Pillows and bedding

Sleep is incredibly precious - you'll know that better than most if you've ever found sleep difficult to achieve. Sleep helps us recover from the stresses and strains of the day and refreshes and revitalises our bodies for the day ahead and good bedding products (duvets, pillows and protectors) certainly play an important part in encouraging sound slumber.

We supply a wide range of bedding products to compliment to suit all requirements from Body Impressions and Memflex 'Memory Foam' products to The Fine Bedding Company's vast range of quality bedding. To order any bedding items or for advice, just give us a call.

Duvets

A duvet works by trapping body heat and the higher the tog, the warmer the duvet will be because it will trap more warmth. THe tog of a duvet indicates its warmth level and is not an indicator of weight, quality or value for money. Women, being smaller than men, generate less heat and therefore generally prefer a higher tog for extra warmth.

A lightweight duvet can keep you just as warm as a heavier one with the same tog rating. That's because certain duvet fillings are more effecient than others, whiches means that less filling is needed, making the duvet lighter. Lightweight duvets tend to let humidity created by the body during sleep escape more easily, giving you a more refreshing, comfortable night's sleep. However, its a very personal choice, and some people prefer a heavyweight duvet for that cosy, tucked-in feeling.

A top quality natural-filled duvet could last as long as 30 years, whereas the average lifespan of a good quality synthetic will be up to 10 years. However, the number of times a duvet is laundered will have an impact on its lifespan, as will repeated lying or sitting on top of it as this has the effect of compressing the filling and eventually diminishing its ability to trap air.

Synthetic

Being non-allernegic and more easily washable, synthetic duvets make a practical alternative for those who are sensative to natural fillings. Advances in fibre means that they are becoming lighter and more breathable, offering a more comfortable night's sleep. Some duvets, can be washed at home in a domestic washing machine at 60 degrees celcius, the temperature that kills dust mites, a common cause of asthma.

Natural

Natural duvets have the benefit of being both durable and naturally breathable. The lightest of natural fillings is down, which comes from the breast of a bird and has a unique ability to absorb air. It's also luxurious, soft and fluffy as it doesn't contain quills. Feathers, which do contain quills, aren't quite so soft and light, and more filling is needed to make them a thermally efficient.

A guide to tog ratings

Togs are measured in units of thermal resistance. For example, if a duvet had a tog rating of 4.5 then it would be more appropriate to be used in the summer months. At the other end of the scale, duvets with a tog rating of 13.5 or higher would be used in the colder months of the year.

• Lightweight summer duvet - 4.5 tog
• Spring/Autumn weight duvet - 9.0 - 10.5 tog
• Winter weight duvet - 12.0 - 13.5 tog

'All Seasons' duvets actually contain two-duvets they may be combined or used seperately, giving the full range of required tog ratings all year round.

Sizes

If you like your bed to have a 'well made' look or simply prefer plenty of duvet, choose a size larger than your bed size.

Childrens duvets

Take care when choosing a full-sized duvet for a child. Unless their bedroom is very cold, it's best to stick with a lighter weight duvet between 4.5 and 9 tog - as children are smaller than adults it means that their duvet traps more air and increases the level of warmth over and above that experienced by most adults. A heavier 13.5 tog duvet may well prove uncomfortable, and is not recommended.

Pillows

It's hard to over-emphasise the importance of finding the right pillow. Firstly, you should decide what level of support you require before choosing your pillow. This is a very personal measure, but generally as a rough guide firm pillows are best for those who sleep on their side, whilst medium support pillows are better for those who sleep on their backs. For those with narrow shoulders or who sleep on their fronts a soft pillow may be best.

A pillows filling falls into similar categories as duvets - either naturals or synthetics.

Natural Pillows

Natural pillows with down filling tend to be very soft and cradle the head. A down and feather filling is a firmer pillow, and offers more support; down has been added for extra softness. For the ultimate in comfort, if you like two pillows, we suggest you try a down pillow on top and a feather and down pillow below to provide softness and support.

Synthetic Pillows

Synthetic pillows can vary greatly in terms of quality, comfort and durability. Conventional pillows (and many 'washable' ones) are filled with rolled polyester fibre that breaks down and flattens over time. However, most quality synthetic pillows use polyester cluster fibre, which is free-moving and moulds to the shape of the head and neck. The cluster filling lasts longer than standard fillings, can be replumped and washes well in a domestic washing machine.

Memory Foam products

The special characteristic of this type of foam, called "visco-elastic" or memory foam, is that it is very dense, to cushion your body. Heat from your body helps this material to mould to your body to greatly reduce pressure points such as those on your hips and shoulders. There really is no other material that conforms and moulds to your body in this way. While it was originally developed for NASA, visco-elastic foam has been used in the medical industry for years to help alleviate pressure sores and increase patient comfort. Until recently, however, it was very expensive and really only used as a specialty medical device. In the last few years, it has finally become more affordable and available on the consumer market.

Support pillows

If you are pregnant or have neck problems, we also have a range of specially designed support pillows.

Looking after your bedding

Protective covers not only help to prolong the life of mattresses and pillows and protect against soiling, but create an extra layer of softness and warmth. They can also keep your bedding fresh and revitalise tired mattresses and pillows. We also stock duvet protectors.

When selecting your protectors, bear in mind the following sizes:

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