The Best Quilts for Kids: What to Look for When Buying

 There are a lot of factors to consider when shopping for a quilt for your child. It’s not just about appearance, fit and price; factors such as durability, safety and weight are all considerations you should take into account. Not sure what to look out for? We’re going to jump into each of these factors in a little more detail in this article so keep reading.

Safety 

Safety may not be the first thing that comes to mind when shopping for bedding but hear us out. Ensuring the sheets and doona you buy is safe for your child is crucial and you’ll understand why come the end of this paragraph. Let’s talk about material choice and choking hazards. Does your child suffer from an allergy? Do they dislike materials that make them feel warm and itchy? If so, the materials you choose must be breathable and hypoallergenic. What age is your child? If he/she is young and in danger of choking, you must ensure that the bedding you buy has no embellishments or loose threads.

Durability & Care

Kid’s bedding, in general, will be to be washed more regularly than your own. This is where a washable wool quilt will deliver on all counts of durability and easy maintenance. Choosing a high quality material like wool also ensures the bedding lasts the test of time and withstands the high levels of wear and tear that children are known for. Care instructions vary so be sure to read the fine print in detail before you make your final decision. A washable wool quilt that can go into the machine will save you a lot of time and money down the road so think of the future and the accidents you’ll inevitably have to clean up.

Weight 

Weight matters when choosing bedding. Quilts that are too heavy leave kids feeling smothered and restless. Bedding that’s light-weight, in contrast, can leave them feeling cold and unable to get to sleep. It’s all about balance when it comes to choosing the perfect bedding that’s lightweight but provides enough warmth and comfort. Top tip; it’s a good idea to invest in an all-season quilt that will adapt to the changing temperatures and last right through the seasons.

So now you know what to look out for, are you ready to go shopping to find the perfect bedding that ticks all boxes in terms of style, fun, fit, weight, durability, and safety?

Keep your Bedroom As Comfortable as Possible

When you come back to your dwelling after a hard day’s work, you just want to cocoon yourself in the comfort and peace of your home sweet home. Typically, your days are incredibly stressful, full of never ending demands on your time. It all starts with the klaxon call of the alarm clock in the early morning as it sounds so loudly in the middle of your sleep. From there it’s a rush to get ready, get everyone off to school and hustle into your job where you try so hard to get everything done.

It’s no wonder you are so exhausted at the end of each night. The rigors of the day, the boss’s unrelenting demands and all of the errands on the way home really take it out of you. Sometimes the only moments of peace you have are when you finally retire to your bedroom to get your seven or eight hours of hopefully blissful sleep. If you want to get beautiful rest and recuperate for the next day, you’ll want to make sure that your bedroom is as comfortable as possible.

Sleep Blissfully Under a Luxury Quilt

After an especially hard day at work, we feel like we want to just get in our bed and pull the covers up over our head. When you have a luxurious washable wool quilt, you’ll experience the joy of sleeping in total comfort all night long.

Wool is warm, yet breathable fibre, so you’ll get a deeper sleep because it helps regulate your body temperature. There are a variety of doonas to choose from, so you’ll be able to pick just the right one for the season.

Specialty Comfort Built for Two

If you share your night time’s sleep with a partner, you know how one of you might spend the  night tossing or turning because the temperature is just too hot or cold. This happens often with couples, because each person’s body temperature and preferred sleeping warmth is different.

Fortunately, there’s an innovative solution that preserves night time comfort for both people. When you select a dual warmth, partners washable wool quilt, you can pick just the right warmth level for each one of you.

Add Spa-Like Touches to Your Bedroom

To further enhance the comfort in your bedroom, bring in some spa-like elements to add to the comfort and sensual appeal. Scented candles make a wonderful addition, and provide the perfect late night ambience.

A beautiful, fluffy robe like you find in first class hotels and spas is also a perfect touch, and will wrap you in warmth and luxury.

 

Feeling Uncomfortable During the Night? Invest in Wool

Do you struggle with your sleep? Do you find it hard to get comfortable and find yourself tossing and turning throughout the night? If so, you are not alone, and you do not have to suffer.

While many of us can underestimate the importance of putting time and effort into choosing your choice of bedding, it can make all the difference to you getting a comfortable and restful night’s sleep.

A wool quilt can change the way you sleep. If you want to find out more, keep reading.

Regulate your temperature

One of the reasons for poor sleep could be that you find yourself getting too hot or cold during the night. On a cold winter’s night, there is nothing better than getting into a warm and cosy bed.

However, if your bedding is made from synthetic fibres, it can cause you to overheat, which may result in you sweating and feeling uncomfortable. Halcyon Dreams has the answer: wool.

Wool is temperature regulating, which means that it keeps you at the right temperature. Should you sweat, the wool will wick away any additional moisture, keeping you cool and comfortable. Did you know wool can retain up to 30% of its body weight in moisture and only releases it when the conditions are dry enough?

Of course, it also works the other way around. Should you often feel the cold, wool will keep you warm and cosy, so that is one more thing off your mind.

It keeps allergies at bay

For those who suffer from allergies, the type of bedding you choose is imperative to how you sleep at night. Wool quilts are naturally resistant to dust mites, which can help to keep your allergies at bay. You can look forward to a peaceful night’s sleep without any sneezing or sniffling. Your partner will thank you for that as well!

Wool is natural

As a natural material, wool is gentle next to your skin. If environmental factors are important to you, it is good to know that you are choosing a sustainable option.

Wool is durable, and you can expect to enjoy your wool quilt for many years to come. When it does eventually reach the end of its life, it can naturally be broken down by the earth in a way that synthetic fibres cannot.

Find your wool bedding at Halcyon Dreams

If you want to have better sleep, choose wool for your bedding, and you will not look back. At Halcyon Dreams, we can supply all your wool bedding, and as our wool is 100% Australian, you can be sure of its quality.

You can also feel good knowing that you are supporting the local economy and Australian farmers. We look forward to seeing you soon.

6 Things to Consider When Buying a Doona

As we head through autumn and glimpse winter looming on the horizon, it’s time to consider upping our game in the bedroom stakes. And by this, we mean buying a new quilt to cope with chillier months ahead. However, before you make your purchase, here are 6 things to consider when buying a new doona.

There are many different types of doona on the market from the traditional Australian made quilt or wool quilt to mass-produced polyester quilts, so how do you know which one to choose? 

1.    Down Quilts for Downunder

For anyone who feels the cold, a down quilt is an excellent choice. Down is lightweight but warm and has the highest fill power of all the fillings available. However, if you prefer a heavier weight doona, a washable wool quilt may be the perfect solution. With its natural insulating qualities, wool will allow your skin to breathe and wick away moisture while keeping your body at the optimum temperature.

2.    The Natural Option

While wool and down are both natural options, if you tend to overheat or live in a warmer area, you may want to choose a cool fibre such as cotton, Tencel or bamboo. They’re not only ultra-absorbent but have a silky, luxurious feel and look.

3.    Synthetic Quilts for Sensitive Souls

While wool may be hypoallergenic, people with allergies may find that microfibre or polyester quilts are the best option. Many modern quilts come have an anti-allergy treatment applied during manufacture and today’s technical fibres also have the ability to wick moisture away while retaining their fullness and softness.

4.    Regular Airing and Cleaning

All quilts will build up dust, dirt, dead skin cells and dust mites during use and so will need regular airing to remain fresh. Simply hang your quilt in the sunshine to get rid of stale smells and dust. You’ll also need to have your quilt cleaned on a regular basis to prevent staining and dust mite infestations. Choosing a washable quilt may mean that it’s easier to clean although most home washing machines won’t be able to accommodate anything larger than a single sized quilt.

5.    Choosing the Correct Size 

While it seems sensible to buy a single quilt for a single bed and so on, if you find that your quilt is in a pile on the floor each morning, you may fare better with the next size up. Choosing a larger size may also help prevent arguments with your sleeping partner if they tend to hog the covers.

6.    Don’t Forget the Finishing Touches

When buying a new quilt, don’t forget the finishing touches. A new set of bedding will make your bed feel fresh and clean, while a few extra pillows and cushions will give your room an air of luxury and make it the place that you love to retire to after a busy day.

Is There A Difference Between a Wool Underlay and a Wool Topper?

Many of us are aware of the advantages of sleeping on a wool underlay rather than on one made of down, foam or polyester but with so many different products on the market; we’re often confused about whether we should be investing in an Australian wool underlay or in a woollen topper. 

So if you’ve been wondering if there a difference between the two, read on for our advice. 

The Visible Differences Between Wool Toppers and Wool Underlays

The easiest way to tell the difference between a wool underlay and a topper is by using your eyes.

An underlay has wool visible from the outside which makes it look more like a rug and is fitted to your mattress by way of a cotton skirt, much in the same way as you fit an elasticated sheet. 

A woollen topper looks more like a quilt as the woollen filling is encased inside a quilted cotton cover which is fitted to your mattress with four corner straps. 

So Why Use an Underlay Rather than a Topper? 

An underlay is used as a layer of cushioning between the mattress and your sheets to give more comfort as you sleep and protect the mattress from moisture, sweat and spills. This will help your mattress to remain cleaner and will extend its lifespan. 

The underlay also helps to spread your body weight more evenly which may help to reduce pressure on specific areas of your body, plus the natural fibres will help to keep your body at its optimum temperature throughout the year. 

However, underlays made from wool are often more expensive than woollen toppers because they are reversible. During the hot months, you can reverse the underlay so that you rest on the cotton side and then reverse it back to the wool side as it gets colder.

Wool toppers are primarily designed to protect your mattress from dirt and sweat. While the woollen filling does offer additional softness and comfort, you don’t have the advantages of being able to lie directly on the wool. 

This, of course, may be a benefit for anyone who has an allergy to wool and makes it a particularly comfortable option for summer use.

In addition, as toppers are not reversible, they often cost less than an underlay, plus they do tend to be lighter in weight too. 

The Choice is Yours

Whether you choose a woollen underlay or topper is down to personal preference and budget. While underlays tend to be more expensive, you do get all the benefits of sleeping on wool.

However, if cost is a consideration or you are irritated by woollen fibres, a topper may be a better option for you. 

But whichever you choose, you’ll still have the experience of sleeping on 100% Australian wool and the benefits that sleeping on natural fibres brings.

Halcyon Dreams Wool Bedding

Halcyon Dreams Wool Bedding

FAQ About Washable Wool Quilts

In the past woollen doonas tended to be dry clean only, but with the arrival of the washable wool quilt, some quilt owners are more than a little confused about how they should be washed. Here are our most common FAQ about washable wool quilts – and our answers of course.