Buying Tips For Dorm Bedding

July & August are my favorite time of year as the rush of newly minted college students and their parents dive right into shopping for their dorm rooms. As a company we pushed the edge this year with more Twin XL products including a new waterproof twin xl mattress pad and new twin xl duvets.

One of the most often questions I get is what size comforter do they really need to buy? Many stores will showcase a twin xl comforter and we ourselves sell a half dozen styles.  But do you really need to spend extra for the comforter or is it more marketing hype?  Well in this case it’s a bit of both.  True enough most dorms use a 39 x 80 bed which is 5 inches longer then a twin bed at home. Furthermore, bed size specific items like twin xl sheets, twin xl pads and twin xl feather beds need to be size specific – no skimping otherwise it won’t fit.  However the dorm comforters themself have more leeway in terms of the minimum size you need to buy. Unless your student  is really tall – like 6 foot plus – you honestly don’t need to spend extra on a twin xl comforter. Of course having one just gives more coverage on the bed and giving it a proper look.

We ourselves sell 3 sizes in twins which can also be used in the dorm room based on pattern, tc. color and filling choices:

• ‘Normal Twins’ – 68 x 86 to 68 x 88
• ‘Oversized Twins’ – 68 x 88 to 68 x 90
• ‘Twin Xl’ – 68 x 92 – the real deal!

For example on our special dorm section we feature a 3 piece dorm bed set that features a down filled comforter and two down pillows (not feather pillows – down pillows). This set measures 68 x 88 and for most students will be fine.

However if your student is taller and or neaurotic about tucked in dorm comforters – then the 68 x 90 to 68 x 92 sizes are ideal. Don’t forget that we recommend dorm comforters to use a duvet that way the students just have to wash the duvet and not the comforter (although all our twin/twin xl comforters are machine washable and dryable).

I’m always available for last minute questions from parents and students alike – drop me a line: shunter@downlite.com.

Warm Regards,
Stefan

Director of eCommerce @ DOWNLITE

Will My Comforter Fit Into A Duvet?

In the United States a comforter is used on your bed to help keep you warm at night. A duvet is an article of bedding that covers and protects your filled comforter (they are also called ‘duvet covers’ or ‘duvet protectors’). Not only do duvets help protect your down comforter investment but they also help to add a touch of color and design into your bedroom. In Europe and most American hotels – a duvet is the actual comforter (an analogy is what we call Soccer is called Football abroad) and the cover is called a duvet cover.

Typically a duvet is meant to fit or be filled with a comforter that is plus or minus two inches in dimensions. For a snugger fit we advise to purchase a comforter that is bigger than the duvet by two inches in both dimensions. Because duvets are meant to be washed they will experience fabric shrinkage – so even if your duvet measures the same as your comforter – it will likely shrink 3 to 5% and have a nice snug fit on your comforter. Your comforter will also likely shrink 3 to 5% If it is washed and contains cotton – which most do to make them down proof (of course other materials can be used – but 95% of all down comforters use a cotton fabric or a blend of cotton).

Typically duvets feature a closing method of buttons and in some cases zippers or ties. Duvet covers may also feature internal pieces of fabric called ties. These ties are meant to be tied to a loop on the comforter if available. Most comforters you see in a store do not have duvet loops – the exceptions would be hotel style comforters actually used at hotels as well as some fine linen store product lines. If you do not have a comforter with corner loops or a duvet with ties – don’t worry – the friction of the comforter fabric and the duvet fabric will likely keep them in place (a weekly adjustment only perhaps). The one exception would be a silky duvet material which would likely not keep the comforter in place and allow internal slippage (which once again can be adjusted).

Whether you have the comforter first or the duvet first – it can sometimes be hard to know if the duvet will fit properly onto a comforter. Many catalogs sell bedding but may not explicitly state the size of the duvet itself – so we have this size guide to help you with common duvet sizes as of 2010 for popular decorative catalogs*:

• Pottery Barn – Typical Duvet Cover SizesTwin = 66 x 86, Queen = 92 x 88, King = 108 x 92
• Crate & Barrel – Typical Duvet Cover SizesTwin = 66 x 86, Queen = 92 x 96, King = 106 x 96
• West Elm – Typical Duvet Cover SizesTwin = 68 x 86, Queen = 88 x 92, King = 108 x 92
• Soft Surroundings – Typical Duvet Cover SizesTwin = 62 x 88, Queen = 88 x 88, King = 104 x 88

*Please note most of the major bedding catalogs like The Company Store, Cuddledown and Linen Source will have a good amount of comforters to fill these duvet sizes. Please note you should also double check with the bedding catalog itself and ask a customer service or product specialist what their exact dimensions are – this is just meant to be a quick guide and may change.

Here are some common comforter sizes sold at department stores:

• Oversized Queen = 90 x 96 to 90 x 98
• Oversized King = 106 x 96 108 x 98

Here are some common comforters sizes used at hotels:

• Queen = 90 x 90
• XL Queen = 90 x 95
• King = 104 x 90
• XL King = 104 x 95

It should be noted that stores will often sell promotional comforters which are typically smaller in size and may fit your duvet filler needs. Stores will also sometimes sell a comforter marked as Full/Queen but even that can range from 88 x 88 to what we call an oversize queen of 90 x 98. The best bet is to read the law label on the comforter and look for the size in inches that is plus or minus two inches of your duvet size (where it is better if the comforter is equal to or larger than the duvet by 2 inches in the width and length).

To learn more about down comforters that will fit your duvet cover please visit ShopDownLite.com.

Pillow Bells & Whistles – What Is A Gusset?

Bed pillows come in all shapes and sizes and can be a confusing item to purchase with all those options. Many consumers are not sure what the pillow extras mean for them. The additional pillow elements include: gussets, embroidery, piping or cording, removable protectors and more.

When a pillow is made the basic pillow construction includes a rectangle shape that is filled with various fillings including down, down alternative or polyester. Pillows used in the United States come in 6 basic sizes and the majority of stores only carry Jumbo & King (except Bloomingdales which uses standard, queen and king):
• Standard – 20 x 26
• Jumbo – 20 x 28
• Queen – 20 x 30
• King – 20 x 36
• Euro – 26 x 26
• Body – 20 x 54 or 20 x 60

Why Are Some Pillows Thicker?
Pillows that have ‘Gussets’ and/or also called ‘Sidewalls’ are basically a pillow that features a border or panel in the middle of the outside. This additional middle fabric allows the pillow to be thicker and thus contain more filling. Typically the pillow gusset runs ½ an inch to 2 inches. Department stores like pillows that look thicker because to the consumer the additional filling and the aesthetic element looks visually more interesting. We do know that the more internal volume you have the more filling needed to keep the pillow looking ‘full’. This additional filling is helpful for someone who wants a firmer pillow (this assumes the pillow fill weight is increased to allow for that correct density).

Having a gusset does not mean a pillow is firmer – in fact they can run soft, medium and firm just the same as a normal pillow constructions. In most cases a pillow with a gusset can be used in existing pillow cases just the same. Sometimes a store may run a promotional pillow with a really thick gusset like 3 inches that do make it hard to fit into a pillowcase and have a ‘couch cushion’ look to them.

What Are The Different Trims or embellishments on a pillow?
Some pillows feature piping pr braiding for decorative aesthetic visuals. In general these decorative elements do not add nor hinder the feeling of the pillow. In some extreme cases the piping or braiding can be large enough to cause an uncomfortable bump underneath a pillow case but that is rare. Other decorative elements can include printed fabric on the pillow, the gusset or both.

How Come Some Pillows Have A Pillow Protector?
Some pillows feature a bonus pillow protector which is great because it makes caring for the pillow easier. It is very typical that a pillow will use a nice outer protector and a basic inner pillow fabric (For example a 500 TC Pillow might use a 500 TC pillow protector and a 230 Cambric Cotton inner pillow). We like to look for pillow protectors that feature a premium smooth zipper so as to not feel the zipper when closed and in bed use.

How Come Some Pillows Have Embroidery?
Some department stores and brands like to use an embroidered logo on their pillows – typically on the outside pillow protector. The embroidery does not serve a purpose but to enforce the brand in a store setting for extra visual appeal.

To learn more about Down Pillows you can visit ShopDownLite.com to buy manufacturer direct or ask other questions we did not cover in this article.

Where To Buy Hotel Bedding?

Over the years many fine hotels have upgraded their bedding as an added amenity to consumers.  Now you can find luxury hotel bedding from all kinds of properties from motels to hotels to boutique resorts. Because a good night’s sleep is so important they have been busy upgrading hotel rooms to make them stand out better than their competition.

As a result of these amazing hotel bedding upgrades everything on the bed has been improved – from the mattress & box spring to the comforters and the pillows. Probably the most sought after item from a good hotel stay is for someone to want to buy the pillows used at the hotel.  Luckily many hotels allow guests a method to buy the same bedding they use but for home use. Many larger properties will place a brochure or catalog within the room.  However, many hotels are not large enough to offer a dedicated guest fulfillment program and the happy hotel guest has to find another method of purchasing the bedding for home.

The best way to find out where to buy the hotel bedding for home is to look on the law tag.  All ‘filled’ bedding according to FTC regulations has to have a law tag sewn onto the article of bedding by the manufacturer.  Most consumers jokingly know these tags as the ‘Remove By Penalty of Law’ tag. When bedding companies make bedding they commonly use a style # or description on the bedding tag. One hotel bedding manufacturer – DOWNLITE, uses a 24 character model number like HOS100PI0050-WHI-020-026 to describe their item. Most bedding also features a manufacturer brand tag and it is very common for a consumer to google the manufacturer name and find their website where they may sell the bedding.  Don’t be fooled by resellers of bedding and instead go straight to the actual hotel bedding manufacturer. The largest bedding manufacturers for hotels include DOWNLITE, Pacific Coast Feather and Carpenter.

To find the law tag on a pillow – you have to first remove the pillow case and then remove the pillow protector – which is commonly zippered on.  Finally, you should be able to see the law tag and hence the model # or description. If you see a RN # – ignore it – that simply is the code which tells you the manufacturer name. Always be sure to include additional information if you’re at a hotel to make sure you can find the hotel supplier later on – including hotel name, city, state and law tag info (you can even take a photo of it).

To find the law tag on a comforter is sometimes easier as many hotels do what is called double or triple sheeting.  Double or triple sheeting is basically just extra big flat sheets that sandwich a blanket or comforter and then are decoratively folded over.  They act in the same way as a duvet cover protector and keep the comforter from being touched by hotel guests.

Some items in a hotel room cannot be purchased easily include bed spreads, bed skirts, drapes and decorative top of bed elements which typically are furnished by a special firm which cuts and sews those decorative fabrics as required by the hotel interior designer or brand that manages that property.

To learn more about hotel bedding including those made by DOWNLITE for Hotels, Resorts, Cruises & Spa’s – please visit ShopDownLite.com.

What is the TOG Warmth Scale Rating For Bedding?

Bedding sold in Europe uses a warmth scale that measures the ability to keep you warm. It is a simplified system that allows easier warmth comparisons regardless of filling material, fabric, thickness, etc.

In the United States we typically do not see a TOG system used although it does have it’s merits. At DOWNLITE we simplify our bedding’s warmth levels with a ‘Warm’, ‘Warmer’ and ‘Warmest’ rating system.
Typical TOG’s and our equivalent warmth ratings are shown here:

• TOG 3.0 to 4.5 ~ Warm
• TOG 7.0 to 10.5 ~ Warmer
• TOG 12.0 to 13.5 ~ Warmest

Admittedly it can be confusing for the average consumer to know the difference in warmth’s for the various things which affect warmth in a comforter including:

Just like the European TOG system – our goal is to allow down bedding to be purchased easily and with confidence. Don’t guess on your bedding needs – call a product specialist @ DOWNLITE to help find the right warm comforter for you (1-866-931-3696).