Protect Your Duvet with the Perfect Cover

Duvets and comforters will last longer when tucked inside a protective cover

Think of them as giant pillowcases. They protect the pillow and its stuffing, whether it be down or a synthetic fill. Comforters are convenient because they're less expensive and already are widely made in a number of color coordinating sets.

Duvets, on the other hand, are generally white. The best ones, as we know, are filled with down while other non-traditional fills are coming on the market. To protect the whiteness of the outside of the duvet and prevent a certain amount of dust mites from congregating on the inside, covers do some of the work for you. In addition, they're easy to wash and don't typically required a trip to a professional laundry - unless they're silk.

Covers also give you a chance to dress up a room with the colors and patterns of your choice. Some are reversible as well. They are sold alone or in sets with pillow shams. Cotton is generally preferred for its breathability, which allows the duvet to do its job and trap and dissipate warm air. Silk is very popular, but only the brave - and the very careful souls - will attempt to wash a silk duvet cover at home. You can also find other materials, such as velvet, satin, or a synthetic. You can even make your own.

Another advantage to using a duvet cover is it allows you double up on duvets (summertime and fall) to reach a wintertime tog rating. (The higher the tog rating, the warmer the duvet.)

For quality duvet covers, look at the thread count. On the low end, you'll find a T150, which should be bargain priced. The finer covers are rated T180, T220, and above. Remember that even some quality cottons may be a bit stiff at first, but will soften with laundering and use. Sizing may vary among manufacturers, so be sure you know the size of the duvet before purchasing a cover.