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Comforters and Duvets
Placed as the top layer of bedding, comforters offer warmth with style for any bedroom decor scheme. Many people have a wardrobe of comforter covers that allow them to change the look of the bed as often as they choose.
Comforter and duvet are both common terms for lush bed coverings filled with down, feathers, cotton, wool, silk, or hypoallergenic synthetics.
Washable comforters, often sold in complete bed sets that include sheets and bed skirts, do not have removable covers.
Duvets are made to be encased in a removable duvet cover - a giant pillowcase - to protect the duvet and keep it clean.
Purchasing a Comforter: Unless you are allergic to down, consider a quality down-filled comforter. With proper care, a down comforter will last 8 to 10 years. Goose down is best because the large clusters have better (fluffing) than duck down.
Cleaning Tips: Down comforters used daily should be dry-cleaned at least annually. Duvet covers should be laundered weekly if used in place of a top sheet; or, several times a year at the very least.
Synthetic comforters generally can be machine washed following manufacturer's directions. If you own another type of natural-filled comforter, such as wool or cotton, check the label or launder at a professional laundry that has larger-capacity machines and experience in cleaning bedding.
Buying a duvet: Even though duvets are encased in duvet covers, the actual duvet includes a fabric shell, also known as ticking. It should be lightweight and made of down-proof fabric.
Stitching on duvets is important since down needs room to loft, or puff up. Most comforters are stitched with baffles, channels, or other stitching lines to keep the down evenly distributed throughout the comforter. Without it the down can shift and bunch up, making it less effective for warmth. All comforters, regardless of stitching patterns, should be shaken each morning to fluff and even out the filling.
Bedspreads and Quilts
Bedspreads: Classic bedspreads cover the entire bed, including the mattress, box springs, and pillows. The top of the bedspread may be folded back to expose the pillows, or laid over the sleeping pillows. Decorating pillow shams are typically not used with a bedspread, but decorative pillows may be added.
Quilts: Although sometimes used as coverlets, quilts can also be used as blankets or as extra bedding folded at the foot of the bed. Durable machine-made quilts, appropriate for everyday use, are widely available.
Older quilts should not be exposed to direct sunlight and should be refolded frequently, using new folds, to avoid permanently creasing the fabric. Very fragile or antique quilts are better left off beds that are used daily.
Handmade and heirloom quilts deserve careful treatment. Quilts can also be professionally dry-cleaned by a laundry that specializes in fine linens.
Blanket Types
Blankets are sized to drop over the sides and bottom end of the mattress, extending slightly beyond the mattress depth. With mattresses getting deeper, you'll need to check a blanket's measurements to make sure it is large enough to tuck in around your particular mattress.
Here are several blanket types and their characteristics:
• Cotton (honeycomb, herringbone, or waffle weave) is a good choice for a light blanket that's placed between the top sheet and the comforter.
• Quilted cotton fabrics are often used in bed coverlets that combine the dressiness of a bedspread with the practicality of a top blanket. This cotton fabric bedding usually can be laundered in cool water; some shrinkage is possible.
• Cotton fleece provides medium warmth and is machine-washable.
• Wool is quite warm and is either dry-cleanable or cold-water washable. The fabric is extremely durable as well.
• Wool-silk blends provide warmth without weight. These silky soft blankets are usually dry-cleaned.
• Acrylics, as warm or warmer than wool, are machine-washable.
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