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Bedding Guides

Duvet vs Comforter: What’s the Difference?

In This Guide

A comforter is a single piece of blanket meant to be used as it is whereas a duvet comes in two pieces- a cover and an insert.

Duvet vs Comforter: Knowing the difference between these two bedding essentials can make your task easier while shopping for new bedding. This blog will take you through everything you need to know about them. So, you will be able to make an informed decision about whether to buy a duvet or a comforter.

What is a Duvet?

A duvet is a soft blanket filled with down or feathers. It is not stitched and has a less finished look. But why? That’s because you use a duvet with a cover.

What is a duvet insert? Don’t get confused. A duvet insert is the soft blanket that you put inside the cover. You cannot use it by itself without the cover.

Now, what is a duvet cover? It is the outer case that covers your duvet insert. It protects your duvet and also gives it a better appearance. You will get duvet covers in multiple colors and designs.

Pros and Cons of a Duvet

Pros

  • Super easy to clean
  • More versatile since the cover comes in different styles
  • Lightweight and comfortable
  • Convenient to make the bed with since you can do without a top sheet
  • Can brighten up the appearance of your room

Cons

  • The filling is prone to clumping
  • Can be difficult to assemble if the insert doesn’t fit well in the cover
  • Provides less coverage than a comforter

What is a Comforter?

A comforter is a quilted blanket filled with synthetic fiber like polyester. You can use it as the top covering of your bed. There is no need to buy any separate cover. A comforter is ready to use as you buy it.

Comforters generally come in matching sets. Each set contains a bed sheet and a pillowcase for the same bed size. So, you do not have to run around to buy each piece of bedding separately. What could be more convenient?

Read our blog to know more about a comforter.

Pros and Cons of a Comforter

Pros

  • Cost-effective as you don’t need a cover
  • Ready to use as you buy it
  • Comes with matching bed sheets
  • The filling is evenly distributed and will not clump
  • Lends a layered look to your bed

Cons

  • Not easy to clean since they are quite heavy
  • They can flatten over time
  • It can get too warm and uncomfortable if you sleep hot

Duvet vs Comforter: Major Differences Between Them

Though people tend to use the terms interchangeably, there is a difference between duvet and comforter. They are similar in many respects but not the same.

A comforter is a single piece of bedding. But a duvet comes in two pieces- a cover and an insert. Therefore, a comforter is much easier to use and assemble unlike the duvet which requires a lot of effort to insert the duvet into its cover.

A comforter is quilted or stitched. That means the filling is evenly distributed. So, the chances of clumping are low. However, a duvet is not stitched. Here the duvet insert works as the filling inside the cover. So, your duvet might get clumped easily.

Duvet vs Comforter Sizes Comparison

There are several duvet and comforter sizes. How will you know which size will fit your bed perfectly? This table will guide you while you go purchasing your bedding.

Size Duvet Comforter
Twin-size 66*86 inches 63*87 inches
Full-sized 80*86 inches 63*92 inches
Queen-sized 90*90 inches 78*87 inches
King-sized 104*90 inches 84*92 inches

So much about comforter and duvet sizes. But are you confused about mattress sizes? Check out our mattress dimensions guide.

Things to Consider While Choosing Between Duvet or Comforter

What would be the best for you- a duvet or comforter? It depends on your preferences and some other factors. Here are a few bedsheets things to consider while choosing between the two.

Price

A duvet comes in two pieces. You have to buy the insert and the cover separately. So, they can be more expensive. However, comforters are single pieces. Thus, they might cost you less.

Duvet and comforter made of down or feather would be more expensive compared to the ones filled with synthetic material. So, make sure you consider your budget before shopping for bedding.

Style and Design

If you would like to give a layered look to your bed, comforters are the best option. You can keep them over your top sheet. They will hang on the sides. Moreover, comforters come with matching bedsheets to make your bedroom bright and colorful.

Duvets offer a simple and cozy look to your bed. Duvet sizes are made to fit your mattress perfectly. So, they don’t hang out on the sides.

Duvets have a cleaner look. Most of the duvet covers are white. However, you can change them often. Moreover, duvets tend to be fluffier. So, if you want that simple and dreamy bedroom, you can go for duvets.

Maintenance

If you are a lazy person, cleaning a comforter will give you a lot of trouble. It’s a single bulky piece. And, you can’t always put it in the machine. Dry cleaning is the best option for your comforter.

How does a duvet work? Well, you can easily strip off the cover and put it in the washer. It’s as simple as that. Moreover, you can change the duvet cover if it gets stained or too dirty to use.

Which Is Best in a Duvet and Comforter?

Whether you choose a duvet or comforter will depend on your preferences and comfort. Duvet vs Comforter rifles come in your way.

There are different types of comforters in the market. However, duvets are more versatile since you can change the cover easily.

You can choose a duvet if

  • You want to give a fluffy look to your bed.
  • You want something easy to maintain.
  • You want to change the appearance of your bed frequently.
  • You have a higher budget.

You can choose a comforter if

  • You don’t want to go around buying separate pieces of bedding.
  • You want something ready to use.
  • You want to give your bed a layered look

Check out our blog to know the different types of blankets that can keep you warm on a chilly winter night.

Final Words

Whatever bedding you choose, you should know how to use a duvet and comforter. This blog has guided you about the difference between the two so that you have no doubts left.

So, why are you waiting? Buy the white Nectar Sleep duvet to get a cozy bed and a good night’s sleep.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to use a duvet cover?

Put your duvet inside the cover. The cover helps to protect your duvet from dirt and dust. It’s machine washable and thus easy to maintain.

Can you put a comforter in a duvet cover? 

Yes. You can put your comforter in a duvet cover to protect it if the sizes match. 

 

 

  1. Is a duvet cover the same as a comforter? 

No. A comforter is a quilted blanket and can keep you warm. However, a duvet cover is a soft and thin outer covering for your duvet.

 

  1. What is the best material for comforter?

The best material for comforter depends on your personal preferences. If you are prone to allergies, you can go for cotton filling. However, wool and polyester will keep you warmer as they tend to trap heat.

  1. What type of comforter is best for hot sleepers?

How to choose a comforter if you are a hot sleeper? You can go for one with a cotton filling. Cotton is super breathable and will prevent your body temperature from rising.

Can you use a duvet cover without an insert? 

If you ask how to use a duvet, the best way is to put the insert in the cover. You can use the cover without the insert. But that won’t keep you warm.

Is a duvet cover the same as a comforter? 

No. A comforter is a quilted blanket and can keep you warm. However, a duvet cover is a soft and thin outer covering for your duvet.

What is the best material for comforter?

The best material for comforter depends on your personal preferences. If you are prone to allergies, you can go for cotton filling. However, wool and polyester will keep you warmer as they tend to trap heat.

What type of comforter is best for hot sleepers?

How to choose a comforter if you are a hot sleeper? You can go for one with a cotton filling. Cotton is super breathable and will prevent your body temperature from rising.

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Bedding Guides

How Often Should You Wash Your Bed Sheets?

Sleeping on your bed every day and leaving the sheets unwashed for days to build a lot of dirt and dust mites that can cause skin irritation, breakouts, and rashes. This blog explains how often you should wash your sheets and why regular cleaning or washing is so important. It also covers how to wash sheets before use and how often to wash other bedding to enjoy good health and sleep quality.

How Often Should You Wash Your Bed Sheets?

How often should you wash your bed sheets depends on your usage and how quickly your bed sheets get dirty! Most experts recommend washing your sheets once a week If you sleep on your mattress every day. Otherwise, you can wash them once every two weeks or so. 

It is safe to wash your sheets every three to four days if you – 

  • Eat-in bed
  • Sweat a lot
  • Have a contagious illness 
  • Sleep with a person who sweats a lot or has a contagious illness
  • Share your bed with a pet 
  • Have sensitive skin or dust or pollen allergies or experience asthma
  • Wear the same t-shirt or pants for sixty hours a week
  • Don’t shower or at least wash your face before bed

People in the summer season often sweat a lot so it is a healthy practice to wash your bed sheets more than once a week. Similarly, people with seasonal allergies in summer or spring may help relieve symptoms by washing their sheets more often. 

Importance of Washing Sheets Regularly

Washing your sheets every week may appear to be a daunting process for you, but it is worth it. Unwashed sheets accumulate lots of:

  • Dead skin cells
  • Body oils
  • Sweat
  • Dirt
  • Dust mites, including their carcasses and fecal matter

Do you know human beings shed between 30,000 and 40,000 dead skin cells every day? We spend about one-third of our life sleeping or lying on a bed? It means a lot of dead skin cells hang out on your bed and welcome dust mites, which are microscopic creatures that feed on dead cells.  

Dust mites don’t bite, but they cause skin rashes, irritation, and severe allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose. Dust mites can survive solely on dead skin cells and multiply and grow in numbers rapidly. Unwashed mattresses and bedding may contain hundreds of thousands of dust mites and washing sheets regularly can prevent unwanted skin problems and help you enjoy good rest at night.

While sleeping our body leaks sweat, oils from the skin, body fluids, and sex stains. Those who sleep naked also add a tiny bit of dried fecal matter to the existing dirt. So, leaving sheets and bedding unwashed for a prolonged period of time exposes you to a host of germs and increases your risk of illness. The risk is higher if you share your bed with someone or a pet as they too would add to the above mix. 

Germs are invisible and if you neglect them, they will slowly chip away your skin’s ecosystem that can inflame skin issues like acne and eczema. As these skin issues exacerbate, it loses the ability to protect you from bacteria,  irritants, and allergens. Those with compromised immune systems sleeping on dirty sheets are vulnerable to flu and eye infections like pink eye. 

If you can’t wash your sheets regularly then buy more sheet sets and change them every week so you can wash a bunch of sheets at a time

How To Wash Bed Sheets?

  1. Read the care instructions and laundry symbols carefully before washing sheets. Certain types of fabric like silk, bamboo, linen require special care.
  2. If no specific care instructions are provided, opt for the normal cycle on your washing machine and use a gentle detergent. 
  3. Wash with warm water for polyester and some other materials and hot water for cotton sheets 
  4. Hot water is recommended for killing dust mites or washing sheets of a sick person 
  5. Follow your machine’s manufacturer instructions carefully.
  6. Rinse your bedsheets a second time to remove any residual detergent.
  7. Wash your sheets that contain stains separately as stains may require pre-treatment.
  8. Wash your sheets separately from towels, clothes, or additional wear to ensure the best clean and prevent any damage.
  9. As soon as the wash cycle is over, remove the sheets and hang dry or tumble dry on low.
  10. Remove sheets from the dryer and place them on your bed or fold it and run a warm iron over them before storing them so that they remain fresh and crisp.

How Often to Wash Other Bedding?

Experts recommend washing your pillowcases once or twice a week (if you have skin issues like acne or you go to bed without removing your makeup). You can wash or replace your pillows every 3-5 months to keep them clean and fluffy. 

It is okay to wash comforters, duvet covers, and throw blankets once a month or two because they have less direct contact with your skin.

Bedding Time
Comforters Once every 2 – 3 months
Duvet covers Once every 2 weeks to a month
Pillows (if washable) Once every 4 – 6 months
Pillowcases Once a week
Blankets Once every 2-3 months

Cleaning your sheets and other bedding will increase their lifespan as well as keep you away from germs and illnesses. This practice will improve your sleep quality and health. To make sure you always get the best sleep possible, replace your mattress every 6-8 years or so.

Bottom Line

How often you should wash your sheets depends on your usage and the number of sleepers. More dirt and germs due to body fluids or skin oils or sweat mean more risk of skin problems. Experts recommend washing your sheets once a week to enjoy good health and sleep quality. Other than sheets it is also important to wash pillowcases, blankets, duvet covers, and mattresses on a regular basis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should you wash new bed sheets?

Yes. Chemicals and dyes on sheets can irritate skin, eyes, and airways—especially if you have sensitive skin or are prone to allergies. New sheets too accumulate dirt, skin oils, and body fluids if unwashed for a long time. Washing will keep you germ-free and lower the risk of skin problems like acne.

How often should you buy new sheets?

It depends on your choice of material. While high-end cotton sheets last for 4-5 years, polyester sheets last for 2-3 years. If you observe your sheets are stretching, thinning, tearing, or pilling or have stains that can’t be removed, it’s time for you to buy new sheets.