Paplan

Paplan is a type of bed covering used primarily in Hungary and parts of Central Europe. It refers to a thick quilt or duvet that provides warmth during sleep and is typically placed over a sleeper and inside a fabric cover. The outer material is usually cotton, linen, or a synthetic fabric, while the filling can be down, feathers, wool, cotton batting, or synthetic fibers. In many households the term paplan denotes the quilt itself, with the removable cover called a paplanhuzat.

The warmth and weight of a paplan vary by season and filling. Winter paplans are heavier and loftier, while summer versions are lighter. Insulating fillings such as down offer high warmth-to-weight efficiency, whereas synthetic fillings tend to be more affordable and easier to care for. Some paplans are designed as all-season options, combining multiple layers or different fillings for adjustable warmth.

Care and maintenance depend on the filling. Down and feather-filled paplans often require gentle cleaning, sometimes dry cleaning or specialized washing, followed by thorough drying to prevent clumping. Wool-filled paplans may need careful washing, while synthetic-filled versions are generally easier to launder. The paplanhuzat—the removable cover—can usually be machine-washed, helping protect the inner filling.

Culturally, paplan is a common element of traditional bedding in Hungary and neighboring regions, where it coexists with other regional terms for similar bed coverings. In modern retail, paplan sets are commonly sold as the quilt or duvet paired with a separate duvet cover.