Light, soft, warm … in winter, the quilts They stand out in the bedding set because they weigh less than a couple of blankets and can provide the right temperature to sleep comfortably. As the Spanish Sleep Society recalls (@Society_SES) a comfortable temperature and good ventilation of the bedroom are two basic conditions to enjoy a good night’s sleep
Due to their characteristics, Nordics are the favorite option of many older people for their night rest, but it is convenient to know that there are important differences between some models and others, which you must take into account to be correct when choosing the one that best suits your needs.
The secret is in the filling material
Although in their external appearance all the quilts seem similar, when acquiring yours you should pay special attention to the material they keep inside because its main benefits will depend on it.
The «authentic» Nordics always have a natural filling based on feather or bird down, generally of ducks and geese. In the former, the entire feathers are used, including the small reed that divides them into two symmetrical parts. In the down ones, that cane is tiny or is removed. The result is a down comforter, extraordinarily light and perfect for providing and conserving heat. In the feather ones, the “cloud” effect is also guaranteed, simply, compared to the previous ones, they have a slightly higher weight.
Among the natural fillings, we must also highlight the duvets with silk inside which, like the previous ones, are light and comfortable, and may be an option when there is some type of allergy to feathers or down.
Much more affordable to the pocket are the duvet in synthetic fiber that give excellent results. Microfiber, silicone hollow fiber, polyester … are innovative materials with good properties that require much less care and maintenance than that required by a duvet with down filling.
Which one to choose according to your preferences and the ambient temperature?
Quality sleep is essential for general health of the elderly and to keep the Cardiovascular system, as the Spanish Heart Foundation recalls (@carrecorazon). In this sense, duvets can be of great help, because they are designed to cope with cold and humidity, creating the optimal conditions and temperature for rest, although it must be clear that not always the one that provides the most heat and retains is the most appropriate.
The comfortable temperature, which favors falling asleep, is something very personal. Excessive heat can influence your rest. It is also important to take into account other aspects such as the level of cold that it can get to do in the place where you live, the degree of environmental humidity or your own habits (you sleep with the heating turned on to the minimum, with «winter» pajamas or with lighter clothes, you plan to use your duvet throughout the year or only in the colder months…).
If you plan to buy a duvet, find out about the material with which it is filled and about the grammage of the same. Some tips that can serve as a guide are:
- The feather or down duvets (or those that combine both fillings) they are the lightest and the ones that give more heat. They are also the ones that absorb more moisture, so they offer plenty of guarantees to sleep warm and without environmental humidity reaching the sheets. They are good for places where low temperatures, frost included, predominate on winter nights. They can be perfect for a house in a rural or mountain environment and also for very cold coastal areas, but perhaps, they are excessive if your home maintains a constant temperature, which does not usually drop below 10º – 15º even at night.
- If you want a multipurpose duvet, which provides you with sufficient heat in winter but is not “overwhelming” in the intermediate seasons (spring and autumn), it is preferable to opt for those made of hollow microfiber, due to their lightness and effectiveness against moderate cold.
- In both options, determining the appropriate weight according to your preferences and the temperature that you usually maintain in the bedroom is essential to take advantage of your duvet. To give you an idea, the average weight that a quilt should have (percentage of filling material) is about 200 grams per square meter. If you are one of the most «chilly» or live in a place where the temperature reaches really low levels, choose a slightly higher weight (300 – 400 grams) and if you are looking for an extra light quilt that you can practically use at any time of year with 150 – 175 grams, it will be more than enough.
Some important details
When making your purchase decision, you should also think about the maintenance and durability of this type of product. A down or down comforter cannot be machine washed and requires aeration every day, to prevent its filling (the feathers) from compacting and the duvet losing its good properties. As an advantage, keeping it in good condition can last you more than ten years. Without a doubt, those made of synthetic fiber are less durable but require less care.
In your choice, it is also very important to take into account possible allergies to any of the possible filling materials.
Finally, check that the outer layer of your quilt is made in natural fiber, preferably in cotton, so that, thus, the feeling of comfort is total.
