Decision needed re buying new duvet

Hollow fibre duvets are very good; they fold round you almost as well as down (which we can't use because of allergies.) Mine are from IKEA, one summer, one winter. DH is already insisting that we change to the summer one, as he's too hot. Notice, though, who is awake and who is asleep right now!

Down duvets sound very cosy but not a good idea if you have asthma. I found no difference in warmth between cheap and expensive so buy the latter and dispose of them rather than clean them.

I have asthma! But I find I am fine with down! Mine is washable.

Washable is ok if they are single, can be done in the bath, but a king size is impossible. Our dry cleaners refuse to actually dry clean them as they say it is dangerous, as the fumes stay in sometimes. They actually wash them in a giant machine but it costs more than a cheapy.

I have king size. It goes inmy easing machine.

Should say washing machine! Too tired! Goodnight!

I suspect that because a small proportion of asthmatics are allergic to feathers (or the dust on them), someone has propnounced that down duvets are "bad for" asthmatics. The same has been done with other things, such as aspirin. When I queried this with our asthma nurse, she said that actually only about 4% of asthmatics have a bad reaction to aspirin. It'll be a similar thing for down. Nullus in verba.

We disposed of our duvet plus old towels and sheets to the local Dogs Home. They are desperate for them.

Nanapug you should not be cross with the Salvation Army. Of course they cannot give used bedding to anyone. Yours may be clean but there is no way of telling and I guess some people would be stupid enough to give them disgusting stuff. If they gave away used bedding they would be severely criticized on hygienic grounds. There is also a patronizing aspect!!

Just discovered why Gransnet keep saying my spelling is wrong. I have been forced to put a "z" in criticise and patronise to get rid of the irritating red zigzag lines. This is American spelling: we should not be made to use their spelling: we were there first!!!

carboncareful Insofar as there are rules, –ize, rather than –ise has been the preferred spelling in the UK for the past 40 years or so. My Shorter Oxford Dictionary revised edition 1972 uses –ize spellings.

I don't think Gransnet has a spell check.

carboncareful Ignore the zigzag lines and use an S. The lines don't show up once you have posted on Gransnet. Can you define whether yours uses American English or English English?

o well absent that just shows how olde I am!

Carbon, I know this is not duvets (mine is also from JL and an all seasons one which is too hot when joined together, otherwise lovely and NOT feathery, I must be one of the 4%) BUT I haven't seen Faye here for a long time, have I missed a post?

Carboncareful, it is not so much the Sally Army that I am cross with, more the manner in which my offer was refused and the implication that went with it. I sort of understand about not giving second hand bedding out, but IMHO I think if I were cold and homeless and on the streets, a washed second hand duvet/blanket would be preferable to having nothing. Surely there is no difference with that and buying things from a charity shop to wear/use which I have done frequently? At least the RSPCA were pleased so that is fine.

Faye posting about her GS Charlie's heart op. Only topic on her mind, understandably.
Have put my silk duvet out in the blasting UV rays as is recommend (first time it has had this recommended treatment...)
Asthmatics are more likely to be allergic to house dust mites than feathers - or rather their droppings (eugh) . Very well known allergen. The mites live on your skin flakes. So well used duvet could have quite a lot. Pillows are the worst cos your face is stuck in them every night. My DH saw a presentation once in which the researcher said that in old pillows sometimes a significant percentage of the weight is made up of house dust mite droppings.
So if asthmatic chucking out pillows regularly is a good idea.
Someone I know puts hers on a hot tumble dry - aim is to kill mites. But I am unconvinced as mites will charge back in once they go back on bed and the tumble drying will not break down the droppings - they will still be there and could still affect anyone allergic to them.

Does it depend what the pillows are made of? Am guessing synthetic worse than natural fillings because things don't 'stick' to natural fubres so much. e.g. wool does not 'hold' dirt the same way acrylic does.

Suspect synthetic are recommended cos you can wash em.
Mites invisibly small. Just about spot one with a x10 lens. Their poo is ... well a lot smaller. The skin flakes they feed off are the motes you see floating in a sunbeam.
OK - just read wikip. entry. Apparently there is disagreement about the weight of hdm poo on pillows. But there is evidence that actually feather pillows hold less allergen than synthetic.

Wool pillows? That would give me eczema!

it was an e.g. jeni, not a pillow

The chancellor sits on a wool sack!

eeuw I bet after all those bums - actually I thought it was the "chair" of the house of lords.... yes it is the "lord speaker" as now referred to. used to be the lord chancellor but not the ch of exchequer chancellor. Symbolised that the wealth of england was wool.

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Reported

I just bought a JL 2.5 tog goosedown duvet and it is quite warm. I already have a 10.5 and will combine the two when it gets really cold in the winter.

I'd rather just put one on top of the other without bothering to buy a set which clip together.

Goosedown lovely and soft, drifts gently down around the body.

I bought my quality Super Microfibre 13.5 Tog Duvet from Homescapes which is ideal for winters and also useful for a chilly autumn or for cold homes, these duvets are also used in hotels. They are good for health too.

I use a king size duvet on a standard double bed . It gives better overhang either side and more room for turnovers. I also use king sizetop sheets.