There is a new trend taking over UK SleepTok: ' coverless duvets'. In just one year, searches for coverless duvets have increased by up to 177%, and they are at their highest peak right now. As anyone who follows social media knows, the start of a trend will undoubtedly lead to people purchasing them and showing them off to friends, family, and followers alike.
But should we all bow down to this new sleep trend, which is popular because it saves time when making the bed? The sleep experts have weighed in on this latest trend!
What are coverless duvets?
Coverless duvets are precisely what they say on the tin. They are coverless duvets, meaning you don't need to worry about purchasing duvet covers and, in turn, help save you the bother of making the bed. They can also be thrown straight into the wash as you would wash regular bedding instead of a 'typical' duvet that may require different washing methods.
It's important to note that a coverless duvet must be washed more regularly than a normal duvet, as it does not have bedding to protect it from moisture or spills. This might sound like common sense, but we've discovered that many people have never washed their duvets, which puts them at risk if they try the coverless duvet trend.
Do people wash their duvets?
If your immediate answer is, 'Of course they do!' we're sorry to have to bring you the ad news. According to data from our Bedding Calculator tool, almost half (41%) of all questioned stated they had never washed their duvet. A further 1 in 12 said they had their duvet for over a decade without regular washing, putting themselves at risk of health implications.
Why is this alarming? Dead skin cells, bacteria, sweat, dust mites and even other critters - such as bed bugs - can live in your duvet and grow over time. It's even said that a third of the weight of a pillow over two years old is dust mites and dead skin.
Both live and dead dust mites call your duvet home, growing over time as the duvet ages. Duvets left unwashed can harbour thousands of these mites, which can also trigger allergic reactions and affect those with respiratory problems, such as asthma. These mites could even cause infections, such as conjunctivitis.
Similarly, the more you sleep with your coverless duvet, the more moisture and dead skin will build up. Moisture can be present from sweat, oils, and other bodily fluids, so experts always recommend leaving bedding to air and trying to air your duvet outdoors, even when not washing, to remove the moisture.
However, if you opt for a coverless duvet to clean your duvet less, you would be mistaken.
Wash your coverless duvet every two months and air dry daily
Coverless duvets are intended to be less hassle than regular duvets. However, without a bedsheet protecting your duvet, it could be more prone to damage. Our data revealed that 18% of people sleep naked, meaning that moisture can and will damage bedding if it is not properly cared for. Sweat and other bodily fluids can cause your duvet to yellow over time without proper care and washing. So, if you use your coverless duvet, you must take precautions.
While you do not need to wash the coverless duvet as much as your regular bedspread - which we recommend washing every week - you will need to up your wash cycle, and we recommend no later than once every two months.
We also recommend air drying it each day, and that can be as simple as taking it off your bed and hanging it over the washing line to remove moisture. If it's raining, pull the covers back and air out the bedroom instead.
However, washing your duvet at a temperature too high can damage it. It can leave the duvet lumpy and, if you dry it on a high heat, can even leave burn stains.
How do you wash a coverless duvet?
Firstly, you need to check the label for the type of material and washing care. Certain duvets, such as down duvets and memory foam, are not machine washable, so always check the care label before washing.
If it can be machine washed, use the setting recommended. Once clean, we recommend hanging the duvet on your washing line instead of tumble drying. This will help it keep its shape and avoid those lumps that are hard to remove if put in the tumble dryer. The sun can also help naturally bleach white bedding - ideal if you have stubborn stains on your white duvet.
What if you can't put your duvet in the washing machine?
If you cannot put your duvet in the washing machine, you can do a few things to keep it clean. One option is to spot-treat any stains as soon as you see them. You can use cleaning products for this, but always remember to dab, not rub and do this treatment as quickly as possible. We also recommend running under cold water for protein stains, as hot water can spread the stain.
You can then use your bath and fill it with warm water - around halfway - and laundry detergent, focus on small sections of the duvet, move on to the next, and so on. One ingenious method of cleaning, recommended by a Mrs Hinch fan, was to hang your duvet over the washing line, sprinkle washing powder over it and clean it with a hose, leaving it to dry once clean.
If you are unsure about coverless duvets, check out our range of duvets, available in various sizes. Or, read up on how to properly clean your bedding.
