Quilt Warmth Guide
We understand that buying a quilt is a big decision. There are many important factors to consider, such as the filling, the comfort and warmth it offers, if it is hypoallergenic, and, of course, aesthetics.
Looking for the best quilt in Australia? When deciding on the best type of quilt to buy, you should always consider your climate. Do you experience mostly warm weather or colder nights? Or are you after a quilt that will keep you comfortably warm all year round?
The information below should help you to make the right quilt choice, allowing you to enjoy many years of healthy, restful sleep.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A QUILT, DOONA, DUVET AND COMFORTER
In Australia, the words ‘quilt, ‘doona’, ‘duvet’ and ‘comforter’ often mean the same thing. They’re used interchangeably to describe the thick blanket-like bed covering filled with down, feathers, wool, silk, cotton or synthetic material. You can, however, derive subtle differences from where the words are most popular.
Different Quilt Fillings
What is a quilt?
A quilt is a warm bed covering. Lines of stitching hold the filling, such as down, feather, silk or wool, into place. While the word quilt is interchangeable for doona or duvet in Australia, other countries, such as the US, sometimes use the word quilt to refer to decorative patchwork bedding consisting of three layers of fabric and padding.
What is a doona?
Doona is the quintessentially Australian word for ‘duvet’, ‘quilt’ and ‘comforter’. What began as a trademarked name became widely used to describe the bed cover filled with down, feathers, cotton, wool, silk or a synthetic material.
What is a duvet?
Much like a quilt, the word duvet is used to describe the soft, filled bedding cover with lines of stitching to secure the filling. While the word ‘duvet’ is French for ‘down’, these coverings can be filled with anything from silk to wool. This word is most often used in northern Europe, and less frequently in the UK, US and Australia.
What is a comforter?
What’s known as a ‘doona’ in Australian English is a ‘comforter’ in American English. Essentially, it’s a type of bedding made from fabric, such as cotton, encasing insulative materials such as down or feathers, stitched together to keep the filling well distributed.
What sets quilts and comforters apart from doonas and duvets?
In Australia, these words can generally be used interchangeably. However, in some cases, ‘quilt’ and ‘comforter’ can refer to the top layer of a bedding set that has a decorative design featured on the outer layer. In contrast, doonas and duvets are almost always white and require a quilt cover.
DOWN & FEATHER QUILTS
Down is the light and fluffy layer found underneath the feathers of waterfowl. Quality down is sourced from mature birds in Europe and Northern American regions, as geese from these areas produce down with the highest fill power. The higher the fill power, the more loft and the fluffier the quilt.
With its unique characteristics, down will help improve your sleep experience – acting as a natural insulator to keep your body temperature even. Down is also well-known for its ability to draw excess moisture away from the body, preventing excessive clamminess and sweating – ensuring a healthy night’s sleep.
The perfect down quilt should feel incredibly warm, toasty and cosy, yet light to sleep under, making it a product of pure luxury. The quilt should also be made in a baffle box design to prevent any down from shifting throughout the quilt and creating cold spots over time.
The down used in Bedding co down quilts is totally natural, free from harmful chemicals, hypoallergenic and ethically sourced. All impurities have been removed, making it a great solution for sleepers with allergies.
Bedding co quilts are made in Germany and, if maintained properly, can be expected to last decades. They come with a five-year warranty.
Organic Mulberry Silk Quilts
Considered the healthiest choice of all bedding materials, organic mulberry silk is a luxurious, delicate, natural product that helps to regulate body temperature. When sleeping with an organic mulberry silk quilt, the quilt tends to drape over you, contouring your body whilst you sleep. This prevents cold spots from forming during the night, maximising your sleep comfort.
Why you need Bedding co's Organic Mulberry Silk Quilt for Better Sleep
Silk is remarkably comfortable and light, not suffocating, as can sometimes be the case with heavier quilts.
The perfect silk quilt will only be made from long strands of mulberry silk as it is completely natural. With the finest mulberry silk and a 350TC organic cotton cover, Bedding co silk quilts are naturally hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant and are highly recommended for sleepers who suffer from allergies. If maintained properly, organic mulberry silk quilts can be expected to last decades.
ORGANIC ALPACA QUILTS
Ethically sourced from the soft fleece of Peruvian alpacas, alpaca is a truly special fibre for quilts, boasting excellent natural properties that help deliver you a restful sleep. Of its many wonderful features, thermoregulation stands out – alpaca achieves the perfect balance between natural breathability and insulating properties, creating a harmonious environment for regulating body temperature. Not only that, but alpaca is lighter than wool, providing all the warmth and comfort without any sense of constriction.
Renowned for its hypoallergenic properties, alpaca quilts are free from harmful chemicals, ensuring a safe choice for allergy sufferers. Additionally, they are moisture-wicking, meaning you sweat less, and your quilt stays free of bacteria.
Handcrafted in Peru with precision and care, Bedding co's organic alpaca quilts elevate the sleeping experience. To top it off, these eco-friendly quilts, with their German-made organic cotton cover, add a touch of sustainable luxury to your bedroom.
Wool Quilts
The best thing about wool quilts is they are natural and breathable. Wool is well known for its ability to regulate body temperature, ensuring you don’t feel hot and sweaty. It also draws moisture away from the body, keeping your body temperature regulated throughout the night.
Wool comes from a natural source, making a wool quilt a great solution for those who suffer from allergies. Preventing bacteria, mould, dust mites and other allergens from developing, a wool quilt will ensure you get a healthy night’s sleep.
Wool is easy to clean and maintain, as well as being durable and long-lasting.
SILK VS WOOL VS DOWN VS ALPACA QUILTS
So, how do they compare? Each quilt in our collection boasts unique qualities.
A goose down quilt in winter warmth is typically the warmest quilt for winter, but if you choose the all-seasons warmth variety, you’ll also be comfortable in the warmer months.
Alpaca quilts offer equivalent breathability and plush comfort. They also showcase remarkable thermoregulation for restful sleep.
Wool quilts are warm, naturally breathable and great at regulating body temperature. Our Australian wool quilts are a fantastic winter accessory.
And finally, mulberry silk quilts are both a luxurious choice and a healthy choice, as they’re naturally hypoallergenic. These quilts are great year-round, but particularly in the summer, thanks to their inherent thermoregulating properties.
BEST QUILT BASED ON CLIMATE.
Whether you’re looking for the warmest doona for the cold winter months or the best lightweight summer doona, Bedding co has you covered. We’ve listed our quilts by type, quilt warmth rating and temperature range.
| Quilt Types | Seasonal Quilt Warmth Rating | Temperature Range |
|---|---|---|
| Quilt Types |
Seasonal Quilt Warmth Rating
Winter |
Temperature Range
Temperature range: -10°C to +15°C (750+ fill power or 15.0 TOG) |
|
Quilt Types
German Made Hungarian Goose Down Quilt | Winter Warmth Doona |
Seasonal Quilt Warmth Rating
Winter |
Temperature Range
Temperature range: -5°C to +15°C (700+ fill power or 15.0 TOG) |
| Quilt Types |
Seasonal Quilt Warmth Rating
Winter |
Temperature Range
Temperature range: 0°C to +15°C (13.5 TOG or 500GSM) |
| Quilt Types |
Seasonal Quilt Warmth Rating
Winter |
Temperature Range
Temperature range: 0°C to +15°C (13.5 TOG or 550GSM) |
|
Quilt Types
German Made Canadian Goose Down Quilt | All Seasons Warmth Doona |
Seasonal Quilt Warmth Rating
All Seasons |
Temperature Range
Temperature range: -2°C to +20°C (750+ fill power or 10.5 TOG) |
|
Quilt Types
German Made Hungarian Goose Down Quilt | All Seasons Warmth Doona |
Seasonal Quilt Warmth Rating
All Seasons |
Temperature Range
Temperature range: 0°C to +20°C (700+ fill power or 10.5 TOG) |
| Quilt Types |
Seasonal Quilt Warmth Rating
All Seasons |
Temperature Range
Temperature range: 5°C to +20°C (9.5 TOG or 300GSM) |
| Quilt Types |
Seasonal Quilt Warmth Rating
All Seasons |
Temperature Range
Temperature range: 10°C to +25°C (7.5 TOG or 300GSM) |
|
Quilt Types
German Made Hungarian Goose Down Quilt | Summer Warmth Doona |
Seasonal Quilt Warmth Rating
Summer |
Temperature Range
Temperature range: +18°C (5 TOG) |
| Quilt Types |
Seasonal Quilt Warmth Rating
Summer |
Temperature Range
Temperature range: 15°C to +25°C (4.5 TOG or 200GSM) |
Best Quilt For Each Season
More than just comfort, quilts play a vital role in your quality of sleep. Choosing the best quilt for each season is essential to prevent you from tossing and turning due to the heat or cold. Here’s our seasonal guide to the best doona for you.
| Season | Quilt Type | Quilt Features |
|---|---|---|
|
Season
Winter |
Quilt Type
German Made Canadian Goose Down Quilt | Winter Warmth Doona OR German Made Hungarian Goose Down Quilt | Winter Warmth Doona |
Quilt Features
|
|
Season
Winter |
Quilt Type |
Quilt Features
|
|
Season
Winter |
Quilt Type |
Quilt Features
|
|
Season
All seasons |
Quilt Type
German Made Canadian Goose Down Quilt | All Seasons Warmth Doona OR German Made Hungarian Goose Down Quilt | All Seasons Warmth Doona |
Quilt Features
|
|
Season
All seasons |
Quilt Type |
Quilt Features
|
|
Season
All seasons |
Quilt Type |
Quilt Features
|
|
Season
Summer |
Quilt Type
German Made Hungarian Goose Down Quilt | Summer Warmth Doona |
Quilt Features
|
|
Season
Summer |
Quilt Type |
Quilt Features
|
Quilt GSM Guide
What is GSM quilt?
GSM stands for ‘Grams Per Square Metre’. It refers to the weight of the quilt filling. So, the higher the GSM of filling in the quilt, the warmer it is. Below are examples of GSM to help you decide the best quilt for your needs:
- 200+GSM is best for the summer.
- 300+GSM is best for both autumn and spring climates.
- 500+GSM is best for winter.
GSM applies to feather, wool and organic mulberry silk quilts. Down quilts are also measured in fill power.
Best Quilt Australia
What’s considered the best quilt is subjective and will come down to your needs based on location and home insulation as well as personal preference. Quilts made with high-quality materials are a good place to start, but considering how you want your quilt to perform year-round will also help you find the perfect fit.
Here’s a list of the best quilts for each season:
Best quilt for winter
What is the warmest quilt for winter? Hungarian goose down quilts and Canadian goose down quilts (winter warmth). They’re considered the warmest and best natural insulators. Our 100% organic alpaca quilt (winter warmth) is also a fantastic option.
Best quilt for summer
The best summer quilts in Australia are the organic mulberry silk quilt (summer warmth) and Hungarian goose down quilt (summer warmth).
Best all seasons quilt
Hungarian/Canadian goose down quilts (all seasons warmth) and 100% organic alpaca quilts (all seasons warmth).
FAQ
What is loft?
Loft refers to how fluffy the down quilt is. However, it’s important to note that it is not a measurement of the quilt’s actual warmth rating. For down quilts, the warmth is measured in fill power.
What is fill power?
Fill power is the measurement of the quality of the down in a quilt. The higher the fill power, the fluffier the loft. This is also the ultimate indicator of the quilt’s warmth and quality.
Below are fill power examples to help you decide the best quilt for your needs:
- Up to 400: Light warmth
- 400-599: All seasons warmth
- 600-799: Winter warmth
- 800+: Ultimate Winter warmth
In addition to fill power, fill weight is another indicator of a quilt’s warmth.
Below is an example of a Canadian (800+ fill power) goose down king size quilt’s ideal fill weight for each season:
- 400g-600g: Light warmth
- 800g-1000g: All seasons warmth
- 1200g-1400g: Winter warmth
What is TOG?
TOG stands for Thermal Overall Grade. This is the measurement of the quilt’s ability to retain and trap heat. The higher the TOG value, the warmer you will be under your quilt. However, when searching for the perfect quilt, it’s important to keep in mind that TOG does not measure the quality of the quilt nor the weight of the quilt.
Generally, the higher the fill weight, the warmer the quilt.
Below are TOG value examples to help you choose the best quilt for your needs:
- 4.5-6.0 TOG: Summer warmth
- 7.5-10.5 TOG: All seasons warmth
- 13.5-15 TOG: Winter warmth
Which quilts are best suited for sleepers who have allergies?
If you suffer from allergies, we’d highly recommend organic mulberry silk, Australian wool and down quilts. These quilts are made from the highest quality natural products and have undergone a thorough process of examination to ensure all impurities are removed. They are well-known throughout the bedding industry to be hypoallergenic and perfect for those who are a little sensitive. Sleeping with organic mulberry silk, Australian wool or down quilt will enhance your sleep experience, so you wake up fresh, healthy and well-rested.
It is believed the properties in organic mulberry silk can offer relief from rheumatism.
What are the standard Australian sizes for quilts?
Below are the standard Australian sizes for quilts/doonas:
- Super King Size: 270cm x 240cm
- King Size: 245cm x 210cm
- Queen Size: 210cm x 210cm
- Double Size: 180cm x 210cm
- King Single Size: 160cm x 210cm
- Single Size: 150cm x 210cm
Some prefer to purchase a quilt that’s larger than the size of their mattress for an overhanging effect.
Care instructions for quilts
With normal use and regular care, a good quality quilt should ideally last for more than five years. To prolong the lifespan of your quilt, you should shake it on a daily basis so the filling remains evenly distributed. We always recommend carefully following the washing instructions as some quilts may specify ‘dry clean only’, some may allow machine wash, and others may only be ‘hand wash only’.
