Hypoallergenic is another way to say super clean, and in the case of feather blankets, super clean is actually a very specific, technical definition. Hypoallergenic duvet has an oxygen number of 10 or less and a degree of turbidity of 300 mm or more. But what does this mean in plain language?
Oxygen and turbidity are two tests that determine purity down. Waste treatment plants often submit their products to laboratories that perform these tests to ensure that their reduction meets standards. For sellers to require or label their products as “hypoallergenic”, they must adopt the strictest standards of cleanliness.
The oxygen number determines the amount of foreign organic matter found on the surface of down and feathers. To qualify as “clean,” the amount of oxygen must be less than 10, but it must be less than 4.8 to qualify as super-pure or hypo-allergenic. Turbidity determines the amount of dust in feathers and fluffs. Pure products have a turbidity of more than 300 mm, but superpure / hypoallergenic products should be more than 300 mm.
So, the bottom blanket is hypoallergenic? Yes, there are some, but there is no grandeur. Most duvets pass the standard for “clean” products, which is still very good. But more and more cleaning methods are used in products with reduced hypoallergenicity; therefore, their price is slightly higher.
There are several steps involved in preparing raw materials and feathers for use in finished products. First, the material of down and feathers is transferred to the processing plant. There it is washed at high temperatures to remove all impurities. Inside and feathers are sterilized during the drying process
All processing plants should be eligible for sterilization if its product is intended for use in bedding. In the US, permits are most often issued by the state of Pennsylvania. The sterilization authorization indicates that the processing plant has followed proper quality assurance procedures.
Hypoallergenic fluff is super clean. It provides relief from allergy symptoms and helps prevent allergic reactions by eliminating the cause: dust and allergens that get inside down. Washing your blanket once or twice a year and using a duvet cover will help you maintain your clean comfort for a long time.
