Bedding

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Bedclothes in a retail store Bettwaesche.jpg
Bedclothes in a retail store

Bedding, also called bedclothes [1] or bed linen, is the materials laid above the mattress of a bed for hygiene, warmth, protection of the mattress, and decorative effect. Bedding is the removable and washable portion of a human sleeping environment. Multiple sets of bedding for each bed are often washed in rotation and/or changed seasonally to improve sleep comfort at varying room temperatures. Most standardized measurements for bedding are rectangular, but there are also some square-shaped sizes, which allows the user to put on bedding without having to consider its lengthwise orientation (e.g. a 220 cm × 220 cm (87 in × 87 in) duvet).

Contents

In American English, the word bedding generally does not include the mattress, [2] while in British English it often does. [3] In Australian and New Zealand English, bedding is often called manchester, [4] especially in shops. Manchester was a center of the cotton industry in the late 18th and the 19th century, and into the 20th century, and so cotton goods (principally sheets and towels) were given the name 'Manchester goods', which later was simplified to 'manchester'.

A set of bedding generally consists of at least flat or fitted bed sheet that covers the mattress; a flat top sheet; either a blanket, a quilt, or a duvet. Sometimes with a duvet cover is to be used in addition to or instead of – the top sheet; and a number of pillows with pillowcases, also referred to as pillow shams. (See § Elements for more info on all these terms.) Additional blankets, etc. may be added to ensure the necessary insulation in cold sleeping areas. A common practice for children and some adults is to decorate a bed with plush stuffed animals, dolls, and other soft toys. These are not included under the designation of bedding, although they may provide additional warmth to the sleeper.

Materials

Women making bedding and pillows, factory, Anthony Hordern and Sons, Sydney, 1933-1938 SLNSW FL1001826.jpg
Women making bedding and pillows, factory, Anthony Hordern and Sons, Sydney, 1933-1938

Lightweight white, solid-color or printed plain weave, satin weave, or flannel cotton or cotton/polyester blends are the most common types of sheeting, although linen and silk may also be used, including in combination. Goose or duck down and other feathers are frequently used as a warm and lightweight filling in duvets, comforters and quilts. But such fill can protrude in part even from tightly woven fabric, and be an irritant for many people, particularly those with allergies. Natural and synthetic down alternatives are marketed. Cotton, wool or polyester batting is commonly used as fill in quilts and down alternative comforters. These are less expensive and more easily laundered than natural down or feathers. Synthetic fibers are best in the form of thermofused (where fibers cross) batting. Thick-woven or knitted wool, cotton, acrylic or other microfiber synthetics, or blends of these, are typically used for blankets. The fabric produced from the cotton warp and weft, cotton warp and lyocell weft has a significant improvement in all manner and is best suited for making bed linen. [5]

History

Among the earliest discovered examples of bedding are remnants found in a Paleolithic structure at Ohalo II, Israel. Dating back 23,000 years, these remnants consist of partially charred stems and leaves positioned on the floor surrounding a central hearth. Potential earlier evidence of bedding, dating from the Middle Paleolithic, is evident in Spain's Esquilleu cave, displaying the gathering of grass near a hearth. [6]

Around 3400 BC Egyptian pharaohs had their beds moved off the ground and slept on a raised surface. Bed linen was widely evolved in Egypt. It was seen as a symbol of light and purity, as well as a symbol of prosperity. The Egyptian mummies were often wrapped in bed linen. The complexity of applications has increased with research and developments in the area of bed linen materials over the years. [5]

Roman Empire mattresses were stuffed with wool, feather, reeds or hay. The beds were decorated with paint, bronze, silver, jewels and gold. It was rare for a Roman couple to spend the night together. It was more common for each spouse to have a separate room. Researchers believe that the Roman bed was definitely less comfortable than today. [7]

During the Renaissance, mattresses were stuffed with straw and feathers and then covered with silks, velvets or satin material. Embroidered canopies and ornamental hangings as well as the advent of the featherbed led to beds becoming extremely expensive, often willed down from generation to generation. [8]

In the 18th century, Europeans began to use bed frames made from cast iron, and mattresses that were made of cotton. Until that time, assorted vermin were simply accepted as a component of even the most royal beds. [9]

In the 19th century the bed spring was invented, also called the box spring. [10]

In the 20th century United States, consumers bought the inner spring mattress, followed in the 1960s by the water bed (originating on the West Coast), and adoption of Japanese-style futons, air mattresses, and foam rubber mattresses and pillows.

Elements

Name(s)ImageDescription
Bed skirt (also bed ruffle, dust ruffle or bed valance) Valance 1 (PSF).png A decorative piece used to cover the boxspring and legs of the bed. It fits between the mattress and boxspring and hangs to or almost to the floor.
Bedspread (also bedcover) Morgan-Jones 'Princess', 1948.jpg A bed cover, often decorative, with sides that go to or near the floor. Protects bedding, including pillows, during daytime from dust or other contamination. This does not require a bed skirt, and was particularly popular in North America after World War II. May be removed at night and, if wanted, replaced by a coverlet or duvet cover.
Blanket A woven cloth covering used for warmth.
Bolster Tchefsi.JPG A long, narrow and commonly cylindrical pillow filled with down or feathers. Used for decoration or lumbar support when lying against the headboard.
Boudoir pillows (or breakfast pillows)Small rectangular decorative throw pillows.
Comforter Hotel room Hotel Burgenland in Eisenstadt.JPG A bed cover, used like a blanket, that is filled with padding and is not exceptionally fluffy. It is usually reversible and machine-washable. Comforters are usually paired with a bed skirt to form a complete ensemble, as the comforter's sides only go about halfway to the floor. It differs from a quilt in that the layers of a comforter are not quilted together. (Also see "duvet").
Coverlet Lova, 2007-04-21.jpg Style of bedspread used before the 20th century in America. It usually does not reach to the floor, and does not cover the pillows.
Duvet White-duvet.jpg A soft flat bag traditionally filled with down or feathers, or a combination of both, or synthetic materials, and used like a blanket. Usually not as thin as a comforter, but may be referred to as a "down comforter".
Duvet cover Folded duvetcover.JPG A decorative and protective covering for a duvet. Most duvet covers have a button or tie closure at one end. Australians use the term doona cover rather than "duvet cover". Usually has a thread count of 180-400 per square inch (or equivalently, a thread count of 280-620 per 10 square centimetres).
European pillow (or Continental pillow) Inlett 1.jpg A Euro or Continental pillow a large square pillow is a decorative pillow that sits back against the headboard. These are often placed behind the standard size pillow shams as a backdrop, or on top of standard pillows as a coordinated set with a duvet cover.
European sham (or Euro sham or Continental sham)A decorative pillow covering which fits a large 75 cm × 75 cm (30 in × 30 in) pillow.
Feather bedFeathers contained within a fabric shell that lies on top of a mattress as a mattress topper. The featherbed will normally have elastic straps or even have a fitted sheet on it so that it fits over a mattress and stays in place.
Flat sheet (or top sheet)The flat sheet is tucked in around the mattress over the fitted sheet with the fourth side, at the head of the bed, undone. Some duvet or comforter sets do not include a top sheet; the duvet/comforter has a cotton bottom that replaces the sheet.
Fitted sheet PrinceGeorge'sParkResidences-bed-NationalUniversityofSingapore-20080107.jpg This is the bottom sheet used to fit tightly over a mattress. Fitted sheets are available in a variety of pocket depths, which refers to the thickness of the mattress. Standard North American pocket size is 7 to 9 in (18 to 23 cm). Deep pocket corners are usually 10 to 13 in (25 to 33 cm). Extra deep pocket corners are very generous in size, ranging from 14 to 22 in (36 to 56 cm), and are used for extraordinarily high/deep mattresses.
Mattress pad Also known as a mattress topper, or underpad.This is used above the mattress and beneath a bottom sheet to add comfort or to protect the mattress from being soiled by use.
Mattress protector Madrasskydd.JPG This is used immediately above a mattress to protect the mattress. Some also protect the sleeper from allergens.
Neck rollSmall cylindrical decorative throw pillows; used for cervical vertebrae support or pure decoration. [11] Neck rolls typically do not have an opening such as a zipper; they are usually sewn closed, although some designs have an integrated opening at the ends. [11]
Pillow shams The Boston Cooking School magazine of culinary science and domestic economics (1905) (14586483270).jpg Decorative coverings for pillows, often designed with trims, ruffles, flanges, or cording. Shams are normally placed behind the pillows used to sleep on, which would be covered with regular pillowcases.
Quilt Brubaker Quilt In Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania (6881535731).jpg Quilts are types of blankets that sandwich batting between two layers of cloth, and then stitch through all of the layers to hold them together. Patchwork quilts piece together multiple pieces of fabric to make one of the outer layers of cloth.
Sleeping pillow HK SW Hollywood Road Police HQ Art Demo 12-2009 bed and pillows in white.JPG The medium-sized rectangular pillow that you lay one's head on when sleeping. A sleeping pillow can come in many sizes such as standard[ citation needed ]20 in × 26 in (51 cm × 66 cm), Queen 20 in × 30 in (51 cm × 76 cm), or King 20 in × 36 in (51 cm × 91 cm) and differing firmness for back, stomach or side sleeping.
Throw pillow Indiennes en Haute-Provence.jpg A decorative pillow that comes in numerous shapes and sizes.

Terminology

Sizes

Bedding sizes are made with consideration of the dimensions of the bed and mattress for which it is to be used. Bed sizes vary around the world, with countries having their own standards and terminology.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Linen</span> Textile made from spun flax fibre

Linen is a textile made from the fibers of the flax plant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quilt</span> Bedcover made of multiple layers of fabric sewn together, usually stitched in decorative patterns

A quilt is a multi-layered textile, traditionally composed of two or more layers of fabric or fiber. Commonly three layers are used with a filler material. These layers traditionally include a woven cloth top, a layer of batting or wadding, and a woven back combined using the techniques of quilting. This is the process of sewing on the face of the fabric, and not just the edges, to combine the three layers together to reinforce the material. Stitching patterns can be a decorative element. A single piece of fabric can be used for the top of a quilt, but in many cases the top is created from smaller fabric pieces joined, or patchwork. The pattern and color of these pieces creates the design. Quilts may contain valuable historical information about their creators, "visualizing particular segments of history in tangible, textured ways".

<i>Futon</i> Traditional Japanese bedding

A futon is a traditional Japanese style of bedding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duvet</span> Type of bedding

A duvet, usually called a comforter or (down-filled) quilt in American English, and a doona in Australian English, is a type of bedding consisting of a soft flat bag filled with either down, feathers, wool, cotton, silk, or a synthetic alternative, and is typically protected with a removable cover, analogous to a pillow and pillow case. The term duvet is mainly British, especially in reference to the bedding; rarely used in US English, it often refers to the cover. Sleepers often use a duvet without a top bed sheet, as the duvet cover can readily be removed and laundered as often as the bottom sheet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bed</span> Piece of furniture used as a place to sleep or relax

A bed is an item of furniture that is used as a place to sleep, rest, and relax.

A silk comforter (絲綿被) is a bed covering, most often used as a duvet, and also commonly referred to as a silk duvet, silk quilt, or silk blanket. Originally used and made in China, since the late 20th century, silk comforters have become more common in Western market areas. Their increasing popularity stems from a combination of factors, including their thermal properties, their light weight, and their natural hypoallergenic properties. The opening of the Chinese market to the world since the 1990s has also played a significant role in the spread of silk comforters, as China is both the world's biggest silk producer and silk comforter manufacturer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bed sheet</span> Rectangular piece of cloth or linen cotton used to cover a mattress

A bed sheet is a rectangular piece of cloth used either singly or in a pair as bedding, which is larger in length and width than a mattress, and which is placed immediately above a mattress or bed, but below blankets and other bedding. A bottom sheet is laid above the mattress, and may be either a flat sheet or a fitted sheet. A top sheet, in the many countries where they are used, is a flat sheet, which is placed above a bottom sheet and below other bedding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Comforter</span> Type of bedcover

A comforter, also known as a doona in Australian English, or a continental quilt or duvet in British English, is a type of bedding made of two lengths of fabric or covering sewn together and filled with insulative materials for warmth, traditionally down or feathers, wool or cotton batting, silk, or polyester and other down alternative fibers. Like quilts, comforters are generally laid over a top bed sheet and used to cover the body during sleep. Duvets are another form of quilt, traditionally filled with feathers, though since the late 20th century often made of synthetic fibres or down alternatives.

Linens are fabric household goods intended for daily use, such as bedding, tablecloths, and towels. "Linens" may also refer to church linens, meaning the altar cloths used in church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ticking</span>

Ticking is a type of cloth, traditionally a tightly-woven cotton or linen textile. It is traditionally used to cover tick mattresses and bed pillows. The tight weave makes it more durable and hinders the stuffing from poking through the fabric. To make it even tighter, ticking could be waxed, soaped, or starched. Tick materials designed to hold foam may be knit, or more porous. In English-speaking countries ticking commonly has a striped design, in muted colors such as brown, grey or blue, and occasionally red or yellow, against a plain, neutral background.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Linsey-woolsey</span> Coarse woven fabric of linen and wool

Linsey-woolsey is a coarse twill or plain-woven fabric woven with a linen warp and a woollen weft. Similar fabrics woven with a cotton warp and woollen weft in Colonial America were also called linsey-woolsey or wincey. The name derives from a combination of lin and wool. This textile has been known since ancient times. Known as shatnez (שַׁעַטְנֵז) in Hebrew, the wearing of this fabric was forbidden in the Torah and hence Jewish law.

The manufacture of textiles is one of the oldest of human technologies. To make textiles, the first requirement is a source of fiber from which a yarn can be made, primarily by spinning. The yarn is processed by knitting or weaving, which turns it into cloth. The machine used for weaving is the loom. For decoration, the process of coloring yarn or the finished material is dyeing. For more information of the various steps, see textile manufacturing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tontine Group</span>

Tontine is an Australian manufacturer of pillows and quilts. The company can trace its origins back to 1870 when the Galt family commenced manufacturing in Melbourne. From 1984–2001 it was owned by Pacific Dunlop. The Tontine group was part of Pacific Brands until early 2017. Tontine is now owned by John Cotton Group. Until 2007 the company's manufacturing base was at East Brunswick, Victoria. Tontine Fibres is a division of United Bonded Fabrics a separate company manufacturing polyester insulation, air filtration, carpet underlays, geotextiles and a range of mattress and furniture comfort products and using the Tontine trademark under license.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Units of textile measurement</span> Systems for measuring textiles

Textile fibers, threads, yarns and fabrics are measured in a multiplicity of units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bed base</span> Component of a bed that supports the mattress

A bed base, sometimes called a foundation, is the part of a bed that supports the mattress. The bed base can itself be held in place and framed by the bedstead. In the United States, box-spring bed bases are very common. In Europe, sprung slats are much more common.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bed skirt</span> A bedding accessory, a piece of decorative fabric.

A bed skirt, sometimes spelled bedskirt, a bed ruffle, a dust ruffle in North America, a valance, or a valance sheet in the British Isles, is a piece of decorative fabric that is placed between the mattress and the box spring of a bed that extends to the floor around the sides. In addition to its aesthetics, a bed skirt is used to hide the ensemble fabric, wheels and other unsightly objects underneath the bed, or as protection against dust.

Arzaai or Razai is a bedding (quilt) very similar to, if not a type of, duvet or comforter, used in Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Nepal. Razais usually have a cotton, silk or velvet cover which is stuffed with cotton wool. They can provide a great deal of warmth even in the very cold weather that can occur in these regions, primarily due to the insulating effects of the large amount of air trapped in the cotton wool.

Monk's cloth is a loosely woven cotton or linen fabric made of coarser yarns that drape well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tick mattress</span>

A tick mattress, bed tick or tick is a large bag made of strong, stiff, tightly-woven material (ticking). This is then filled to make a mattress, with material such as straw, chaff, horsehair, coarse wool or down feathers, and less commonly, leaves, grass, reeds, bracken, or seaweed. The whole stuffed mattress may also, more loosely, be called a tick. The tick mattress may then be sewn through to hold the filling in place, or the unsecured filling could be shaken and smoothed as the beds were aired each morning. A straw-filled bed tick is called a paillasse, palliasse, or pallet, and these terms may also be used for bed ticks with other fillings. A tick filled with flock is called a flockbed. A feather-filled tick is called a featherbed, and a down-filled one is a downbed; these can also be used above the sleeper as a duvet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boll & Branch</span> American e-commerce company

Boll & Branch is a privately held, U.S. based, e-commerce company that sells luxury bedding online. Headquartered in Summit, New Jersey, the company manufactures and sells organic cotton bed linens, blankets and bath towels and are the first maker of such goods to be certified by Fair Trade USA.

References

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  2. "Bedclothes – Definition". Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
  3. "bedding" . Oxford English Dictionary. A collective term for the articles which compose a bed, esp. the mattress, feather-bed, or other article lain upon, and the bed-clothes
  4. "manchester – Definition of manchester in English". Oxford Dictionaries – English. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved 2018-06-27.
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  11. 1 2 Von Tobel, Jackie. "Neck Rolls and Bolsters." The Design Directory of Bedding. Layton, UT: Gibbs Smith, 2009. 275.
  12. Understanding Thread Count - How To Measure Thread Count on Bed Sheets - Truth About Thread Count