Choosing the right duvet cover

The size: look at your duvet

A cover is the same size as the duvet that goes inside. In the Netherlands the usual sizes are 140×200 and 140×220 for a single bed, 200×200 and 200×220 for a double, and 240×200 or 240×220 for a large double (lits-jumeaux). Children often sleep under a junior duvet of around 100×140 or 120×150.

The 220 cm length is for anyone taller than about 1.85 m or with a 210 cm long bed. Many Dutch covers have a tuck-in flap at the foot end that keeps the duvet in place.

Cotton, percale, satin or flannel

Plain cotton is breathable, sturdy and easy to wash: the safe choice. Percale is cotton with a tight, flat weave; it feels cool and crisp, and suits people who sleep warm. Cotton sateen is woven so the fabric is smooth with a soft sheen and drapes well; it feels a little warmer and more luxurious.

Flannel is brushed cotton that feels soft and warm, ideal in winter. Microfibre is cheap and dries fast, but breathes less well than cotton.

What does thread count tell you?

Thread count is the number of threads per square inch. A higher number usually means a smoother, denser fabric, but beyond a few hundred threads it says little more. Some makers count plied yarns twice to reach a high number. The quality of the cotton, such as long fibres, and the weave tell you more than the number on the pack.

Washing and care

Wash a new cover before you sleep in it. Turn it inside out, close the buttons or zip, and don't overfill the machine so it rinses well. Cotton can go at 40 or 60 degrees; for sateen and flannel, check the label. Use little fabric softener: it makes cotton less breathable. With two covers per bed, one can always be in the wash.