What You Need to Know Before Buying Quilts

What You Need to Know Before Buying Quilts

By Hannah Obal

What You Need to Know Before Buying Quilts

Having a good night’s sleep keeps you healthy, refreshed, and ready to take on another day. 

But without the proper atmosphere, dozing off can be a challenge. That’s why many people invest in quality quilts to stay warm and cozy in bed.  

Now the question is—how do you get hold of the perfect quilt? You’ll have to read on to find out!

 

Are Quilts the Solution for You?

Before we list down the things to look for in a quilt, you might want to take a moment to ask yourself whether it’s really right for you.  

You should get a quilt if you:

  • Sleep hot. Quilts are generally thinner and more lightweight than comforters, making them ideal for hot sleepers who want just the right amount of insulation.
  • Like layers. If you enjoy sleeping under several layers, throw a quilt into the mix. You can use it in between your blanket and comforter. Along with Amadora sheets, this will have you looking forward to going to bed every night.
  • Want to spruce up your living space. Besides being fantastic bedding options, quilts also add a touch of personality to your bedroom. 

 

Things to Consider When Buying Quilts

Quilts come in different sizes, materials, and patterns. Having all that variety is nice, but it can also make searching for the perfect quilt more difficult. 

However, you don’t have to worry because we’re here to guide you through the options. Here are four things to keep in mind:

  • Size: As a rule of thumb, your quilt should be big enough to cover the entire bed. But you might want to go up a size if you and your partner both like to hog the bedding.
  • Loft: This describes a quilt’s density. If you want a fluffy quilt to go with your Amadora sheets, keep an eye out for a high loft. Thinner quilts have lower lofts.  
  • Filling: This is the material inside your quilt. Popular fillings include bamboo fibers, wool, cotton, and synthetic fills. The quilt’s filling is arguably its most crucial element, so know the difference between the materials. You can jump to the next section to learn more about fillings.    
  • Weight: The weight of your quilt will depend on its size and filling. Go for a heavier quilt if you’re the kind who tosses and turns at night. You can also get a lighter quilt for the summer months.   

 

What Are the Different Types of Quilts?

Quilts can be categorized based on their filling. Make sure to choose wisely!

If you pick the right type, your temperature will be well–regulated when you sleep. As a result, you’ll sleep like a baby. On the flip side, if you’re not careful with choosing a filling, you’ll risk your allergies flaring up. 

So, which type should you go for?

To help you make an informed choice, here are 5 of the most common quilts and their features:

Bamboo Quilts

Do you have bad allergies? You’ll love bamboo quilts. Bamboo fiber has anti-bacterial properties that resist fungus, bacteria, mold, and dust mites.

Plus, bamboo is much softer than man-made fibers and does a fine job of regulating body temperature thanks to its moisture-wicking abilities. You'll feel like you're in heaven using it any time of the year. 

Bamboo quilts also get bonus points for being sustainable.

Wool Quilts

Wool is a natural insulating fiber. Like bamboo quilts, wool helps regulate your temperature and allows you to enjoy a more restful sleep. If you sleep with a partner, this filling may be the best choice. Wool’s superior insulation can do wonders if you have opposite body temperatures.

Feather and Down Quilts

Down, which either comes from ducks or geese, is known for being a fantastic insulator. Get a down quilt if you don’t like waking up clammy in the middle of the night and want to avoid freezing from the breeze.

Down quilts aren’t just soft and insulating; they’re also built to last. They stay fluffy and won’t lose their shape, even if you shake them often.

But remember this: not all down quilts are made equal. Look at the quilt’s down-to-feather ratio so that it suits your needs. It will be softer, lighter, and warmer if there's more down than feather.      

Cotton Quilts

Like the other quilts we mentioned, cotton is a lightweight natural fiber. It’s also smooth and absorbs moisture.

Another benefit of cotton quilts? They’re allergy-friendly. You can say they’re similar to bamboo quilts in a way, but the latter is pricier. They’re allergy-friendly. The color of a cotton quilt can also fade after several washes.

Synthetic Quilts

You probably guessed it from its name, but a synthetic quilt uses man-made materials like polyester and microfiber. 

While synthetic quilts may be more affordable than bamboo and wool quilts, that doesn’t mean their quality is cheap. The truth is that they’re super comfortable. Polyester varieties have a high loft, whereas microfiber quilts can mimic the feel of down. 

Synthetic quilts are also popular because they’re not high maintenance. You can pop them in the washer, and they’ll come out intact. They dry pretty fast, too. 

 

How to Take Care of Quilts

Picking your quilt is only the beginning. Think of it as an investment for your sleep hygiene. If you want to make the most out of it, you need to treat it well. 

Read your quilt’s product label for the care instructions. Besides that, you’ll also want to follow these tips:

Bamboo

Bamboo quilts can be hand-washed, machine-washed, or dry cleaned, depending on their brand.  

Hand-Washing

Steer clear of bleach and fabric conditioner. Bleach and fabric conditioner may be too harsh for your quilt. Instead, use a mild liquid detergent so its natural fibers won’t get ruined. 

Machine-Washing

Pre-treat stains with baking soda first. Then, on a gentle cycle, use cold water and a light liquid detergent to wash the quilt. 

Important: Air dry your bamboo quilt away from direct sunlight. Place it in a shaded area that gets a pleasant breeze. You can either lay it on the ground on top of towels or use a flat rack. This way, the quilt stays in its original form. 

Wool

Wool quilts need to be air-dried frequently to get rid of odors. You can have them dry-cleaned but don’t do it too often.

Specific wool quilts may also be machine-washable. But—and this is a huge but—if the label states the quilt isn’t meant for the washer, don’t machine wash it. Otherwise, the filling will clump and shrink.

Feather and Down

Bear these in mind if you want your down quilt to last for a long time: 

  • Regularly airing the quilt will keep it fresh and add more years to its life. Air it out before you use it for the first time, too. 
  • You can wet the down quilt as long as you dry it within a certain time frame. 
  • Shake the quilt often to maintain its shape. 
  • Feather and down quilts only need washing or dry-cleaning every 5 years. This will also depend on how much sweat got into the quilt. 

Cotton

You can either wash cotton quilts by hand or machine or let a professional dry cleaner handle them. However, note that washing your cotton quilt often will make its color fade. Read the label to be sure. 

But if you really have to wash it, use a gentle soap and cold water. You can also use the gentle setting on your washer.

Synthetic

Many synthetic quilts are suitable for machine washing. You just need a big enough washer to hold your quilt; otherwise, hand washing is the way to go. Apart from that, caring for a synthetic quilt is straightforward.

 

Are You Ready to Choose a Quilt? 

If you do your homework properly, we have no doubt that you’ll find the best quilt out there. Just don’t forget to give it lots of TLC so that it gives you warmth, comfort, and sweet dreams for years to come.  
Looking for a satiny-soft quilt? Check out the Where The Polka Dots Roam quilts collection here. Each quilt is made from premium-quality microfiber and has a playful design, like our Amadora sheets.