As the autumn months get colder and winter draws in, it’s time to prepare your bed to help keep you warm during the night.
To help Brits prepare their bedroom for the winter transformation, Jonathan Warren, bed expert and director of Time4Sleep, has outlined his four tips to ensure a warmer night’s sleep, including how to stay warm AND save money.
Know how to choose your winter duvet
Jonathan explains: “Switching from a thinner duvet for the summer months, to a thicker, winter duvet will help to keep you warm at night and allow for a cosier night’s sleep.
“When choosing a winter duvet, pay attention to the tog rating. Tog ratings start at 1 and increase to 15, with higher numbers thicker and cosier. Most ‘all-rounder’ duvets are rated from 7 – 10 tog, with winter duvets rated 10 – 15.
“Consider how warm you like to be when you sleep as well as the characteristics of your home. An older property will get colder at night, so a thicker duvet would be more suitable, whereas a highly insulated new build will retain more heat, meaning you don’t require a higher tog rating.”
Choose the right duvet material
Jonathan shares: “There are two main kinds of duvet on the market: natural and synthetic. Synthetic duvets are lighter and cooler, and are great for those with allergies. Whereas those filled with natural materials (such as duck or goose down) are often more insulating.
“Duvets made with purely natural materials, like feathers and down, can be warmer than their synthetic counterparts. They are also more breathable, and reduce the moisture that’s trapped inside the duvet as we sleep. On the other hand, synthetic duvets are excellent for shoppers on a budget, and are long-lasting and designed to mimic the fluffiness of down and feather designs (they’re also brilliant for allergy sufferers, too). They aren’t quite as breathable as natural duvets, but require less filling to reach the minimum tog rating, so are often thinner and lighter.”
Should you wash your duvet?
Jonathan comments: “Though we all wash our bedding on a weekly basis, it’s easy to forget that our duvet can benefit from a trip through the washing machine from time to time, especially if it’s coming out of, or going into storage. Take a look at your duvet’s label for any specific washing instructions. Most duvets with synthetic fillings are washing machine and dryer safe, but it’s always best to double check.
“As a general rule of thumb, the best way to wash a duvet cover is on a cool cycle (30 degrees, for example) with a non-bio detergent and a tennis ball in the drum, to ensure that the fibres stay fluffy. It’s important that the duvet is dried fully (either outside on a washing line, or in a tumble dryer) before using it on your bed.
“After washing your duvet it’s important to store it correctly to keep it fresh for next summer. If you’re struggling to find room to store your thinner duvet in the winter, try vacuum-packing it so it takes up less space. Storage solutions, like an ottoman bed, also offer a handy place where you can store your duvet out of sight until next year.”
Save money and stay warm with a heated blanket
Jonathan comments: “Heated blankets and mattress toppers are an effective way of keeping yourself warm at night, and they have the added benefit of being incredibly energy efficient.
“There are many options available, including discreet heated mattress toppers which can be hidden under bed sheets, or a heated blanket under your duvet. These come in a range of stylish options to easily fit in with your desired decor.”
Embrace cosy-core
Jonathan shares: “Throws, blankets and extra cushions not only have a practical impact of keeping us warm by adding additional layers, but they also help us to feel warm and cosy.
“Dress up your bed with soft furnishings made from cosy and comforting materials like faux fur or wool. Choosing a thick, heavy throw to lay over your duvet will have the practical effect of trapping warm air within the bed and insulating you from the cold temperatures outside the sheets.
“In terms of colours, choose natural tones that align with the season to make for a cosier environment. Opt for rusty reds, burnt oranges, natural browns and beiges that mirror the seasonal autumn colouring.”
For more information about Time4Sleep, visit: https://www.time4sleep.co.uk/
