A duvet cover is a pouch for the duvet insert that protects the insert from getting dirty. A duvet cover is a versatile piece of bedding that can add to the aesthetics of the bedroom. Duvet covers come in handy because you can easily throw them into the wash without worrying about washing the plump and voluminous duvet itself.
People often confuse a duvet with a comforter but these beddings have different structures and usage.
In this article, you will learn what a duvet cover is, the difference between a duvet and a comforter, and how to choose a duvet cover.
What is a Duvet?
A duvet is a blanket typically made of down extracted from under the wings of the geese. A duvet is a light quilt which is warm and cozy because it has a natural fiber filling. Duvets can also have polyester, synthetic fabrics, or down alternatives filling.
The standard range of 400-600 fill power works the best for duvets. A duvet is generally classic white. It is stitched in patterns to ensure even distribution of the fill throughout the duvet. Duvet covers are required to protect them from stains, wear and tear, and sweat.
What Is a Duvet Cover?
A duvet cover is an external protective layer of the fluffy duvet. It keeps the duvet from getting dirty and makes bed-making manageable and fuss-free.
So how does a duvet cover work?
A duvet cover is open from one side and has ties, a zipper, or a button to keep the duvet from slipping out of the duvet cover. People use duvets without the top sheet making them more prone to stains or spills. A duvet cover is useful, as it absorbs all the immediate spills and dust, eliminating the need to dry clean or wash the duvets often.
Duvet covers are thin and light in weight, much like a top sheet of the bed. Their thinness also makes them machine-wash friendly. The duvet cover is versatile. It can accommodate a thicker duvet during winters and a lighter duvet during summers.
Traditionally white duvet covers have been in use. Now people prefer buying colorful duvets to add a spark to the interiors of their bedroom.
Benefits of a Duvet Cover
A duvet cover is a protector of the duvet insert. It also has several benefits that make it more usable, pocket-friendly, and preferable. Here are some benefits of a duvet cover:
Affordable
Changing a duvet or a comforter costs very little. Duvet covers are affordable. A duvet cover can be changed multiple times during the year, giving the duvet a new and fresh look.
Machine-Washable
Duvet covers are light and easy to store and manage. You can wash duvet covers in washing machines at home. It also saves up the laundry expenses of getting duvets dry-cleaned.
All-season usage
The best part about a duvet cover is that it is used all around the year. During summers, the duvet cover can accommodate a light duvet. During winters, the duvet cover can accommodate bulky and voluminous duvets.
Hassle-Free Bed Making
Duvet covers have simplified the process of cleaning and bed making. You can replace the duvet cover instead of a duvet for a fresh look.
All-inclusive Variety
Duvet covers come in various colors, patterns, and designs. They are a good fit in master bedrooms in the standard white, whereas the colorful variety is a good fit for children’s rooms.
What Is a Duvet Insert?
A duvet insert is nothing but the duvet itself. This is a way of referring to the duvet. A duvet insert is the piece of bedding that goes inside the duvet cover.
A duvet insert standardly comes in shades of white. A duvet insert is a preferred bedding item because of it being soft, fluffy, and snuggly. Duvet inserts are quilts that have a high thread count.
A duvet insert differentiates from a comforter and a blanket by having another significant half- the duvet cover. Duvets have running stitches that form compartments that hold the filling in their place. These stitches protect the thermal properties of the duvet insert. You can also opt for buying a complete duvet set that consists of a duvet insert, duvet cover, and pillow shams.
What Are Duvet Covers Made of?
Duvet covers can be both natural as well as synthetic materials. Based on your preferences, you can choose the material and type of duvet that suits you the best.
Cotton
Cotton is a natural and breathable fabric. Cotton is soft on the skin and does not cause allergies or rashes. It is a temperature regulating fabric which makes it an ideal fit for both winters and summers. Cotton is a low-maintenance fabric that can be machine washed at home.
Silk
If you like the royal feel, silk might be a good choice for you. Silk is a luxurious fabric that gives warmth. It is better-insulated which makes silk perfect for winters. Silk is dust-repellant, making it an ideal fit for those with allergies.
You don’t need to wash silk duvet covers very often, but whenever you do, ensure to wash them as per the instructions on the label.
Flannel
A flannel duvet cover is perfect for those living in hilly regions or areas with cold conditions. Flannel is a mix of wool and cotton, two natural fabrics. It is machine-washable and also does not hold wrinkles.
The wool element in the flannel duvet covers makes them warm and toasty. Flannel duvet covers can be suffocating to use during summers.
How to Choose a Duvet Cover
Before making the final decision on a duvet cover, you must consider various factors like thread count, cost, size, maintenance, etc. Following are the factors you can evaluate while choosing a duvet cover:
Fabric/material
The duvet cover can be cotton, poly-cotton, silk, or flannel. Yet, natural fabrics work best as duvet covers. Natural fabrics are breathable, easy to maintain, and machine-wash-friendly.
Thread Count
Thread count refers to the number of threads in a fabric per square inch. A high thread count reflects the durability and softness of the material. Usually, a 300 - 400 thread count duvet works the best. However, if the quality of threads is poor, a high thread count is futile.
Fill and Construction
Duvets can have either a down filling or a down-alternative filling. Some people who may have allergies should buy duvets with down alternative because it is made of synthetic material.
Different fill powers are suitable for different seasons. The fill for a summer-friendly duvet will be less than the one for winter.
Maintenance & Care
Duvet covers made from natural fabrics are usually easy to maintain. However, for fabrics like silk and flannel, you must read the wash instructions on the label.
Size
Duvet covers can fit standard-sized mattresses like king size, queen size, California king, etc. However, the duvet covers do not have the same size as a duvet. So you must measure the duvet before purchasing a duvet cover.
Cost
A good-quality duvet costs between 50 and 150 USD, usually. The prices of premium quality duvets made of quality cotton can be higher.
