With temperatures soaring this week, is it time for a lighter duvet?
With the clocks having sprung forward at the end of March, signalling the beginning of British Summer Time (BST), you may have started thinking about swapping out your winter duvet for a lighter one, but when was the best time to do this?
Sharing his expertise, Tamir Teitelbaum from bamboo bedding and mattress brand Panda London reveals when is the best time to switch, as well as how to correctly store your winter duvet and prep your mattress for the big summer duvet switch.
It has been suggested that early May is the best time to switch to your summer duvet, however, it could actually be earlier in April or fall even later into May, it all depends on the temperature.
Tamir Teitelbaum, Founder of Panda London explains: “An external temperature of 15 degrees is thought of to be the best time to swap your duvet to a lighter tog, however, it is dependent on your internal body temperature, as this is what can really impact your sleep. Your ideal body temperature for sleep is around 20 degrees, so if you run a little colder, you may want to leave your winter duvet on for longer, or alternatively swap it sooner if you’re more of a sweaty sleeper.”
“In terms of how many togs your duvet should be, you want your winter duvet to be around 10-15 togs, and your summer one to be around 4.5-7 togs. Having a variety of different tog duvets can be highly beneficial for a good night's sleep across the entire year.”
When removing your heavy winter duvet, it is essential to clean and store it accordingly, making sure it is in tip-top condition for years to come. Tamir shares: “After stripping your winter duvet of its cover, it is a good idea to put it through the wash to get it clean. It’s important to wash your duvet as they can become home to dust mites, due to the dark and humid conditions inside of a duvet. Additionally, over time duvets can become discoloured and even trigger allergies for some.”
“Once your duvet has been washed and is completely bone dry you can then store it away, it is best to do this in some form of breathable cotton bag or vacuum pack bag and then put it in a cupboard or a loft. Alternatively, you could fold it up flat and store it in a drawer, just make sure it is protected from dust.”
Swapping your duvet is also the perfect time to give your mattress some TLC and make sure it is ready for your summer duvet to go on. Tamir shares his tips for a fresh mattress: “The first thing you’ll need to do is vacuum your mattress, and your actual bed if it is upholstered, ensuring all dust is gone. Once this is done, you can then sprinkle baking soda over your mattress, leaving it to sit for at least one hour before vacuuming it up, this helps to deodorise the mattress making it smell nice and fresh.”
“It is then a good idea to spot clean any stains, this can be done using a damp cloth and mild detergent. Let it dry and then spin or flip your mattress, depending on what kind of mattress you have. When you have followed those steps, you can pop your bedding back on your bed and swap in your summer duvet.”
