What is a quilt cover and how is it different from a duvet or doona cover? Do you really need one and what are the benefits?
Below you will find all the information you need to make shopping for bedding as easy as one-two-three.
What Is a Quilt Cover and What is it Used For?
As the name suggests a quilt cover is a piece of bedding used to cover a quilt.
Quilts/duvets are inserts usually filled with cotton, feather, microfiber or polyester, and held in a white fabric casing.
The quilt is typically inserted into the cover which then protects the duvet from dust mites, allergens, body oils and stains.
What are quilt covers made of?
Quilt covers come in standard bedding sizes and are made from various materials, including wool, cotton, cotton sateen, polyester, silk, and linen.
Cotton and linen are by far the most popular choices—both are durable, affordable and breathable. Silk quilt covers are also quite common although reserved for shoppers with a bigger budget, whereas those interested in cheap but quality material opt for polyblend quilt covers.
This piece of bedding is usually sold as part of a quilt cover set, which also includes two pillowcases and sometimes a fitted and flat sheet. Quilt covers are sold individually as well.
The type of quilt cover you choose is up to you, your budget and preferences.
What are the benefits of quilt covers?
Let’s see what having a quilt cover means for your sleeping habits.
- Quilt covers add warmth and comfort to the bed
- They can be decorative as well as functional. Quilt covers are available in a wide range of designs, colours and textures to suit any bedroom style.
- They prolong the lifespan of your quilt by protecting it from shredding, tearing and stains.
- Quilt covers are machine-washable and easy to dry, unlike a quilt which normally requires dry cleaning.
- You can use the quilt cover as a duvet in the summer months.
- One of the more simple ways to keep the comforter from sliding down is putting it in a duvet cover—once you zip up the quilt in the cover, it will not bunch up or slide off the bed at night.
What other accessories you might need for a restful night’s sleep:
High-quality supportive pillows
Weighted blankets for warmth and anxiety relief
What Is the Difference Between a Doona and a Quilt
In short, these are all different terms for the same thing. In Australia, there is no difference between a duvet, quilt or comforter.
All these terms are also used interchangeably with doona, i.e. the Aussie word for quilt, duvet and comforter. Doona is the trademark property of the Tontine Group, the makers of Australia’s best-selling quilts, high-quality pillows and one of the top-rated electric blankets on the market. While we are at it, doona is the same as a continental quilt, bedspread, and bed covering.
By extension, the term ‘quilt cover’ is the same as ‘duvet cover’ and ‘doona cover’.
What about the difference between a comforter and a quilt?
The purpose of a comforter and quilt is the same, but they differ in the top layer. Comforters are made with a finished casing and can be used without a cover. Hence they are often used as stand-alone pieces, adding another layer of bedding, usually, for aesthetic purposes
Comforters are normally made of down or feather, although you can find plenty of synthetic options for those with allergy issues.
In Australia, though, there should be no comforter vs quilt dilemma, as they both tend to be used interchangeably.
Note: You can put a quilt cover on a comforter, provided the sizes match. You can find more information on Australian bedding sizes here.
How to put a doona cover on?
Inserting the quilt into the cover is quite straightforward. You can try two techniques: the original way and the California roll.
The traditional method
- Start with turning the cover inside out.
- Straighten it out by putting it on your bed.
- Grab the two top corners and align them with the doona corners.
Image credit: Casper
- Hold on to each corner, lift up and slide the cover onto the doona.
Image credit: Casper
- Once the quilt is in the cover, zip or button it to hold it in place.
The California roll
- Turn the doona cover inside out and lay it flat on your bed with the opening at the foot of the bed.
- Place the doona above the cover and align all the corners. The better your corners are aligned, the easier the job will be.
Image credit: Casper
- Start rolling the donna and the cover together from the non-zip/button side of the cover until you reach the other end.
Image credit: Casper
- Once the bedding is rolled, take one end and open the cover stuffing the quilt inside.
- Flip the cover, zip it and unroll it. Shake it well to distribute the fluff evenly.
You might be interested in: The best sofa beds in Australia for overnight guests
How to Choose a Quilt Cover
Ready to buy a quilt cover? Here are the factors you need to keep in mind when shopping,
Fabric
Choose a material that suits your budget and sleeping style. Hot sleepers would do well to choose cotton or linen, whereas those who need more warmth can try silk or a synthetic material. Ease of use is another point for consideration—some materials, like silk, require delicate care, while other fabrics, like cotton or microfibre, do not wrinkle and are easy to care for.
Sizes
The quilt cover needs to match your duvet size, i.e. be 5cm shorter on each side so that the quilt can fit perfectly.
Keep in mind that the quilt itself should be one size bigger than the size of the mattress. So if you have a queen-size bed, you need a king-sized duvet.
Thread Count
Whether you are buying bed sheets for winter or a quilt cover, opt for a higher thread count. Sheets with high TC, ideally between 400 and 600, are more durable and of better quality.
Design
Pick a duvet cover that complements the existing decor in the room. Luckily there is so much choice out there—from elegant colours and clean design to vibrant patterns and gorgeous prints.
Is there any difference between a fitted sheet and a mattress protector? Find out in this helpful article.
Cost
Most quilt covers in Australia range between $60 and $300, depending on whether you are buying just a duvet cover or a set. The price is also determined by the size and material—doona covers made out of synthetic fibre are the most budget-friendly, whereas silk tends to be on the higher end of the price spectrum.
The Final Point to Cover: Can You Use a Quilt Without a Cover?
Although you can use a quilt without a cover, it is recommended to insert the doona into one. Quilt covers are designed to protect your duvet from physical damage, dust, and stains and prolong its lifespan. Moreover, covers provide a healthier environment to sleep in as they are easier to keep fresh and clean.
Lastly, quilt covers are usually made of cotton, wool, linen and other temperature-regulating materials that can significantly improve your sleep quality.
FAQs:
1. Can you sleep with just a quilt cover?
Yes, you can use quilt covers without the quilt insert, especially during hot Australian nights.
2. What is in a quilt cover set?
A sheet set typically includes a quilt cover and two matching pillowcases. More often than not, quilt covers are bought separately, or added on purchases of a sheet set that contains a flat sheet, a fitted sheet and two pillowcases.
3. Duvet vs quilt: Is there any difference?
In some countries, the term quilt is used to denote a bedspread, i.e. a decorative piece spread on top of the duvet. In Australia though, they are used interchangeably.
4. What is a quilt cover called in Australia?
In Australia there is no difference between doona and quilt or quilt and duvet—all terms are used to describe the same thing. Therefore, a quilt cover is the same as a doona cover or a duvet cover.
