Quilts & Doonas

The outer shell of a doona affects both its feel and its breathability. A tighter weave shell (300 thread count and above) is better at containing fine down fill and feels smoother to the touch. A more open weave suits synthetic or wool fills and allows greater airflow. For most Australian sleepers, a mid-weight cotton shell with a thread count of 233-300 offers the best balance of softness, durability, and breathability.

Yes, fill choice plays a significant role. Wool fill is particularly effective for people who experience night sweats, as it actively wicks moisture away from the body while maintaining warmth. Down and cotton fills are also breathable, making them far better options than synthetic fills for those who sweat during sleep. If night sweats are a regular issue, pairing a naturally filled doona with moisture-wicking sheets will make a noticeable difference to sleep quality.

Doonas and quilts are generally not recommended for infants under 12 months due to the risk of suffocation. For toddlers and older children, a lightweight doona in a single size is appropriate, provided it fits the bed correctly and does not bunch around the face. Safe sleep guidelines recommend keeping filling lightweight and ensuring the child's sleeping environment is free of excess bedding. Always follow the current guidelines from Red Nose Australia for infant sleep safety.

Baffle box construction refers to the internal stitching pattern of a doona, where fabric walls are sewn between the top and bottom layers to create three-dimensional boxes. This allows the fill to expand fully and distribute evenly across the entire doona, eliminating cold spots. A doona without baffle box construction - known as sewn-through - compresses the fill at the stitch lines, which can reduce warmth in those areas over time. For premium warmth and even coverage, baffle box construction is the superior choice.

Technically, yes, but it's not recommended for everyday use. Without a cover, your doona is exposed directly to body oils, sweat, and dust mites, requiring much more frequent washing. Repeated washing accelerates wear on the outer shell and can degrade the fill over time. A quilt cover acts as a protective barrier, keeping your doona cleaner for longer and dramatically reducing how often it needs a full wash - typically down to two or three times per year with regular cover changes.

A faint natural lanolin scent is common in new wool doonas and is completely normal. It typically dissipates within a few days of airing. To speed up the process, hang your new wool doona outside in fresh air and indirect sunlight for a few hours before first use. If the smell persists beyond a week of regular airing, contact the retailer. A strong or unusual odour that develops after washing may indicate the doona was not dried thoroughly enough before storage.

Over time, doona fill can compress and lose its loft, particularly after washing. To restore it: - Tumble dry on low heat with two or three clean tennis balls, which physically break up clumped fill - Remove periodically during drying and shake vigorously to redistribute fill - Air outside on a dry, breezy day to allow the fill to breathe and expand naturally - Avoid storing a compressed doona for long periods, as this permanently reduces loft If the loft does not return after these steps, the fill has likely reached the end of its useful life, and replacement is worth considering.