Pillow, Duvet, Linen and the Secret of Sleep...

Making the right choice of duvet

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 or weight, quality or value for money.

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

A guide to tog ratings

Pillow Talk

The sole aim of your pillow should be to support your neck in the ideal position. If you stand with your back to a wall you will notice that your head doesn’t touch it. This is the gap that needs to filled by the pillow. Fortunately this happens to be about the same gap as that between your neck and the bed when lying on your side. If your pillow is too big, your head is tilted up putting a strain on your delicate neck joints. Not enough support and your neck sags into the gap with the same result.

One pillow is better than two as it moves around less and will stay in the proper position pulled down to your shoulder. No pillow is not good for you and if you are more comfortable sleeping this way than you may have a neck problem. Some people prefer to sleep on the front which is worst of all because the neck is twisted round unnaturally. A good pillow can make this impossible and help break the habit. The only real choice is between a good quality feather/down and foam. People with neck problems need a shaped foam pillow which is thicker at the neck section and provides the best support. Buy one from a reputable supplier as the cheap ones don’t last.

Different types of Pillows

1. Therapeutic Pillow

Therapeutic pillows are for those with specific sleeping needs.

Orthopaedic Neck Support	PRO-PIL-O Neck support pillow
Memory Foam Pillow

2. Natrual Filled Pillow

Natural filled pillows, such as pure down and down/feather blend pillows are the most desirable. Their durable nature and luxurious texture make them an investment that will provide you with years of comfort. White Goose Down is the best quality natural fill for bed pillows, featuring large, fluffy clusters that have the greatest ability to loft. Feather and Down Blends combine the soft resilience of down with the firm support and durability of feathers. Remember to purchase cotton covers for you pillows in addition to pillowcases. They'll protect your pillow from dirt and dust and keep down and feathers from poking through.

3. Synthetic Pillow

Synthetic pillows are machine washable, affordable alternatives to down. Some synthetic pillows feature polyester clusters that mimic the qualities of natural down, providing neck support and varied levels of firmness while keeping you comfortable and allergy-free. Refresh your synthetic pillows on your dryer's air fluff setting. This helps keep loft in the fiberfill and preserves the resiliency of a pillow. Machine wash your synthetic pillows occasionally when the fibers become flattened and the pillows begin to lose their shape. Wash in warm water on a gentle cycle and dry on low heat until completely dry. Using an additional pillow protector will increase the life of your pillow and help keep it clean.

Guidelines

Here are a few guidelines that may be helpful to you when choosing the perfect sleeping pillow. The goal of a perfect sleeping pillow is to provide comfortable support while relieving stress on the neck.