Refreshing sleep is essential for
well being, so choosing the right quilt is of the utmost importance.
From wool to feather to cotton to microfibre, Pillow Talk has a quilt to
suit everyone.
Quilts are used as an alternative to blankets and bedspreads. One
quilt is often equal in warmth to 2 or more blankets but without the
weight. Warmth of a quilt is determined by the insulating power of the
type of fill used and also the actual weight of the fill.
With so many fillings and styles the selection process can become
daunting. To set you on the right track, below is a starting guide to
choosing the best quilt for you and your partner.
GSM: (Grams per Square Metre) Refers to the fill weight of 1 square metre.
LOFT: refers to how high the quilt will rise. The better a quilt is
able to retain its loft, the longer it will insulate. The level of loft
is the key to warmth, not the weight.
A continental quilt, also known as a duvet or doona is often purchased in conjunction with a removable quilt cover.
Quilt Fillings
When buying a quilt
it is important to first understand the fibres used in the various
products, there are basically four categories of fill we use in our
quilts
Quilts with natural fillings are soft,
light and comfortable and allow your skin to breathe. They are also
highly resilient and tend to last longer than those with synthetic
fillings. Synthetic is a practical choice if you suffer from allergies,
or if your duvet is likely to require frequent washing. 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,
depending on how often it is laundered.
- Unlike feathers, down clusters grow under the outer protective
layers of feathers, are resilient and fluffy with no quill making them
very effective insulators.
- Usually, the higher the percentage of down content to feather, the softer, lighter and warmer the product will be.
- Down in itself has no heat. The fluffy filaments of down interlock
and overlap to trap a layer of air that surrounds the body. When you are
lying under your quilt it is your body heat that is being reflected
back.
- Colour has no bearing on the quality of down. Some customers do
prefer white filling simply because it does not show through the quilt
covering like the flecks in grey fill.
- Pillowtalk only carry baffle box construction quilts which keeps
the filling more even and neater in appearance - the filling is unable
to travel.
- Japara cotton is the most commonly used cloth for covering down
quilts. It is a cloth that is very tightly woven so the fill is not
able escape.
Benefits of a Feather and Down Quilt
- A natural product
- Provides warmth without weight
- Each down cluster traps more body heat than synthetic fibres.
- A quilt filled with down moulds itself to the body, is very light and incredibly warm.
- Can last for decades.
- Draws away moisture from perspiration for a more comfortable night sleep.
Care Instructions for your Feather and Down Quilt
- New down quilts should be aired before use and on a regular basis, especially in the colder months.
- Getting wet does not hurt down as long as it`s properly dried within a reasonable length of time.
- Dry cleaning is recommended every three to five years depending on
how much perspiration has penetrated the quilt. If the cloth is
yellowing, cleaning is recommended.
Wool fibres are similar to a
honeycomb that traps millions of microscopic pockets of air. It is this
air that keeps us warm during the coldest of winter nights. In summer,
wool`s other temperature control mechanisms take over.
Wool can absorb up to a third of its weight in moisture vapour without
feeling clammy. Absorbed moisture can be transmitted through the wool
fibre to the outside of the quilt so that it does not become saturated.
Perspiration is allowed to evaporate from the skin helping the body to
regulate its temperature (just like an evaporative cooler).
Benefits of a Wool Quilt
- Non allergenic.
- Wool is very soft, naturally soil resistant; cleans easily and stays cleaner longer.
- Water repellent - Although wool can absorb moisture, it repels liquids.
- Fire resistant - Wool is difficult to ignite and does not melt when burned so cannot stick to the skin and cause serious burns.
- Because a wool quilt has the ability to adjust to the body`s
temperature it keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer. Since you
are not waking up too hot or too cold, you have a more restful sleep.
- Wool is extremely durable, long lasting and good choice for
children who have a tendency to overheat under other types of quilts.
- A Wool quilt offers a heavier alternative to feather and down but it is still lighter than blankets
- Wool looks neat on the bed
Care of Wool Quilts
As always, follow the instructions on the product care label!
Generally, wool quilts can be dry-cleaned but should be aired
regularly. This deodorises the quilt and sunlight will kill any dust
mites. Spot cleaning is usually OK too. Some wool products are machine
washable. To provide this a shrink resisting treatment is applied
during manufacture.
Synthetic fibres are man-made - There
are a number of different types of synthetic quilt including polyester,
microfibre and Dacron.
The different weights, qualities and treatments will usually dictate the price of the quilt.
- HOLLOW (tubular) fibres are able to trap more air than solid fibres, therefore, they will insulate more like a natural fibre.
- MICROFIBRE fibres are a finer denier than standard polyester fibres. They provide more loft and have a down-like feel.
- SILICONE COATED fibres will last longer because the fibres slip
over each other and do not compact down as quickly as ordinary polyester
fibres.
Benefits of Synthetic Quilts
- The main advantage is cost, they are generally a lower cost option.
- The better quality fibres are very durable, resilient and comfortable to sleep under.
- Soft, lofty and light providing warmth without weight
- Easy Care - washable, either machine or by hand and they dry quickly.
- Non allergenic
- Odourless
Care of Synthetic Quilts
- Air and shake regularly.
- Wash either by hand or machine.
- Do not dry clean.
- See the product care label.
Cotton Quilts
Cotton is a natural
fibre, renowned for its comfort. Cotton is much cooler than polyester
fibres because it breathes. Cotton quilts come in varying grams per
square metre fill: 280gsm for summer and 350gsm for
autumn/spring/winter.Best for summer or for people who prefer
light-warmth quilts.
Benefits of Cotton Quilts
- A natural fibre
- Has the ability to absorb moisture making summer nights more comfortable.
- Durable.
- Easy to launder - machine washable
- Non-allergenic, so ideal for people with allergies.
Care of Cotton Quilts
Depending on the brand, they may be either dry cleanable, machine or hand washable. See the product care label.
As a guide, unless indicated otherwise, the approximate standard sizes of our quilts are as follows:
|
Quilt Sizes |
Bed Sizes
|
Cot
|
90 x 120 cm
|
Size varies |
Single Bed
|
140 x 210 cm |
92 x 190 cm
|
| Double Bed |
180 x 210 cm |
137 x 190 cm |
Queen Bed
|
210 x 210 cm
|
152 x 203 cm |
King Bed
|
245 x 210 cm
|
182 x 203 cm |
Super King
|
270 x 240 cm |
|
King Single Bed Size 107 x 203 cm - use a DOUBLE BED quilt and quilt cover.
For more information please refer to our
Buying Guides
