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In this post we will cover your most frequently asked questions about bedding. We will cover questions about:
Also find a brief history to your bedding and fascinating facts, for example did you know that hair was once used to embroider bed sheets?
Keep reading to have all of your bedding questions answered and learn about how to get into the best bedding routine for a great night’s sleep.
Who invented the duvet?
We don’t really know… no one does.
Some claim the Chinese were responsible at around 3000 B.C.
The first person to sell a duvet in England? Ah yes, we know that one!
Paul Rycaut was the first to try and market them in England after seeing the huge popularity of the invention in Germany. However, his attempt failed and the country turned its nose up at the idea.
It wasn’t until the 70s where the product was marketed as the ’10 second bed’ (because it was much quicker to make a bed with a duvet) where the duvet really took off in the UK.
1. Which duvet tog should I buy?
A tog is simply a measure of thermal resistance of a unit area. This is also known as thermal insulance. It is usually referred to in the textile industry and is measure in products such as duvets, carpet underlay and other products that are designed for insulation.
When it comes to duvets, the tog rating usually ranges from 1 to 15. Which tog rating you should buy depends on a few factors:
- Who are you buying for? If it is for an adult, you can select whatever tog you like. If it is for a child, you need to be more careful.
Babies over 12 months should have a tog of no more than 4. Children under the age of 10 should not have a tog of more than 10.
If you’d like to read more about the right tog for your child, take a look at our guide to creating the perfect bedroom for children.
- How is your climate? If it is hot, opt for a lower tog. If it is cool, take a look at the higher togs.
- What are your personal preferences? Tog rating in duvets is completely personal so take into account if you are usually too warm at night or too cold.
2. What duvets do I need for Summer and Winter?
Summer and Winter. The two seasons which can wreak havoc on our sleep quality.
A duvet that keeps you warm and cosy in Winter certainly won’t be suitable for those hot and sweaty Summer months.
So, do I have to buy two separate duvets? Nope!
The All Seasons Goose Feather and Down 15 Tog Duvet
This luxury duvet comes with two detachable layers of 10.5 tog and 4.5 tog. Perfect for Winter and Summer.
An all seasons duvet is the perfect solution to changeable climates. This luxurious goose feather and down option comes with two detachable layers of 10.5 tog and 4.5 tog.
A more affordable option?
The All Seasons Microfibre 15 Tog Duvet
This high-quality microfibre all seasons duvet is soft, fluffy and plump. Stay cosy during Winter and simply remove a layer to keep cool during Summer.
This Roma all seasons microfibre duvet is a soft, high-quality synthetic option for those on a tighter budget. It also comes with two detachable layers of 10.5 tog and 4.5 tog.
3. What is the warmest duvet filling?
If you are looking for a high end option, feather and down duvets are perfect for keeping warm and cosy in Winter.
The only difference between goose feather and duck feather is that goose is slightly lighter due to the less clusters that are needed because they are larger.
If you are looking for a high quality synthetic option, a microfibre filling is best for keeping super warm. The fibres are woven extremely tightly in microfibre which is great for insulating and keeping you cosy.
If you’d like more help on selecting the right duvet, take a look at our ultimate guide to duvets.
7,000 B.C is the earliest recorded use of the pillow.
This was where the affluent would use them in Mesopotamia for not only comfort, but to also keep bugs and insects out of their eyes, ears, mouth and nose.
The invention has come a long way since this ancient Egyptian wooden pillow…
1. What pillow is best for me?
Here’s what you should consider when selecting your fluffy sleeping companion:
- What position do you usually sleep in? If you sleep on your front, a softer pillow is best that allows you to sink right in. If you are a back sleeper, go for something slightly thicker or firmer for more support. This is also recommended for side sleepers or those who sleep in a variety of positions.
- Are you affected by allergies? Then it may be best to steer clear of feather and down.
- What’s your budget? If you want to reign in on spending, take a look at some synthetic options.
2. Are pillow covers necessary?
In a word – yes.
Pillow covers are the quick and easy way to keep all of this grossness at bay.
You could stay hygienic by washing your pillow once a week, but this would be very time consuming and could affect the quality of it.
Pillow cases are necessary to protect your pillow and keep them nice and hygienic.
3. How often should I wash my pillow and how can I wash it at home?
It is recommended to wash your pillow every 3-4 months.
For cotton, feather, down and synthetic pillows, follow this general guide for washing:
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- Remove the pillow case.
- Put your pillows in the washing machine. Washing 2 at a time is a good idea to balance out the weight.
- Add a scoop of your regular washing detergent.
- Put your wash on a large or bulky setting if you have one and start the cycle.
- Once finished, put on for another rinse cycle to make sure all the suds are out.
- Put your pillows in the dryer on a low heat or gentle setting. Adding tennis balls in socks to the dryer will help keep the pillows soft, fluffy and lump-free.
- You can completely dry them in a tumble dryer or leave them in the sun for a few hours to allow the sunlight to kill any remaining bacteria.
Historians have not been able to pinpoint when bed sheets were first invented or who exactly is responsible, but the term was first used in the 15th century.
In regard to the history of bed sheets, this may be the most famous piece:
Anna Maria Radclyffe, wife of James Radclyffe, stitched this bed sheet using a combination of their hair after he was executed on Tower Hill on 24 February 1716. It now belongs to the textile collections in the Museum of London.
1. Which bed sheets are coolest and best for Summer?
Cotton and linen are the top contenders for keeping cool and fresh in hot weather.
Cotton is soft, lightweight, breathable and great value for money. It soaks up sweat to keep you fresh and dry. It is also readily available and great value for money.
100% Premium Cotton Bed Sheets
These luxurious 100% cotton bed sheets not only look premium but feel ultra-soft and smooth. Relax into these high-quality cotton bed sheets and get a great night’s sleep.
Moving up the price scale, linen is a luxurious choice to avoid overheating. It is incredibly light and has a loose structure which won’t retain heat.
It also absorbs sweat but dries very quickly, which makes for a comfortable night’s sleep.
2. What are the softest materials for bed sheets?
When it comes to softness, cotton continues to be a winner. But did you know there are many different types of cotton?
Egyptian cotton is the softest and most luxurious type. The extra-long fibres give a super soft feel on our skin and give it high-quality characteristics.
For synthetic options, hollowfibre and microfibre are two soft and fluffy options. The little hollow spaces in hollowfibre and ultra-fine fibres of microfibre creates luxuriously soft fabrics which are fantastic value for money.
With so many different types, fabrics, colours, patterns… it is almost impossible to give a washing guide for all bedding.
So, instead, here are some clever tips for your bedding laundry:
How do I keep bed sheets looking nice and new?
- Read the label. We know these 2 minutes could be spent shoving the sheets in the machine and moving on to another activity that is slightly less mundane, but it is vital to read washing instructions for every bedding item.
- Store sheets in a dry, dark and cool area to keep them looking nice and new.
- Separate your colours. Although not everyone is going to see your bed sheets, it is still important to make the effort to separate colours. They can be an expensive investment, so it would be a shame to ruin the design by mixing the wrong colours.
How do I keep bed sheets fresh and hygienic?
- Ironing your bed linen will kill any remaining bacteria.
- Speaking of disinfecting, hanging sheets out in the sun is another great way to kill bacteria.
Bedding, also known as bedclothes (or even Manchester in Australia and New Zealand) comes in a variety of different materials.
The bedding page on Wikipedia has an extensive history of materials commonly used. It seems like cotton has been a favourite for many years by Egyptian Pharos, the people of Japan and Europeans.
The most common material comparisons we get asked about is cotton vs linen and microfibre vs hollowfibre, so let us give you a quick summary…
Cotton vs Linen – what’s the difference?
First of all, we get cotton from the cotton plant and linen from the flax plant.
The second thing to note is that linen is a lot more expensive.
But, why? Here are the top reasons:
- Linen is has much stronger fibres which gives it more longevity.
- Straight out of the packet, cotton will have a softer feel. However, over time linen will become softer as it becomes more fluid with handling.
- Although cotton will absorb sweat and keep you feeling cool, these wet patches may show on the material. Linen will also absorb sweat and keep you cool but is less likely to show wet patches as it dries so quickly.
- Linen is the favourable material to have in Summer as the fibres are hollow and will easily regulate your body temperature. However, for all year round cotton is the better option as it will stay cool in Summer and keep you warm in Winter.
Microfibre vs Hollowfibre – which should I buy?
Although the differences between these two materials are probably less noticeable, they are still worth knowing before you make your decision:
- Microfibre has a more tightly woven structure which allows it to retain more heat than hollowfibre.
- Microfibre is slightly lighter in weight.
- Although both are soft and comfortable, microfibre feels a little more silky and luxurious.
However, these materials both have these things in common:
- Great for those who have bird allergies and can’t use feather and down products.
- Easy to care for and are highly durable.
- Inexpensive and excellent value for money options.
- Breathable and won’t stifle you during the night.
Buying bedding for children – a guide to duvets for the right age group…
Selecting the right bedding for children is especially difficult as they are constantly growing and changing.
One of the most important things for children at night is making sure they are at the right temperature, or you will probably get a night time visitor at the end of your bed…
Here is a simple visual guide for choosing the right duvet for your child:
What you might not know about how children sleep…
- Their developing bodies can’t regulate heat as well as we do which is why they need a lower tog to prevent them from over heating
- Their ideal room temperature is about 18 – 22°C
- Although waterproof bedding protectors may seem ideal for a child and their accidents, be careful as they can restrict airflow and cause them to overheat
The Roma Cot Children’s Duvet
This soft, lightweight and fluffy cot duvet has a soft touch brushed microfibre casing with 100% premium hollowfibre filling. Available in a 4.5, 7.5 and 9 tog rating.