didn't have fully sealed baffles. The filling shifted and I ended up with a comforter that was thin on one side and extra thick on the other. To find a down a down comforter that won't have filling that shifts look for either baffling where the baffles are sewn through all the way or a comforter that has closed baffles or end-to-end baffles. If a comforter has closed baffles or end-to-end baffles the package will usually clearly state it.

To keep your down comforter clean, cover it with a duvet cover. A duvet cover is like a cocoon for your comforter. Besides keeping your down comforter cleaner longer, a duvet cover offers you color and decorating options.

When looking at duvet covers and some down comforters you may also notice the term “thread count” being mentioned frequently. Generally speaking, the higher the thread count, the softer and more luxurious the fabric.

Owning a down comforter is a great little luxury. You don't have to buy the most expensive down comforter to get a great quality product either. And if you take care of your comforter it can last for a long time, making it a good investment.