Most memories of my childhood days are still fresh in my mind. When I recollect some instances of those days before my kids, they listen with rapt attention. At times, they look at me incredulously when I talk about the roller-coaster days of my childhood, some good and some really forgettable. Speaking of duvet covers, I still remember, the ones we bought from the markets were invariably made of coarse, thin off-white cotton material and would last only a few washes and subsequently develop a tiny rip or holes here and there. For that reason, my mother would painstakingly buy yards of thick, floral or checkered cotton fabrics and stitch strong duvet covers at home, which would last really long. Every Sunday, after the duvet covers were washed and dried, putting the quilts into the covers, one by one, had become a ritual in itself. How much we enjoyed sliding under the sweet-smelling duvet covers during those cold, wintry nights!

It’s a different story altogether now. You can have duvet covers in incredible colors and fabric options. Well, with so many varieties available in the market, you are actually facing a problem of indecision, not knowing what to choose. Again, for some the price could be the deciding factor while for some the fabric matters most. For some, a reasonably good material without hurting the purse would be truly welcome. All these facts aside, , the main purpose behind using duvet covers is to safeguard the costly comforters or precious quilts from collecting dust and stains from prolonged use. Formerly, these covers looked like huge bags, stitched on three sides so that the comforter could be slid inside the cover from the open end. The open end would then be closed with the help of buttons or laces for a neat finish. Apart from preventing the comforters or the quilts from getting soiled, these cover also provided extra warmth for the users during very cold conditions. The present day duvet covers aren’t very different from the old ones from the utility point of view, but we can definitely notice some minor improvements.

Most duvet covers these days come with a neatly concealed zipper to make sure that the comforter inside stays snug and secure. Moreover, many covers are stain-free and moisture-proof, which allows the expensive comforter to stay safe to a great extent in case of accidents or misuse. Also, you can have covers of varying thicknesses for warmth and comfort.

Another heartening fact about most modern duvet covers is the washing convenience. After having witnessed my mom assigning a sunny weekend only for manual washing and drying the duvet covers during those times, the present day machine washing seems a very simple task! Though you can find some covers getting spoilt after frequent washing even to this date, most good quality ones can be washed easily in a machine without damaging the fabric. When you buy your duvet covers, make sure that they have been pre-treated thoroughly to guard against moisture and normal stains. Do not get carried away by the price tags either. Not all costly ones will be of highest quality and not all inexpensive ones will be bad. It is the normal practice to associate quality with high price. Having used many duvet covers and taken care of them since my childhood days, I can easily tell the good from the bad without looking at the brand or the price! Hence, you should not walk into a shop and ask for the most expensive one and presume that it would be highest quality. You must list your preferences and choose appropriately.

Here is a small tip. When you shop for duvet covers, first look at the material and thread count. Make sure that the quality of stitching is good and have a neat finish with a built-in zipper. Also, find out if the covers are stain-resistant and moisture-repellant. Next, see if the prints and the price are to your liking. Keep all these facts in mind before you buy your duvet covers. There is nothing wrong if you decide to buy them online. Do a small research and look for the familiar stores in your neighborhood on the internet so that you are sure of what you are buying. Don’t miss seasonal discounts or clearance sales so that you get the better end of the bargain and beautiful duvet covers for your home!