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• Bedding - a buyer's guide

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Bedding sizes

Our bedding sizes are based upon the following measurements:

All measurements are approximate

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Different duvet types

How your duvet feels depends on its tog or fill rating and what it's made from.

Different duvets are suitable for different times of the year. Before choosing your duvet, consider your own individual sleeping style and preferences, such as whether you tend to get hot or cold in the night.

What are tog and fill ratings?

Tog ratings refer to a duvet's ability to trap air and provide insulation - the higher the rating, the more insulation the duvet provides and the warmer it is.

Northern Nights bedding is graded according to fill power rather than tog rating. Fill power is usually measured on a scale of 300 fill power and up. Northern Nights duvets start from 500 fill power and up, which reflects their quality.

All ratings are approximate.

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Choosing your duvet filling

Duvet fillings are either natural or synthetic. Natural down fillings are breathable and have excellent insulating properties, while synthetic duvets are practical and easier to look after.

Natural fillings

Duvets with natural fillings are soft, light and comfortable. Plus, the natural fibres help your skin 'breathe' more effectively. Here are some of the different natural fillings:

Feather: Feathers offer firm support and range in size from 9cm (3.5") or shorter in length.

Down: Down is the soft plumage on a bird's chest and belly.

Microfeather: These are highly curled feathers which offer springy support that stays in place while you sleep.

Eurofeather: It's one of the smallest, tightest-curled feathers and acts as a natural spring to offer firm support.

Uncrushable: The thickness and natural curve of these feathers offer ultra-firm support that resists going flat.

Benefits of natural fillings

Excellent insulation: Down contains thousands of tiny air pockets that offer natural insulation - keeping cold air out and warm air in.

Superb body support: Pillows and duvets filled with down contour to your body's shape and offer great support.

Cleaning down: Natural-filled duvets can last up to 30 years, but their lifespan is affected by the number of times they're washed. Natural-filled duvets should always be professionally cleaned. Check out more tips and advice for cleaning natural-filled duvets.

• See our selection of natural-filled duvets

Synthetic fillings

Synthetic duvets are less expensive and tend to be more practical than natural-filled duvets.

Ideal for allergy sufferers: They're especially good if you are allergic to feathers or down, or if you are sensitive to dust and need to wash your duvet regularly.

Made with lightweight fabrics: Synthetic duvets are made from polyester or polyester microfibre. Microfibre duvets are lighter than standard polyester duvets and replicate the same properties as down.

Cleaning synthetic duvets: Synthetic duvets can be put in the washing machine. Their lifespan (about 10 years) is less than natural-filled duvets.

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Choosing your pillow

The best pillows will provide you with the right level of support and comfort. Your ideal pillow will depend on your build, sleeping style and personal preference.

It's important to have a pillow that complements your mattress; for example, a firm pillow will complement a firm mattress.

How do you sleep?

Different pillows are better for particular sleep styles than others.

On your back - a pillow of medium height and firmness is best.

On your side - a firm, high pillow is recommended.

On your front - a soft, low pillow will provide the best cushioning and comfort.

Pillow fillings - natural-filled pillows contour to the shape of your neck and shoulders, offering excellent support. The more feathers inside the pillow, the firmer it feels and any additional down will give it a softer feel.

Pillow lifespan - pillows have a shorter lifespan than duvets. This because the weight of your neck and shoulders compresses the filling and deteriorates the level of support.

• See our selection of pillows

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Choosing your featherbed

Featherbeds add life to your bed and provide added comfort

What is a featherbed? It lies on top of your mattress and under the sheet. It offers an extra layer of support and is an excellent way to provide added cushion and comfort. You can choose from a variety of featherbed designs.

Featherbed designs

Baffle box

Baffle channel

Gusset bafflebox

Gusset baffle channel

Horizontal lumbar

Down on top

Baffle box: The boxed compartments are sewn into the seams to prevent feather from moving while providing breathability and even distribution.

Baffle channel: Feather is locked into individual channels that run head to toe providing extra adjustability and comfort where needed.

Gusset baffle box: The same design as the baffle box except for an added piece of fabric (gusset) which is inserted into an edge or seam to provide a fuller, fluffier construction.

Gusset baffle channel: The same design as the baffle channel except for an added piece of fabric (gusset) which is inserted into an edge or seam to provide a fuller, fluffier construction.

Horizontal lumbar: The horizontal channels target the body's pressure points and provide extra support along the spine for added comfort.

Down on top: The two-layered construction combines the support of a gusset featherbed underneath with the incredible comfort and luxury of down on top.

• See our selection of featherbeds

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Mattress toppers, memory foam and pillow protectors

Mattress toppers and pillow protectors extend the life of your bedding and provide added comfort.

What is a mattress topper? It lies on top of your mattress and under the duvet sheet. It offers an extra layer of support and is an excellent way to revitalise a tired mattress.

What is memory foam? Like a mattress topper, memory foam lies on top of your mattress and under the duvet sheet. Memory foam envelopes every curve for better balance, comfort and alignment and it comes in a number of ways:

• Solid: A solid layer of memory foam to offer full even support.
• Convoluted: A layer of memory foam with peaks to encourage better air flow and circulation offering a cooler more comfortable sleep.
• Zoned: A layer of memory foam that is sectioned to correctly support the different areas of the body. There are usually four or six zones:
  
  • Zone 1 – head section = gentle support
  • Zone 2 – shoulder section = medium support
  • Zone 3 – torso section = maximum support
  • Zone 4 – leg section = medium support

What is a pillow protector? These keep your pillows fresh and give you protection from bacteria and dust mites, as well as coping with general wear and tear.

• See our selection of mattress toppers, memory foam and pillow protectors

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Types of bed linen

Bed linen is made from a variety of materials, each one with its own thread count.

What is thread count? Thread count refers to the fabric quality and can be defined as the number of threads woven into one square inch. Generally, the higher the thread count, the softer and more durable the fabric.

All Northern Nights sheets have a thread count of at least 300. They're also made from 100% cotton and woven with satin for the softest possible finish. 

Thread count ratings

Here's a rough guide to fabric quality, according to thread count:

• Less than 190 = average
• 200 – 220 = good
• 230 – 280 = very good
• 300 – 400 = excellent
• 500 – 600 = premium

Bed linen fabrics

At QVC we use cotton in our bed linen because it's natural, soft and breathable. Cotton helps your body maintain a constant temperature throughout the night by allowing moisture to evaporate.

Northern Nights bed linen is made from the following cotton types:

Combed cotton: Made from a finer, more lustrous and durable yarn than normal cotton.

Egyptian cotton: The highest quality and softest-feeling cotton available.

Supima cotton: Made from extra-long fibres offering a smoother finish and durability.

Cashmere: Made from brushed cotton with a hint of sumptuous cashmere wool.

Wrinkle Defence: The ultimate easy-care finish, it resists creases and wrinkles for up to 50 washings.

Cotton flannel: This has a soft, fuzzy feel. It has a layer of fibres above the fabric that traps air, making it warm to the touch even when you first climb into bed at night. Northern Nights flannel is brushed on both sides to enhance its insulating properties.

• See our selection of cotton bed linen

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Caring for your bedding

Caring for down duvets

• Fluff your duvet daily to replenish the air.
• About once a month, you may need to redistribute the down. Lay the duvet on a flat surface and push the fill to where you want it with your palm and forearm.
• Air your duvet a couple of times a year by draping it over some chairs, ensuring the fill remains evenly distributed.

Cleaning: Spot clean anything that's spilt on the duvet by pushing the fill away from the area and using a damp cloth with mild detergent to clean away the stain.

Ensure that the spot is completely dry before allowing the fill back into the area.

For a complete clean, always have your down duvet professionally dry cleaned

Tip: store duvets in a breathable bag, not a plastic one; plastic bags can trap moisture and lead to mildew.

Caring for featherbeds

• When you first get your featherbed, gently shake it and air it out for a few hours to allow the feathers to fluff up.
• Shake and fluff your featherbed on a regular basis to allow the fill to fluff.
• The distribution of feathers can become uneven. Simply redistribute the filling by placing the featherbed on a flat surface and pushing the feathers into place using your palm and forearm.
  

Cleaning: Spot clean minor soiling using a mild detergent and water. Push the fill away from the water as much as possible, as damp feathers will disintegrate or grow mildew.

For more extensive cleaning have your featherbed professionally dry cleaned.

Tip: a featherbed should be treated like an extension of your mattress. Cover it either with a featherbed cover or a sheet on top of the featherbed and the mattress.

Caring for memory foam

• Memory foam can take up to 48 hours to fully form to its original shape, so allow it to rest once unwrapped.
• Memory foam tends to have a chemical smell when initially unwrapped, so allow it to breath.
• To reduce the effect of discolouration, it is recommended to cover the memory foam with a lightweight protector.

Cleaning: Sponge clean minor soiling using a mild detergent and water. Blot the stain gently with a sponge or cloth and wait for it to dry as it can be difficult to tell if you've effectively removed the stain when the area becomes wet. Repeat if necessary.

Caring for pillows

• Air new pillows in the sunshine or in the tumble dryer.
• Fluff pillows regularly to allow the fill to go back to its natural shape and absorb fresh air.
• Use a pillow cover or protector as well as a decorative pillow case or sham.
• When not in use, store pillows in a breathable bag rather than a plastic bag.

Cleaning: It's recommend you machine wash and tumble dry Northern Nights pillows once a year.

Wash one pillow at a time on a gentle, 40C cycle and tumble dry on the very lowest setting. It's imperative you don't burn the filling, so allow about four hours.

Damp fill rots and grows mildew, so feel the pillow carefully to make sure all the filling is dry - any lumps or clumps of fill will mean it's not dry.

Tip: When drying your pillow, add a couple of clean tennis balls to the dryer. These will pummel the pillows and fluff them back into shape.

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