What the heck is the difference between duvet, comforter, bedspread, etc.?

[confusedbedbuyer]

I do not understand the difference between a duvet, a comforter, and a bedspread.
The sales ladies at my local department stores were no help. I asked one what the difference between a duvet and a comforter was and all she said is that with a duvet I would need to buy a cover. I still have no idea what the difference is.
So, please enlighten me in the dumbest most layman terms that you can

, of what is the difference between a duvet, a comforter and a bedspread?
Why do I need to buy a cover for a duvet? Why don't they come with covers in the same package?
Also, do I need a bedskirt with all of those options? Or, for which of those options do I need a bedskirt?
And, why would I want to choose one of those three options over the other two options? How do I decide which one to get?
Thanks for any insights you guys and gals can provide.

 

[cynicaljones]

Wiki answer on your question
Wise Geek on the same
Wise Geek on bed skirts and dust ruffles

 

[Leo3]

Thanks for explaining what a duvet is. What are those couch things, oh yeah it is a futon. Never really understood what those are.

 

[budgy]

the wiki answer is good, although really a duvet can be any fill, but it is designed to be placed into a duvet cover. can get wool, silk and cotton filled duvets as well.

 

[confusedbedbuyer]

A bedspread is a pre-filled bed cover

I find this statement to be unclear. What does 'pre-filled' mean, exactly? Aren't duvets and comforters pre-filled too?
After reading that link, I now have an idea of the difference between a comforter and a duvet, but not between a comforter and a bedspread, or a duvet and a bedspread
Why would I choose a bedspread instead of a duvet or comforter, or vice versa?
Actually, after writing the above portion of this post, I went on to read the Wisegeeks article.
That cleared things up a bit more, but why does it say that duvet covers are used with comforters? Doesn't it mean that duvet covers are used with duvets?
The impression I get from the Wisegeeks article is that bedspreads simultaneously function as both a blanket and a bedskirt. Is that correct? Doesn't that make bedspreads less sanitary than the other options?
I don't understand why the Wisegeeks article does not use the word 'duvet' anywhere in it, but rather seems to use the word 'comforter' interchangeably in places where 'duvet' could go?
What are the reasons to get a duvet instead of a comforter, or vice versa, aside from a duvet's exterior being more alterable due to new covers?

 

[budgy]

confusedbedbuyer wrote:

A bedspread is a pre-filled bed cover

I find this statement to be unclear. What does 'pre-filled' mean, exactly? Aren't duvets and comforters pre-filled too?
After reading that link, I now have an idea of the difference between a comforter and a duvet, but not between a comforter and a bedspread, or a duvet and a bedspread
Why would I choose a bedspread instead of a duvet or comforter, or vice versa?
Actually, after writing the above portion of this post, I went on to read the Wisegeeks article.
That cleared things up a bit more, but why does it say that duvet covers are used with comforters? Doesn't it mean that duvet covers are used with duvets?
The impression I get from the Wisegeeks article is that bedspreads simultaneously function as both a blanket and a bedskirt. Is that correct? Doesn't that make bedspreads less sanitary than the other options?
I don't understand why the Wisegeeks article does not use the word 'duvet' anywhere in it, but rather seems to use the word 'comforter' interchangeably in places where 'duvet' could go?
What are the reasons to get a duvet instead of a comforter, or vice versa, aside from a duvet's exterior being more alterable due to new covers?

Most comforters are filled with polyester, due to them having a cover on them already, its the only way to keep them sanitary because you can just machine wash them. They do not work well in a broad range of temperatures like most natural fills will do. Fills like wool, silk and down cannot be easily washed so it is best to have a cover on them that you can remove and wash regularly. But they are also much more luxurious to sleep with. Wool and silk for their ability to wick away moisture and keep you dry.
Using duvets also allows you to change the duvet depending on the season but use the same cover if you wish. Some of the more hardcore people will cycle duvets, maybe use a silk in the summer and a heavier wool in the winter, or a really good down in the winter.

 

[confusedbedbuyer]

When I search for duvets to buy online, I have a really hard time finding anything listed under 'duvets'. Most of the searches only reveal things listed under "duvet covers" and "comforters."
Are 'duvets' and 'comforters' interchangeable?
Can I stuff any comforter into a duvet cover, or is that a bad idea? Do I need stuff a 'duvet' rather than a 'comforter' into a duvet cover?
Why do most sites not list 'duvets', yet do list tons of 'duvet covers' and 'comforters?'

 

[budgy]

ive seen a lot of online sellers list duvets as comforters incorrectly. basically it is a duvet if the cover is plain or maybe in rare cases a jacquard cover.

 

[cynicaljones]

I don't see why you couldn't put a comforter into a duvet cover.

 

[Leo3]

A comforter is something I don't want, it only covers the bed, doesn't cover the sides of the bed. Also a comforter is to heavy and warm for me. A bedspread is fabric that is not bulky and cover the whole entire bed, sides and all.