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Frequently Asked Questions
Duvets & Pillows
Daniadown makes all our down duvets in our own factory, in Canada, where we can control all aspects of the production. In particular, this allows us to control the quality of the down that is put into the duvet and ensure that it meets our standards. We use only the highest quality downs that are sourced globally, including Europe and Canada. Here, the birds are more mature than in other parts of the world when they are harvested, resulting in a larger down cluster and a higher level of insulation.
Although, we are able to purchase less expensive downs, we choose to use high quality European and Canadian downs to create a fluffier, better insulating duvet that will provide you with comfort for years to come. Our down is processed entirely in North America, where we can be assured of the quality of the processing, sorting and cleaning.
Feathers are flat and two dimensional with a heavy spine down the center. They are not good at insulating as they cannot trap air. They are however, good at providing support and are often used in pillows.
In comparison, down is a collection of three dimensional clusters that is able to trap air. A thick layer of trapped air is what insulates a sleeper against the colder outside air.
All Daniadown branded down filled duvets are warranted against workmanship and material defects for 10 years after the date of purchase. This warranty does not cover misuse or normal wear and tear. The warranty allows Daniadown to either repair or replace the product as Daniadown chooses. This warranty is void if a duvet cover is not used at all times.
All Daniadown branded synthetic, wool and silk filled duvets are warranted for a period of 5 years.
All Daniadown branded pillows are warranted against workmanship and material defects for 2 years after the date of purchase. This warranty does not cover misuse or normal wear and tear. The warranty allows Daniadown to either repair or replace the product as Daniadown chooses
All Daniadown branded featherbed are warranted against workmanship and material defects for 2 years after the date of purchase. This warranty does not cover misuse or normal wear and tear. The warranty allows Daniadown to either repair or replace the product as Daniadown chooses
Down and feathers are a natural product and all things natural degrade over time. However, a good down duvet that has been properly cared for should last you 10-20 years; a good pillow should last you 5 years. Pillows don't last as long because of the natural oils in human hair and that it is under compression while a duvet is not. To increase the longevity of your products you should use protectors and covers that you wash regularly.
Synthetic duvets and pillows do not last as long as the manmade fibres will compress over time and unlike down they do not regain their loft through simply fluffing of the product. A synthetic duvet should be expected to provide reasonable comfort for 5 years while a synthetic pillow should last up to 2 years.
Loft, a.k.a. Fill power is a measure of the "fluffiness" of a down product.
Down (or any insulation) provides warmth by trapping a layer of air that separates the cold side from the warm side. A thicker layer of trapped air gives more insulation.
The higher the loft, the more insulating air pockets the down has, meaning it will keep you warm at night. While this air layer keeps you warm, it also allows for greater breathability, ensuring a peaceful nights sleep.
With the ever increasing awareness of the impact that our choices have the environment people are more concerned today with the disposal of products after their useful life. We are often asked whether old down and feather duvets, pillows or featherbeds can be recycled. Unfortunately, they cannot be recycled. By law only new materials can be used in stuffed articles.
However, there is good news. Firstly, down and feather products can usually be brought back to life through a wash or cleaning. Even If the item beyond recovery, the cotton covering and the down & feather filling are natural organic materials that are biodegradable.
Sheets & Covers
Threadcount is calculated by summing the number of threads found horizontally and vertically in 1 square inch of the fabric. It gives you an indication of the quality of the fabric since a higher threadcount can normally only be achieved by using finer threads, offering a softer, smoother and more stable fabric.
However thread counts are not a true indicator of a sheets’ quality. This depends more on the quality of the cotton, the thickness of the thread, the type of weave (percale versus sateen) and how the threads are woven together (single threads or multiple threads).
So keep in mind that threadcount is only one indication of quality as other factors such as weave pattern, fibre content, dyeing and finishing processes also play important roles in the overall quality of the fabric. In short, buying bed linens is highly technical and the marketing of such is rampant with smoke and mirrors. Often the best indicator of a sheet’s quality is its price and the seller's reputation.
Sheets with thread counts higher than 500 tend to be substantially thicker (due to the extra threads) and are less permeable to air. This causes them to be hotter to sleep under and heavy. In addition, to reach these higher thread counts more threads must be woven together in one pass of the weft which does not really result in a tighter weave. Thread count is not always indicative of a better quality sheet.
Percale is a plain weave fabric with a one-under, one-over crisscross weave structure. Percale sheets tend to be lightweight, breathable, and have a cool, crisp feel. They are preferred by warm sleepers and are recommended for hot climates.
Sateen is a weave that has a higher number of threads on the surface, creating a smooth, lustrous finish. It typically has a four-over, one-under weave, giving it a silky appearance. Sateen sheets are known for their softness and sheen, but may be less breathable than percale, especially at higher thread counts . They are ideal for those who prefer sheets with a soft, smooth feel.
Egyptian cotton is cotton that has extra long fibers or ‘staples”. It is grown in humid conditions and rich soil which are the perfect conditions to grow this type of cotton. Their long length allows them to be spun into fine yarns that are very strong and durable. Egyptian cotton is sold to mills world wide where it is woven into luxurious sheets. Pima Cotton is similar to Egyptian cotton but is sourced in the United States, Peru and Australia.
Unfortunately, there has been a lot of fraudulent claims of bedding being made of Egyptian Cotton, so price is an indicator of truth as well as the reputation of the seller.
Like a good quality cotton shirt, cotton bedlinens also wrinkle. With modern technology cotton bedlinens can be chemically treated to minimize wrinkles. These can include light treatments to ensure that heavy creases do not set, or they may be heavier treatments. The latter uses strong chemicals to achieve a low wrinkle finish and can only be guaranteed to eliminate wrinkles for about fifty washes. This treatment also weakens the cotton fibers in the sheets and will reduce its life.
At Daniadown we choose to use only a light treatment on our sheets to reduce your contact with added chemicals. On a positive note, keep in mind that with use, all cotton sheets will become softer and will wrinkle less.
General
All measurements shown are flat measurement, prior to the product being filled, and will fit covers with the same or similar dimensions. The dimensions listed below are our standard product sizing, individual item sizes may vary. Refer to the Dimensions tab on the Product Page for specific product sizes. Also please note that due to the nature of fabric and its manufacturing that small, but commercially acceptable, size variations may exist.
Daniadown applies Ultra-Fresh, an antimicrobial and hypoallergenic treatment, during the down cleaning process to add a powerful benefit. Ultra-Fresh actively discourages and destroys many of the bacteria and fungi that create unpleasant smells and staining, keeping items cleaner and fresher. It even helps control dust mites which are a trigger for allergens and asthma. It’s an assurance of long life for the product, and lasting freshness for you and your family.
Daniadown was founded, in 1969, by John Andersen who was originally from Denmark. He brought the down duvet concept to North America from Europe and began to manufacture down duvets and pillows in a small shop, in Vancouver Canada. The company was incorporated, in 1974, as Daniadown Quilts Limited.
Since John Andersen’s untimely passing in 1990, the company has been managed by his two daughters, Katherine and Lisa. Ownership remains entirely with Andersen family.
Today, the business operates 15 corporately owned stores across Western Canada while servicing consumers across Canada and the United States through a network of retailers and its on-line e-commerce site.
Returns can be processed in any store or online by contacting us at service@daniadown.com or 604-324-8766. See here for more details.