There’s no official calendar date for swapping duvets, but there is a reliable signal: if you’ve needed a blanket on top of your current duvet more than once or twice in the same week, it’s time to move up in tog rating rather than keep adding layers.
The Usual UK Timeline
- Early autumn (September): Most homes are still fine with a spring/autumn weight duvet, typically 7.5 to 10.5 tog.
- Mid-to-late October: Overnight temperatures drop consistently enough that most people move to a 12 to 13.5 tog winter duvet.
- November through February: Winter tog duvets stay in use, sometimes paired with an extra blanket during particularly cold snaps.
- March: Many people switch back down as the heating season eases off.
If you’re not sure which tog to move up to, our guide to what tog duvet you need for winter walks through how to choose based on your bedroom and heating, and covers combination duvets if you’d rather not commit to one tog for the whole season.
Signs It’s Time to Switch, Even If the Calendar Says Not Yet
Every home heats differently, so it’s worth going by feel rather than the date alone. Consider switching early if:
- You’re regularly adding a blanket on top of your current duvet.
- Your bedroom doesn’t get heated overnight, or your heating switches off before you go to bed.
- You wake up cold in the early hours even though you felt fine falling asleep.
- You’re a naturally cold sleeper. Our guide to the best duvet for cold sleepers covers fill type as well as tog rating, since the two matter about equally.
How to Store the Duvet You’re Not Using
Whichever duvet comes off your bed, whether that’s a lightweight summer duvet going into storage for winter, or eventually a winter duvet going away in spring, storing it properly protects both the filling and your storage space.
- Wash or air it first. Store a duvet clean, not just aired. Trapped body oils and moisture over several months can affect the filling and invite odour or mildew. If it’s a down duvet, see our guide on washing a goose down duvet for the safest way to do it at home.
- Make sure it’s completely dry before storing. Any residual dampness in a sealed bag is the main cause of musty duvets by the time you unpack them next season.
- Use a breathable storage bag, not a sealed plastic one. Down and feather fillings need some airflow to keep their loft; sealing them in plastic for months can flatten the fill and trap moisture. Our duvet storage bags are designed to protect bedding while still letting it breathe, and our guide to choosing the right duvet storage bag covers sizing if you’re storing a king or super king duvet.
- Store somewhere cool and dry, not a damp loft or garage. A wardrobe shelf or under-bed storage box works better than anywhere prone to condensation.
- Fluff it back up before its next use. A duvet that’s spent months compressed in storage will need a good shake, or a low tumble on air-only if the care label allows it, to restore its loft before it goes back on the bed.
If you’re storing a goose down duvet specifically, how long a goose down duvet lasts is worth a read too, since correct storage between seasons is one of the biggest factors in how many years you get out of it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an exact date to switch to a winter duvet?
No fixed date. Most UK households switch sometime in October as overnight temperatures drop, but the right moment depends on your home's heating and insulation more than the calendar. If you're regularly adding a blanket, it's already time.
Can I put my summer duvet straight into storage without washing it?
It's better not to. Body oils, sweat, and moisture build up over months of use even if the duvet looks clean, and storing it unwashed for several months can lead to odour or, in humid conditions, mildew. A wash or air before storage keeps it in better condition for next year.
Should I store a duvet in a vacuum-sealed bag?
For down and feather duvets, no. Vacuum sealing compresses the filling for long periods, which can flatten the down and reduce its loft and warmth over time. A breathable, non-vacuum storage bag protects the duvet while letting it keep its shape.
How do I know if my duvet is too light for winter without buying a new one?
If you're consistently reaching for a blanket on top of it, or waking up cold in the early hours, that's a reliable sign your current tog rating isn't warm enough for the season, regardless of what the calendar says.
What tog should I switch to for winter?
Most people move to 12 to 13.5 tog for winter. See our full guide on choosing a winter tog rating for how to decide between the two based on your bedroom.
Shop duvet storage bags to pack away your summer duvet properly, or browse winter-weight duvets if you’re due an upgrade.
