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Choosing Your Sheets
Whatever kind of fabric you have in mind, choosing a sheet set should be based on touch. Some prefer the delicacy of cotton, others go for the silky softness of bamboo. Still others swear by the suppleness and glossiness that linen acquires with time.
All Cottons Are Not Created Equal
Thread count is important, but the quality of the cotton is also crucial: where it came from, the length and fineness of the fibre, whether it’s double or single knit. The term Egyptian cotton is itself a sign of quality, as this is cotton which is 100% pure. Obtaining a soft, smooth weave depends on the length of the fibres. The longer the fibres, the more they can be stretched out, which results in a finer, stronger thread. For example, Germain Collection cotton sheets are fabricated solely from long-fibre Egyptian cotton, guaranteeing that they stay soft and fine wash after wash.
Check the Size
Before you buy, it’s important to carefully determine the size of sheets and duvet cover that will fit your bed, as well as pillowcases and pillow shams.
You also need to consider the thickness of the mattress, which varies widely from one bed to another. The size of a mattress can change if it’s covered by a cushioned layer, so it’s crucial that you verify the size of the fitted sheet before you buy in order to make sure that it matches the dimensions of your mattress. Germain Collection sheets are designed for mattresses up to 16 inches thick.
With regard to size, you’ll be glad to know that Germain Collection bedding—including duvets and duvet covers—is offered in various sizes: double, queen, queen+, king and king+. Queen+ and king+ are suitable for unusually thick mattresses and oversized duvets. These sizes allow you to cover a larger mattress area, as queen+ and king+ are four inches wider and six inches longer than regular queen- and king-sized duvets. We therefore recommend that you use queen+ and king+ sizes for thicker mattresses. Please note: all Germain boutique-hotels use queen+ and king+ sizes in the rooms due to the thickness of the mattresses.
As a general rule, queen+ and king+ duvets are suitable for oversized duvet covers. But you should always check the dimensions before you buy. The Germain Collection features queen+ and king+ covers, custom made for our queen+ and king+ duvets.
Choosing Your Cover
When it comes to sleeping soundly, many people swear by their duvet. It’s warm in winter, cool in summer. It requires just a quick shake when making the bed. But how do you choose the right one? Should go for down rather than feathers? Goose or duck? And what about silk?
Down to Business
Down duvets are the most comfortable, because down allows air to circulate and absorbs moisture. Duck down and goose down are the most common types, with the latter being preferable: temperamental though they may be, geese provide the best down. But, you might ask, what about the famous eider down? It’s of exceptional quality—but also very expensive, as the eider duck is an endangered species and its down is gathered by hand while the bird is in its nest.
That said, you also need to consider the down percentage. High percentages are warmer, more comfortable...and more expensive. There’s no such thing as 100% down, however; it’s difficult to completely separate down from quills, fibres and residues. A product is generally labelled “down” if it comprises at least 75% down. Fill power also plays an important role: the higher it is, the more the air circulates and the more effectively the duvet insulates. For a quality duvet, you need to look for fill power of at least 500. All duvets featured in the Germain Collection have fill power ranging from 560 to 575.
Sleeping Light...as a Feather
Since feathers are flat, they don’t store up as much air as down and insulate less well. You also have to bear in mind the hard quills, which you can feel and which eventually break, possibly piercing the duvet cover. Feathers are heavier than down, too.
Soft, Light Silk
Silk fleece duvets are very light, making them ideal for people who don’t like being buried under heavy blankets. Cool in summer, they feel warm in winter, adjusting to the surrounding temperature. Silk has a natural capacity for absorbing moisture, which naturally pleases those sleepers who tend to perspire during the night. And silk prevents the spread of mites and mould, meaning that it’s a good choice for those suffering from allergies.
Cocooned in Cotton
Regardless of its composition, it’s important to let your cover breathe, so it’s preferable to have a pure cotton cover with at least 260 threads per square inch, which prevents the contents from escaping. Give some thought to the type of stitching as well: baffle box, for example, will prevent the duvet’s contents from bunching up at the ends.
Choosing Your Mattress
Buying a mattress certainly isn’t relaxing, but certain characteristics can make the choice easier. Here’s some advice from Dr. Marie-Hélène Boivin, chiropractor and executive vice-president of the Quebec Chiropractors Association.
Firm or Soft?
On the whole, the mattress should be firm or semi-firm. Why? Because soft mattresses don’t give adequate support to the spine and the heaviest parts of the body. On the other hand, a mattress which is too firm can cause painful pressure points to appear. Mattresses with independent pocket springs enable a better distribution of weight and prevent you from being disturbed by your partner’s movements. They also have good ventilation.
Memory Foam
Viscose, or memory foam, mattresses adapt well to the body’s shape by reacting to the heat released by the sleeper. Ideally, you want to place an upper layer of viscoelastic foam on a pocket spring mattress. This enhances comfort and creates a “sleeping-on-a-cloud” effect. Germain Collection mattresses offer this double quality, bringing together comfort and support.
Maintenance
A mattress should be flipped upside down and rotated end to end on a regular basis. Many manufacturers suggest doing this once every three months. You won’t begrudge the effort if you consider that a mattress which isn’t turned over lasts for six to eight years, but one turned regularly can be expected to last ten to 12 years.
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