Trouble Sleeping While on Vacation ?

Posted in Factors affecting sleep, Light by admin
Apr 28 2010
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It has been a while since I last posted an article as I have been on a business/holiday/family gathering for my nephew’s wedding in sunny Mexico – Los Cabos to be exact – I know life is tough!

The weather and resort were fabulous and our room though very simple in design and furnishings exactly emanated the feel of the country and our surroundings. As I have mentioned previously , it does not cost a fortune to decorate your bedroom to fit your lifestyle or exhibit the mood which you want to create. Just check out the photo below.

Our room at the Resort

Simple beige and orange migrating to darker adobe brick colors, all complementing the colors found in the pillow shams and wall mural. Simple yet vibrant and relaxing!

Bedding and linens are the easiest way to go when it comes time for a small change. A comforter set can also be the catalyst to getting you to change the entire look of your bedroom.

Lighting in a bedroom plays an important part in creating the environment you desire. Creative lighting is the most flexible and effective way to change the mood or ambience of a room. Bedrooms are our refuge from the world, a safe place to get away from the day’s hassles, a sanctuary for rest and romance. Bedroom lighting can go a long way toward creating this feeling of safe haven.

Often one encounters difficulty in going to sleep while on vacation. We normally write this off as strange surroundings, a different bed and pillows, different lighting or just an adrenaline rush caused by finally being on holidays. Even though these could contribute to your difficulty in going to sleep – they may not be the main culprit.

Our body’s sleep/wake patterns are controlled by a natural hormone known as melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone produced in the pineal gland , a small gland in the brain. Artificial lighting is the main culprit in disrupting sleep patterns. Darkness stimulates the production of melatonin while light suppresses its activity. Exposure to excessive light in the evening or too little light during the day can disrupt the body’s normal melatonin cycles. So an entire day spent in airports and aboard an airplane can cause a disruption in the amount of light one receives during the day – that combined with crossing a couple of time zones will most likely make you toss and turn for a while your first night .

Melatonin is under investigation as a treatment for a number of conditions, including jet-lag, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), depression, and cancer. Melatonin is an extensively researched and widely used supplement for a variety of sleep disorders. Although available synthetically as a supplement, melatonin is best taken under medical supervision.

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Tagged as: bedroom, lighting, melatonin, sleeping difficulties, vacation

Feather/Down or Down – White or Brown ?

Posted in Down comforters by admin
Mar 26 2010
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3 Options to Consider When Choosing Your Comforters’ Fill

The fill content of your down bed comforter directly impacts on its appearance, functionality, and also durability. Deciding which variables make a difference generally to you personally before you purchase a down comforter may save you large sums of money. Else, you might find yourself unduly influenced through advertising and find yourself acquiring “far too much” king size down comforter. On the other hand, you may find a great deal and wind up with one drastically wrong down bed comforter that is totally unacceptable in that it does not meet your needs or requirements.

When considering fill type, you are going to quickly find a potentially perplexing variety of possibilities. In making your own alternatives manageable, keep in mind these 3 options:

  1. Make your mind up whether you prefer your bed comforter filled with down exclusively or perhaps one stuffed with a feather and down combination.
  2. Choose between duck down and goose down.
  3. Decide on the down color

Down or Feather/Down Mix

Nearly all ‘down only’ products will certainly contain some trace of feathers as well as soluble fiber as a result of the production process. A normal, top quality king size down comforter will contain no less than 75% down. High end comforters consist of essentially 100% down.

Down is extremely valued for its many appealing properties. Down is definitely lightweight, very soft, lofty, as well as long lasting. The unparalleled insulating and moisture-wicking properties provide with an important relaxing, dry, even-temp sleeping sensation.

Furthermore, the actual breathability of down as well as the warmth it maintains creates a not damp, low humidity environment which deter the build up involving dust mites and other allergens.

These kinds of benefits are additionally increased as a result of large-cluster down which is harvested out of mature birds. The bed comforter filled mainly with down will thus weigh less, feel less harsh, appear loftier, be preserved longer, and supply improved insulation than the usual feather/down mix bed comforter. Feather/down comforters, on the other hand, do incorporate all these benefits, but to a reduced degree. However, feather/down bed comforters, pound for pound, nonetheless out-perform synthetic fill materials and are very reasonably priced.

The Down Color

While white is generally the most preferred color with regard to down and feathers, there is certainly simply no consensus on what color is best; additionally , the truth of a matter is not contingent on the vast majority of thoughts and opinions. White down seems to appeal to much of our visual sensory faculties (all of us consider it being purer, more refined) and does not show through white-colored as well as light shade comforter covers. However, the color connected with down is an inadequate indicator of just how effectively the down was washed; and brown or grey down won’t show through a comforter covered with a duvet cover. Take into account, also, that mature birds (the ones which produce stronger, more substantial clusters) have a tendency toward a greying of their feathers. In a nutshell, the actual color of down (and feathers for that matter) is virtually inconsequential when choosing any king size down comforter.

Goose or Duck Down

What is more vital as opposed to shade is our choice between duck down and goose down. This is also the place in your search that the obtainable options can have a tendency to befuddle rather than to make our choices crystal clear.. To easily simplify things, duck down is normally of lesser quality than is goose down, mainly because duck down yields smaller clusters. Smaller clusters are usually much less resistant and also need more fill in order to make up for their low fill power (lofting ability), making for a more substantial comforter. However, there is one particular glaring exception to this guideline. One of the most luxurious (and most expensive) down bed comforters is actually filled up with Eiderdown: a brown-colored down produced by a duck!

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Baffle-box or Sewn-Through Stitching

Posted in Down comforters by admin
Mar 18 2010
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Which Construction is Best For Your Down Comforter

If one didn’t already have enough to think about when purchasing a comforter – be it down or a down alternative, perhaps, in my opinion, the most important feature to consider is the design or construction of the comforter. The manner in which the comforter is constructed will actually determine how warm the comforter will be, whether there will be cold spots,and the overall general appearance.

There are two main types of design that you will most likely come upon as part of your quest for a new down comforter. These include baffle-box design and sewn-through stitching. Baffle-box design can be further divided into closed, open, and partially-open baffle-boxes. Each one have their own individual attributes; none will be really better than another. Only you’ll be able to know which will perform effectively for you.

Baffle-box construction is actually a a lot more work demanding and, therefore, are usually a more expensive option. Baffles are strips of fabric, 1-to-1 1/2 inches wide, which have been sewn in to the inside of the actual comforter and create vertical walls between the top plus bottom of your comforter cover. Baffle walls enable the actual down fill to achieve increased loft, creating a fluffier appearance as well as optimizing the down’s natural properties. This is certainly especially pertinent in heavy fill weight, high fill power down bed comforters. In the event the baffle boxes are ‘closed,’ consequently the down fill cannot shift or maybe end up being moved in between different baffle boxes. Closed, or true, baffle box bed comforters are particularly good in preventing cold spots.

Open box designs, on the other hand, do enable the movement of the down between chambers. These types of down comforters are ‘adjustable’ in the perception that the down fill might be shifted to cover specific zones more so than others. For instance, a sleeper with cold toes could position additional down over his feet and legs for added heat exactly where he needs it. With regard to bed partners with different temperature needs, an open box down bed comforter can be adjusted to help keep the particular cooler sleeper warmer as well as the other way around.

Open baffle box down bed comforters may be opened along the vertical, along the horizontal, or both equally and each way. In addition there are levels to which a down comforter’s baffles are open. Many, tend to be about as open as is actually feasible. Others, tend to be about midway between wide open and shut.

Sewn-through box stitching indicates the fact that bed comforter cover have been broken down straight into equally size squares by stitching the top part and bottom layers directly together. Sewn-through box stitching contains the down fill in unique pockets to prevent shifting of the down and to minimize cold spots. This really is an effective as well as traditional technique which translates into a typical quilted appearance. It is also a cost-effective procedure: sewn-through stitched down bed comforters are likely to be less expensive. On the other hand, sewn-through stitching may prevent the down from attaining its highest loft; plus the stitching lines themselves are essentially cool spots.

There you have it.  More points to consider.  The design which you eventually decide upon should be one that fits your individual needs and not based in any manner on another’s opinion. Choosing your comforter is an entirely personal thing – it should be geared to your needs and preferences and choosing the design of your comforter is just one of them.

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How to Find the Perfect Bed Comforter

Posted in Alternative down comforters, Choosing a comforter, Comforter Sets, Down comforters, Duvet covers by admin
Mar 10 2010
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A good quality bed comforter will not just make your bed a more comfortable place, it will also enhance your current bedroom’s design. Shopping for a new comforter can be a little bit overwhelming, given  the wide variety of options with regards to products, weights and styles.

Whether you choose to buy in your area or perhaps on the internet, here are a few points you should always consider prior to selecting which style of comforter is best for you as well as your bed room. Make use of the following suggestions to help you enlighten your own research.

The first thing that one should generally do prior to setting out on a shopping excursion is always to shape a definite idea of their budget. Bed comforters can be found at almost any price point, plus store shopping with no spending budget can easily lead to overspending. Even if you wish to spend well below $100 on bedding, you can find good quality attractive possibilities on the market. While a smaller spending budget may make some of the custom labels and thicker down comforter sets out of reach, equivalent variations plus materials can be found by using very little researching.

When contemplating the fabric which will be best for you, keep in mind that all come with their very own good and bad aspects. Down comforters tend to be perennially favorites, equally for your warmness they feature and their own fantastic feel. Most stores offer these with several different thicknesses, which will help determine their particular price.

Do remember the fact that down comforters are usually offered in only white and should be utilized in conjunction with a duvet cover. Any duvet is very simple to wash and are available in any number of designs as well as styles.

A down alternative comforter is a less expensive option compared to down. Down Alternative bed comforters are usually stuffed with some sort of man made filling, increasing their particular thickness as well as warmth. One of the biggest benefits of a down alternative comforter is the fact that it is easily washable as well as hypoallergenic.

The final major comforter category is the quilt. For those who appreciate the old fashioned look which a quilt offers, however don’t have the time and /or desire to create one themselves, there are a number of commercially obtainable quilts which are equally as beautiful as well as economical.

In choosing which colors are best suited with your current design, there are a few things to keep in mind. Some like the look of a solid color bed comforter, which allows for further versatility regarding replacing the color as well as styles of the bedding which will enhance the bed. However, if you’d like ones bed to become the actual focal point of your bedroom, give some thought to selecting a comforter or covering in a vibrant design and style. These patterns need not complement one already found in your curtains or rugs, however they ought to be in a color  or print that can enhance ones choices. If you do opt for a bold patterned bed comforter, make sure that any throws or bedroom pillows that are added to the bed are of an understated neutral color.

Comforters can be purchased almost anywhere, at your favorite department store or on the web. For those more price conscious, there are numerous  internet bedding discounters which have many types of brand name bed comforters at far less than the traditional retail price. When purchasing on the web, at all times be sure that you’re going through an honest merchant.

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Cleaning Your King Size Down Comforter

Posted in Down comforters, comforter care - cleaning by admin
Mar 08 2010
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Should I Wash My Comforter Myself ?

Right off the top of my head I would say No… Not that I’m saying it is not advisable but unless you are willing to devote the better part of your day in performing this task, giving it your full attention, I would leave the job to the professionals ie. The dry cleaners

Most down comforter enthusiasts will attest that they are very easy and simple to clean. Nevertheless, the truth is, as the saying goes “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” In other words, protect your king size comforter with a duvet/comforter cover which are easy to wash.

Personally I send my king size comforter to the dry cleaners every 2 to 3 years. Yes – I own a duvet cover which I wash weekly. In fact I own several which I can interchange as my moods or the season dictates. Instant remodeling!!

That being said …..

  • Before you start – Read the manufacturers label on your comforter. If it says Dry Clean Only – there is good reason for that ! Consult your warranty – washing your comforter may void it!
  • If your comforter contains any silk – please dry clean it or you can kiss the comforter goodbye.
  • If this is not enough to deter you – to do the task you will need a large – let’s say very large – front load washing machine and comparable size dryer. Most of the time this means a trip to the laudromat. Have plenty of coin with you as drying a king size down comforter will take a good 4 hours , probably longer, on low heat to dry.
  • Use very mild detergent – a tablespoon at most for the wash cycle in lukewarm water.

A short video below contains a few tips to help you clean your king size down comforter

Summary

Action 1

Start using a Duvet Cover

In order to take care of ones investment, it’s wise to invest the extra revenue to purchase a covering. Most likely you invested a really good piece of cash to buy a bed comforter; you might likewise protect it with a duvet/comforter cover. The duvet/comforter cover can be very easily taken off and cleaned at any time plus as often as you wish.

Action 2

Use Large Front Loading Washing Machine

Whenever you do need to wash your comforter, do this in a large, front loading machine. A top loading washing machine can harm ones bed comforter. Unless you own some sort of front loading machine, go to a laundromat, or perhaps use a friends machine.

Action 3

Transfer Ones Bed comforter into the Clothes dryer Right Away

As soon as your washing machine has completed its cycle, transfer the down comforter to the clothes dryer immediately. Should you allow it to sit, it will reek in a hurry!

Action 4

Dry On Low with a Few Tennis Balls

Always dry the comforter on reduced temperature. If you use higher heat you will burn up your comforter. Put in a couple of tennis balls to keep the actual loft of your down comforter the way in which it really should be. Stop the dryer every 30 to 45 minutes to remove and refluff your comforter. Continue to dry until it really is totally dry. It may well need a couple of hours, but be sure it is actually all the way dry before pulling it from the clothes dryer.

Action 5

Fluff & Return to Your Bed

When you are finished cleaning your down comforters, make sure that you fluff them properly before you decide to return them to your beds.

I hope this was in a way somewhat helpful. Good Luck !

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Tagged as: cleaning a down comforter, down comforter, king size comforter, washing a down comforter