1. Duvet covers are like pillowcases for duvet comforters, which usually cannot be washed. Covers button, zip, snap, or tie at the top, making them easy to remove for laundry day. Your duvet will stay cleaner and last longer with a cover.
2. For maximum effectiveness and beauty, make sure you choose a cover that is the right size for your duvet. If the cover is too small, your duvet will bunch. If the cover is too large, the duvet will shift around. Look at measurements rather than size name when matching dimensions, as suppliers will vary in their definitions. A difference of 1-2 inches between duvet and cover dimensions will ensure a proper fit.
3. It can be tricky to put a cover on your duvet. Start by spreading the bare duvet flat on the bed. Turn the cover inside out; put your hands inside to grasp the bottom two corners of the cover and two corners of the duvet. Lift both the cover and the duvet and shake until the cover falls into place around the duvet. Secure the cover at the top.
4. Rather than buy a new bedspread or quilt, cheaply and easily update your bedroom decor with a new duvet cover, or select a reversible cover. Maintain a selection of covers to change your style with the seasons or your moods. For the conservative decorator, keep two of the same cover on hand to make laundering easier and to extend the life of your bedroom style.
5. Even an interior decorating novice can create a beautiful room by choosing a foolproof linen package. Many duvet covers come with coordinating sheets, pillowcases, shams, and bedskirts to produce a dramatic, unified look.
6. Duvet covers are available in the same materials as any other comforter. While cotton covers are great for everyday use, a silk blend or microfiber cover can add a touch of luxury to your bedroom style.
7. Versatility is perhaps the best reason to use a duvet rather than a traditional comforter. As the seasons change, you can switch from a lightweight to a heavyweight duvet insert while using the same duvet cover. Your bedroom style can stay consistent while you enjoy customized warmth.
8. The duvet is the bed linen of choice in some places throughout the world, and is gaining popularity due to its year-round comfort and convenience. A duvet with a cover can replace the collection of sheets, blankets, and quilts needed to stay warm in a more traditional set-up. Instead, cozy up in a single covered duvet, which can be easily fluffed and smoothed out in the morning for a tidy bed.
9. Experts recommend professionally laundering your down comforter once every 3-5 years. Although some are considered machine-washable, many duvets are too large to fit easily into a machine. Also, it's difficult to completely dry the fill fast enough to prevent mold growth or degradation of the down. Protecting your duvet with a cover will keep it cleaner in between washings and extend the life of your comforter. Simply wash the cover with your sheets to keep your bed clean and fresh.
10. "Duvet" is the French word for "down." Duvets first gained prominence in rural Europe in the 1700s, when they consisted of a cloth sack filled with down and feathers from the Eider duck. Today, duvets are often boxstitched to prevent the down from shifting, and plenty of realistic, hypoallergenic down alternatives are available. Duvet covers add additional protection and comfort, and are made from "down-resistant" fabric to keep feathers from poking you.
