The Mysteries of Duvets

There are so many duvets to choose from, wool, alpaca, down and silk, what is the best choice for you?

Wool duvets are cozy and warm but sheep have lanolin so this product may cause some allergy issues.  We have found that alpaca is a better choice, it is lanolin free, hypoallergenic and completely chemical free.  Alpaca is also known  for its excellent thermostat due to its follow core within each follicle  which helps regulate body temperature.  In essence, the alpaca duvet is suitable all year round keeping the sleeper at a maximum sleeping comfort throughout the night.

We have chosen to carry the Alpaca duvets from Latierra as they are designed in Canada and stocked in Toronto.  Sizing is Double 80 x 88, Queen 88 x 91 and King 104 x 91.

Have you tried silk?

Silk duvets are another option for duvets, made from pure mulberry silk.   Silk is composed of amino acids, the same amino acids found in our bodies.   Depending on the temperature silk fleece either draws heat away from the body or traps in the warmth.  In the winter, the large fibres reduce thermo-conductivity (heat loss) from the body, but in the summer, the silk fleece sheds surplus heat by wicking away moisture from your body, keeping you cool and comfortable.   Luxeport duvets (one of the brands that we carry) is handmade using the finest long fiber mulberry silk available.  The silk threads are teased out to the size of the duvet and layered in multiple times to create a thick floss.  Each comes with its own zipper located by the label so you can open it up and see the silk fleece first hand.  They are then covered with 100% combed cotton jacquard and then quilted.  While silk duvets cannot be washed or dry-cleaned, they can hang outside periodically to keep them fresh and long lasting. Sizing is Double/Queen 87 x 95 and King 95 x 110.   Silk duvets are non-allergenic and dust mite proof. They are perfect insulators, as well as being safe, organic and natural.

Down for anything

Extraordinary soft, lightweight and warm, high quality down is an incredible insulator that will keep you comfortable throughout the year.  Loft or fill power is the number of cubic inches one ounce of down fill.  In general, a higher loft down will be a better insulator but other factors such as density and cling can be just as important.  The down should be have been cleaned and sanitized properly eliminating odours and ensuring that the down duvet is therefore hypoallergenic.   The best down duvets will be available in several  weights, (summer weight, fall or classic weight, and winter weight) and the best quality down duvets will also be available with dual zones (he’s hot, she’s not, so you can have less down on one side and more down on the other).   Winter weight is recommended for average sleepers in cool to cold bedrooms.   Fall or classic weight is recommended for warm sleepers and for heated bedrooms and summer weight is recommended for very warm sleepers in warm conditions.   Down can always be added to duvets but can never be taken out so it is important to ensure that you purchase the correct weight of down.   Your down duvet should also have the Downmark seal ensuring that it is a quality duvet.  The best design is sealed baffle box construction.   The best suppliers of duvets will also be able to provide custom sizing in your duvets should it be required.   Down duvets are available in a variety of ticking (covers) the most common is cotton sateen or Tencel and should be down proof. You will also find that there is a wide variety of sizing in the down market,  we have chosen to sell the duvets made by St. Geneve in Richmond, British Columbia and the sizing is Queen 90 x 94, King 108 x 94 and there is also Super Queen 100 x 100 and Super King 114 x 100.   It is recommended that the down duvet be professionally cleaned.

Regardless of your choice of duvet, if you purchase a quality duvet it will give you many years of warmth and enjoyment.