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Original poster

Microfibre or down duvet?

23 replies

mosaica · 30/08/2013 22:36

Hi,

I need a new, all-seasons super king duvet. I know that, if we decide for a natural one, the ones to go for are the 90%+ down, rather than mostly feather. But are they really better than microfibre duvets? What are the pros and cons, apart from the price difference?

I've heard the microfibre filling can clump - also it can spill from their pockets in tiny little balls of fluff, did you have that experience? As for down, it can smell and can harbor more bed bugs. Can you actually tell the difference between down and microfibre?

Thanks.

OP posts:

meep · 30/08/2013 22:42

have you thought about a wool duvet? It has revolutionised my sleep. Manmade duvets make me sweat and wake up hot and clammy. My wool duvet regulates my temp. I also have a wool pillow and mattress topper. Bliss.

PigletJohn · 30/08/2013 22:48

I've had down ones. You might think that, being most expensive, they would be best.

Not.

They don't age well, and the down tends to collect at the foot end, so you have to shake it back at frequent intervals. Cleaning is uneconomic.

Original poster

mosaica · 30/08/2013 23:54

Thank you both! I never thought of wool duvets, but I've just read some reviews and they might be ideal! Are they comfy - I've read they are quite flat and not fluffy like regular duvets, does that take some getting used to?

Pigletjohn, interesting feedback about down duvets. I need to do a bit more reading!

OP posts:

GandalfsPointyHat · 30/08/2013 23:59

We have a silk filled super king duvet, it is perfect. you're never too hot or too cold, it's naturally hypoallergenic, very light. Just be warned, it feels ver, very thin when you're used to down etc, but it's fab. Use it all year roubd, think I bought the ekwiv of a tog 12.

peggyundercrackers · 31/08/2013 00:03

down for me - tried a microfiber one and got rid of it after about 3 months - just didn't like it. it didn't have the same feel as a down duvet

Spickle · 31/08/2013 09:09

Down for me too - it has individual sewn pockets so the down is evenly distributed and doesn't gather at the end. Decided to splash out on a 90% down duvet after staying in a luxurious hotel that had the best bedding ever!

Original poster

mosaica · 31/08/2013 09:14

Hi Peggy and Spickle, in what way does a down duvet feel more luxurious than a microfibre one? I would have thought with a good quality 100% cotton duvet cover you could not tell the difference. Can you? Thanks!

OP posts:

chrissiegsd · 31/08/2013 11:16

Another vote for Mulberry Silk!

We had down previously - Northern Nights (QVC).

Prefer the silk one & the duvet cover is much easier to change (we have super king bed).

QVC might be a good option as I think they stock both silk(though not the winter weight one) & down ones & you can see how you get on with sleeping under them with the 30day mbg.

evelynj · 31/08/2013 11:33

Down duvet-so light it's like sleeping in a cloud. A warm Cosy cloud always at right temp. Would like to try silk & wool though.

Latex pillows btw-amazing!

MrsCakesPremonition · 31/08/2013 11:38

I had a lovely down duvet but replaced it with a Spundown washable duvet. It feels lovely and being able to wash it myself is a bug plus. I have the all seasons one so I can wash each half as the seasons change and put it away knowing it is all clean and fresh.

Spickle · 31/08/2013 12:49

Haven't tried silk or wool unfortunately so can't compare down with it. Just didn't like microfibre. I had a peak at the hotel duvets and they were down, sheets were 1000 thread count so it all felt very nice. My down duvet can be machine washed, though obviously need a big washing machine drum to do it in. Can take it to the laundrette though.

Potterer · 31/08/2013 16:47

I have had all sorts of duvets over the years but we now have microfibre for winter.

I love it because even though it is superking I can fold and roll it and put it into the washing machine. It was from Next. I believe it is a 10.5 tog.

We have summer duvets (dracon I think) which are 4.5 tog, and then winter microfibre for us and the children. They all get stored in the loft in big bags, I can bring them down and wash them then change the duvets and wash the ones coming off. Bliss.

I couldn't do that with the 6ft down one.

Original poster

mosaica · 03/09/2013 07:20

Thank you all - I think the conclusion from this thread is that it is all down to personal preferences! A washable high down or wool duvet might be like the best alternative for me - not cheap but I will hopefully not have to replace it for many years. xx

OP posts:

claracluck71 · 03/09/2013 16:27

We have wool duvet, pillows and mattress toppper from The Wool Room - love them!

evelynj · 05/09/2013 18:28

Wool people-I need a mattress topper. Would a wool duvet work ok as matress topper do you think? It's cheaper than the topper!

Thanks

Evelyn

OnePlanOnHouzz · 06/09/2013 19:47

I splashed out on down too after a night in a fabulous hotel ! My only complaint is it seems to be noisy !! Compared to what we were used to !! Other than that had no complaints ! ( it's quilted too so doesn't move around too much !)

MrsSchadenfreude · 07/09/2013 05:43

I think if you are going to go for a down duvet, you need to get the best you can afford. Ours is 15 years old from John Lewis (think it is Siberian goose down) and still going strong. It has an Egyptian cotton cover with a high thread count, which is soft and silky to the touch. I did buy a second one for the spare room from M & S, and it is much heavier, and although the cover is cotton, the fabric is really stiff and seems to be treated with something, so it makes crackling noises when it's moved. Not sure how to get the dressing out of the fabric, as we've had it dry cleaned and it's still as bad. Is your noisy duvet from M & S, OnePlan, or do you think the geese might still be trapped inside it?!

wufti · 07/09/2013 12:17

Wool duvet, fab. Highly recommend. Even bought the kids wool duvets as well!!

OnePlanOnHouzz · 07/09/2013 21:08

hahaha MrsS there might be a goose in it ?! no it's as you described in your guest room - I think I bought it via dunelm mill website ?! so probably should relegate it to guest room and head off to John Lewis !!! thanks for the tip !! :-)

Original poster

mosaica · 20/09/2013 16:50

A quick update on this...

I did eventually go for a 90% down, 10% small feather duvet. It arrived a few days ago and... I don't like it! It's crinkly and noisy - definitively not marshmallowy as I was hoping. Also, I splashed out on an all-seasons type and it was a nightmare to get the two duvets together. Definitively not comfy.

So it went back and I ordered a luxury micro-fibre duvet instead, a high tog but not all-seasons. That is much, much better for me. Definitively cloud-like and non-crinkly. Mmmmmm.

Isn't if funny how we all feel so strongly that either one type or another is the right one for us?

OP posts:

Jolsen · 04/11/2013 16:17

Microfibre duvets, any of them, don't come close to a natural down duvet. It may feel soft but the warmth is not the same, it doesn't have the same breath-ability nor does it absorb moisture and also isn't as light.

I had a microfibre duvet for my son because its easier maintenance than goose down duvets but wasn't very pleased with the quality.

I recently noticed an interesting duvet which is microfibre mixed with silk and is also in a pure cotton casing so has some natural properties and is easy to wash and dry. I'm thinking of purchasing it from an online shop that I've used before and have been pleased with. This is the link; www.myduvetandpillow.co.uk/products/microfibre-with-silk-duvet

I will update the forum with the results...

Bontragerwtb · 29/01/2014 18:14

I have always gone the best I can afford generally from john Lewis as .i was just about to change my duvet for a new one when I came across an avert by Austrian bedding co NW6. Who claimed to clean ,recover,and top up duvet covers and pillows . I thought I would give it a try and the results were excellent.
I have my high quality expensive duvet cleaned topped up and new high quality cover back as new for a third of the cost of repurchasing new. (£200 instead of £600 for a new one. Couldn't be happier and cannot recommend them enough

Supermum320 · 22/05/2017 12:21

I bought the Feather Duvet from IKEA around £80. Well it was warm but problem is feather is not really down and its not comfy either. After some time its goes really smelly especially in summer season. Somebody told me to buy Microfiber duvet, I bought below 13.5 Tog Duvet, Which is really comfy and soft. So I will recommend the microfiber duvet. Thanks
supremebedding.co.uk/duvets/soft-warm-microfiber-duvets/premium-anti-allergy-microfibre-duvet-double-bed-size.html

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