Comfort Is Key, So Is a Comforter
Even a little knowledge about bedding or linen introduces us to the terms ‘comforter’ and ‘duvet’—both of these form essential constituents of bed linen. Sometimes comforter and duvet are used as alternative terms for each other, depending on language or type of bedding. However, there are two different types of linen used in bed making.
A duvet is essentially a soft bag filled with feather, wool, silk, or some synthetic filler alternative. Duvets are usually covered by a duvet cover, much like a pillowcase. It is used as a covering on a bed, sometimes without a top sheet. It can also be used as a quilt.
A comforter, on the other hand, is a similar bag made of two pieces of fabric sewn together and filled with wool, down, cotton, or synthetic alternatives but often is lighter and can be used as a top sheet and also as a quilt. A comforter does not have a cover and can be laundered.
A major difference between a comforter and duvet is that a comforter is far less thick and usually only has a lean amount of filling. Therefore duvets are warmer. Hence a duvet is often used over a comforter, especially in colder countries. A comforter is also quilted or stitched bedding, while duvet is like an insert within the duvet cover. Comforters are also more likely to be filled with synthetic or cotton blends rather than natural materials.
Comforters are usually also wider than a duvet and provide more overhang on the bed. Comforter fabric is also more hypoallergenic than materials used for a duvet. Comforters are also more universal because of their medium provision of heat. Duvets are warmer and less likely to be used as part of bedding in warmer countries.
Comforters also have different sizes like beds and bedsheets. Some of them are –
· Crib comforter
· Twin comforter
· Queen comforter
· King comforter
· California comforter
Single comforters are usually not a separate type as a twin comforter works on a single bed too.
When buying bedding, people are more likely to buy comforters than duvets due to its multi-use facilities. More often than not, however, due to the visible differences being almost nonexistent, people buy either or both without much specifications of their purpose.
Some things to keep in mind when shopping from a bedding store or to buy comforters online are -
· Size of the bed: Comforters are usually bought to be larger than the bed.
· Amount of warmth required: Comforters are not suitable when the requirement of warmth is high. A duvet would better serve the purpose. A down comforter provides the most warmth
· Thread count: A good comforter would also require having a thread count of around 400 or more.
· Overall stitches: Buy comforters that have stitches running across the length and width of the surface. These stitches are made to evenly distribute the fillers throughout the comforter
Choices galore with the different types of bedding and covering that have been introduced and made in the market. However, the quality of all bed linen needs to be carefully considered while buying. A bed needs to be comfortable, safe, and in today’s world, ethically sourced and eco friendly.