Couette is the French term for what in American English is called a ‘comforter’ and in British English a ‘duvet’. A couette looks a bit like a quilt, without the colors, and can be used like a blanket for keeping warm in bed. Typically it is put inside a bed sheet, or duvet cover, to make it easier to care for. This way the outer layer can be washed frequently and the couette itself can be washed or dry-cleaned less often without compromising the hygiene.
Couettes can be made from a variety of materials such as cotton, polyester or, a quite recent development, bamboo fiber and are filled with either synthetic material, such as polyester or with natural materials like downs. It is than stitched in a similar manner to a quilt which helps to keep the filling in place and enhances its insulating properties.
They come in sizes that correspond to the typical bed sizes, like twin, queen or king size, but are slightly larger to allow for a full coverage of the bed. Caring for them is pretty easy. The out shell, the cover or bed sheet, should be washed and changed regularly, whilst the couette itself needs only shaking and airing about one time a week to keep the filling fluffy. Care should be taking to not to expose those that have a natural filling, like downs, to direct sun light as this might damage the downs.
They can be used on normal beds as well as on futon-style ones and are a great way to keep the sleeper warm. Because they only consist of the couette itself, in its cover, they are ideal for restless sleepers that tend to get tangled up easily in blankets and the like. And with the help of covers and cases, which are available in a nearly unlimited number of colors and designs, they can easily match whatever interior design style is preferred.