Duvet Guide: How to Choose A Duvet?

What is a duvet?

A duvet is a quilted cover filled with feathers, down or synthetic material that provides comfort and warmth. Duvets are made to fit inside a duvet cover that can be easily removed and washed when it gets dirty, and there are different types of duvets for different seasons.

 Duvet

Terminology

Explained

Bulking capacity

The bulking capacity is how well the filling traps air and how the insulating properties (fill power) affect the duvet.

Drapeability

The drapeability of a duvet refers to how the duvet adapts to the sleeper's shape and their body movements during the sleep cycle.

Thermal insulation capacity

The thermal insulation capacity refers to the thickness of the material and the thermal conductivity in W/m.K.

Achieve a better nights sleep

Snuggling up on a cold winter's night is one of life's incredible comforts. Not being able to sleep throughout the warmest summer days is the complete opposite; we need the best duvet to help you achieve the perfect night's sleep all year long.

What makes up a duvet?

There are two main parts to a duvet. The cover and what's inside is called the filler. With proper care, duvets can last for several years.

Filler Material: There are two main options, natural and synthetic, with varying differences between materials, including how breathable the filler is, weight and durability.

Shell Material: The three most important things have something comfortable, breathable and easy to clean. Most duvets come in a white or light grey colour.

Construction: How your duvet is put together will affect how long it'll last. Budget duvets may start to fall apart quickly, so it may be wiser to spend a little more.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of duvets?

Pros

Cons

How much do duvets cost?

Duvets start from as little as £20 for a budget option and can go up to more than £100 or more if you want a high-quality set. If you're going to invest in a high-quality duvet, it's worth spending a bit extra as with proper care and maintenance; they can last for years.

How do I choose a good duvet?

There are quite a few options when choosing a new duvet. There are options for multiple budgets, and you can think about if you would like a duvet suited for Luxury or allergy sufferers.

Down and feather duvets are traditionally comfortable, but they can be unpleasant if you suffer from allergies. There are different materials for duvet filling. One of the critical aspects is finding one that will help regulate body temperature as you sleep.

Many people find it easier to use wool duvets as they are hypoallergenic and a different duvet during summer. There are many other choices, including bamboo (eco-friendly) and silk (soft feel), so there's something for everyone.

What does tog rating mean?

Tog 1-4:

These are the lightest types of duvets. They are great for the hot summer nights but won't perform as well during other months, especially in winter; you'll need a higher tog.

5 – 10 Tog:

Mid-range duvets can be sumptuous for all year long use, but you might need a higher tog in the colder months. Some duvets double up, with a lighter duvet attached to a medium duvet.

11 – 15 Tog:

This is the ultimate tog rating for winter duvets that will keep you warm during the coldest of times. Great for winter use but can be too hot even in the milder months for some.

What types of duvets are there? Duvets come in two different styles: natural-filled or synthetic.

Natural Filled

A natural fill duvet is made using down or feathers and is known for providing high levels of insulation whilst also being breathable and light. However, they aren't suitable for allergy sufferers.

Synthetic filled

Synthetic fills are made from man-made fibres that have been engineered to mimic the properties of down. They perform almost as well as a down duvet, but they are less expensive and will need replacement sooner.

Advantages of natural duvets

Advantages of Synthetic Duvets

Disadvantages of natural duvets

Disadvantages of Synthetic Duvets

Choosing down and feathers… Is it ethical?

If you're concerned about how down and feathers are extracted from the animals, you might want to take at look at ethically sourced duvets.

Having the Oeko-Tex® tag on the duvets means the casings, fabrics, and filling meets the human-ecological requirements and are class 1 certified.

Materials used for duvets

There are several different materials that duvets can be filled from. However, these days it's down and synthetic fills that lead the market as they offer excellent warmth without being too expensive.

Down-filled

Down is an excellent natural insulator with tiny air pockets that trap warmth which helps regulate the sleep environment. Down clusters are like a dandelion head, which gives it a soft feel and has a great natural spring back to help keep its shape. With proper care, they can last years.

Silk Duvets

A silk duvet doesn't only look stunning, but it can also help those with milder summer nights get more comfortable. Silk breathes and cools in nature and is naturally hypoallergenic. Moreover, it can absorb humidity away from its surface, so your skin is protected during rest.

Cotton Duvet

Cotton duvets have more texture and drape to allow easy sleeping comfort. They are famous for their soft feel, being easy to clean with regular detergent on a low wash, and they can last for ages. It can be blended with other materials, too, e.g. polyester

Feather duvets

Feather duvets are heavier than the regular duvet, partly down to the quills in the feather that help the birds fly and keep warm. Feathers need more fill when compared to down to achieve the same heat insulation.

Wool Duvets

Wool filled duvets consist of naturally occurring properties that keep our bodies warm during winter. This absorbs moisture and helps relieve heat, to help retain air better when compared to other materials. Also hypoallergenic.

Down & feather duvets

Both down and feathers help create a duvet that keeps you warm and snug without overheating. They are durable, last longer than many synthetic duvets, and are usually easy to clean.

Feather Fill vs Down Fill

Feather Fill

Down Fill

Top tips for buying a new duvet

Invest in silk sheets to sleep under: Silk is ideal for keeping skin cool during the summer months and warm during winter.

Size matters – If you like to move around during sleep, go for a larger duvet size as they offer more room to stretch out and cling on to during the night.

Fill power is vital – Higher fill power means there is less space between the fibres, which helps to keep you warmer during the colder months.

Down vs Down Alternative? Down has natural properties providing insulation & comfort, but environmental concerns include overfilling and animal cruelty.

Make it last: High-quality duvets are made to last at least six years or more with proper care. Always follow the care instructions if you want it to stand the test of time.

 Washing your duvet regularly is essential for hygiene reasons and will help prevent your bedding from smelling bad.

Most high-quality duvets can be washed at 60 degrees Celsius, making them easy to launder. Always check the label before buying or washing.

What size do I need?

  The size of the duvet depends on the size of the bed. For example, if you have a double bed, a double duvet fits fine, but a lot of people prefer to go a size up what they need, so they have more duvet to work with and snuggle up with (especially if you or you're partner loves to hog the duvet during the night).

Single Duvets

Duvet size: 135 x 200cm

Mattress Size: 90 x 190cm

 Double Duvets

Duvet size: 200 x 200 cm

Mattress Size: 135 x 190cm

King Duvet

Duvet size: 225 x 220cm

Mattress Size: 150 x 200cm

Super King Duvet

Duvet size: 260 x 220cm

Mattress Size: 180 x 200cm

What type of technologies are in duvets?

Micro-Fresh

Microfiber® eliminates the growth of disease and bacteria and provides 100% germ-free textile fabric, helping to prevent contamination of your clothes and keeping an open environment healthy.

Amicor

AMPIONTM is a specially textured fibre that is effective against bacteria, viruses etc. Blends in the mix provide durable protection for people who suffer from dust mite allergic reactions.

Note

NomiteTM delivers individuals allergic to dust mites safe and secure bedding in the home. The filling is then packed into the tightly-woven fabric, protecting the material against dust mites.

How do I wash my duvet?

It is vital to follow the care instructions provided by the manufacturer to avoid potentially ruining the duvet. Washing a duvet is much like washing anything else; however, because it's so large, it's often recommended to use something like tennis balls in socks to help provide extra friction and wash away stubborn stains and grease.

Most high-quality duvets can be washed at 40 degrees Celsius, making them easy to launder. Always check the label before washing. You don't need to wash your duvet every week as your duvet cover protects it, but the more wear and tear on it, the sooner you should wash (if you can't find care instructions contact your manufacturer for advice).

Once washed, it's essential to make sure the duvet is completely dry before putting it back on your bed (it may take up to 24 hours and, in some cases, 48 hours depending on the material, some are very thick).

Gentle detergent

Use a gentle detergent that's kind on fabrics and smells heavenly, which can help you fall asleep faster with a lovely scent.

Washing machine

Add your duvet to the washing machine; washing at a low temperature or slightly warmer is heavily stained.

Add friction

Adding a few tennis balls to the washing manchine wrapped up in socks can help create friction and give a better, cleaner wash.

Airer

Duvets may take a while to dry. Ideally, dry it outdoors, but dry it indoors in a well-ventilated area if that's not possible.

What is tog duvet suitable for all year?

You may struggle to find a duvet that offers year-round comfort. In the winter months, a 10.5 tog duvet might not be warm enough, whereas, in the summer months, you'll most probably find that your 13.5 tog duvet is way too hot, even when we're not having a heatwave. If you need more flexibility with your duvet, there is the option of buying a two in one. This is where you have two duvets that are attached.

There's usually a light 3.5 tog and a heavier 10.5 tog, which, when together, make a mighty 14 tog duvet. With this type of flexibility, you'll have a duvet for every night of the year (minus the few summer nights where you don't need a duvet).

How to pack duvets for moving?

Your bedding should always be one of the last things to be packed away when moving. It's simple to do; all you need is a suitable sized cardboard box or a suitable strengthen bag; wrap up the duvet as tight as it will go, insert it and shape it around it. Also, you do not need to worry about protecting them with anything extra; they will be fine as they are.

Why do duvets go yellow?

Duvets can become yellow because the body oils and sweat are released whilst we sleep. If you want to try and move them, you can try using light bleach or baking soda, which can mask the appearance of marks. Duvets that are washed and cleaned regularly shouldn't go yellow, but you might consider replacing them if yours does.

Tell me the difference between microfiber and hollow fibre duvets?

Microfibres feel soft and silky, mimicking the sensations of a smooth, silky softness at lower prices. Microfibre duvets can easily be wiped out to prevent bacterial infections and are suitable for allergic patients and kids. Hollow fibre feels warm and lofty and is perfect for snuggling under tight light sheets. Hollow fibre bedding can be cleaned easily, and they are ideal for allergy-suffering children.