The weight, softness and warmth of a duvet depend on its filling and tog rating. Tog ratings are based on a duvet's ability to trap warm air. Natural-filled duvets have better thermal properties than synthetic, and need less filling to achieve the same level of warmth, so their weight can be deceptive. You just need to remember that the higher the tog rating, the warmer the duvet. Lightweight summer duvets tend to be around 4.5 togs; spring or autumn weight duvets are between 9.0 to 10.5 togs, and winter weight duvets are 12.0 to 13.5 togs.
Combination duvets offer great flexibility, as they consist of two separate duvets - a lightweight 4.5 tog for summer, and a warmer 9 tog for autumn and spring can be put together for a really warm 13.5 tog duvet in winter. Duvets with natural fillings - usually duck feather, down, and lighter goose down - are soft, light and comfortable, in the same way that natural fibres help your skin breathe more effectively. They are also highly resilient and tend to last longer than those with synthetic fillings (up to 30 years, as opposed to 10 years for synthetic).
Most synthetic-filled duvets are now lighter than ever, giving the same warmth for less weight. They're a practical choice if you're allergic to feathers and down, or if your duvet is likely to need frequent washing. Natural-filled duvets can be professionally laundered, but synthetic duvets will dry faster. The number of times a duvet is laundered, though, will have an impact on its lifespan, as will repeated lying or sitting on top of it, as this will compress the filling and eventually diminish its ability to trap air.
Selection of pillows from The White Company
If you suffer with neck and shoulder pain, you may find your pillow's the culprit. They come in a range of different shapes and sizes, including pre-shaped ones that support your head and neck. A good one should hold your head in the correct alignment - that is, in the same relation to your shoulders and spine as if you were standing upright with the correct posture - and be tucked well into the neck and shoulder to support your head fully. The thickness and number you need depends on your body shape and your preferred sleeping position. You will need a thicker pillow (or two thinner ones) if you sleep on your side rather than if you sleep on your back. It is a good idea to invest in quality pillows and replace them at least every two or three years. When they have lost their 'loft' (height) and become lumpy, discoloured or misshapen they should be replaced.
There is also an incredibly wide selection available - goose down, duck down, feather, fibre filled, visco-elastic, latex and polyurethane foam, as well as any number of combinations of these.
Down and feather fillings mould snugly round the head and shoulders. The more feather there is in a pillow, the firmer it tends to be, and the proportion of down adds softness. Synthetic fillings provide a good alternative for those allergic to feathers and down; those made from latex foam provide very firm support and maintain their shape. They do not collect house dust and are particularly suitable for asthma sufferers. But remember, always team with a pillow protector to prevent staining and help prolong the life of the pillow.
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