How often should you change your duvet?

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Snuggling under our duvets at night is one of life's pleasures. But what if your duvet no longer feels cosy? Do you know how long your duvet should last and when you should replace your duvet?

Read our guide and find out if it's time to update your duvet:

  1. How often should you buy a new duvet - What the experts recommend
  2. How long do duvets last?
  3. Is your duvet warm enough?
  4. Do duvets lose their warmth?
  5. Does your duvet no longer clean like it should?
  6. Is your duvet falling apart?
  7. Can I recycle my old duvet?
  8. How to make your duvet last longer

  

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HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU BUY A NEW DUVET?

Sleep experts recommend changing your duvet every five years, although this depends on the quality of your duvet and how well you look after it. Apparently, the average person keeps their duvet for too long; on average around 7 and a half years!

 

HOW LONG DOES A DUVET LAST?

The duvet lifespan depends on the duvet filling. A good quality goose down duvet should definitely last the recommended five years. Often much longer than other duvet fillings such as feather duvets or synthetic duvets. Particularly if you look after it well.

Don't over wash your duvet, just once every 6 to 12 months, and always protect it with a duvet cover, preferably a breathable material like 100% cotton or linen.

 

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU REPLACE YOUR DUVET? 

So how do you know when you need to change your duvet? If you answer 'yes' to any of the questions below, then it is probably time to replace your duvet.

 

IS YOUR DUVET WARM ENOUGH?

It might sound obvious, but if you start to feel a bit chilly at night and your sleep is being affected then it’s time to get that higher tog duvet. Most people sleep best when their body remains at a cool to normal temperature, around 18C / 65F with a duvet designed for that season:

Summer duvets: 2.5 - 4.5 tog; Spring duvets & Autumn duvets: 7 - 10.5 tog and Winter: 12 - 13.5 tog.

We offer three All season duvet combinations, a 13.5 tog (9 tog + 4.5 tog), an 11.5 tog (9 tog + 2.5 tog) and a 7 tog (4.5 tog + 2.5 tog). An all season duvet consists of two duvets, a lighter duvet and a warmer duvet that can be easily fixed together when you need extra warmth.

  

DO DUVETS LOSE THEIR WARMTH?

Yes, duvets can lose their warmth if the filling starts to lose its fluffiness and ability to trap air. Why is my duvet so flat? Instead of feeling light and springy, a duvet that has lost its ability to trap air will feel flat and deflated. The lack of air could prevent you maintaining a comfortable body temperature as you sleep. This is one of the main signs that your duvet needs replacing. 

Hungarian goose down, if well cared for, retains its loft (fluffiness) for up to three times longer than most synthetics.

 

DOES YOUR DUVET NO LONGER CLEAN LIKE IT SHOULD?

Duvets should be washed every few months or at least twice a year to get rid of those pesky dust mites. Check the label for any specific washing instructions. If your duvet filling starts becoming a bit lumpy or compressed after washing and careful drying, give it a good shake. If this doesn’t make your duvet fluffy again, then it’s probably time to invest in a new duvet!

 

IS YOUR DUVET FALLING APART?

If the filling is starting to leak out due to the seams splitting or the casing becoming thin, then it's definitely time to buy that new duvet!

 

CAN I RECYCLE MY OLD DUVET?

Duvets are not widely recycled, but do check with your local council. Instead of throwing your old duvets or pillows away, you could try asking your local animal shelter if they would have any use for them. It could make a cosy dog bed!

 

HOW TO MAKE YOUR DUVET LAST LONGER

It's a fact that better quality duvets last longer. Do your research and make sure the duvet you buy has:

  • A 100% cotton cover - cotton is breathable which means you won't sweat as much!
  • A good thread count - choose 246 or higher for a tighter weave which will prevent the filling poking out. scooms duvets are covered in 300 thread count cotton with a special tight weave, accredited by No-mite, so they are both down and dust mite proof.
  • Careful construction - look for box stitch and baffle box construction which keeps the filling evenly distributed and makes the duvet more durable. 

Look after your duvet carefully:

  • Don't over wash your duvet - wash it once every 6 to 12 months and refresh it in between if possible by airing it outdoors.
  • Use good quality bed linen - a duvet cover will protect your duvet from body oils, fluids, hair, etc. Wash it once a week to keep your bed linen and duvet fresh.

See our guide to How to clean and care for your scooms duvet?

 

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Top 'how often should you change your duvet' faqs:

How long can you keep a duvet?

Sleep experts recommend changing your duvet every five years, although this depends on the quality of your duvet and how well you look after it. Apparently, the average person keeps their duvet for too long; on average around 7 and a half years.

How long should a goose down duvet last?

A good quality goose down duvet should definitely last the recommended five years. Particularly if you look after it well. Don't over wash your duvet, just once every 6 to 12 months, and always protect it with a duvet cover, preferably cotton which is breathable.

How often should you change your duvet covers?

Wash duvet covers, sheets and pillowcases once a week to keep your bed linen, duvet and pillows fresh. Your duvet cover will protect your duvet from body oils, fluids, hair, etc.  And your pillowcase will likewise protect your pillow. Pull your duvet back every morning and open your bedroom windows to release moisture and humidity.

Author: Emily AttwoodPublished: 28 November 2017Last modified: 6 February 2024






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Bedding size guide

DUVET SIZE GUIDE

These are standard UK bedding measurements so if you know your mattress size, you can easily work out which duvet size you need. (Width x length.)

UK sizes Duvet size Mattress size
Single 135 x 200cm (53 x 79") 90 x 190cm (36 x 75")
Double 200 x 200cm (79 x 79") 135 x 190cm (53 x 75")
King 225 x 220cm (89 x 87") 150 x 200cm (60 x 78")
Super king 260 x 220cm (102 x 87") 180 x 200cm (72 x 78")

US/CANADA BEDDING SIZES: Approximate matches to UK sizes are US King/UK Super king, US Queen/UK King,  US Full/UK Double and US Twin/UK Single.

EUROPEAN BEDDING SIZES: Each size - Single, Double, King and Grand king - is a little larger than the UK equivalent.

Measure your mattress to see which size bedding you need: our UK v European v US mattress comparison guide.

 

DUVET TOG RATING GUIDE

Young children can overheat so if they are old enough to use a full size bed, we recommend using a single size 4.5 tog duvet.

 Tog rating Season / heat Feel
2.5 tog High summer / hot sleepers Light thermal insulation
4.5 tog Summer Lower thermal insulation
9 tog Spring & Autumn Cosy medium heat
All season 13.5 tog 4.5 tog + 9 tog Very warm
All season 11.5 tog 2.5 tog + 9 tog Warm
All season 7 tog 2.5 tog + 4.5 tog Lower warmth

 

DUVET FILL WEIGHT GUIDE

Our goose down duvets have high 700 fill power. Fill weight is measured in GSM (grams per square metre). For example view our 9 tog king size goose down duvet for more duvet details.

Fill weight (not total duvet weight)
Single All seasons - 788gsm
9 tog - 486gsm 
4.5 tog - 302gsm 
2.5 tog - 220gsm
Double All seasons - 1168gsm
9 tog - 720gsm
4.5 tog - 448gsm
2.5 tog - 320gsm
King All seasons - 1478gsm
9 tog - 911gsm
4.5 tog - 567gsm
2.5 tog - 400gsm
Super king All seasons - 1671gsm
9 tog - 1030gsm
4.5 tog - 641gsm
2.5 tog - 480gsm

 

PILLOW SIZE GUIDE

Our pillows come in two sizes and two firmness options. (Width x length.)

Standard  50 x 75cm
King 50 x 90cm

 

BED LINEN SIZE GUIDE

Our fitted sheets are deep fit, up to 40cm / 15.7" mattress depth. And our duvet covers fasten with large, easy to use buttons. (Width x length.)

Duvet cover Fitted sheet Flat sheet Pillowcase (pair)
Single 140 x 200cm 90 x 190cm 180 x 275cm
Double 200 x 200cm 135 x 190cm 230 x 275cm 50 x 75cm (Standard)
King 230 x 220cm 150 x 200cm 275 x 275cm 50 x 90cm (King)
Super king 260 x 220cm 180 x 200cm 305 x 275cm

 

MATTRESS PROTECTOR SIZE GUIDE

Our mattress protectors are deep fit, up to 40cm mattress depth. Choose the same size protector as your mattress size. (Width x length.)

Mattress protector size Mattress size
Single 90 x 190cm 90 x 190cm
Double 135 x 190cm 135 x 190cm
King 150 x 200cm 150 x 200cm
Super king 180 x 200cm 180 x 200cm 

 

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