What's the Best Bedding for Allergy Sufferers?

Those that suffer from dust and pollen allergies often have a tough time when it comes to getting quality sleep. If this sounds familiar to you and you’re looking for ways to keep your allergies at bay in the hope of enjoying better sleep, it might be time to invest in a different type of bedding.

Wool Quilts Are Perfect for a Cosy Winter Bed

There is nothing better than snuggling down for the night in bed on a cold winter’s night. You might like to curl up with a good book, your iPad or a mug of hot chocolate. In whichever way you choose to wind down for the evening, at Halcyon Dreams, we have got you covered, quite literally, for the best night’s sleep.

The Best Ways to Store Your Seasonal Bedding

Sleeping on and underneath the right type of seasonal bedding allows you to feel and be much more comfortable so you can enjoy better quality sleep when it is time for a rest. 

It is so important to invest in good quality winter bedding with proper insulation abilities to keep you nice and snug when it is cold.  And it is just as important to have cool summer bedding such as a summer quilt if you live in Australia to keep you comfortable yet nice and cool on those hot summer nights.

The only downside to seasonal bedding is that you need to create storage for bedding so you can switch out during season changes without causing a lot of clutter inside your home and closet spaces.  With the right storage solutions for bedding, you can store your beautiful linen with ease so everything can stay in great condition until you need them again.

Here are the best ways to store your bedding when these items are not in use;

Give Everything a Proper Clean

It is better to give everything a proper clean before stashing it in the closet.  You never know when unexpected guests might arrive, and no one likes the idea of dirty blankets in the closet.  A good wash will keep your bedding from getting bad odours and will remove any pieces of dead skin and food pieces that could attract destructive insects.

Choose a Good Spot

The right storage space will keep your bedding safe from insects and pests and will ensure that everything stays dry and damage or odour free.  Keep bedding stored inside the house.  If you don’t have a linen closet, then consider getting a storage ottoman, a bed with hidden storage compartments or install extra cupboards in your pantry.  Don’t store your goods in cardboard because many pests are attracted to these materials.

An Easy Way to Keep Linen Organized

If you hate looking for bits and pieces from your bedding sets, then a good way to keep everything together is by simply stashing everything inside one of your set’s pillowcases.  This keeps items from getting lost and makes it so easy to retrieve the entire set when it is time for a change.

Vacuum Seal If You Can

Vacuum sealing your bedding can save a lot of space, especially if you have comforters and quilts to put away.  This storage method will also keep insects from getting into your fabrics.

These storage tips are excellent whether you are trying to put away big bulky winter blankets or light summer wool quilts in Australia, or indeed anywhere in the world.

With the right storage solution, your beautiful bedding will stay in great shape, and you can enjoy a clutter-free home at all times. 

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.

Why Choose a Wool Quilt Rather Than a Polyester Quilt?

Are you thinking about buying a new quilt? The best kind to buy is wool quilts. Not only do they have many benefits, they are superior to other options, like polyester quilts. There are several reasons why wool quilts are superior to polyester quilts, which you can read about below.

Wool quilts are proven to be better for your sleep

Sleep happens in a cycle consisting of 5 stages: light sleep, slightly deeper sleep, a transitory stage between light and deep sleep, deep sleep that has restorative powers and cell regeneration, and REM sleep. Discomfort can interrupt the cycle and result in you waking up and experiencing a lesser quality of sleep. Wool quilts are comfortable and scientifically proven to improve sleep quality by 25%!

Wool quilts can regulate temperature

Wool quilts are a great option as the fibres can keep you at a steady temperature, keeping in warmth. They can also wick away perspiration and other moisture and help you to cool down, while other materials will trap moisture and create humidity that can make you warmer. Wool is, to put it simply, far more adaptable to your temperature needs, which is sure to help your sleep.

Wool quilts are hypoallergenic

Do you have allergies? Wool is a great option for you, being hypoallergenic naturally—not to mention, the ability wool fibres have to wick away moisture to leave a dry environment that discourages dust mites, bacteria, and fungus.

Wool quilts are easier to clean

Washable wool doonas and washable wool quilts can be put through a washing machine for an easy clean. This is made possible by the process we put our doonas and quilts through to ensure that the fibres will be washing machine safe. This process has the added benefit of allowing the fibres to more easily absorb moisture and VOCs (volatile organic compounds), as well as thermoregulate.

Wool is better for the environment

Wool is biodegradable and renewable, which makes it a far better option for the environment than synthetic fibres like polyester.

Wool breaks down and doesn’t accumulate. It also doesn’t need to be cleaned as often or as harshly as other materials; a cold, less regular wash will still keep it in great condition. With its ability to regulate temperature and its other properties, it is great for you and your family and is environmentally responsible.

For deluxe washable quilts in Australia and the best sleep you’ve had, try Halcyon Dreams for your woollen bedding.

How a Wool Quilt can Keep You Cool in summer

Wool is one of the best-loved fabrics during winter time. This snuggly fabric is soft to the touch, lightweight offers great protection from the cold and is available in an abundance of different shades, hues, yarn thicknesses, and textures.

Wool is used for manufacturing a great variety of clothing items, bed linen and is especially loved for creating beautiful quilts. 

6 Ways to Make Your Bedroom Feel Like a 5-Star Hotel Room

The bedroom is the one room in the house where you can let your imagination run free and create a space that truly reflects your taste. It’s the place where you go to rest after a stressful day, so why not take some ideas from luxury hotels and turn your bedroom into your ultimate sanctuary? 

From choosing a colour palette to creating the most comfortable bed complete with a sumptuous woollen underlay, here are 6 ways to make your bedroom feel like a 5-star hotel room.

1.       Decide on a Colour Scheme

While many hotels choose neutral colour schemes, you don’t need to be restricted to beige, white or grey unless you really want to. Have some fun in your room and experiment with paint samples and wallpapers to create a colour scheme you really love. 

2.       Plan Your Space

Hotel rooms often have clearly defined areas, depending on the amount of space they have available. If your room allows, create an area for sleeping, maybe add a reading space with a chair and lamp, and an area to dress. Work out which activities you plan to do in your room and plan the space accordingly. 

3.       Add Layers of Comfort

Having a well-ventilated, quiet room is the key to restful sleep. You may need to add air-conditioning if you live in a hot climate or it may be necessary to add extra insulation, both to keep the room at a constant temperature and to muffle external noises. 

Install a luxurious deep pile carpet or rug to cushion bare feet, hang fabric on the wall and think about changing your wooden headboard for the padded variety. You’ll may also want to add extra layers of luxurious fabrics to your bed, such as a wool underlay and duvet, together with pillows, cushions and throws. 

4.       Dim the Lights 

Hotel rooms rarely have just one ceiling light and a couple of bedside lamps. The designers know that the correct lighting is key to creating a relaxing environment. 

So think about extras such as three-way switches that turn on bedside lamps from the doorway, installing a light in your closet to shed light on your clothes, individually controlled reading lights and, of course, dimmer switches.

If you have an ensuite bathroom attached, you’ll need extra bright light particularly above your makeup/shaving mirror, but you may want to think about adding LED lighting strips around or under the vanity unit or bathtub for extra impact. 

5.       The Bed

Of course, the most important aspect of any bedroom is the bed, so buy the best you can afford. Add an Australian wool underlay to keep your body at an optimum temperature and protect the mattress and buy top quality bedding, such as 300 thread count sheets and duvet covers. 

Top it off with a throw that can double up as blanket when you want to snuggle up in your chair and read. 

6.       The Finishing Touches

Add your favourite art and photographs, fresh flowers and plants and any other items that reflect you and your personality to make the room unique and personal. Then lie back and enjoy all your hard work – in your luxury 5-star bedroom.