February 11, 2021, 1:02 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Some people fall asleep effortlessly. Others need the right blanket to rest well at night. But how do you find a suitable blanket that fits your needs?
The relationship between us and our comforter is essentially mundane, yet it can also be sensual and even intimate. No matter how you look at it, there’s something lying on top of you. It warms, protects, and accompanies every sleeper through both cold and hot nights. To ensure restful sleep, you need the right comforter–but what should you consider to find the perfect one?
Overview
Finding the Right Comforter by Size
Not always, but in this case, size does matter. Almost nothing disrupts sleep more easily than a comforter that’s too short. Where do you put your cold feet then? To prevent this, a good comforter should generally be about 12 inches longer than the shortest sleeper.
Example: For a height of 5 feet 7 inches, a comforter length of 6 feet 7 inches is ideal. Six feet 7 inches is also roughly the standard for comforters. Adding an extra 8 to 12 inches is almost a safe bet if you’re not sleeping alone.
Couples who prefer to sleep under one comforter should also consider the width. Common widths are 53 inches for narrow singles and 61 inches for average singles. For couples, the comforter should be at least 79 inches wide.
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Which Material is Suitable When?
Humans breathe and sweat out water. Each night, we lose about two liters, with half a liter released through the skin. Regarding bedding: The better the comforter, the more efficiently it releases water vapor into the room air, which forms in the bed’s microclimate. Low-quality comforters quickly lead to what no one wants to lie in–and what even plants suffer from: waterlogging.
For people, sleeping in damp sheets and comforters means restless nights. Upon waking, you feel exhausted. However, not everyone sweats equally at night. How much you sweat is also crucial in finding the right comforter.
Synthetic Comforters
Comforters made from synthetic materials like polyester generally absorb less moisture. Many people quickly start sweating under such a comforter. Their advantage: They keep you warm, are lightweight, and easy to care for. For those with dust allergies and asthma, synthetic bedding is often the only alternative to traditional bedding. Additionally, there are mattress covers specifically for allergy sufferers and asthmatics, known as encasings. The material consists of particularly dense microfibers. Therefore, synthetic bedding should not be demonized.
Natural Hair Comforters
Don’t worry, these comforters are not woven from human hair. They are usually filled with wool from sheep, camel hair, or cashmere. This makes them heavier than down comforters, but they provide similar warmth. Initially, natural hair comforters may have a slight odor, but it dissipates over time. Their advantage: Moisture released by the body is more easily absorbed at night and released faster during the day.
Down Comforters
Anyone prone to feeling chilly at night appreciates down comforters. Despite their fluffy fullness, these comforters rest lightly on the sleeping body, providing a cozy, warming sensation. However, for those sensitive to heat, this can quickly become too much. While down comforters absorb body sweat well, they struggle with releasing it. A helpful tip: In the morning, place the comforter by an open window to air out.
There is, however, an unpleasant downside to down bedding: Down and feathers can be plucked from live animals, often the case with comforters under $100. Incidentally, down jackets are also affected by this issue. Therefore, when purchasing, always ensure the down comes from deceased animals.
Also of interest: How to recognize a bedbug infestation?
Plant Fiber Comforters
Down comforters are generally off-limits for many vegans. However, just like vegan plant fertilizer, there are comforters that do without animal materials and potentially without animal suffering. Comforters made from plant fibers are filled with materials like hemp, cotton, or linen. This makes them easy to wash. Due to their moisture absorption and release, they are climate-friendly regarding the environment under the comforter. However, eco-comforters do not provide as much warmth and tend to feel a bit bulky.