Comforters and Duvets

A cozy comforter is not just for Mr. and Mrs. Claus in The North Pole. Comforters and Duvets are available in a variety of weights, qualities, colors, and sizes for a cool sleep or one that will warm you from the chilliest of night winds. Before you shop for a comforter or duvet, get some basic information from our tips on buying a comforter or duvet for your bed.

Warmth Level

Some people sleep with layers and layers of blankets or with the electric blanket turned up high. Others are comfortable with just a light layer covering them, even in the coldest of weather. Since comforters and duvets come in a wide variety of weights and fills, you’ll want to have an idea of what will give you the most comfortable sleep. Don’t buy a heavy comforter if you live in the tropics!

Duvet Covers

A comforter without a cover is called a “duvet.” In order to take good care of a new down comforter or blanket, we recommend that you use a “duvet cover,” a large “pillowcase” that covers the large blanket. A cover will add some weight, and a decorative cover could add a lot of weight. But a duvet cover will protect the down blanket or comforter, and a cover is easier to clean than a large comforter.

Thread Count

The thread count in a duvet refers to how closely knit the comforter threads are. In general, thread counts usually range between T150 and T220. With T180 and up being considered good quality duvet covers.

Designs

Jacquard – is a ‘woven’ design, which tends to be more costly, as the design is more elaborate and therefore more labor intensive. The pattern of the duvet cover is woven into the fabric giving the look of the duvet cover longevity. Print – as the name says, will be a print of a particular design or pattern. It is ‘printed’ on to the duvet cover. A Print can be transferred to fabric by various methods. One way to transfer is a wet print, which is a direct color to fabric transfer. Another way is the heat transfer, where the design is transferred from paper to fabric. This method contains a polyester fiber. Some prints can also be given a ‘woven’ affect, but the process of the weave is not done but rather a visual effect of the print.

Trims

Trims basically accentuate your bedding, it is the ‘finishing’ onto the edges. Typically, you will find bedding that are Knife Edged, Piped or Corded. Corded Edges are normally the most expensive because of the labor process. It looks like a cord is sewn onto the edges of the bedding or can also be used as an accessory on a pillow sham for example.

Stuffing

You must also be aware that the contents inside of the comforter will vary as well. If you would like a very thick and warm comforter, then search for one that is filled with 8-10 ounces. This weight is considered, ‘Overstuffed’. If the comforter is filled with only 5-6 ounces then it will still keep you warm, but will not be as thick and will be of a lesser quality.

There are also different stuffing types in comforters. You must take note of this as some comforters will ‘bunch up’ or clump in certain areas over time, so in order to prevent this, look for one that is Bonded. This stuffing is sprayed with a special solution that will keep it from not shifting over time and will remain even for a longer period. Garnetted is the regular stuffing used.

Fill Power

Fill power is a term used to describe the quality of down. The higher the fill power, the larger and stronger the clusters of down. Large clusters provide superior insulation, breathe better and last much longer than smaller, fragile down clusters.” So in order to get the proper warmth for your needs, compare the “fill power” that different manufacturers offer. There’s no point in buying more than you need, but you don’t want too little either.

Synthetic Duvets

Duvets which use synthetic materials rather than feathers are available for those with allergic tendencies. Whether it is due to the material used or the type of basting stitch used to keep the material in place, synthetic duvets seem somewhat less prone to creep and clump in the wee hours of the night. However, perhaps because synthetic duvets tend to be less heavy, they often have a difficult time staying properly attached to the cloth duvet covers.

Prior to the advent of synthetic duvets, duvet use was generally frowned upon for those with asthma, who are often prone to allergies. Furthermore, duvets can be a hiding place for dust mites, which are also known to aggravate asthma. Those with asthma are recommended to wash all bedding in hot water weekly, and this is especially true for duvet covers.

Measure Your Bed

Don’t assume that you’ll find a down comforter that fits your bed perfectly. Take careful measurements and look for the blanket that will most closely match your bed. If you have a Queen bed, don’t get shortchanged with a “full/queen” quilt. If you have a California King bed, a “king” comforter may not be long enough. Keep in mind that you’ll want some of the comforter or blanket to drop down the sides of the bed, so don’t buy one that is too small.

Your budget

The most expensive down blankets and comforters are made of pure, white, hypoallergenic goose down. If you’re on a limited budget, you might find a down blanket with a lower grade of down, with less down, or with a combination of down and feathers. While these give a very comfortable sleep, you might feel that this is the time to stretch your budget and make a good investment. Look for special sales to get the one you really want.

For more information, please contact Palm Cleaners. Proudly providing comforter and duvet cleaning services to Tampa, Seminole, and St. Petersburg areas.