By Joan Morris
Contra Costa (Calif.) Times
Saturday, February 16, 2008
We may still have plenty of chilly weather ahead, but you can turn down the heat and save on that utility bill if you outfit your bed to keep you toasty for the rest of the winter.
Here are the basics on how to turn up the heat on your bed. Our sources are Anita Iodice, president of the Company Store, which has been making down comforters and other home products for 119 years, and Stacie Pacheco, director of marketing for Sunbeam's bedding division.
ComfortersA comforter, whether it's made of down or synthetic fluff, is a great way to add warmth without much weight.
How they work: The down or synthetic fibers in a comforter trap air between the comforter and the bed. The air is warmed by your body heat.
The covers on comforters are graded by thread count. If a comforter has a thread count of 250, that means there are 250 threads per square inch. Higher thread counts usually translate to warmer comforters because the finer cloth allows the down or fill inside to fluff more and thereby trap the air better.
A good, lightweight comforter may have a fill power of 500, while a heavier comforter may have a fill power of 800 to 900. Fill power refers to loft. The number is determined by taking 1 ounce of down, compacting it, and then allowing it to expand -- or loft -- to its fullest. The down is then measured to see how much cubic space it fills. The higher the loft, the greater the fill power, the warmer the comforter.
What you can expect to pay: Prices range from $100 to $1,000, depending on the materials used (synthetic fill vs. duck or goose down), the thread count and the fill power.
Things to watch out for: Although that winter white sale on a down comforter may look appealing, be careful. Cheaper down comforters are often made with shortcuts, usually in how the feathers are processed.
Basic care: Most comforters can be laundered, but you may need to visit a laundry or a dry cleaner if you own a queen, king or California-king size. Washing a comforter in too small a washer may damage the feathers and reduce their lofting abilities. Manufacturers also recommend a cover for the comforter to protect it from spills and day-to-day wear. The cover can then be removed and laundered.
Flannel Blankets
There are two distinct camps when it comes to flannel sheets. About half of the people love them, and half despise them.
How they work: Flannel is made from a woven cotton fabric that has been napped on both sides, making it fluffier and warmer than smooth fabric. In some ways, flannel acts like down, trapping warm air against the body.
No need to worry about thread counts when it comes to flannel sheets. They are sold by weight, based on ounces per square yard. A standard weight is 5 to 6 ounces.
What you can expect to pay:$10 to $40.
Things to watch out for: Flannel should feel soft and cozy, like a comfortable blanket. If your sheets are stiff, they probably were not heavily napped, or the dye may be weighing them down. Check that they are color-safe.
Basic care: Flannel is one of the few fabrics that gets better with washing, though it has a limit. Washing can make it fluffier, but at some point you start to lose the nap.
Electric Blankets
How they work: The first electric blanket came out in 1912, and while there have been many upgrades, improvements and enhanced safety measures, the basic premise remains: Heat is radiated through the blanket by a network of wires within the blanket.
There is little mystery when it comes to electric blankets. Larger blankets are sold with two controls so that two people can share the blanket and select their own heat settings. The number of heat settings ranges from three (low, medium and high) to 10.
What you can expect to pay:$30 to $100.
Things to watch out for: Electric blankets are much safer these days, but caution must still be exercised. They aren't recommended for people who have sensory deficits and wouldn't be able to tell if the blanket is getting too warm. Older blankets should be replaced with newer ones, partly because of improved technology and partly because wiring in blankets can become frayed and might spark a fire.
Basic care: Follow package directions, and take care not to damage the interior wiring or plug connections. Blankets can be laundered without problem.
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