A duvet is a soft, quilted bedding insert that is placed inside a duvet cover and used as a top layer of bedding to keep sleepers warm and comfortable. When searching for new bedding it can be confusing with all the different fibres, sizes and product names on the market. Without a doubt if you’ve been shopping for a new quilt, you’ve come across multiple terminology – duvet, doona, quilt and comforter just to name a few. While these products serve a similar purpose, their names, origins and traditional fillings can vary depending on where you are in the world.
In this guide, we’ll explain what a duvet is and explore the differences between duvets, doonas, quilts and comforters. While comparing the common filling types and how they can affect comfort and sleep quality. Lastly, we’ll cover Australian quilt sizes, care tips and how to select the best bedding for your sleeping needs.
What is a Duvet?
A duvet was founded in Europe and comes from the French word ‘down’ as it’s typically filled with down or feathers. It’s designed to be used with a duvet cover and is a soft flat style bag to keep you warm during sleep.
What’s the difference between a Duvet, Doona, Quilt and Comforter?
Today, the terms duvet, doona, quilt and comforter are often used interchangeably. While they all refer to bedding designed to provide warmth during sleep, each term has a different origin and slightly different traditional features. Understanding these distinctions can help you better navigate bedding terminology and choose the product that best suits your needs.
Duvet
The word ‘duvet’ originated from the French word ‘down’ and is widely used across Europe. Referring to a quilted insert placed within a fabric cover.
Doona
Doona is commonly used across Australia, referring to mainly down or feather filled quilted insert that is placed inside a doona cover to create a top layer to your bedding. It is a registered brand name for bedding company the Tontine Group.
Quilt
Quilt is one of the most used terms in Australia and is preferred term used by MiniJumbuk. Originally a quilt was referred to as a patchwork quilt which was made up of three layers;
The top layer was decorative fabric sewn together to create a design
The middle layer was padding or batting
The bottom layer was fabric
The layers were stitched together to keep the filling evenly distributed to provide consistent warmth and comfort. Quilt is now commonly used in the bedding industry, alongside duvet and doona.
The Oxford Dictionary refers to a quilt as ‘a warm covering made of padding enclosed between layers of fabric and kept in place by lines of stitching, typically applied in a decorative design’. Now we think that’s a good description of a MiniJumbuk quilt.
What are duvets made of?
The term duvet which originated from the French word ‘down’ and was traditionally filled with down or feathers, or even a combination of both to be used during sleep for warmth. Originally duvets came from rural Europe and were often made from the down feathers of the Eider duck, which is well known for insulation. Duvet and doonas are essentially the same product, Doona is common in Australia and New Zealand, where Duvet is more common across the world, like Europe.
In today’s market a duvet filling is commonly filled with either natural (wool, feather and/or down) or synthetic fibres (microfibre or polyester). Each filling is surrounded with woven fabric, like cotton to ensure the filling stays in place.
Why wool duvets are better for sleep?
Wool quilts and duvets are an excellent choice for sleep due to their natural temperature regulating moisture-wicking properties, keeping you comfortable throughout the night.
Wool is an active fibre, that reacts to changes of body temperature, helping to maintain a more stable body temperature and can improve night sweats. Wool has proven to provide superior buffering of heat and moisture changes compared to other fibres, keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer.
MiniJumbuk's natural wool bedding range offers superbly light quilts in a range of warmth levels to suit every sleeper. Providing the natural benefits of wool to improve sleeping comfort and reduce wake ups which are commonly caused by overheating and too cold.
Choosing the Right Duvet for Better Sleep
Whether you call it a duvet, doona, quilt or comforter, selecting the right bedding can make a difference to your quality of sleep. In Australia, these terms are commonly used and generally refer to the same product. To select the right quilt, duvet or doona, it's more important to understand the fill type and what weight is best for your sleeping type and environment.
Quilts in Australian are either filled with natural or synthetic fibres.
Natural Filling
Wool: Naturally regulates temperature and has moisture wicking properties, keeping you cool in summer and warm in winter.
Down or Feather: Filled with duck or goose down and feathers. Known for great insulation and high loft.
Tencel™ or Lyocell: Offers great moisture wicking properties and a silky soft touch which is suitable for sensitive skin.
Synthetic Filling
Microfibre: Lightweight and often tries to mimic natural down softness, with the added bonus of easy care.
Polyester: Know for it's durability, affordability and machine washable.
While synthetic can be a more practical and cheaper choice they are often not breathable or long lasting like natural choices.
For Australian conditions, wool quilts are a popular choice due to their natural ability to regulate temperature, manage moisture and provide comfort year round. By taking the time to determine what is the right size, fill and warmth level for your needs will help you achieve a comfortable and restful sleep. Discover more about how to select the right quilt for your sleep style with our simple guide.
Duvet Sizes Explained
Duvet sizes are designed to be wider and longer than the mattress, therefore creating suitable drape or overhang, while also allowing enough duvet to cover the sleeper or sleepers.
Many people choose to “size up” meaning purchasing a quilt that is the next size up from the mattress to ensure enough quilt for sleepers and additional drape. This is also good for extra deep mattresses, such as pillow top or ensemble bases. It allows the quilt to nicely drape over the sides and presents neatly.
A common questions we get asked is 'what size doona for a king single bed', as MiniJumbuk's quilt range does not include a king single size. We always recommend a double quilt for a king single bed, it provides good drape on the sides and base of the bed.
Always remember to purchase the same quilt cover as your quilt itself, this will ensure a nice fit and avoid movement within the quilt cover.
Australian Quilt Sizes
The bedding industry in Australia has established standard quilt sizes that most manufacturers, including MiniJumbuk, follow. Below are the accepted retail standard measurements which also align to fit with Australia mattress measurements.
MiniJumbuk quilt sizes are made to Australian standards. When searching for a quilt cover always check the actual measurements as many quilt covers are manufactured overseas and may be slightly different in sizes.
How to Put on a Duvet Cover (easiest method)
There are many methods and techniques on how to put on a duvet cover. So, we’ve shared some of the easiest methods to help you make the chore of changing your quilt cover a little easier.
First tip, always make sure your duvet cover and the duvet itself matches orientation. Easiest way to do this is to lay the duvet on top of the duvet cover. There is nothing worse than placing the duvet inside and discovering it’s the wrong way!
The Original Method:
Probably the method your mother shared, known by many as a quick and easy method to get your duvet in the cover.
- Turn your duvet cover inside out.
- Find and hold the top two corners of the cover.
- Find the corresponding two covers on the duvet and hold.
- Hold tightly and flip the duvet cover over the duvet.
- While still holding the corner, give it all a good shake until the quilt is fully inside the duvet cover.
- Tuck in the opposite corners.
- Zip/Button up the cover.
The Viral Burrito Method:
The viral burrito method became famous when Oprah Winfred shared a video on Instagram of her struggling to put on a quilt cover, captioning it, “There must be a method I’m missing”. Followers quickly shared what was known as the “burrito method”.
- Lay your duvet cover flat on the bed inside-out.
- Place your duvet directly on top of the inside-out cover, ensuring all corners match.
- Start rolling like a burrito! Begin rolling from the head of the bed, the closed end and tightly roll the duvet and cover together until you reach the end.
- Reach for the open end of the cover and flip it right side out and over the ends of your rolled up ‘burrito’.
- Close the end, either by the buttons or zips and begin to unroll the whole package back towards the head of the bed.
- Gentle shake (if needed) and done!
How to Wash and Care for Your Duvet
Care instructions vary depending on the outer fabric and filling materials used in the quilt. Always read the care instructions attached to your duvet before starting the care process.
Wool quilts are simple to care for. Wool loves fresh air and sunshine. Therefore, reducing the need to regularly machine wash. We recommend placing a wool quilt or duvet outside regularly on a warm breezy day and let the fresh air rejuvenate the quilt. If extra freshness is required, a simple spritz of MiniJumbuk Wool Spray while airing will help freshen up the quilt. Make sure the quilt is fully dry before placing back on the bed.
Learn more about how to care for a MiniJumbuk Quilt.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Duvets
How often should I replace my duvet?
MiniJumbuk quilts come with a 5 or 7 year warranty, however wool quilts can last up to 10 years if appropriately cared for.
For more information on when to replace your quilt, read our guide here.
What is the difference between a duvet and a comforter?
A duvet, doona or quilt are all designed to do inside a removeable cover, while a comforter is used as a decorative quilted quilt and used for additional warmth. Both are used for warmth, but a duvet is an easier cleaning solution as you can easily remove the cover and wash separately.
Is a duvet the same as a doona?
Yes. In Australia, terms duvet, doona and quilt are commonly used interchangeably. Doona originated as a registered trademark but has become widely used in the bedding industry.
What is the best filling for a duvet?
The best filling depends on your personal preferences, sleeping temperature and comfort needs. Wool is a great option as it has natural temperature regulation and moisture wicking properties. Down and Feather are generally lightweight and good insulators.
Are wool duvets/quilts good for all seasons?
Yes, wool is a great choice for all seasons due to its temperature regulating properties.
How do I put on a duvet cover easily?
We suggest "the original method" or "the burrito method". Both methods are explained earlier in our article, with simple step-by-step instructions.
What size doona should I buy for my bed?
It's a personal preference. You can either purchase the same size as your mattress, or "size up", purchasing the next size up to improve drape, appearance and extra quilt for sleeping.
Explore MiniJumbuk’s range of Australian Made wool quilts to discover the benefits of natural wool bedding.
