What is a Duvet Cover? Duvet vs. Comforter
Duvet. Duvet cover. Insert. Comforter. We've all heard these bedding terms, but what do they mean? With so many different bedding items to consider, it can be easy to get confused by the various options you have to choose from. So, what exactly are duvet covers, and why should you consider using one? In this article, we'll demystify these terms and highlight some pros of having a duvet to help you find the bedding duvet covers that best fit your needs and preferences.
What Is a Duvet?
Duvet is a French word for a quilt filled with down or feathers. They originated in Europe and were initially stuffed with a loose filling made from geese or ducks' warm inner layer of feathers. This stuffing provided natural, breathable insulation, creating a kind of comfort that you'll be hard-pressed to find in other comforter and bedding types.
Today, duvets are made from down feathers and synthetic materials. They have two separate components: the insert and the cover.
What is a Duvet Cover?
It is a soft outer layer designed to protect and elongate the life of the insert, proving to be the key to optimal comfort when using a duvet. The two items are often sold separately when purchasing inserts and duvet covers, so you'll want to keep this in mind as you consider your purchases. Sometimes, you may find them sold together. Some companies even sell duvet sets, typically including a duvet cover and matching pillow shams, making finding bedding items that go together easier.
Does a Duvet Need a Cover?
Technically, a duvet does not need a cover to function, but most people prefer one. Much as a pillowcase protects a pillow, a duvet cover is more straightforward to wash and preserves the life of the insert. Duvet covers come in various styles and fabrics that look nicer and feel softer on our skin than inserts, which may be non-washable and unattractive. Covers provide a certain level of simplicity in expressing your style while protecting the insert.
Duvet vs. Comforter: What's the Difference?
People often want to compare the difference between a duvet and a comforter. If duvets are fluffy quilts made to be used with a protective cover, comforters are closer to blankets in appearance and thickness. Comforters, like duvets, are meant to be used as bed toppers and are filled with down and synthetic fibers. However, comforters are different because their layers are stitched together, which makes them thinner. They are often sold with matching bedding or even as a "bed in a bag" set. Conversely, many comforters are sold individually as stand-alone items, and most are machine washable. Some consumers argue that comforters can be harder to clean, so they use a duvet cover with a comforter to be more hygienic.
Benefits of a Duvet Cover
The many benefits of using an organic cover include:
- Versatility. Duvet covers come in a range of colors, materials, and styles. They're also easy to put on and take off, making it very simple to find precisely what you're looking for and change your bedding style to accommodate changing seasons, weather, and personal preferences.
- Warmth. Duvets are often warmer than comforters, with more layers of insulation packed into the insert than a traditional comforter. If you use a comforter in a colder climate, you'll likely need to put a top sheet or additional blankets on your bed to stay warm.
- Care: While many comforters are machine-washable, some are not. Comforters are often quite bulky, making it challenging to wash and dry evenly and usually requiring extra time to complete the task. These covers can be cleaned easily at home.
- Comfort. Most duvet covers are made from cotton and are soft and pleasant. At Ela Lane, our luxury organic duvet covers are made from high-quality, 100% long-staple organic cotton either with a percale weave that has a crisp, polished finish or a sumptuous sateen weave, sheen feel with a decorative hemstitch finish. Our organic linen duvet covers are breathable and soft, checking all the boxes in comfort and luxury.
How to Put on a Duvet Cover
Some people struggle to know how to use a comforter and the best way to put a cover on their insert—it can be a challenging skill to master! We've found that the California Roll method is a simple and sure-fire method for quickly putting your duvet cover on.
- Turn the cover inside out and lay it on your bed.
- Place the insert on top of the cover and line up the corners as neatly as possible.
- Beginning from the closed end, tightly roll the insert and cover together like a burrito.
- Invert the duvet cover from the open end, flipping it right-side-out over the insert.
- Secure the open end of the duvet cover with its zipper, buttons, or ties.
- Unroll the bundle.
- Shake out the cover and insert.
While this process is often easier with two people, if you face the task alone, rest assured that it can be done solo.
So, considering which bedding type would work best for you, consider the benefits and advantages of investing in a duvet cover set. Between the versatility, ease of use, and various styles, a duvet is a beautiful way to get the most out of your bedding for years to come. Ela Lane offers a selection of beautifully crafted high-quality duvet covers made 100 percent of natural organic cotton.