What Does Duvet Mean?

Identification

• A duvet is a plain cloth that resembles a sack stuffed with down. The sack is then inserted into a sleeve known as a duvet cover, which is coordinated with the colors and decor of the bedroom.

Function

• A duvet traps body heat inside of the bed, helping to keep people warm during sleep. Because the duvet is heavy, it often requires only a sheet beneath it, rather than sheet and blanket, which is necessary for most comforters.

Sizes

• Duvets are generally sold in four sizes to accommodate twin, full, queen and king beds. The exact dimensions of the duvet vary with the style of the bed linen as some duvets are intended to hang well above the floor and others are meant to just brush the flooring.

Benefits

• Because it often requires only a sheet, making a bed with a duvet often takes less time than a bed that uses a traditional comforter and blankets. Since the duvet cover is removable, the actual duvet requires only infrequent laundering, and you can easily replace the cover to change the look of a room without the need to buy a whole new duvet.

Considerations

• Some people are allergic to down feathers and cannot use duvets or may require a special allergy-proof casing inside, or instead of, the duvet cover. People who suffer from hot flashes or night sweats may find duvets too hot, especially on hot nights in homes with no air conditioning.