What is a Duvet Cover? Everything You Need To Know

Choosing new bedding can leave you wondering what a duvet cover is and why you should consider a duvet instead of another type of bedspread. 

Your bedding can make the difference between restful sleep and tossing and turning throughout the night. Bed covers significantly impact your comfort and sleep quality because they help regulate your temperature. 

Typical bed covers include bedspreads, comforters, duvets, and quilts. Bedspreads and comforters go directly over your sheets, but duvets need a bed cover. So, what is a duvet cover, and are duvet covers better than other bed covers? Let’s look at duvet covers, what they’re used for, their benefits, and how to choose, launder, and replace them.

Shop for colorful duvet covers with gorgeous patterns.

What Is a Duvet Cover? 

A duvet cover is like an oversized pillowcase. It’s a layer of fabric that forms a case. Your duvet slips inside the duvet cover. Duvet covers may have buttons, ties, or a zipper used to close them, securing the duvets inside the covers. Some duvet covers have an extra piece of fabric instead of fasteners. This fabric is known as a flap

and folds over the opening after you put the duvet insert inside its cover. It’s similar to folding the flap over an envelope and tucking it in to secure its contents. 

Duvet covers offer the ultimate in style and convenience, so it’s not surprising they’re a favorite for homes and luxury hotels throughout the world.

What Is a Duvet Cover Used For? 

Both solid colored duvets and patterned duvets perform the same functions. The primary reason to use a duvet cover is to keep your duvet clean and prevent stains. Since removing duvet covers is easy, you can treat stains immediately, reducing the likelihood they’ll set in. 

Benefits of a Duvet Cover

There are many benefits of opting for duvet covers over other bed coverings. The benefits of using duvet covers include the following:

• Easy to wash: The fabric used to make a duvet cover is much thinner than the duvet cover itself. It’s also thinner than bedspreads, comforters, and quilts. Since duvet covers aren’t thick and bulky, they’ll fit in apartment- and full-size washing machines. Jamming a comforter or duvet in a washer can result in an unbalanced load. Plus, overloading your washer prevents it from removing stains and evenly cleaning all items in the load. Since duvet covers take up less space, you can avoid overloading your washer and ensure your duvet cover is properly and thoroughly cleaned. 

• Extra warmth: Duvet covers add extra layers to your bedding and can help regulate your temperature by trapping heat in your bedding during the cool winter months. 

• Protection: Your duvet cover protects the duvet and keeps it clean. Since duvets are expensive and difficult to clean, using a duvet cover will save you money and extend the life of your duvet.

• Quicker to dry: It takes less time to dry duvet covers because they’re thinner than other bedspreads. 

• Save money: You’ll save money using a duvet cover because duvet covers are easier to clean and dry. Since it takes less time to dry duvet covers, you’ll spend less money running your dryer. Also, the ability to properly clean duvet covers and remove stains means you’ll spend less replacing your bedding. 

• Updating your bedroom: Changing your bed covers is one of the simplest and quickest ways to update your bedroom decor. Since their design makes it easy to remove duvet covers, replacing a duvet cover with a new one is easy. You can have a duvet cover for every season or opt to switch between solid and patterned duvet covers throughout the year. 

Choosing a Duvet Cover

Quality duvet colors are usually cotton, with a thread count of about 300 threads per square inch of fabric. A lower thread count results in a coarse, uncomfortable duvet cover that will not withstand wear.

A good choice is our cotton duvet covers with pillow shams in cotton sateen, available in various colors and patterns. The duvet cover has buttons, which are preferable to fussy ties or zippers that can jam or break. To complete the look, you can buy matching sheets. 

Laundering a Duvet Cover

You should launder your duvet cover at least once a month, although you may want to wash it more often if you have pets or children, even up to weekly. Simply undo the buttons, pull the cover off, and leave it inside out.

Read the label for laundering instructions and pre-treat any stains. Button the duvet cover to protect colors and patterns so they stay sharp and bright. Since most covers are cotton, wash in cold water in a setting with a long spin cycle. Add softener if you want to add a fresh scent and fluffy texture.

When possible, hang the duvet cover on a clothesline outside to dry. Sunlight naturally disinfects fabric and kills microorganisms that may dwell in the fibers. Otherwise, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. This may include using a dryer on low to avoid shrinkage, followed by ironing the duvet cover while it is still inside out. 

Replacing a Duvet Cover

Don’t wrestle with your duvet cover when it’s time to put it back on. The process is very easy. Lay the duvet flat on your mattress and cover it with the inside-out duvet cover with the opening at the bottom of the bed.

Reach into the duvet cover and find a corner with each hand at the top. Now, reach down and grab the corresponding corners of the duvet lying on the mattress below.

Hold tightly, pull the corners toward you, and flip the cover and duvet until the cover turns right side out. Shake and fluff the duvet into position, push the bottom corners into the duvet cover, and close. That’s it.

Enjoy your fresh, clean cover, and don’t worry if styles change or your duvet cover eventually wears. They’re so affordable you can switch them easily without breaking the bank.

What Is the Difference Between a Duvet and a Comforter? 

It may not seem like there are big differences between a duvet and a comforter, but the differences are significant. Comforters are bed covers that can be placed directly on your sheets, while a duvet is an insert intended to go inside a duvet cover. The stitching on comforters and duvets helps keep the filling in place so that the comforter feels even and helps regulate your temperature when you’re sleeping; however, depending on the pattern, it can be easier for a duvet’s filling to shift. 

Although it’s possible to get a vegan-friendly down alternative, duvets are typically made from white down and goose or duck feathers. Comforters may feature cotton, down, feathers, silk, or wool. 

No matter what you choose, avoiding rough fabrics when selecting your bedding is also essential. They’re uncomfortable, and touching them can make it harder for you to sleep. Prioritize fabrics that feel good to the touch to ensure you feel comfortable and relaxed when it’s time for bed.

Luxurious Duvet Covers at Southshore Fine Linens 

Southshore Fine Linens features an extensive selection of duvet covers. Choose between solid colors and patterns that fit your bedroom decor. Complement your choice of duvet cover with a bed skirt, pillowcases, sheets, throw pillows, and throw blankets for the perfect look. A duvet cover transforms the look and feel of your bedroom so you can enjoy a restful night’s sleep.

Explore Southshore Fine Linens’ selection of duvet covers.

Sources:

Amichai, B., et al. (2014). "Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants"*: the efficacy of sun exposure for reducing fungal contamination in used clothes. 

Mattia, N. (2025). Here's How Often You Should Really Be Washing Your Duvet.

Shin, M., et al. (2016). The effects of fabric for sleepwear and bedding on sleep at ambient temperatures of 17°C and 22°C.