1. Duvets come in all sorts of sizes, materials and prices so work out your needs and budget before you're tempted to part with €500 for a Hungarian goose you don't actually need.

2. Togs – and we're not talking swimwear – relates to a duvet's ability to trap in warm air. The higher the tog rating the warmer the duvet. A duvet with a 4.5 tog is lightweight and ideal for summer use. A 9 tog provides medium warmth and is perfect for autumn while a 13.5 tog is heavier and suited to winter months. Most buyers tend to go for an 'all seasons/four seasons' duvet, which combines 4.5 and 9 tog duvets, and can be used separately or combined for extra warmth.

3. Don't always assume heavier quilts equal warmth. It's the material inside the duvet that's going to provide warmth. According to the UK's Sleep Council (www.sleepcouncil.com) we lose half a pint of body moisture every night, so it's important to choose a breathable duvet that will draw moisture away from the body.

4. Natural materials have better thermal qualities than synthetic. A natural filled duvet is filled with either feathers or down, or a combination of the two. Duck and goose down are the most commonly used. Natural filled duvets weigh less but they also last longer.

5. Another option is a silk-filled duvet. They naturally repel dust mites, are breathable and a good choice for people with allergies.

6. Synthetic fibre-filled duvets are a cheaper alternative to natural filled duvets and are a good buy if you know you will wash your duvet regularly or are allergic to feathers. Top quality synthetic duvets are filled with 100% polyester fibres that mimic the feel of natural fillings. Marks & Spencer sell a Dacron polyester duvet that's machine-washable and soft to the touch.

7. Choose a duvet size to match your bed: a double duvet on a double bed will allow enough width to drape comfortably over the sides of the mattress. If your partner hogs the bedding, opt for a duvet one size larger than the bed.

8. The best way to store your duvet when not in use is in a breathable cotton bag. Plastic vacuum-pack bags are okay for synthetics but they're not ideal for feather or down quilts.

9. Ideally you should get your duvet professionally cleaned once a year to prolong its lifespan.

10. Airing your duvet and giving it a regular shake each day will help circulate the filling and keep it in good shape. A duck feather and down duvet should last for 10 years; a goose-down duvet for up to 25 years depending on how well it's looked after.