Duvet materials compared: down, synthetic and wool
- , through Inge | Bath&Living
- 5 min read
You duvet It is due for replacement after years of use, so you are delving back into the world of duvet filling. What are the different types of duvet filling materials available? Which materials are good for duvet filling and which are best avoided? We take you into the world of down, feathers, wool, and more…
Down duvets: pros and cons
Down Down is an incredibly popular type of filling for duvets. This is not surprising, as down insulates very well while being lightweight. A down-filled duvet feels wonderfully fluffy and has excellent drapeability. This means that a down duvet drapes smoothly around your body, leaving few to no gaps. This contributes to the delightful warmth and makes a down duvet filling ideal for the colder months. However, the breathable and moisture-regulating qualities of down are also great for spring and summer. In that case, choose a variant with a lower fill weight.
We are very enthusiastic about down, but we will also be honest about the potential downsides. For instance, it is expensive to purchase. In most cases, the price is lower with a lower down percentage (less down, more filling with regular feathers). However, this also reduces the insulation value and increases the weight. On the other hand, a high-quality down duvet will last a very long time with proper use and maintenance. Speaking of maintenance: you usually cannot wash a down duvet (though you can often have it dry cleaned), you must shake it daily (do not beat it), and air it regularly. Furthermore, down is an animal product and therefore not vegan. Please note that all down duvets at Bath&Living is from the brand Vandyck and is therefore Downpass certified. This provides assurance that the down is ethically sourced and the production chain is strictly controlled.
Synthetic duvets: pros and cons
Does it not matter to you whether your bedding is made exclusively of natural materials? Then the benefits of a duvet with a synthetic filling will probably appeal to you. Examples of synthetic duvet fillings are microfiber and polyester hollow fiber.
The biggest advantage is that you can a synthetic duvet to wash at 60 degrees Celsius, which is ideal for combating dust mites. So if you are looking for an anti-allergy duvet, a synthetic filling is the safest choice. Do check in advance what size duvet you need and whether it fits in the drum of your washing machine.
You don't need to worry about an unevenly distributed filling, as synthetic fibers stay in place well. However, keep in mind a less luxurious feel than with a down duvet filling. Although Vandyck does their best to mimic this with the voluminous Fibersoft duvet.
You might expect synthetic materials to feel sweaty quickly. Fortunately, that is not really the case with today's synthetic duvets, as they are much more advanced than in the past. Although natural materials will always ventilate better, a synthetic filling retains heat for a shorter time, which can actually be an advantage if you tend to get too hot easily. Especially a synthetic duvet like the Thermo duvet on the Bath&Living webshop was specifically developed to be climate-regulating.
Another major advantage of a duvet with synthetic filling is that the purchase price is lower. is better than that of down. On the other hand, a synthetic duvet will deteriorate in quality sooner and will not last as long, especially if you wash it often.
Wool duvet: pros and cons
Would you prefer a natural material? Then there is also the wool duvet. A duvet with a wool filling stands head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to temperature regulation. Wool keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer, thanks to its excellent ventilation and moisture absorption.
You cannot put a wool duvet in the washing machine at home, but a major advantage of wool is that it has self-cleaning qualities. Of course, it is advisable to air your wool duvet regularly.
The weight of a wool duvet can be both an advantage and a disadvantage for you, as it is quite heavy compared to other duvets. Do you love that snug feeling? Then a duvet with wool filling is ideal for you! However, it lies somewhat stiffer over you, meaning it does not fit your body perfectly while you sleep.
In terms of price, a wool duvet is on the higher side, but wool retains its shape well and can therefore last a very long time, meaning you do not need to buy a new duvet as frequently.
Which duvet material?
In addition to synthetic fillings and natural fillings such as down and wool, there are also other types of duvet filling such as cotton, bamboo, Tencel, and silk. However, these three are the most popular. We will list the qualities of the three fillings once again so that you best duvet you can choose for you:
Down - Excellent insulation, luxurious and lightweight feel, durable.
Synthetic - Anti-allergic, machine washable, affordable.
Wool - Excellent temperature regulation, sense of security, durable.
