WHICH DUVET FILLING IS BEST FOR HOTELS? DUCK OR GOOSE? SUMMER OR WINTER?

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So how are each of these inserts or fillings different?

Hollowfibre

A hollowfibre duvet is generally the cheapest type of insert, with a starting a price of £5.25 for a low tog of 10.5. When you choose a higher tog, you may be paying slightly more with a starting price of £6.40.

Hollowfibre duvets can be the best option for those who suffer with allergies.

They can be as just as warm and comfy as a high-end feather and down duvets, as they do a great job of mimicking the natural feel of feathers. However, as they are synthetic cause trouble for allergies.

The filling has hollow spaces between the fibres, which creates a lighter duvet that won’t stifle you, but will also be sure to keep you warm all through the night.

Hollowfibre duvets are also machine washable, which is an advantage they have over feather and down duvets as they aren’t always.

Microfibre

Microfibre duvets are similar to hollowfibre as they are both synthetic and on the cheaper end of the scale. There are products on the market that start at around £6, depending on the tog you go for.

These duvets are slightly more expensive than hollowfibre because of the structure of the filling.

Microfibre duvets contain very fine fibres which are tightly woven together without any hollow space, resulting in a much warmer night’s sleep.

This structure, paired with the fact that they are very light weight, makes microfibre duvets a great option.

The lack of natural filling also makes this duvet suitable for those with allergies.

Duck Feather

Now let’s down to more expensive end of the scale.

Feather and down duvets are seen as the most luxurious duvet options, and there are many benefits of them to back this up.

However, this is reflected in the price and they are quite a step up from the synthetic filled duvets.

Duck feather duvets can start at around £13.50, depending on what tog you choose.

When comparing duck and goose, goose clusters are usually larger than duck clusters. This makes duck feather duvets slightly heavier in weight as they need more filling.

It is down to personal preference if you prefer a slightly weightier duvet or not.

Natural filled duvets are favoured for being more breathable and comfier than synthetic duvets, which justifies the price tag.

Goose Feather

When looking to buy a goose feather duvet, they can start at around £14.50 for a 13.5 tog and £22.50 for a 15.0 tog.

You may have noticed another slight price jump, but this is because it is one of the highest quality duvets on the market.

Let me explain why Goose Feather and Down duvets are a good investment.

As I mentioned previously, Goose feather clusters are generally larger than duck feather, as they come from older and larger birds. This means that less filling is needed for the duvet, making it lighter and more comfortable, depending on your preference. Goose feathers are able to trap more air between them, which guarantees a warm and cosy sleep.

However, due to the natural filling of these duvets they are not suitable for allergy sufferers, so this is definitely something to consider when purchasing.

If you are still concerned about the high price tag, duvets with natural filling are much more resilient and will last you a lot longer than synthetic ones, so see it as an investment.

Which duvet cover material is best?

When purchasing a duvet cover I think that most of us can admit we are drawn to the ones with a pretty pattern, but wait just a second before you think of taking it to the till.

Have a read of what it is made of, because this can affect your quality of sleep.

Duvet covers can come in a wide range of materials and fabric types, so let us break it down for you. Here are the main types:

• Polycotton
• Egyptian Cotton
• Cotton and Brushed Cotton
• Linen
• Wool

Polycotton

If you are looking for ease of use and to save time (lets be honest, who isn’t?) this may be the best option for you. Polycotton allows you to benefit from the durability of polyester, and the softness of cotton, as it is a blend of both.

One major benefit of polycotton, and why I said it will save you time, is because it does not need to be ironed. When buying in bulk this could be a major advantage for you as ironing bedding can be painfully time consuming.

Polycotton is breathable, tear-resistant and still very comfortable even though it is only a blend of cotton.

Egyptian Cotton

The name originally referred to where the cotton was produced, but now it tends to refer to the types of thread produced.

Egyptian cotton is generally softer than regular cotton as the cotton is handpicked, putting less stress on the fibres. This means that the length of the cotton doesn’t have to be sacrificed, making it stronger and softer, unlike regular cotton which has more splices.

As the fibres are so fine, this results in a more flexible fabric.

Also, as the cotton is not machine picked, this makes the material stronger and more resistant to stress.

Cotton and Brushed Cotton

100% cotton is favoured over a cotton blend simply because it is more comfortable. Pure cotton is much more breathable than synthetic materials, which can contribute to a better night’s sleep.

It is also much less likely to irritate the skin, which is great for those with sensitive skin, including children.

The only difference of brushed cotton is that the material is brushed with a mechanical tool to release some of the fine fibres from the woven yarn, making the surface of the fabric softer.

The only downside to cotton duvet covers is that they will need ironing. This may be enough to put some off cotton as ironing sheets can be quite a task, but it’s up to you whether you think that the comfort is worth it.

Linen

Linen. The King of the bedding market. But why is it so popular I hear you ask? Let me explain.

Firstly, it is anti-allergic and resistant against bacteria. This is great for people with allergies, sensitive skin or children.

Linen has high air permeability, basically meaning it does a fantastic job at keeping you warm in Winter and cool in Summer.

As linen has a much thicker fibre than cotton, this makes it much more robust and durable. This means it will last you a lot longer, so it is a great investment.

Linen can absorb up to 20% of its weight in moisture before it will start to feel wet, meaning a dry, fresh and comfortable night’s sleep is guaranteed.

Which duvet is best for summer?

Although we do not have the privilege of benefitting from an ultra-hot Summer in the UK, a suitable duvet for the Summer is still essential.

We have all experienced the constant cycle of tossing and turning, one leg in and one leg out, and if you’re like me, throwing the duvet to the floor, only to pick it back up again half an hour later when it gets a little cold.

Although some duvet inserts are more breathable than others, once you have picked which one you find most comfortable, it is mainly all about the tog. According to its Wikipedia page, a tog ‘is a measure of thermal resistance of a unit area, also known as thermal insulance’.

For Summer a 4.5 tog is recommended, but there are also ‘all seasons’ duvets available on the market. This is where the duvet is made up of two parts, for example, a 10.5 tog and a 4.5 tog.

They can be easily attached and detached so you can customise it how you like, depending on the temperature.

Which duvet is best for winter?

It is impossible to get a good night’s sleep when you are too cold, so a good quality duvet is key. When it comes to the colder months, we would suggest at least a 10.5 tog.

Sleeping in Winter can be different for everybody, some still want a lightweight option while having the warmth.

For a synthetic option we would recommend microfibre. If it is natural you are after, then go for goose feather and down, as they are the lightest weight options while still guaranteeing the ultimate warmth.

For those who prefer to feel more secure and wrapped up in their duvets, the duck feather and down duvet is our recommendation.

What duvet should I buy for my children?

It is incredibly important to find the right duvet for your child. We know that when it comes to bedtime it can be a battle with your little ones, so let us take the headache of choosing a duvet away. Here are our tips:

Firstly, children under 12 months should not have a duvet as it can lead to overheating and suffocation. Try special cot quilts or blankets.

It is recommended that toddlers shouldn’t have a duvet over 4.0 tog, but as they get older you can increase the tog. Although, until the age of 10 do not increase the tog past a 10.5 rating.

Cleaning your duvet

Can you remember the last time you washed your duvet?

We spend over a third of our lives tucked up under our duvets, so it’s probably a good idea to keep them nice and clean.

Washing bedding is one of life’s tasks that we all know we should do more often, but still don’t. Here are a few facts which might change that:

• We can lose up to a litre of sweat on a typical night
• A combination of dead skin cells and sweat attracts dust mites, which can produce droppings that cause itchy eyes and asthma
• This combination can allow up to 16 other forms of bacteria to thrive on your bedding
• Dead skin, bugs and their droppings can make up a third of the weight of your pillow if left unwashed for months.

If this has got you in a panic to immediately throw your all your households bedding into the machine, just breathe, and read these easy tips on the right way to do it:

• Check your duvets label, some may not be machine washable
• Try and wash your duvet every three months
• Select a normal spin setting
• Drying your duvet in sunlight will help kill any remaining bacteria