Free Ground Shipping on orders over $100Best Heated Mattress Pads The Good Housekeeping Research Institute tested and evaluated a variety of down-alternative comforters to see which ones keep you the coziest. Here, the complete results of our test. Prefer natural goose down? Check out our top picks! Find out what to look for in a comforter by watching our video. Cuddledown's Damask Stripe Synthetic (Level 1) (Item #1924), Twin, Full, Queen, King ($139 to $219)Cuddledown's Damask Stripe Synthetic (Level 1) (Item #1924), Twin, Full, Queen, King ($139 to $219)One of the tied winners for the down-alternative category, Cuddledown boasts that its polyester fill performs like down, and our tests proved that claim to be correct. It also has a damask striped cotton cover that consumers found attractive. The outer fabric is "Oeko Tex Certified Eco-friendly" (meaning it's been tested and proven to be clear of more than 100 chemicals). If you're looking for lightweight warmth but can't have down, this is the comforter for you.

The manufacturer recommends washing in a front-loading commercial washer on the gentle cycle. • The eco-friendly Oeko-Tex certification means the fabric is free of 100 harmful chemicals, such as formaldehyde and pesticides. • The comforter maintained a great appearance after washing. • This was the only fiberfill comforter to achieve warmth without weight, just like down. • Our consumer testers loved this fabric, particularly the look of the damask weave. • Our tests showed very little pilling. • Washing caused minor shrinkage. • The fabric was not very strong and could tear with wear. We recommend using a duvet to extend the life of the comforter. Beyond Down Synthetic Down Comforter by The Carpenter Company, Twin, Full/Queen, King ($80 to $120)Beyond Down Synthetic Down Comforter by The Carpenter Company, Twin, Full/Queen, King ($80 to $120)This down-alternative comforter tied to top the category. It performed almost as well as the down comforters and proved a quality product, especially for the price.

Our consumer testers rated the Beyond Down average in appearance but, looks aside, it will definitely keep you warm. Wash in warm water on a gentle cycle, no bleach. Dry on low heat for at least three cycles or until completely dry. • Beyond Down is the top down-alternative comforter in our durability tests. • The comforter indisputably provides warmth; it's perfect for cold climates. • Washing's not a threat to this comforter's appearance — in our tests it still looked brand-new after five launderings. • The comforter is very heavy. • Consumers said the comforter looked a bit lumpy and inexpensive when rating its appearance. • Repeated washing caused noticeable shrinkage. Everything You Need to Know About Buying a Comforter Sears Cannon 300 TC Stripe Down Alternative Comforter Review Target Woolrich 240-Thread Count Alternative Down Comforter Review Kmart Cannon Down Alternative 260TC Dobby Stripe Comforter Review Kohl's Home Classics Down Alternative Comforter Level 2 Review

Hotel Collection Primaloft Luxury Down Alternative Comforter Review LL Bean Home Ultrasoft Cotton Comforter Iteam #57103 Review Lands' End PureLoft Box Comforter Review Sleep Number by Select Comfort True Silver Comforter Review Pottery Barn Classic Micromax Comforter ReviewThread Count Doesn't Always Matter: Things To Look For When Buying SheetsHeritage Lace Curtain Fabric (Image credit: Adrienne Breaux)Champagne Glass Hot Tubs For Sale First you need to decide what you want your sheets made of. Hotels With Hot Tubs In HonoluluCotton is the most common and basic, but there's also linen, silk, bamboo, microfiber, etc... (I won't even get into all the blends out there.) Every material has its pros and cons: Linen is softer, more breathable ,and textured than cotton, but tends to wrinkle more.

Silk is soft but more slippery. Microfiber is manmade versus natural. The list goes on, so you have to decide what feel you'd like. This number is determined by the number of threads running both horizontally and vertically in a square inch. The higher the thread count, as the theory goes, the softer the sheets. A few considerations to keep in mind: You can only have so many threads per square inch, and with cotton, 400 seems to be a good number to look for. Once you hit a certain threshold, it really doesn’t matter and you won't notice the difference. (It’s almost like SPF ratings on sunblock or camera pixels.) There are ways for manufacturers to "increase thread count" without actually increasing the quality. It stands to reason that the number of threads you can squeeze into a specified area is dependent on the fiber that’s used. The thinner the fibers, the higher the thread count. Bamboo and silk have thinner fibers, so thread count can't be compared to that of cotton.

The best sheets are made from longer fibers that are stronger when made into thread. Egyptian, Sea Island, and Pima cottons are recognized as the best with the longest fibers, and sheets made with them are usually labeled as such. If the packaging simply says 100% cotton, chances are good they were made from shorter fibers. If the sheets are made from shorter fibers, thread count won't really matter that much. Over time those short fibers will break, produce lint and pilling, and become less soft to the hand. How the threads are woven together has a big influence on how sheets feel on the bed. The most common are percale, sateen, satin, microfiber and jersey, for starters. Percale sheets, for example, are a simple weave and usually on the crisper side. Sateen sheets are softer, and have a shiny quality. Jersey sheets are stretchier, etc... Price will go up depending on the complexity of the weave pattern used, with jacquard sheets being on the pricier end of the scale. Get to know what you like, and buy what you can afford.