Comforter
Encyclopedia
A comforter is a type of blanket
. Comforters are intended to keep the user warm, especially during sleep
, although they can also be used as mattress pad
s. Comforters are generally large and rectangular in shape, filled with natural or synthetic insulative material
and encased in a shell/covering. Like quilt
s, comforters are generally used with a set of bed sheets. Duvet
s are a form of comforter, traditionally filled with feathers.
Comforter sizes correspond with bed sizes
: twin, full, queen, king, and cal-king. Comforter sizes run slightly larger than actual bed sizes to allow for draping over the sides of the bed. Typical sizes in the United States for comforters are:
A comforter is sometimes covered for protection and prolonged use. Comforter covers are similar in principle to pillowcases, usually closed with zippers or buttons.
In the United Kingdom
, comforters are only known as special types of padded duvets.
Sometimes a comforter is sold as a "bed in a bag". This term usually denotes an entire set of bedding
, including either a comforter or duvet with its cover.
Comforters are sometimes packaged in a set that also includes a bed skirt
, pillow shams, and sometimes pillow
s.
batting, down feathers
, wool
, or silk
. Comforters also can be made out of fur
, usually with a backing of satin or silk. The loft of the filling determines the weight as well as the level of insulation. The comforter is stitched or quilted to secure the filling and keep it evenly distributed.
Shell/Covering - The outer shells of comforters are typically constructed using cotton
, silk, or polyester fabrics or blends, of varying thread counts. Comforter shells vary in design and color, often designed to coordinate with other bedding.
Blanket
A blanket is a type of bedding, generally speaking, a large piece of cloth, intended to keep the user warm, especially while sleeping. Blankets are distinguished from sheets by their thickness and purpose; the thickest sheet is still thinner than the lightest blanket. Blankets are generally used...
. Comforters are intended to keep the user warm, especially during sleep
Sleep
Sleep is a naturally recurring state characterized by reduced or absent consciousness, relatively suspended sensory activity, and inactivity of nearly all voluntary muscles. It is distinguished from quiet wakefulness by a decreased ability to react to stimuli, and is more easily reversible than...
, although they can also be used as mattress pad
Mattress pad
A mattress pad is designed to lie atop an existing mattress. They are made primarily from foam. Their function is to provide a layer of comfort and warmth between the user and the mattress. They are of particular benefit when the existing mattress is worn or uncomfortable. Toppers quite often have...
s. Comforters are generally large and rectangular in shape, filled with natural or synthetic insulative material
Thermal insulation
Thermal insulation is the reduction of the effects of the various processes of heat transfer between objects in thermal contact or in range of radiative influence. Heat transfer is the transfer of thermal energy between objects of differing temperature...
and encased in a shell/covering. Like quilt
Quilt
A quilt is a type of bed cover, traditionally composed of three layers of fiber: a woven cloth top, a layer of batting or wadding and a woven back, combined using the technique of quilting. “Quilting” refers to the technique of joining at least two fabric layers by stitches or ties...
s, comforters are generally used with a set of bed sheets. Duvet
Duvet
A duvet from the French duvet "down"), is a type of bedding — a soft flat bag filled with down, feathers, or a synthetic alternative, and protected with a removable cover, analogous to a pillow and pillow case...
s are a form of comforter, traditionally filled with feathers.
Bed size
Bed size refers to the dimensions of a mattress and the names by which standard sizes are called. Beds themselves vary widely in size according to the degree of ornamentation but are sold according to the size of mattress they take...
: twin, full, queen, king, and cal-king. Comforter sizes run slightly larger than actual bed sizes to allow for draping over the sides of the bed. Typical sizes in the United States for comforters are:
- Twin = 64" (162.56 cm) Width x 87" (220.98 cm) Length
- Queen / Full = 87" (220.98 cm) Width x 87" (220.98 cm) Length
- King = 101" (256.54 cm) Width x 90" (228,6 cm) Length.
A comforter is sometimes covered for protection and prolonged use. Comforter covers are similar in principle to pillowcases, usually closed with zippers or buttons.
In the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, comforters are only known as special types of padded duvets.
Sometimes a comforter is sold as a "bed in a bag". This term usually denotes an entire set of bedding
Bedding
Bedding refers to the materials laid above the mattress of a bed for hygiene, warmth, to protect the mattress, and for decorative effect. Bedding is the removable and washable portion of a human sleeping environment. It is more easily and economically replaced than the bed itself...
, including either a comforter or duvet with its cover.
Comforters are sometimes packaged in a set that also includes a bed skirt
Bed skirt
A bed skirt is a piece of decorative fabric that is placed between the mattress and the box spring of a bed. The purpose is a bed skirt is to give a stylish appearance to a bed without exposing the sides of the box spring....
, pillow shams, and sometimes pillow
Pillow
A pillow is a large cushion support for the head, usually used while sleeping in a bed, or for the body as used on a couch or chair. There are also throw pillows , which are pillows that are purely decorative and not designed for support or comfort...
s.
Construction
Filling - Comforters are filled with layers of material such as polyesterPolyester
Polyester is a category of polymers which contain the ester functional group in their main chain. Although there are many polyesters, the term "polyester" as a specific material most commonly refers to polyethylene terephthalate...
batting, down feathers
Down feathers
The down of birds is a layer of fine feathers found under the tougher exterior feathers. Very young birds are clad only in down. Powder down is a specialized type of down found only in a few groups of birds. Down is a fine thermal insulator and padding, used in goods such as jackets, bedding,...
, wool
Wool
Wool is the textile fiber obtained from sheep and certain other animals, including cashmere from goats, mohair from goats, qiviut from muskoxen, vicuña, alpaca, camel from animals in the camel family, and angora from rabbits....
, or silk
Silk
Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The best-known type of silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity...
. Comforters also can be made out of fur
Fur
Fur is a synonym for hair, used more in reference to non-human animals, usually mammals; particularly those with extensives body hair coverage. The term is sometimes used to refer to the body hair of an animal as a complete coat, also known as the "pelage". Fur is also used to refer to animal...
, usually with a backing of satin or silk. The loft of the filling determines the weight as well as the level of insulation. The comforter is stitched or quilted to secure the filling and keep it evenly distributed.
Shell/Covering - The outer shells of comforters are typically constructed using cotton
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
, silk, or polyester fabrics or blends, of varying thread counts. Comforter shells vary in design and color, often designed to coordinate with other bedding.