Notre guide de grammage

A good night’s sleep relies on many things — some we can control and some we can’t. You’ve got your bedtime routine down, your space is clean and tidy, and the bed of your dreams is right there. But how much thought have you given to your duvet beyond its pretty covers?

Read on to find out the best duvet for you, based on the important factors to consider when selecting a duvet. A serene slumber awaits…

Grab a herbal tea (or warm milk, whatever’s your bag), sit back and get ready to learn a whole lot about the bread and butter of any cosy bed: the humble duvet.

What is a tog?

In a nutshell, the tog is a measure of something’s thermal resistance. Basically, tog ratings for duvets tell us the degree to which a duvet retains heat, offering guidance on how warm the duvet is likely to keep us. The higher the tog rating, the better the heat retention and the warmer it’ll keep you throughout the night. In general, togs range from 1 to 15, with the former working better for summer months and warmer climates, while the latter is better for cooler environments. Having multiple togs available allows people the opportunity to change their duvet based on the time of year or simply their personal preference.

How are duvet togs measured?

You can’t always tell the tog rating of a duvet by touch or sight alone, which is why a precise methodology is used to measure the tog. Slightly different processes may be used depending on what the duvet is filled with but, in short, finding the tog rating is achieved through a testing method in which heat is applied to one side and measured across to the other at multiple points.

Since there are myriad factors that can affect the size or weight of a duvet, some of which have absolutely nothing to do with the tog, you often can’t go on thickness alone to figure out a tog rating. For example, if the filling of a duvet is made from synthetic material, you’ll probably need more of it to keep you as warm as a down duvet, as man-made fibres often aren’t as insulating as natural materials, resulting in a heavier duvet. This means your synthetic duvet may weigh much more than a feather duvet, but offer the same tog rating. The key takeaway: a thicker duvet doesn’t necessarily mean a warmer duvet!

Why are some duvets measured by weight?

A duvet’s tog rating and a duvet’s weight are two different things, but both are important when it comes to picking the option most suitable for your personal level of comfort. Some people prefer to settle down into a fluffy set of bedding, while others enjoy a barely-there weight. You’ll often see something called a ‘fill weight’ when you're perusing the duvet aisle. This is the weight of whatever’s filling that duvet. Handy tip to spot it? It’s often measured in ‘gsm’, which is the weight of the filling within a square metre. The higher the number, the thicker the duvet.

Although you’ll mostly find that a duvet features both a tog rating and a weight, there are some duvets that simply can’t be measured by tog. So, all you can go on is the weight. For example, silk duvets are measured using weight (grams of silk per square metre) — the heavier the duvet, the more likely it is to keep you warmer.

Do babies need a duvet?

It’s not safe for babies below 12 months of age to use duvets, so always stick to using lightweight baby blankets and baby sleeping bags — you’ll find endless options for both when browsing the nursery and baby bedding sections.

Duvet Fillings

All the duvet fillings you’ll come across fit neatly into one of two categories: natural and synthetic fibres. They each have their pros and cons, so your choice is down to personal preference.

Natural duvet fillings

Duck feathers and down tend to be the most common natural duvet fillings. Why? They’re great insulating fibres, keeping you warm in cold weather and cool during heat waves, while also allowing your skin to breathe. An added advantage is that these natural fibres are often longer lasting and more durable than synthetic options. It’s worth noting natural fibre duvets typically have higher price tags, and some people have sensitivities, allergies or lifestyles that don’t align with using feather and down duvet fillings.

Synthetic duvet fillings

Synthetic duvets can be made from hollow fibres and microfibres. The difference: hollow fibres are thicker and tend to trap heat more easily, whereas microfibres are much finer and boast a soft and light feeling, much like a natural duvet filling. There are several benefits to choosing a synthetic duvet filling. First and foremost, they’re usually a much better option for those who suffer from allergies, as they’re less likely to trigger and exacerbate any pre-existing issues. Secondly, synthetic duvets are generally easier to wash and quicker to dry.

Types of Duvets: Tog value by season

You may be wondering exactly what tog you want for each season. So, let’s break it down.

All seasons: 10.5

Winter: 12, 13.5 and 15

Spring/autumn: 7 to 10.5

Summer: 1 to 4.5

Duvet Sizes: Which duvet size should I get?

In general, most duvets are made to fit standard sized beds and you should choose the same size as your mattress. This means that if you have a single bed, then a single sized duvet should suffice. However, there are a few exceptions — if, for example, you have a small double mattress, then we’d suggest opting for a standard double duvet. If you’re drawn to fuller looking beds, then choosing a duvet that’s slightly bigger than your mattress size can help you to achieve that inviting, fluffy look. Pro tip: those of you with partners who like to hog the bedding may also benefit from a slightly larger duvet! Add a duvet cover of your choice and you’re all set.

Single duvet size: 135x200cm

Double duvet size: 200x200cm

King duvet size: 230x220cm

Super King duvet size: 260x220cm

Choosing the best duvet: What duvet tog is right for me?

Now you know a little more about duvet tog ratings, duvet fillings and duvet sizes, you may be thinking about which you’d like best. So, here are some key things to consider:

Do you want a year-round duvet or a seasonal one?

Would you rather have a natural or synthetic duvet filling?

What size bed do you have, and do you want a duvet that fits exactly or something a bit bigger?

Taking some time to think over the questions above should help you decide which duvet is best for you.

What is the best duvet for winter?

The higher the tog rating, the more heat a duvet should retain. So, the best duvet for staving off chills in winter is a 13.5 tog. It should work to keep you toasty overnight when the temperatures drop, without trapping in so much heat that it’s hard to sleep.

Is a 10.5 or 13.5 tog better for winter?

A 10.5 tog is classed as a year-round duvet option, so 13.5 is a cosier choice. However, the right tog value for you depends on the temperature of the room you’re sleeping in and how warm you like to feel.

When should I switch to a winter duvet?

Taking into account where you live and the general climate you experience (if it’s sweltering year-round, no need for those higher togs!), you should switch to a winter duvet when you enter the season. Though there’s no hard and fast rule for this, so pay attention to the changing weather and your overnight comfort levels.

Caring for your duvet

So, once you’ve got your dream duvet, how exactly do you care for it? It’s a good question and looking after your duvet really does depend on what it’s made from. For natural-filled duvets, taking it to a professional launderette is the best idea, since they need sufficient space to be properly cleaned and can take longer to dry than their synthetic counterparts. If you have a synthetic-filled duvet, you can pop them into your home washing machine on a gentle, warm water cycle and hang it outside on a sunny day to dry. It’s recommended that you wash your duvet every 6–12 months.

What to do with old duvets

You may be thinking the answer to ‘what should I do with my old duvet’ is obvious — the tip. But there are ways to prevent your old duvets from ending up in landfill. You can put them into a clothes recycling bin where they’ll end up going to a charity. Another option is to donate them somewhere yourself, like The Salvation Army, and you can even offer old duvets to animal shelters.

Do duvets lose their tog value?

Yes, if a duvet’s filling starts to lose its fluffiness, it can be less effective at keeping you warm.

How often should you change your duvet?

Generally, it’s advised that you change your duvet every five years.