It's Getting Hot In Heeeeere
March 18, 2021 10:03 AM Subscribe
Where can I get a truly light, breathable duvet insert?
After moving in with my partner and his two giant dogs, I recently switched over from layered cotton blanket bedding to a duvet cover situation after too many rounds of washing multiple blankets. I initially just added the duvet over our previous bed spread since it's cotton and I'm obsessed with cotton for blankets due to its superior temperature regulation abilities, but I did it assuming it probably wouldn't work out, and sure enough we are way too hot at night. For reference, the duvet cover is 100% cotton and great.
I'm now on the hunt for a proper insert and have no idea what to get. Does down breathe? Are there any artificial fibers that are actually "temperature regulating?" I generally detest poly fill and am therefore very skeptical of cooling inserts that have any sort of artificial fill, but I would love to be proven wrong.
Price-wise, a bargain would be nice, but I'll splurge on something legit. IMO, bedding is worth it. Thanks!
After moving in with my partner and his two giant dogs, I recently switched over from layered cotton blanket bedding to a duvet cover situation after too many rounds of washing multiple blankets. I initially just added the duvet over our previous bed spread since it's cotton and I'm obsessed with cotton for blankets due to its superior temperature regulation abilities, but I did it assuming it probably wouldn't work out, and sure enough we are way too hot at night. For reference, the duvet cover is 100% cotton and great.
I'm now on the hunt for a proper insert and have no idea what to get. Does down breathe? Are there any artificial fibers that are actually "temperature regulating?" I generally detest poly fill and am therefore very skeptical of cooling inserts that have any sort of artificial fill, but I would love to be proven wrong.
Price-wise, a bargain would be nice, but I'll splurge on something legit. IMO, bedding is worth it. Thanks!
Do you need an insert? In the summer we just pull out the insert and use the cotton duvet cover alone.
posted by misskaz at 10:23 AM on March 18, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by misskaz at 10:23 AM on March 18, 2021 [4 favorites]
You can get wool filled duvets. Do that.
Also, consider two separate duvets for each of you.... so you can have it how you like it.
posted by pairofshades at 10:28 AM on March 18, 2021 [3 favorites]
Also, consider two separate duvets for each of you.... so you can have it how you like it.
posted by pairofshades at 10:28 AM on March 18, 2021 [3 favorites]
Feathers retain a lot of warmth. I get really hot at night, and love my silk duvet... silk is amazing! Its light and really breathable. I don't know what they cost in North America, I bought mine in China in 2007 and still use it every spring/summer. 100% would recommend.
Seconded misskaz on taking out the duvet and using the cover alone in the summer. Solid choice also.
posted by dazedandconfused at 10:40 AM on March 18, 2021
Seconded misskaz on taking out the duvet and using the cover alone in the summer. Solid choice also.
posted by dazedandconfused at 10:40 AM on March 18, 2021
It's polyfill, but Ikea's lightest duvet filler is extremely flimsy in a good way, there's just enough substance to provide a slight sense of weight and a couple extra layers.
If you switched to duvets in lieu of topsheets, try a topsheet AND duvet - not only will it give you one extra layer and that might be enough.
If you are already using a topsheet, and an empty duvet cover isn't quiiiiite enough, try a second topsheet. I ended up with a situation like that during the summer my perimenopause was worst and my cover-temperature needs were extremely degree-specific.
posted by Lyn Never at 10:51 AM on March 18, 2021
If you switched to duvets in lieu of topsheets, try a topsheet AND duvet - not only will it give you one extra layer and that might be enough.
If you are already using a topsheet, and an empty duvet cover isn't quiiiiite enough, try a second topsheet. I ended up with a situation like that during the summer my perimenopause was worst and my cover-temperature needs were extremely degree-specific.
posted by Lyn Never at 10:51 AM on March 18, 2021
I would try a wool blanket in the duvet cover before leveling up to a wool duvet. See if it works for you. I love my washable wool duvet but if it’s over about 70 degrees in the room it’s too hot.
posted by corey flood at 10:52 AM on March 18, 2021
posted by corey flood at 10:52 AM on March 18, 2021
We have a silk-filled duvet that is very breathable and thin, that we only fold down on the very hottest summer nights, and it's still perfectly warm over winter. For obvious reasons it's not the cheapest option, but we've had ours for about 15+ years now and although we've owned other duvets in the meantime, we keep coming back to this one. It's something silly like 1.5 tog, but like I said, it's one we use all year round.
On preview, dazedandconfused got there first with a much more succinct version of the same story!
posted by Martha My Dear Prudence at 11:02 AM on March 18, 2021 [1 favorite]
On preview, dazedandconfused got there first with a much more succinct version of the same story!
posted by Martha My Dear Prudence at 11:02 AM on March 18, 2021 [1 favorite]
nthing silk-filled duvets, they're so nice - I find it's warm, but never overheats, heavy enough to drape nicely around you and prevent drafts, but not so heavy it gets uncomfortable.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 2:50 PM on March 18, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 2:50 PM on March 18, 2021 [1 favorite]
I'm a hot-as-hell sleeper and duvet inserts are all a recipe for sweaty nightmares. I'm with misskaz on this one, just use the cover on its own (typed while under an empty cover).
To the people recommending wool and down to stay cool, who are you?! I'm so hot natured that seeing a wool throw or down comforter lying clear across the room will make me sweat in anticipatory anxiety. I literally cannot imagine any circumstances in which those actual insulators do anything but insulate.
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 3:31 PM on March 18, 2021 [2 favorites]
To the people recommending wool and down to stay cool, who are you?! I'm so hot natured that seeing a wool throw or down comforter lying clear across the room will make me sweat in anticipatory anxiety. I literally cannot imagine any circumstances in which those actual insulators do anything but insulate.
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 3:31 PM on March 18, 2021 [2 favorites]
Do the dogs sleep on the bed with you? I have had to spend a lot of money cleaning my down duvet when my barfy cat loses his lunch on it, as I do not have access to a large enough washer. I have the lightest weight down comforter but it still tends to make me overheat sometimes, especially if I'm hot flashing or the cat sleeps with me.
I had a silk duvet and loved it, but what I found was that the shell tore extremely easily and most of them are not baffled construction, so the silk floss fill ended up shifting to the sides and corners after a few years. They really are wonderful but unless you can find one that is constructed with "boxes" to keep the fill in place (and not just tufted with a few buttons scattered across it), you might end up like me and have to chuck it when you can't get the fill to stay in the center or keep the shell from tearing, especially if the dogs sleep with you.
posted by kitten kaboodle at 4:42 PM on March 18, 2021
I had a silk duvet and loved it, but what I found was that the shell tore extremely easily and most of them are not baffled construction, so the silk floss fill ended up shifting to the sides and corners after a few years. They really are wonderful but unless you can find one that is constructed with "boxes" to keep the fill in place (and not just tufted with a few buttons scattered across it), you might end up like me and have to chuck it when you can't get the fill to stay in the center or keep the shell from tearing, especially if the dogs sleep with you.
posted by kitten kaboodle at 4:42 PM on March 18, 2021
Nthing silk. I have a mid weight silk floss filled inset from Gingerlily that is going on 10 years old and is still in great shape. It is baffled so the floss doesnt shift all to one area.
posted by ananci at 8:57 AM on March 20, 2021
posted by ananci at 8:57 AM on March 20, 2021
Response by poster: Update: I went with a very light wool filled cotton duvet and it's been perfect! I got mine from a brand called woolroom for anyone who may be interested. Very happy with the quality. Will be removing the insert when it gets hot and using just the cover as a light blanket. Thanks all!
posted by amycup at 12:12 PM on April 19, 2021
posted by amycup at 12:12 PM on April 19, 2021
This thread is closed to new comments.
When it's warmer out, you can use the duvet cover alone or even stick one of your cotton blankets inside it as the insert.
posted by phunniemee at 10:10 AM on March 18, 2021