If you’ve ever walked in the bedroom section of a furniture store and felt like Kevin Hart in Starbucks, you are not alone. Twin size, queen size or king? Microfiber or bamboo sheets? Silk pillowcases or Egyptian cotton? DIY headboard or wooden? You’ll either laugh to keep from crying or you’ll walk in like a pro, knowing you want the furniture equivalent of a “caramel macchiato, light ice, not heavy” with a little bit of soy. It doesn’t have to be this way. H&T can help make bedding shopping easier for you. Let’s break down one of the most common questions when bed accessory shopping: What’s the difference between a duvet and a comforter?

One Piece Versus Two: Duvet Versus Comforter

The easiest way to tell the difference between a duvet versus a comforter is the count. Duvets are sold in two pieces: a cover and an insert. Comforters, on the other hand, are in one piece. As soon as you put down your fitted sheet and flat sheet, a comforter is ready to be spread out and slept on immediately.

Duvets, on the other hand, are a little like pillowcases. First, the duvet cover should be spread out inside out on top of the flat sheet, with the opening facing upward and by the headboard. Second, spread the duvet over the cover. Third, tie the two together at all four ends. Fourth, starting from the bottom, roll the two pieces into the shape of a horizontal egg roll. Fifth, keep rolling until the duvet is completely inside the cover. Finally, unroll it and spread it out, so the duvet is ready to sleep on.

When Duvets and Comforters Are a Fire Hazard

Depending on the type of comforter purchased, some are easy to clean in a washing machine and (usually on low or delicate settings) electric clothes dryer. Others can be a little more delicate when it comes to upkeep. Reading the tags ahead of time is imperative. If they are not properly read and followed, a comforter can easily shrink and even catch on fire if the heat is too high.

Why does this happen? In addition to making sure clothes dryers have annual dryer duct cleaning and lint regularly removed from the lint traps, bulky bedding like a duvet or comforter should have room to circulate during drying time. Using clothes dryer balls also keeps comforters from knotting up to avoid wet and dry spots. Dryer balls also prevent any other clothes from sticking to each other and reducing static cling.

Washing a Duvet Versus a Comforter

Follow washing and drying instructions for a duvet as well. Depending on the material, duvet covers may need to be washed every couple of weeks while the actual duvet can be washed twice a year. (Some brands disagree with this six-month suggestion and recommend washing a duvet on a quarterly basis.)

Make sure to use a laundry detergent and fabric softener that is meant for your duvet fabric and comforter fabric. Generally, fabric softener is frowned upon because it may get into the filling. Down feathers may end up matting together, which will ultimately cause the blanket to flatten in some places and get lumpy in others.

Dryer sheets are usually safe to use with a duvet or comforter, but some manufacturers warn that repeated use of dryer sheets can make linen harder to clean and affect absorbency. This is why it’s not ideal to dry other items with those that should not be dried with dryer sheets (ex. raincoats, towels). While they may be lightweight and the same color as a duvet or comforter, they don’t need the same washing care. Some items, such as windbreakers and dog harnesses, last longer by air drying. The same washing instructions apply for comforters.

Brands commonly recommend washing comforters every one to three months. The type of bedding matters as much as the person and the home. Comforters can collect dust just like a bookcase. Both duvets and comforters can pick up sweat and body soil, specifically if there’s no top sheet. And unless you’re singing the “Happy Birthday” song before settling in for bed and when making the bed, chances are high that your own hand germs and hand oils will get onto the duvet or comforter too.

Is a Duvet Better Than a Comforter?

While both a duvet and a comforter are both good choices for keeping you warm, especially during the winter months, neither one is better than the other. Their longevity is largely determined by how they’re treated. A duvet cover can last up to five years, but a duvet and a comforter can last as long as your refrigerator: 10–20 years. By spot cleaning when necessary, following all washing and drying instructions, and keeping either in well-sanitized bedrooms, both are solid bed accessory investments.