Duvet Buyers Guide

As we spend approximately one third of our lives in bed, we will want to choose bedding that keeps us both warm and comfortable.  But as there is so much to choose from it might feel a bit confusing or even daunting.

To simplify your choice, there are two basics to think about –

1.    Tog Rate

2.    Filling

Here is a short summary of each:

1.     Tog rate-

This refers to how warm the duvet will be – its ability to trap warm air around you and keep you insulated while you sleep. These rates range typically from 4.5 tog for a summer duvet up to 13.5 tog for a warm winter duvet.

2.    Filling-

Choosing what material your duvet is filled with may require a bit more thought than which tog rate you need because what the duvet is filled with will determine how comfortable you will feel. You can choose a natural or a synthetic filling.

 

Natural: Filled with Feather and Down from the duck or goose, natural bedding has been used for over two hundred years. Having higher thermal properties than man-made fibres, less filling is required to achieve the same tog rate which results in a duvet that feels lighter than synthetic.

Feather and Down duvets contain a mix of approximately 85% small feathers and 15% down clusters. The difference between feathers and down clusters is that the feather is long and flat with a quill running along the centre and thicker strands attached to the quill. The long flat shape means more filling is required to provide the same insulation as down resulting in a heavier feeling duvet with more bulk. If you like the feeling of weight, then choose a Feather and Down duvet.

Down provides an undercoat on the bird of soft spherical clusters. It does not have a quill and the strands which radiate from the centre are very fine and fluffy. Shaped like a dandelion head, it has the ability to spring back into shape if flattened – this makes down products lofty with the ability to trap air all around the clusters. A duvet which is 85% down and just 15% small feather will feel much lighter than one made with mostly small feathers. This second option will make a duvet that is more light weight, and which traps and holds warmth resulting in a really soft duvet offering optimum warmth.  Choose Siberian goose down, White Goose Down, or Duck Down.

We always source the Feather and Down we use from farms that have humane practises and we visit the farms to ensure these standards are maintained

Synthetic: Sometimes called non-allergenic or Hypo-allergenic; synthetic is a good option if you are concerned about allergies; a hardwearing duvet which can withstand regular laundering.

The two main fillings used to make synthetic duvets are Hollowfibre and Microfibre, and both are made from polyester.  Hollowfibre is a thick coarse fibre, it is springy to touch and, as its name suggests, the fibres are indeed hollow and can trap warm air helping to keep you warm while you sleep. It is a low price, budget option.

 

The fibres used in Microfibre are extra fine resulting in a luxurious silky soft duvet which is lighter than hollowfibre so you can be comfortably snug without a heavy weight around you. Our microfibre duvets are encased in 100% cotton covers and boxed stitched to keep the filling evenly dispersed. If you want the feel of luxury but prefer synthetic over natural then a microfibre duvet is the right choice.

Duvet sizes

– Single: Duvet 135cm x 200cm

– Double: Duvet 200cm x 200cm

– King: Duvet 230cm x 220cm

– Superking: Duvet 260 x 220cm