The history of bedding
On average, we spend a third of our lives sleeping. Fine and comfortable bedding is therefore crucial. We carefully choose our beds and mattresses and attach great importance to comfortable bedding. These days, this seems self-evident, but it wasn't always that way. In this blog post, we'll take a step back in time. We'll show you the evolution of duvet covers: from primitive sleeping conditions to the luxurious comfort of today.
Primitive sleeping conditions
The exact moment when people began using duvet covers is uncertain. However, sleeping in a bed has been known for thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians, Persians, Romans, and Assyrians didn't use the ground for sleeping, but propped themselves up with various materials. The first mattresses, for example, were made of straw, wool, or feathers. Animal hides were also used, probably as blankets.
Sleeping conditions were still very primitive back then. People slept on hard surfaces. They kept warm with thick nightclothes and blankets made from natural materials like wool and flax. Linen, made from the flax plant, was woven and spun by the ancient Egyptians and formed the basis for the earliest forms of bedding.
Linen was very expensive back then. It was also time-consuming to produce. Colorful duvet covers weren't available back then. White was the only color available. Embroidered decorations were used to brighten things up. Washing bedding was difficult, and knowledge of hygiene was limited. Therefore, bedding was changed much less frequently than it is today.
Welfare
In the past, bedding wasn't just a practical item. It also symbolized a household's prosperity. It was, therefore, an important part of the dowry. The more and better-quality sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers a young bride brought to her marriage, the more prosperous she was and the higher her social status.
Poor quality was considered inferior. It was kept not only for everyday use but also for display. Therefore, it was carefully stored in cupboards. In those days, it was not uncommon for family members to inspect linen cupboards during visits to assess the qualities of the mistress.
Mass production
From the 1830s onward, a new raw material became available for bedding production: cotton. Cotton production in America increased because it was cheaper and easier to produce. Consequently, cotton bedding became increasingly popular. Thanks to the development of weaving machines, cotton bedding could soon be produced mechanically.
Textile production continued to evolve. In the 20th century, synthetic fibers like polyester began to play an increasingly important role in bedding production. Modern dyeing and printing techniques also changed the look of bedding. The traditional white duvet cover gave way to a variety of colors and patterns.
Comfort
The history of duvets is just as interesting as that of other bedding. In the fourteenth century, duvets filled with down or feathers were introduced to Europe, primarily to stay warm during cold winters. These duvets were primarily used by nobles. Later, their use spread to the general population.
Making duvets was very labor-intensive back then. The down and feathers had to be carefully dried. If this wasn't done, unpleasant odors developed. Owning a good duvet was very precious. So precious that it was even described in the will.
During the Industrial Revolution, standard sizes for mattresses and bedding emerged. This led to greater comfort, thanks in part to spacious beds and better mattresses. The down comforter, as we know it today, only became popular in the 1970s in countries like the Netherlands, England, and Denmark. Germany led the way in this development.
The future of sleep
Now that we look back at history, it's also interesting to speculate about the future. There seems to be a trend toward more ecological and sustainable products. People are paying increasing attention to the origins of their bedding. They also strive to choose environmentally friendly products.
Innovations in sleep technology are also playing an increasingly important role. Smart mattresses and bedding that track and adjust your sleep patterns to provide you with an optimal night's sleep are now available. These technological advancements will likely continue to improve our sleep comfort.
Comfortable bedding from Cinderella
Looking for high-quality bedding? Then you've come to the right place in the Cinderella webshop! Choose from a variety of products: from duvet covers and fitted sheets to pillowcases and bedspreads .
