What Are Duvets?

Origin

• Duvets originated in rural Europe in the 1700s. According to HomesandFamily.com, one of the first mentions of a duvet (as we know it today) came from Thomas Nugent, an English writer who traveled to Westphalia, Germany in 1749. On his journey, he noted that the residents did not cover with blankets. Instead, they used what he described as a "cover mattress." Because people long ago used to spend a lot of time making their beds in an attempt to keep warm, using so many layers of bedding took a lot of effort. The duvet solved this problem by trading one thick bag-like cover for the combination of multiple blankets and sheets on the bed.

Comforter or Duvet?

• Many people commonly use the terms "comforters" and "duvets" interchangeably; however, there is a difference. Comforters are usually thick blankets stuffed with an insulator, such as cotton or feathers. Although duvets also use filler material, the big difference is in how they are used. Comforters do not require a cover and are used alone, whereas duvets are usually put inside duvet covers.

Different Types of Fillings

• When selecting a duvet, it's important to make sure you're comfortable with the material stuffed inside. After all, you may be sleeping under it for years. There are several types of duvet stuffing available--some of which are natural and others that are not. For example, some man-made duvet filling materials include unnatural fibers, hollow fibers and synthetic fillings. Duck feather and goose down are also popular natural fillers. When contemplating a material, also remember durability. A good-quality, natural-filled duvet could last up to 30 years, whereas a synthetic duvet will probably only last around 10 years. Nevertheless, synthetic duvets can be washed, unlike their natural stuffed counterparts.

Duvet Tog Ratings

• In the UK and America, the industry standard designation used for measuring the warmth of a duvet is called a "tog." This rating system was originally invented by the Shirley Institute in Manchester, England in the 1940s. Duvets are measured from low to high (i.e., the higher the tog, the warmer the bed cover). Tog ratings are as follows: 4.5 tog, 6 tog, 7.5 tog, 9 tog, 10.5 tog, 12 tog, and 13.5 tog. A 4.5 tog duvet, for example, should be used in warm climates or summer months, whereas 13.5 tog duvets are ideal for winter months or colder climates. When buying a duvet, you can typically find this information on the packaging as well as on a tag attached to the duvet.