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| What is a DUVET and why do we use them? A duvet (pronounced /du?ve?/, from the French duvet /dyv?/ "down") or continental quilt is a type of bedding— a soft flat bag traditionally filled with down or feathers, or a combination of both and used on a bed as a blanket. Duvets originally came out of rural Europe and were made from the down feathers of the Eider duck, which is well known for its usefulness as an insulator. In Spain and Latin America a duvet is known as edredón. In Germany it is called a Federdecke, or feather cover. In Westphalia, an English travel-writer observed with surprise in 1749, "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." Thomas Nugent, The Grand Tour 1749, vol II. Duvets are still commonly used in Europe (especially in northern Europe and Scandinavia where it is the most common form of bed covering), and have become popular throughout the world in the late twentieth century. Duvets reduce the complexity of making a bed, as it is a single covering instead of the combination of sheets, blankets, and quilts or other bed covers, which is traditional in many parts of the world. The cover is called a "duvet cover" or a "quilt cover". Nowadays, a duvet is sometimes filled with silk, wool, or artificial fibers (such as polyester batting or other artificial material). It is sometimes confused with a comforter, although comforters go on top of the traditional sheets and blankets and are primarily decorative while duvets are used alone. In Australia it is called a "Doona", from a trademarked brand name derived from the Old Norse dunn meaning "down feathers". Though still registered to the Tontine company, the name "Doona" has become a generic term for a duvet or down quilt. Originally the term continental quilt was the standard name used across Australia; some regions of Australia still use this term today. In Danish and Norwegian it is called a dyne, and in Icelandic dýna which is pronounced similarly to the Australian name. In the US, confusion often occurs as the word "duvet" may refer to a comforter cover rather than the down blanket itself. This is how the term is used by several large retailers, "For those of you enjoying a down comforter, or even just looking for a change for your bedroom, a duvet could be the perfect answer. Since you will be placing your comforter inside the duvet, it is important that the appropriate size be selected."—Bed, Bath and Beyond, Sizing Up Your Bedroom The term "Duvet Day" is used in some countries to describe an allowance of one or more days a year when employees can simply phone in and say that they are not coming in to work, even though they have no leave booked and are not ill. The provision of this benefit became fashionable in the late 1990s with many larger companies in the UK. |
| What is a Quilt? A quilt is a type of bedding— a bed covering composed of a quilt top, a layer of batting, and a layer of fabric for backing, generally combined using the technique of quilting. Another technique for securing the quilt layers is tying. Tying refers to the technique of using thread, yarn or ribbon to pass through all three layers of the quilt at reqular intervals. These "ties" hold the layers together during use and especially when the quilt is washed. This method is easier and more forgiving if the quilt is made by hand. Tied quilts are called, depending on the regional area, "lap", "comfort" or "comforter", among other names. Many quilts are made with decorative designs; indeed, some quilts are not used as bed covering at all, but are rather made to be hung on a wall or otherwise displayed. In British English, quilt is another way of saying duvet, wadding is another way of saying batting, and calico refers to muslin rather than to a fabric with a printed pattern on it. |
| Why use a pillow? A pillow is a small (and usually soft) support for the head, usually used while sleeping in a bed, or for the body as used on a couch or chair. There are also throw pillows (also called toss pillows), which are pillows that are purely decorative and not designed for support or comfort. There also exist "novelty pillows", (which can be throw or body pillows), which are designed often as licensed products. Such pillows include the popular "Fish Pillow" - a large body pillow that is made to look like a trout. Ralli quilt pillows are famous pillows which are used in Pakistan and India. They are colorful embroidered and quilted by the women artisans Pillows were originally used mainly by the wealthy, and have been found in Ancient Egyptian tombs. The difficulty of sophisticated dyes and sewing techniques lead to the development of pillows as an art form, with highly decorated pillows becoming prized commodities first in China and later in Medieval Europe. The Industrial Revolution saw the mass production of decorated textiles and decorated pillows. Traditional Chinese pillows are often hard boxes made from stone, wood, metal, or porcelain instead of stuffed fabric. Neck pillows support the neck by providing a deep area for the head to rest and a supportive area to keep the neck in alignment with the spine while sleeping. These can also be known as cervical pillows. Travel pillows provide support for the neck and head in a sitting position. Their "U" shape fits around the back of the neck and keeps the head from slipping into an uncomfortable and possibly harmful position during sleep. However, U-shaped pillows often force the head forwards creating neck stiffness. Donut pillows are firm pillows shaped like a torus, with a space in the middle to alleviate pressure on the tailbone area while sitting. These pillows are used primarily by individuals who have suffered an injury to the tailbone area or who suffer pain from hemorrhoids or another ailment of the colon. Lumbar pillows are designed to support the inward curve of the lower back, filling the space created between the lower back and the back of the chair when in a sitting position. These pillows are generally used to support the lower back while driving or sitting, such as in an office chair. |
| What are the benefits of Mattress Toppers and Enhancers? mattress toppers are designed to lie atop an existing mattress. They are made primarily from foam. Their function is to provide a layer of comfort and warmth between the user and the mattress. They are of particular benefit when the existing mattress is worn or uncomfortable. Toppers quite often have a contoured profile to facilitate airflow. Visco-elastic foam toppers are regularly used in medical institutions because of their pressure relieving properties. The foam used in the construction of these memory foam toppers reacts to both pressure and temperature. This combined with its greater density are properties that give them their characteristic "weightlessness" sensation |
| Why do we use Mattress Protectors? A mattress protector is an item of removable bedding that sits on top of or encases a mattress to provide protection to the mattress. Some mattress protectors also provide protection to the individual sleeping on the mattress from allergens and irritants such as dust mites, bed bugs, mold, and dead skin (like dandruff). Although a mattress can be vacuumed, it is very difficult to clean one thoroughly once it has become marked. An unprotected mattress can become marked or stained quite quickly as natural perspiration produced throughout the night passes through a standard fitted sheet and creates a telltale yellowish brown tidemark where it has been absorbed into the upper surface of the mattress. Mattresses are also susceptible to many other contaminants. A mattress protector should be used if the individual is known to be susceptible to allergies. A typical mattress can be home to millions of tiny dust mites. These creatures produce waste products that can irritate the lining of the airways and lungs and particularly with children can bring on allergic reactions, asthma and can irritate skin conditions such as eczema. Not all mattress protectors are waterproof, some are designed to provide 'wear and tear' protection for the mattress and are available in the form of a lightly quilted fitted sheet. These will only provide minimal protection against liquids and little or no protection from dust mites. Waterproof and breathable mattress protects can provide protection against many allergens, however, as well as keeping the mattress clean by securing it from absorbing body excretions (such as sweat) or other liquids resulting from spills. For protection against bed bugs, the mattress and box spring must be fully enclosed with no possibly openings. |
