Do you wish to maintain the cleanliness and freshness of your down comforter? Are you interested in avoiding the dry cleaning process to save money and the environment? In that case, you've found the proper site! We'll be providing some of the best practices for properly and effectively washing down comforters at home.

Down duvets are a luxurious and cozy addition to any bedroom, but many people don't know how to properly clean them. Although washing down duvets at home can be a difficult process, with the proper techniques and methods, you can quickly get excellent results. We’re going to share our time-tested technique for cleaning down duvets at home in this article.

Over the years, our bedding quilts, duvets, and comforters accumulate dust, allergens, and germs that could ruin your peaceful sleep. So, you must clean your bedding items at least one to two times per year. It is even possible??

Yes, there is a way to clean your duvet at home, I did clean mine, but you should be careful and do it at your own risk! First things first, I do have to remind you that it is always better to check the label for the manufacturer’s wash care instructions.And if you do plan to wash it at home, it will void the manufacturer's warranty. Don't tell me I didn't warn you!

What to do if I want to avoid taking it to the cleaners? Is there any other option? Yes, as promised, I am going to tell you how I managed to clean my down duvet without taking it to the dry cleaners! Ahaaa….it is possible and also saves you a ton of money!   

Even though most down duvets and comforters are machine washable, it is best that you do that in a large commercial-size washing machine which is at a laundromat near your place of stay. A home-sized washing machine could work for your twin or small-sized duvet, but it could also compress the down fill inside.   

It is always recommended that you wash the comforter on a gentle or delicate cycle with lukewarm water for the best results. However, every comforter is different, and it is always best to check the manufacturer's label for detergent suggestions.

Time For a Little Secret...🤫

To be honest, I have washed my down duvet many times at home and even though it comes out flat at first scares me every time, it does fluff up after drying. But again, this is only for my down duvet……only do this if you are fine risking it. Just to remind you again……if you do wash it yourself whether, at home or a laundromat, it does void the manufacturer’s warranty.

We all know how busy and messy life can be when we have kids and pets at home. Be it pet hair or the mess kids make, simply can’t avoid it, otherwise, what’s the fun of having them in the first place? But you can simply wash your duvet…… Yes, there are budget-friendly options, apart from your home washing machine.

Now, since you are searching for a laundromat already, let me remind you to pick out the biggest laundry machine available there. I will tell you why.....keep scrolling!

 

1. Read The Instructions. Always Check the Label!!

Before you take your duvet or comforter to the laundry or laundromat, make sure to check the tags for the manufacturer’s instructions about washing requirements and precautions. You must follow the instructions on the label, as some fabrics may state to avoid certain detergents and chemicals. It is important to always check for instructions pertaining to washing; that is if the duvet can be washed in your washing machine or do you need to take it for dry-clean. 

Depending on the size of your duvet or comforter you may want to take it for professional cleaning, most dry cleaners clean duvets for a fraction of the price……nothing compared to the ease of mind.

2. Check for Any Rips and Slits!

After you are confident about the washing technique for your duvet, you should check for any rips and slits on the comforter or duvet. Improper cleaning or other any small mishaps could cause your duvet to rip. This would help prevent the fill from getting out of the quilt. Be sure to sew and repair any mishaps you may find to avoid getting your blanket from getting thin due to leaky fills.

When you remove the duvet from the duvet cover, be sure to check the condition of the duvet for any wear and tears, duvets do wear out with time and this is when you should get your sewing kit out. But first hold your duvet against the light to properly check for any mishaps, or areas that might be void of down. If you find too many areas void of down filling……then you might want to consider replacing them with new ones. 

3. Size Check: Be Sure to Check The Capacity of Your Washing Machine!

Yes, this is a significant step…. Make sure your duvet fits in the washing machine, whether it is at your home or at your nearby laundromat service. And of course, leave some spare room for it to freely twirl around during the wash cycle. If your down-filled quilt, will not get enough space then it is likely to be compressed and the fill may just clam onto one side of the washer.

The best advice is to opt for the biggest-sized commercial washer at your local laundromat.

PRO TIP: Wrap up a few tennis balls in clean white socks to avoid leaving any marks on your clean duvet. This helps spread the fill load evenly in your washing machine and keep our down fill to evenly distributed. Lastly, dry as per instructions on your duvet’s care label.

We understand that you may not wash your down duvet as often as you may wash your comforter because of its bulkiness. But you should wash it more than one to two times a year. We would suggest you use a laundromat instead of home laundry, this is because of its size. Laundromats are usually three times the size of a household machine and provide the duvet comforter with ample space to move during the wash cycle.  

Point to Remember When Cleaning Duvet Comforters

Keeping in mind the guidelines from your duvets tag; the first step should be tospot-clean your comforter with the right stain remover. This would make it easier to get rid of stains. After this, you should let your comforter or duvet soak for a while.

Even though, it may be advisable to use bleach for duvets and comforters in general. Let me warn you that bleach can be hard on cotton and down feathers, even though it helps get rid of dust mites. The best way would be to check the label for the manufacturer’s instructions.

While washing your duvet comforter insert in thewashing machine, it is always advisable to wash it in a gentle or delicate cycle and run it twice to ensure that it is rinsed properly. You may notice that your down comforter has gotten flat after washing it in the machine……don’t worry, it’s normal……wait until it gets dried up.

Pro Tip: Placing a rubber or tennis ball (or even several coins tightly wrapped in a sock) inside a clean sock in the machine with your duvet could help you down the duvet from knotting up.  

Alternative To Dry Cleaning Comforters

Use a Commercial-sized Washing Machine or Laundromat Service

Another option we would highly recommend is that you use a laundromat that has a commercial-sized washing machine. The commercial-sized machines have sufficient space for your duvet to move around and help the down feather to not compress or cluster on one side of the comforter, as compared to a home laundry machine. It is still always advisable to check the label for the manufacturer’s instructions for this, as they may strictly recommend using a professional service.

Washing your Duvet at Home

The next best, most time-efficient, and budget-friendly option is to simply toss your duvet comforter insert in the washing machine at home.But the big question here is that can it be treated like regular laundry? If you have a full-sized laundry machine, then the answer is, yes, you may wash it at home.

Nevertheless, if you do not have a large washing machine, then head to a commercial wash site. They usually have washing machines three times the size of the ones we have at home and can wash a massive duvet easily.

What to Keep in Mind if Washing It at Home?

If you are washing your down duvet comforter at home, keep in mind the following:

• Check the water temperature- for a down duvet, we recommend washing it in cold water as it helps prevent shrinking.
• Use gentle liquid detergent for both down and wool duvets or comforters.
• We would recommend you NOT use fabric softeners or any heavy-duty detergents for your down comforter.
• Wash you down on a gentle—delicate cycle. 

Tips for The Dryer

Dry the Comforter Thoroughly……this is significant otherwise mold, and mildew could be formed inside your duvet or comforter. You should also let your blanket dry in the air for a while to check for any damp spots before putting on a duvet cover.

Remember!! When using the dryer: try to remove the duvet every 30 minutes or so and shake it up the long side (this would help prevent fluffs and clumps to cluster on one side). Keep repeating the process until your down duvet is completely dry. Avoid direct sunlight if you plan to dry it outside.

It is advisable to let it in the air for a while but not dry it under the sun, and never use line drying due to the risk of dampness and clumps forming.  Always let it cool for a while after taking it out of the dryer and putting a cover on! 

Wash the Duvet Cover More Often

Keep your duvet comforter insert clean for longer by protecting it with a duvet cover. It is easier to take off the duvet cover and toss it in your home laundry machine than to wash the whole duvet every time. Regardless, you should wash both as often as possible. If you have a duvet, you may want to wash the duvet cover more typically, say whenever you change your bedsheet. As for a comforter, you should consider adding a duvet cover to it, to prevent it from getting dirty every so regularly.

Oh……do remember, even if you intend to wash your duvet comforter at a laundromat……check for the biggest size washing machine available. Not only does this help your duvet from getting clumped up, but also makes it cleaner. If you have small kids at home or even pets, then buying a washable duvet is highly recommended.

Just a little reminder again……always be sure to check manufacturer’s labels for wash and care instructions for your down-filled bedding items. But as I mentioned, washing it yourself voids the manufacturer’s warranty.

Good luck with whatever you decide!!

XOXO, Sleep fresh!