At this time of year, manufacturers and distributors compete to convince consumers that their comforters are the most comfortable for the summer season. Let's take a look at what really makes the difference.
What enables a comforter 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?
Comforter fillings
Before getting to the heart of the matter, let's get rid of a few "annoyances" that have no other merit than being easy to maintain and inexpensive.
Synthetic comforters
At the top of the list of comforters unsuited to the warm season are synthetic comforters. Their 100% polyester and often silicone-coated fibers, unfortunately, don't let air through and don't allow the body to regulate its temperature, let alone evacuate the moisture it produces during the night: we're talking here about perspiration.
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 comforter as much as possible in order to mechanically reduce its covering power and therefore its natural tendency to make you sweat!
They sell you comforters that are indeed cheap (because they're very thin and cheap to produce) but 100% polyester. The "icing on the cake" is undoubtedly the so-called "microfiber" comforters. 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 comforter 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 comforter 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 comforters
Now that we've sidelined synthetic comforters, let's take a look as objectively as possible at natural comforters will help you avoid night sweats.
Down comforters
In the cold season, comforters made from goose or duck down are at the top of the range. A good comforter should be made of new down, and it should be manufactured with care and according to the rules of the trade. However, these comforters are often too warm in mid-season and unbearable in summer, whatever their weight.
Wool comforters
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 comforters may be suitable for summer, that's not the way we think of them!
Bamboo fiber comforters
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 comforter's partitioning tiles, creating entire zones with no filling at all.
That leaves Silk comforters!
Silk was first highly prized by drapers, and was 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 insulating, silk has slowly but surely made its mark on the natural pillow and comforter market. Summer comforters in particular are highly appreciated for their innumerable properties. They provide an ideal sleeping environment during the warmer months.
First and foremost, comforters filled with natural silk are highly thermoregulatory. This means they can adapt to the warmth of the room, facilitating the "heat exchange" between your body and the outside environment.
They keep you warm, but not too warm, and avoid the unpleasant sensation of suffocation you might feel in summer with other types of comforter.
A comforter's ability to absorb moisture is just as important as the warmth it provides. Waking up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat is an unpleasant sensation, and one that forces you to uncover and cover yourself one after the other, without really managing to get a good night's sleep.
A silk comforter will allow perspiration to evacuate perfectly. 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 refreshed in the morning.
Naturally antibacterial, silk helps maintain a healthy comforter without the need for repeated washing or chemical treatments. Daily aeration and the use of a comforter cover, washed regularly, will suffice to maintain perfect hygiene.
Last but not least, silk provides a uniquely beneficial sensation of freshness, which you'll quickly discover after the first few nights of use in hot weather. All this makes it the best lightweight anti-perspiration comforter.
How to choose a real silk comforter
A silk comforter is not just a comforter that contains silk. Not all comforters 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 comforters made from "rayon". They 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, selected from superior-quality cocoons. These will be able to unwind into a long, regular thread and provide uniform filling.
2 - The next step is to make sure your silk is manufactured with the utmost care and attention to detail.
- A top-of-the-range silk comforter is made by hand, without topstitching, using a traditional and meticulous process that involves stretching and crossing long silk fibers in a multitude of layers.
One sign that your comforter has been made with the utmost care 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 task of 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 comforter cover is synthetic! You should therefore only choose a comforter with a 100% cotton cover, ideally made from a fine, tightly woven percale, to ensure longevity and comfort.
- Last but not least, choose a light-weight duvet!
A silk summer comforter weighing more than 200 grams will already be too warm. 170/180 g/m2 correspond to the standard and will be perfect if you're looking for a light, sweat-proof comforter.
3 - What about the price?
Good news: no programmed obsolescence here!
While quality comes at a price, a quality summer comforter will not only bring you incomparable comfort, but will also last much longer. A silk summer comforter will last you a long time.
All that's left is to choose a pretty bed linen set, also made from 100% natural fibers. And why not a silk comforter cover for a 100% silk ensemble!
Silk comforter 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 for silk comforters. 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.
Embrace the unique comfort of silk this summer
Lightweight, breathable and soft, silk comforters transform your warm nights into a veritable cocoon of freshness. Choose healthy, restful sleep.
Discover our silk comforters
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