At this time of year, manufacturers and distributors compete to convince consumers that their duvets are the most comfortable for the summer season. Let's take a look at what really makes the difference.

What is it that enables a duvet to occupy both the top spot on the podium (in marketing parlance, to be among the best sellers) and to have a place of choice in the hearts and, above all, the bedding equipment of the famous housewife under 50?

Duvet fillings

Before getting to the heart of the matter, let's get rid of a few "annoying" duvets, which have no other merit than being easy to maintain and inexpensive.

Synthetic duvets

At the top of the duvets unsuited to the warm seasonare synthetic duvets. Their 100% polyester fibers, often silicone-coated, don't allow air to pass through them, so they don't allow the body to regulate its temperature, let alone evacuate the moisture it produces during the night: we're talking about perspiration here.

Polyester fiber is naturally (no pun intended!) airtight and waterproof. It is therefore totally uncomfortable.

The trick for manufacturers is to reduce the weight of the duvet as much as possible, so as to mechanically reduce its covering power and therefore its natural tendency to make you sweat!

The result is duvets that are indeed cheap (because they're so thin and inexpensive to produce) but 100% polyester. The "icing on the cake" is undoubtedly the so-called "microfiber" duvets. Not only is their filling synthetic, but their cover is also straight out of a test tube!

In short, if wearing a nylon T-shirt was pleasant in the middle of summer, you'd know it! Why should a duvet with such a thin filling have virtues that the mesh of a simple tee-shirt wouldn't?

Let's face it, opting for a synthetic duvet in winter can be an acceptable choice, often dictated by economic considerations. To do so in summer is a regrettable mistake, as it is so uncomfortable.
Remember: polyester = perspiration!

Natural duvets

Now that we've sidelined the synthetic duvets, let's take an objective look at which of the natural duvets we're going to choose. natural duvets will help you avoid night sweats.

Down comforters

In the cold season, duvets made from goose or duck down are at the top of the range. A good duvet should be made from new down, and it should be manufactured with care and according to the rules of the trade. However, these duvets are often too warm in mid-season and unbearable in summer, whatever their weight.

Wool duvets

They have the same advantages as down, but the same disadvantages: perfect in winter, they're often heavy and suffocating in summer. And, let's face it, wool is rarely associated with the warm season, whatever its use. And while some particularly light woollen duvets may be suitable in summer, that's not the way we think of them!

Bamboo fiber duvets

Unfortunately, they haven't lived up to the promise they seemed to make when they first appeared on the market in the early 2000s. Very crumbly and not very durable, their filling disintegrates over the years into fine powder-like particles. These particles amalgamate in some of the duvet's partitioning tiles, creating entire zones with no filling whatsoever.

That leaves Silk duvets! 

At first, it was highly prized by drapers and used to make elegant, silky and sometimes even voluptuous bed linen. Silk went on to earn its place in the exclusive club of natural materials used in the manufacture of quality bedding.

Naturally healthy and insulatingsilk has slowly but surely made its mark on the market for natural pillows and duvets. Visit summer duvets in particular, are highly appreciated for their innumerable properties. They provide an ideal sleeping environment during the warm season.

First and foremost, duvets filled with natural silk have a very high moisture capacity. thermoregulation. They can adapt to the warmth of the room, facilitating "heat exchange" between your body and the outside environment.
So they keep you warm, but not too warm, and avoid the unpleasant sensation of suffocation you might feel in summer with other types of duvets.

The moisture absorption capacity of a duvet is just as important as the warmth it provides. Waking up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat is an unpleasant sensation, forcing you to uncover and cover yourself one after the other, without really getting a good night's sleep.
A silk duvet is the perfect way to wick away perspiration. Silk fiber absorbs up to 30% of its own weight in moisture. What's more, while there are other materials that absorb perspiration, only silk rapidly evacuates moisture to the outside. So people who perspire a lot at night will sleep better and wake up rested in the morning.

Naturally antibacterialSilk duvets are naturally antibacterial, so you can maintain a healthy duvet without the need for repeated laundering or chemical treatments. Daily aeration and the use of a duvet cover, washed regularly, will suffice to maintain perfect hygiene.

Finally, silk provides a healthy sensation of freshness, which you quickly discover after the first few nights of use in hot weather. All this makes it the best lightweight, anti-perspiration duvet.

How to choose a real silk duvet

A silk duvet is not just a duvet containing silk. Not all duvets are created equal!

But what really makes the difference? How do you choose before you buy?

1 - First and foremost, pay close attention to the quality of the raw materials used.

- First of all, avoid like the plague cheap duvets made from "rayon". These are offered by merchants with little regard for the quality of their products and the satisfaction of their customers!
Rayon", also known as viscose or "artificial silk", is to silk what nylon is to cotton! Originally a plant-based textile, it is now produced in a completely artificial way. Its qualities are nowhere near those of natural silk.

- Only mulberry worm silk (Bombyx) can be used. Ideally, choose Grade A silk silk resulting from the selection of top-quality cocoons. These will be able to unwind into a long, regular thread and provide uniform filling.

2 - Next, make sure that your silk is manufactured with the utmost care and attention to detail.

- The silk duvet is made by hand, without stitching, using a traditional, painstaking process of stretching and crossing long silk fibers in a multitude of layers.
One sign of the care taken in the manufacture of your duvet is the presence of a zipper. This allows you to see at a glance the quality of the filling. Only manufacturers who are certain of their products will risk this difficult transparency!

- A serious manufacturer will also commit to the total absence of toxic substances. Make sure, for example, that the manufacturer holds a health certificate such as the Oeko-Tex® 100 standard, which guarantees that the products concerned are free from substances undesirable to health and the skin.

- What's more, there's no point in having an optimal filling if the duvet cover is synthetic! You should therefore only choose a duvet with a 100% cotton cover, ideally made from a fine, tightly woven percale, to ensure longevity and comfort.

- Last but not least, of course, you'll need to opt for a light-weight duvet!
A silk duvet weighing more than 200 grams will already be too warm. 170/180 g/m2 is the standard and perfect if you're looking for a lightweight, anti-perspiration duvet.

3 - What about the price?

Good news: no programmed obsolescence here!

If quality has a price, a quality summer duvet will not only bring you incomparable comfort, but will also last much longer. The silk duvet is a long-lasting companion.

Now all you have to do is choose a pretty bed linen set, also made from 100% natural fibers. And why not a silk duvet cover for a 100% silk ensemble!

Silk duvet covers also have anti-perspiration properties. Unlike cotton, which feels clammy when it absorbs water, silk stays dry to the touch. That's why silk is so pleasant to wear in summer. This property gives a more pleasant feel and a healthier environment that helps you get to sleep.

Take a look at our buying guides dedicated to silk duvets. You'll find all the information you need about their manufacture and exceptional properties. You'll also find advice on how to choose the right silk duvet. 

You can also contact us by e-mail or telephone to find out more.