Wednesday, July 18, 2012
In America we find people using the terms "duvet" (pronounced "due-vay") and "comforter" interchangeably. No doubt these two terms are similar. But their meanings are not exactly the same. The word "duvet" comes from the French and it refers to a soft quilt that is filled with down from the eider duck. The word "comforter" has a much broader meaning, but for this topic it refers to a type of bedding where two pieces of material are laid over some type of filling and then the whole thing is stitched together.
We can see one difference immediately. Comforters may be stuffed with different things, including silk, polyester or cotton batting, or with down or feathers. Duvets are always down filled. The preferred filling is always Eider down, but they can be filled with whatever is available. In previous times there was no such thing as central heating, and the people needed to be creative.
There is yet another difference that is culturally controlled. Americans and some other countries will make up a bed with sheets and blankets. Then the comforter or duvet is laid over the top. Some other cultures will just use a duvet as the only bedding on the entire bed. In 1749, Thomas Nugent was touring Westphalia and made this comment: "There is one thing very particular to them, that they do not cover themselves with bed-cloaths, but lay one feather-bed over, and another under. This is comfortable enough in winter, but how they can bear their feather-beds over them in summer, as is generally practised, I cannot conceive." - The Grand Tour 1749, vol II. p. 66.
It is interesting to find that just about everyone, whatever their culture and upbringing, likes feather and down comforters. It appears they have been around for centuries, although their names have changed over time. In the Seventies, the British introduced them as "continental quilts." This is the term the Australians have always used for them. But it turns out that the Australians, especially in the eastern regions of the country, also call them "doona." Doona is a brand name that has been popularized. (This is no different than Americans calling tissues "Kleenex.") In the Scandinavian countries the term "dyne" has been popularized by IKEA. They are known as "ralli quilts" in both India and Pakistan. Regardless of where you find yourself, there will be some version of the down comforter there.
This interesting fact is thrown in to give you a laugh. A few places in England have begun celebrating "duvet day." This is one day in a year when an employee can call in and say they're not coming to work. They don't have to provide a reason. It is thought of as their one and only "Get out of Jail Free" card.
The warmth level of a duvet is measured in "togs." This is a degree of its thermal insulation. The tog level helps us, the consumers, know what we are purchasing. If we are looking for a good duvet for summer use, we want to look for one that rates around 4.5 togs. A good weight for autumn use would rate around 9 togs. A full winter duvet will rate at 14 togs. But we note that not all manufacturers use this system. Some will simply call them "summer-weight," etc...
We also hear people refer to duvet cover sets. This phrase can be substituted with the phrase "comforter cover sets." Picture the duvet cover as a "pillow case" for the comforter. It is constructed of two pieces of material sewn together on three sides. The fourth side is left open to allow any type of comforter to be slipped inside. Usually they snap or button closed.
Duvet covers protect the comforter from spills and other stains. They are easy to remove and wash; much easier to wash than the comforter inside. Because they are easy to put on and remove they are very popular. Duvet cover sets are a good investment because of their ability to protect your priceless comforter. They are also usually cheaper than a comforter so some people will buy a few and swap them out occasionally. This lets them wash one while keeping the comforter protected. Or they change them out to alter the look of the room.
We can see one difference immediately. Comforters may be stuffed with different things, including silk, polyester or cotton batting, or with down or feathers. Duvets are always down filled. The preferred filling is always Eider down, but they can be filled with whatever is available. In previous times there was no such thing as central heating, and the people needed to be creative.
There is yet another difference that is culturally controlled. Americans and some other countries will make up a bed with sheets and blankets. Then the comforter or duvet is laid over the top. Some other cultures will just use a duvet as the only bedding on the entire bed. In 1749, Thomas Nugent was touring Westphalia and made this comment: "There is one thing very particular to them, that they do not cover themselves with bed-cloaths, but lay one feather-bed over, and another under. This is comfortable enough in winter, but how they can bear their feather-beds over them in summer, as is generally practised, I cannot conceive." - The Grand Tour 1749, vol II. p. 66.
It is interesting to find that just about everyone, whatever their culture and upbringing, likes feather and down comforters. It appears they have been around for centuries, although their names have changed over time. In the Seventies, the British introduced them as "continental quilts." This is the term the Australians have always used for them. But it turns out that the Australians, especially in the eastern regions of the country, also call them "doona." Doona is a brand name that has been popularized. (This is no different than Americans calling tissues "Kleenex.") In the Scandinavian countries the term "dyne" has been popularized by IKEA. They are known as "ralli quilts" in both India and Pakistan. Regardless of where you find yourself, there will be some version of the down comforter there.
This interesting fact is thrown in to give you a laugh. A few places in England have begun celebrating "duvet day." This is one day in a year when an employee can call in and say they're not coming to work. They don't have to provide a reason. It is thought of as their one and only "Get out of Jail Free" card.
The warmth level of a duvet is measured in "togs." This is a degree of its thermal insulation. The tog level helps us, the consumers, know what we are purchasing. If we are looking for a good duvet for summer use, we want to look for one that rates around 4.5 togs. A good weight for autumn use would rate around 9 togs. A full winter duvet will rate at 14 togs. But we note that not all manufacturers use this system. Some will simply call them "summer-weight," etc...
We also hear people refer to duvet cover sets. This phrase can be substituted with the phrase "comforter cover sets." Picture the duvet cover as a "pillow case" for the comforter. It is constructed of two pieces of material sewn together on three sides. The fourth side is left open to allow any type of comforter to be slipped inside. Usually they snap or button closed.
Duvet covers protect the comforter from spills and other stains. They are easy to remove and wash; much easier to wash than the comforter inside. Because they are easy to put on and remove they are very popular. Duvet cover sets are a good investment because of their ability to protect your priceless comforter. They are also usually cheaper than a comforter so some people will buy a few and swap them out occasionally. This lets them wash one while keeping the comforter protected. Or they change them out to alter the look of the room.
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Learn more about duvet cover sets. Stop by Norita Sieffert's site where you can find out all about duvet cover sets and what they can do for you.