You spend about one third of your life sleeping; that’s a lot of time spent in your bedding. You want to make sure you pick a duvet cover that comforts and soothes you, but at the same time doesn’t harbor any dangerous chemicals or toxins. You also should consider the material, and how it might enhance or hinder your sleep. These ten tips will show there’s way more to duvet covers than meets the eye!
- Too Good to Be True
“Wrinkle Free”, and “Anti-Shrink” can seem tempting, especially when you’re a busy person that enjoys a tidy house. However, these “guarantees” can mean that formaldehyde resin was used to finish the fabric, because it can prevent wrinkling, static, shrinking, stains, etc. Formaldehyde resin is a scary chemical that can easily be absorbed through the skin, especially with increases of temperature–sleeping for hours at a time in a warm bed is the perfect environment for absorption. Side effects include watery eyes, nausea, difficulty breathing, headaches, and many other worrisome symptoms. Do a little research before you buy your next duvet cover and make sure you know how the fabric was treated to avoid being exposed to this risk.
- The Myth of the Thread Count
Higher thread count does not necessarily mean softer fabric; this is a myth that leads to people spending way more money than they need to in the hopes of getting the softest sheets possible. There are no standards for companies to follow when counting threads; thread count is just the number of threads that are woven into a square-inch of fabric. Some companies make their thread count seem larger by increasing the ply, which is twisting multiple threads into one. This allows them to effectively double or triple the thread count, but the fabric isn’t any softer, just bulkier. If you can, try and feel the duvet cover fabric before purchasing so that you know exactly what you’re getting.
- The Importance of Fabric
Instead of thread count, you should focus on the type of fabric that is comfortable for you. Depending on how you sleep, you might prefer flannel, jersey, percale, cotton, silk, etc. Cotton is usually the most popular fabric for sleeping, as it’s both soft and breathable. If you get cold easily, you might prefer flannel or jersey materials for your duvet cover.
- Laundry is Key
A lot of people treat their duvet cover like the actual duvet, and only wash it once a season or every few months. Duvet covers are just like sheets though, and need to be washed at minimum once a week to kill bacteria and rid them of dead skin cells. Think of your duvet cover like a pair of pajamas; it absorbs all your sweat, germs, and bacteria throughout the night and needs to be frequently changed.
- The Original Duvet
Duvets were originally intended to be used with just a bottom sheet and no sheet over top of you. This makes the duvet more comfortable, less likely to get tangled with the sheets, and easier to make your bed. This means it’s important to find a comfortable material for your duvet cover though, as there’s no barrier between the cover and your skin through the night.
- Two Duvets Instead of One
In Europe, it’s quite common for couples to have two twin duvets in their bed instead of one large duvet. This can help couples sleep more soundly, as there’s no pulling and tugging of the duvet and you can pick the thickness and warmth of your own duvet instead of having to compromise. You’ll also contain your perspiration and bacteria to your own duvet cover, which is much more hygienic. Plus, you can each choose a duvet cover suited to your tastes!
- Three Sets
A good rule of thumb is that you should have three sets of bedding for each bed; one set that’s on your bed, one for the laundry, and one for the closet. This makes washing your bedding way easier, since you can change your sheets and duvet cover right away without waiting for the washing to be done. The bedding will last much longer this way, and you’ll always have a spare.
- Laundry Trick
Some people don’t like washing their duvet covers because it can be tricky to put the cover back on the duvet. Luckily, there’s an easy trick to getting your duvet cover back on quickly: grab the bottom ends of the duvet cover (the end without the snaps/buttons), flip the cover inside out, grab the ends of the duvet and stand on your bed. You can then easily shake the duvet into the cover. Ta-da! This one minute trick makes changing your bedding a snap.
- The Color Effect
Maybe you’ve always picked out your duvet cover based on the color scheme of your room, but you can pick one that will help you sleep better. The color blue is proven to slow your heart rate and improve your sleep quality. Green and yellow are also calming colors that help soothe and relax; avoid purple for being too stimulating, and grey and brown for being too depressing. You should pick a comfy duvet cover in a color that will help you relax, and notice your general happiness and energy soar!
- Revamp your Room
Duvet covers are the perfect way to spice up any room. A bed is often the focal point of a bedroom, and so you can easily change the entire look of a room with small changes, like changing the duvet cover. You can revamp your room design easily and cost-efficiently with this small change; just ensure you’re picking a quality fabric for your new favorite duvet cover.