CHOOSE-DUVET
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The Ultimate Duvet Buying Guide

How to choose the right duvet tog and filling for you

  Have you ever looked at the huge range of duvets available to purchase and wondered "What"s the difference?". For many people, it can be difficult to know what type of duvet to look for, and to make a smart purchase. To make life a little bit easier, we"ve put together this handy guide on researching and purchasing the perfect duvet, to keep you warm and cosy on even the coldest of nights. Here"s what you need to consider when buying your next duvet:

1. Tog.

A duvet"s tog rating is one of its most important attributes. This tells you how well a duvet will trap warm air. Basically, the higher the tog rating, the warmer the duvet. Duvets start at a tog rating of around 3, which would be your lightweight summer duvet. A tog rating of between 7 - 10 is perfect for Spring and Autumn nights. A tog rating of over 10 is perfect for cold Winters, and means you"ll be kept warm all night. Duvets with a lower tog rating are generally best for children also, as heavier duvets may well be uncomfortable and too warm for small children. Select a tog rating that"s perfect for you, based on your own preferences. Anything from your home heating to whether you share a bed or not can affect the tog rating you need, so  make sure you think about your situation before you purchase!

2. Filling.

It"s not just important that your duvet is filled, it"s also important to think about what"s filling it! There are countless options nowadays when it comes to choosing a duvet filling. From the hypo-allergenic health benefits of synthetic fillings, to the cloud-like comfort of goose down, the options are endless. It"s important to consider your own needs when choosing the filling you would prefer. Let"s take a look of the pro"s and con"s of a few varieties of fillings: Natural Fillings are best known for being breathable, perfect for keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Duck & Goose Down is a popular natural filling that is used world wide. Down is the soft, insulation feathers found very close to the bird"s skin. These feathers are used to stuff both duvets and pillows, with goose being the higher quality, though more expensive, option. This type of filling provides a very warm and comfortable night"s sleep. However, it may irritate those who suffer with allergies, and it"s important to ensure that your goose or duck down is humanely sourced. Duvets stuffed with down are generally extremely durable, with a lifespan of around 10-20 years. Synthetic Fillings have the benefit of being lightweight, hypoallergenic, and faster drying after washing. Most also offer the same level of warmth as naturally filled duvets. Their lifespan is much shorter than that of a naturally filled duvet however, with regular washing diminishing that lifespan even further. Washing your duvet is important in removing dust mites from your bedding. Washing at 60C is ideal for killing dust mites, and keeping your bedding fresh and dust-free.

3. The Right Pillow.

Your duvet is only as good as the pillow you rest your head on. A poorly chosen pillow can lead to a variety of back & neck problems, so picking the right one for you is important for maintaining your health. You may wish to choose a pillow type based on how you sleep. For example, those who sleep on their backs are recommended to use a pillow of medium firmness, for support and comfort and to maintain the correct alignment of the spine throughout the night. Someone who sleeps on their side might choose a firm pillow, to help support their head, neck and spine as they sleep, while someone who sleeps on their front should probably opt for a soft pillow, to support the head without disrupting spine alignment. Like duvets, pillows are also available with synthetic and natural fillings. You might choose a down filled pillow, which will be soft and comfortable. These pillows range in firmness (the more stuffing, the firmer they are). However, they are limited in just how much support they can provide. Synthetically filled pillows are becoming more and more popular, as memory foam options become more available due to their higher levels of support and associated health benefits. Again, washing your pillows regularly is of utmost importance. Pillows can usually be washed in a large capacity machine. Washing at 60C is ideal for killing any dust mites that may be residing inside your pillow. Synthetic pillows are useful in this regard due to their quick drying time.

4. What Size?

All our duvets come in set sizes of single, double, king, and superking, which are sized as follows:
  • Single: 135 X 200cm
  • Double: 200 X 200cm
  • King: 230 X 220cm
  • Superking: 260 X 220cm
Knowing your bed size is essential for making the right decision on your new duvet. However you sleep, making the right decision on your duvet & pillows can be the difference between a good night"s sleep and waking up unrested, with a sore neck and back. Do yourself a favour and invest in some top quality bedding, for a great nights" sleep. Shop a huge range of duvets and pillows at Home Focus
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