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Original poster

duvet that doesn't need a cover

108 replies

pincie44 · 17/01/2017 23:32

Hey Mums, I have been working on producing a duvet that doesn't need a cover. It has a microfibre filling and Egyptian cotton outer and you just put the whole thing in the washing machine, dry it (either hang it up or tumble it), and then put it straight back on the bed.

I am so passionate about my product that I am now blind to any problems. Does anyone have any obvious things that they think could be a drawback please?

And also, are there any bloggers that you follow that you think would be good for me to approach for getting it out there? I am a mum, but with grown up boys so a bit out of touch with the younger generation.

Thanks everyone - any advice gratefully received.

OP posts:
OutandIn · 20/01/2017 22:56

As others have said these have been common in the US for years and are called a Comforter. There is a reason they have not taken off in the UK - the US have large top loading washing machines and much larger top loading dryers plus there is the culture of all washing going in the dryer so it seems less weird and wasteful to wash.

If it was going to take off in the UK fear it would have done so already - there has been ample time and opportunity. I own a lovely Ralph Lauren one from living in the US but never use as it doesn't fit into my UK washing machine!

Optimist1 · 21/01/2017 06:42

Don't comforters have a flat sheet underneath them (under the comforter, over the occupant of the bed), though @OutandIn ? I know several people who use a flat sheet this way under their duvet to avoid having to launder its cover too often, which is sort of where OP is coming from.

PaulaBBB · 21/01/2017 06:50

I'm with you OP, I like to buy expensive sets and they last for years! I think it's a good idea, I hate changing duvet covers with a passion! Esp my super King, my arms are so small I really struggle. We have a vlogging channel on YouTube with a couple of thousand subscribers. If you would be interested in us trying out some singles in the kids rooms in some videos then pm me :)

Footle · 21/01/2017 07:40

Salumeria, may you never grow older or become less able bodied. Good luck with that !

NorfolkingTime · 21/01/2017 07:50

OP, I've been thinking about this a lot since I first read the thread, and I really like the idea of it now. We love a lighter tog duvet - we had a feather originally but it's been delegated to the spare room as it just got too hot. We prefer a thin duvet which we can add blankets too when we first get in, but we always kick them off.

I would definitely want a king size though. We sleep very close together for most of the night, so separate single duvets would be quite annoying.

I also really love linen bedding, or linen look/feel. Just in plain colours. Would your product be similar? I'd love to see a prototype.

marmitecrumpets · 21/01/2017 07:53

I think it sounds like a good idea

CactusFred · 21/01/2017 08:02

I would'nt want to wash the whole duvet every time! Sorry.

Chickenagain · 21/01/2017 08:08

I think it would be a great idea for guest houses, b&b, holiday homes and guest rooms. Duvet warmth can be topped up by a throw if necessary. I would certainly consider for my house when I airbnb - would depend a little on price though. Probably keep my own down-filled super king for myself 😊 But a great idea for the elderly, camping, sailing, (esp sailing).

Original poster
pincie44 · 21/01/2017 08:10

As you say Optimist1, the comforter is actually a different thing to mine. It's more akin, from a UK point of view, to an eiderdown. It has been a weird journey for the last 2 years because so many people try to liken my product to something - but is isn't any of them but, it is, sort of like them!

PaulaBBB, I will go and check out your youtube, could be great, thanks for that offer.

NorfolkingTime - once I have developed the kingsize, I'll let you know. Re the linen, yes it has a more 'casual' appearance and I will, in fact, make some in lined at some point (because I love it!) and, to start with, there will be 12 colours, all plain. My first pattern to introduce will be satin stripe because apparently, in my research, this is the most popular fabric for bedding....

marmitecrumpets, thank you. x

OP posts:
AppleAndBlackberry · 21/01/2017 08:29

I would love to have all-in-one bedding. I have two kids who are bedwetters and we have a superking duvet that is too big for our 9kg machine so I'm going to have to just throw it away at some point as cotton duvet covers don't provide enough protection. Will you make superking size at some point? I think my feedback is that the price shouldn't be too high so that people can afford to buy a few different ones like you do with duvet covers. Also a nice range of bright colours and kids designs would help sell your single ones. Are you allowed to tell us your product name or website or is that against Mumsnet rules?

Bluddyballet · 21/01/2017 08:36

What when kids are sick? Bad enough changing sheets/duvet cover three times in a night. You would need at least one spare for emergencies - and in worst case could need more than two. Not often - but when there's noro virus in the house, things get messy!

PetyrBaelish · 21/01/2017 08:39

I bought a US comforter set for my toddler (TK Maxx). It was useful then because it fit in with the normal washing and the amount of times he pooed/poured milk all over/was sick on his bedding meant I needed to wash it all a lot anyway.
I think that it would be really impractical for adult size bedding though, especially in winter.

NorfolkingTime · 21/01/2017 08:42

Do you have any pictures of the current single one, OP? I'm very intrigued to see it!

NorfolkingTime · 21/01/2017 08:44

Sorry to derail, but I just shoved 'eiderdown' into Google and found this - £8,500?!? Shock

I hope your product isn't going to be this expensive OP Smile

Chickenagain · 21/01/2017 08:51

Subtle ticking stripes would be nice....
I prefer the idea of plain though & dress with my own blankets & throws. Not keen on satin stripe as lightweight quilt + slightly slippery cover = hunting on the floor for it. Just a good old non-iron cotton would be my preference.

ScarlettDarling · 21/01/2017 08:52

Was just about to post asking for a pic but I see Norfolking beat me to it!

I'd love to see the product op and ask about price. This sounds ideal for my son. I don't know how but he ends up with the duvet puddled in the bottom half of the cover almost every night. I'd be interested in placing an order.

ArgyMargy · 21/01/2017 09:03

I'm surprised you haven't read the laundry threads on here that insist bedding must be washed daily...

I wouldn't use one but I imagine there is a market, particularly children's beds where things tend to get messy. Children's rooms tend to be kept quite warm as well so the tog rating is probably OK.

storynanny · 21/01/2017 09:29

Yes re able bodied. It would be ideal for me as hand arthritis makes changing duvet covers difficult and painful.

Original poster
pincie44 · 21/01/2017 13:38

I haven't got professional pics done yet but will asap. If you go to FB and search 'thenuvet' you should find that page. All prototypes don't have labels on yet so don't look so good for marketing purposes.
Price has yet to be decided. What I do know is that the first design (with bound edges), being made in Milan, is going to be the more expensive range. Also, it uses Climashield filling, imported from the US so that is pricey too.
The British made range will be cheaper as no bound edge and filling from Germany. Just working in that one.
Will let you know as soon as possible.

OP posts:
Original poster
pincie44 · 21/01/2017 13:40

Lol £8500!!! That's outrageous! But there is always a market for such things. I used to work for an Oligarch and he would have had one....he would only sleep on one type of down-filled pillow, that I had to keep in stock, just in case he needed one.

OP posts:
MiladyThesaurus · 21/01/2017 13:45

Norfolking: this is the picture from the FB site. I looks just like a naked duvet.

duvet that doesn't need a cover
icclemunchy · 21/01/2017 14:17

I'd be interested in this op I have a Bedwetter so they'd need to be a reasonable enough price for me to buy two or three, but given that I end up washing her normal duvet at least once a week anyway and they only seem to last months (admittedly I'm buying super cheap Ines because I can't bare to keep slinging expensive ones)

oldbirdy · 21/01/2017 14:23

God I would LOVE one of these, my autistic teenaged son constantly removed his cover and wraps himself in his duvet which gets filthy and isn't washable. He calls it 'my ecosystem'. You may have a market with autistic people! Do you do double sized?!

Kai1977 · 21/01/2017 14:29

I'm clearly in the minority here but I HATE changing sheets on the duvets so anything that was easy to chuck in the machine in the morning and dry by the time I got back from work (without needing the tumble dryer) would be great.

I wouldn't be bothered about patterns (we usually have white sheets anyway). I'd also like something hypoallergenic.

My main concern would be warmth in winter really, but could probably add another quilt on top.

And I'd actually pay to avoid changing duvet sheets, so would probably buy it! That said, it doesn't seem like many others would...

Bloomed · 21/01/2017 14:36

I would love this. Currently struggling healthwise and this would make a difference.