As the weather warms up, swapping out our winter duvet for a summer option should be top of our to-do list. But when should you switch to a summer duvet, exactly?
The best duvets will help us to get a deep and restful night's slumber. Though we might think of them as being there to serve us all year round, it's impossible for one duvet to suit all the different seasons and temperature changes. Having separate duvets for the colder and warmer months is one of the top ways to sleep better - but when should you bite the bullet and make the change?
'As the seasons change, so do our sleeping habits,' says Rex Isap, CEO of sleep brand Happy Beds . 'In the winter, we bundle up with thick blankets and duvets to keep us warm and cosy, but as the weather gets warmer, we need to adjust our bedding accordingly.'
So you can be certain you aren't making the change too early, we've asked the experts to answer when's the right time to switch to a summer duvet and shared all of their advice in this essential guide.
When's the right time to switch your duvet?
'As we transition between seasons, it can be difficult to know when to swap your winter bedding out for summer bedding, especially as the weather can be so unpredictable,' says Lydia Lloyd, Textile Designer, M&S Home.
Our guide will clear up any confusion around when's the right time to switch your duvet, and reaffirm the importance of making the switch in the first place. Here's everything you need to know.
Why should you switch your duvet?
As the temperature starts to increase outside, so too does the temperature in our bedrooms. At this point it's important to find ways to keep the bedroom cool, but most of all, we need to make sure our bed isn't too warm when we're trying to sleep.
'It is normal and natural for our body’s temperature to drop when we sleep,' says Andrea Grace, Sleep Expert, The Gentle Sleep Expert. 'So if we are too hot during the night, it affects our sleep depth and quality.'
'When you overheat during the night, your body may struggle to stay in deeper stages of sleep' Dan Fabian, Sleep Health Expert & Founder of Ten PM further explains. 'This can lead to frequent awakenings or shifts into lighter sleep stages, disrupting the continuity of your sleep and making you feel less rested in the morning'.
'Overheating can prevent your body from entering and maintaining deep, restorative sleep Deep sleep is essential for physical recovery, immune function, and overall well-being. Without sufficient deep sleep, you may wake up feeling fatigued and less refreshed'.
Clearly, a duvet that offers the right temperature regulation is vital.
as Rex from Happy Beds sums up, 'Switching to a thinner duvet for spring and summer is essential to ensure a comfortable and restful sleep'.
When's the right time to switch to a summer duvet?
So now we know how important it is to stay cool in order to have a good night's sleep, the question is, when's the right time to switch to a summer duvet?
Naturally, the temperature plays the biggest role in when you should switch from a winter to a summer duvet, meaning the right time will be different for everyone depending on where you are in the country.
'I’d recommend changing it once the temperature outside stays above 15°C at night over the space of a week,' Rex says. 'Naturally, this can differ depending on where you live in the UK. For example, in London, the average temperature is 15°C throughout April, however, up north in Manchester, it doesn’t reach an average of 15°C until May.'
Using 15°C as a guideline, that means the best stime to switch to a sumer duvet will be in either April or May, depending on where you are in the country. Of course, personal preference plays a part too; if you find you're getting too warm at night before temperatures reach 15°C, you can switch your duvet out earlier.
'Some people may feel comfortable with a thinner duvet earlier in the spring, while others may prefer to wait until we head closer towards the summer months (late June),' Rex says. 'You know your body best, so switch to a thinner duvet when you feel comfortable doing so.'
A lot of people switch to a summer duvet at the beginning of April, after the clocks go forward and temperatures start to increase. The unpredictability of the British weather means that temperatures can remain inconsistent at this time though, and you may end up being chilly at night if you switch out your duvet this early. Don't worry if you've stored your duvet away; there are other adjustments you can make.
'If a cold snap comes after you’ve made the switch to your summer duvet, try adding a thicker, fleece throw to your bedding or alternatively opt for fleece-lined bed sheets and pillows to add an extra layer of warmth without needing to change your duvet,' says textile designer Lydia. 'If the weather takes a turn before you’ve had time to swap your winter duvet out, remove thick, fleecy layers and instead opt for a waffle throw as a lighter layer.'
What's the best duvet tog for summer?
Duvets have a tog rating from 1 to 15 - the higher the tog, the warmer the duvet will be. A duvet designed for spring and summer will have a lower tog rating than those recommended for winter, meaning more heat will be able to escape and you'll be able to have a more comfortable night's sleep.
Knowing which tog duvet to buy for the different seasons will be a game-changer for your sleep. 'We recommend opting for a duvet with a tog of 4.5-7 for those spring and summer months,' says Lydia from M&S.
You can find out more in our guide to choosing the best summer duvet tog, but here are three of Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, Amy Lockwood's, top recommendations.
This affordable synthetic duvet has a tog rating of 4.5, so it's a lightweight and cooler option for the summer months. It's also machine washable, making it easy to care and keep in hygienic condition.
Opting for a wool-filled duvet means you get brilliant breathability that reduces the risk of overheating and fantastic temperature regulation. That means you'll stay cool on warm nights but still be cosy if the temperature fluctuates.
Rather than buying a separate summer and winter duvet that might not be quite the right warmth for spring and autumn, you could opt for an all-season duvet instead that offers 3-in-1 tog ratings.
FAQs
When should I change my duvet to 4.5 tog?
Experts recommend switching to a 4.5 tog duvet (or lower) in early-mid April, though if temperatures in your area are still cooler at this time, you might want to wait until May.
'Looking at last year’s weather statistics, the average temperature doubles between March and June, reaching its highest peaks in July and August, therefore April is the perfect time to switch out your winter duvet for your summer one,' says Martin Gill, Bedding Expert, And So To Bed. 'In contrast, temperatures begin to decline in September, making the end of this month the ideal time to switch to a winter duvet to the bedroom.'
Is a 7.5 tog duvet OK for summer?
If you tend to sleep cool, or we're having a not-very-warm British summer then a 7.5 tog duvet can be a good choice for summer. Alternatively, if you sleep hot or we're in the midst of a heatwave, a cooler 4.5 tog option could be better. It all tends to come down to personal preference.
'Pay close attention to your own comfort and heat levels,' say the sleep experts at bedding specialists Belledorm. 'If you find yourself feeling too warm or even sweating during the night with a heavier duvet, this is then a sign that it’s time to switch to a lighter duvet.'
Is a 13.5 tog duvet too warm for summer?
Unless you sleep very cold, a 13.5 tog is likely to be much too warm for summer and is best reserved for the winter months.
'We recommend a 4.5 tog duvet for the summer months,' says Hayley Thisteton, Bedding and Sleep Expert, Sleepseeker. 'A duvet with this level of tog has less insulation so will trap less heat, keeping your body temperature at a comfortable level to minimise the risk of overheating. As well as the tog rating, look out for the duvet material, natural materials such as silk or cotton are known for providing a fresher, cooler sleeping environment.'
So there we are, everything you need to know about when to switch to a summer duvet. Will you be swapping yours over this month?
