A bit like the weather, sleep and how much you have or haven’t had is a favourite topic of conversation. No wonder. We all lead such busy lives these days, getting a good night’s sleep is essential to our sense of wellbeing and can restore our spirits and help ward off all those nasty colds and coughs that threaten at this time of year.

Perhaps the most important element to getting a good night’s sleep is the type of duvet you choose and how you care for your duvet cover. A duvet could make or break a good night’s sleep so get it right now and a duvet will quickly become your best friend.

There are plenty of duvet fillings to choose from and it’s really a matter of personal choice. Some people prefer natural fillings (feather and down) which are soft and comfortable and will make you feel a little more 'tucked in’ like you were as a child. But if you would rather feel a little less weighed down a synthetic duvet will provide the same warmth but for less weight. Synthetic or man-made fillings are also good for those suffering from allergies and of course you can buy synthetic duvets with natural linings.

The tog rating refers to the thermal performance of a duvet and indicates its insulation value. The higher the tog rating the warmer it will be. As a rule of thumb, a duvet with a tog rating of 10.5 is ideal for spring and autumn with a higher rating required for colder weather and something as low as 4.5 togs for those long hot summer nights.

Again it’s a matter of choice. Some people suffer from the cold more than others and grab the thickest pyjamas at the merest hint of frost on the windows, while others can glide through the coldest of nights with little but their baby suits to keep them company! If you’re unsure combination duvets, sometimes called a Four Season’s duvet, are very popular now. The combination duvet is basically two duvets of different tog ratings – often 9 and 4.5 which button together at the sides and provide comfort all year round.

And now you’ve bought the perfect duvet, do take care of it – generally duvets should last from three to five years. It’s impossible not to get dust mites in duvets but to keep them at bay make sure you wash your duvet regularly and if you do suffer from allergies remember synthetic duvets can usually be washed more frequently. Using a powder or tablets like Ariel Sensitive should remove the allergens which dust mites create even at low temperature. And remember to ensure you get a really good night’s sleep make sure you wash your duvet cover in Lenor Sleep Sensations with natural lavender and chamomile which will leave your wash smelling so relaxing and fresh you’ll find it hard to be parted from your duvet in the morning! Sweet dreams!