Buyer Guide: Synthetic Fillings - Hollowfibre & Microfibre

Thanks to recent technological developments, synthetic duvets are no longer the clammy blocks of plastic that they used to be. Modern manmade bedding fibres are specially engineered to be fine, fluffy and excellent at retaining heat, so you can be cosy without feeling like you’re being weighed down.

What is Hollowfibre?

Hollowfibre is used in our duvets and some of our toppers, cushions and seat pads. We think it’s great because it provides lofty comfort, is resistant to dust mites, and can be easily washed and dried at home.

Hollowfibre gets its name from the fine, hollow strand of polyester that it is made from. The hollow centre traps air and helps to provide a lofty duvet filling. Hollowfibre bedding is very light, so you can get incredibly warm, high-tog bedding without having a thick duvet on your bed. Not only is Hollowfibre machine-washable, it also offers fantastic value; you can get Hollowfibre duvets from just £8.49, so if you’re looking for a duvet for an occasional guest bed or student halls, you won’t have to spend a huge amount on something that will be barely used or potentially ruined!

Due to the simple synthetic makeup of Hollowfibre, the lifespan of this bedding is relatively small. You can expect a hollowfibre duvet to last a few years, so they are a popular option for people who like to replace their duvet frequently. With prices starting from under £9, they still offer incredible value for money, even if you swap yours every 6 months!

What is Microfibre?

Here at Homescapes, we use what we call ‘Super Microfibre’ in our luxury synthetic duvets and pillows. Originally developed as a hypoallergenic, affordable alternative to luxurious down duvets, for use in the finest hotels, it is manufactured using a very fine denier of polyester fibre and a specific length engineered to create the precise dimensions of real down.

Our development into this option has created our softest, lightest duvets and spongiest pillows yet that have all the benefits of natural fillings, with the added advantage of being washable, anti-dust mite and considerably better for your bank balance! It feels just like the real thing, is incredibly light and fluffy, and keeps you super toasty during the night.

We love our Super Microfibre and we’re sure you will too. Compare our Super Microfibre to other synthetic bedding and it will be easy to tell them apart. Unfortunately, Microfibre is a generic term now used in the UK by many brands, which makes it very difficult to ensure you’re getting the right thing (especially online!). It is nothing like our well engineered fibre but just another variation of the more commonplace hollowfibre. Buying from Homescapes ensures that you’re getting the real thing. Just look out for our ‘Super Microfibre’ label!

Despite its down-like feel, the fibres used to produce Super Microfibre fillings are still synthetic, so eventually they will break down and your bedding will need replacing. On average, we spend one third of our lives in bed (although with bedding this cosy, you might pull that average up to half!), so you can expect your duvet to last up to five years and your pillow up to two.

Looking for an investment? The only downside to man-made bedding fillings is their lifespan. If you’re after a more permanent bedding set, a well cared for feather and down duvet could see you through over a decade (it will definitely need a few trips to the cleaners over this time though!). Read our Natural Bedding Guide for more information.