Down comforters are a lightweight, breathable way to stay warm and cozy at night. Plus, they're extremely versatile: just swap out your duvet cover whenever you feel like it to change the aesthetic of your bedroom. While down comforters offer some unique benefits, they are also a little more complicated to care for than, say, simple quilts. In addition to the duvet cover, you also need to wash the down comforter itself. Luckily, all you need is a little time and a strategy to wash your down comforter safely and effectively. Learn more about how to make your down comforters herewash and drycan – correctly and successfully!
How often should you wash your down comforters?
You can wash your down comforter in the washing machine, which means less work for you. But how often do you have to do this? If you protect the inside of the down comforter with a cover, you only need to wash it about once per season. Duvet covers should be washed more often (depending on the material) depending on the fabric and lifestyle. Of course, this suggestion is just a general rule of thumb: If your down comforter and/orYour duvet cover is dirtyyou need to wash them sooner. Since some down comforters are bulky, depending on the size of your home washing machine, a trip to the laundromat may be required to wash them.
Pre-treatment of the duvet
The first thing you should do is read both your washing machine's instruction manual and your down comforter's care label. After you have removed the duvet cover from the duvet, it is advisable to inspect it thoroughly for any stains or tears. If necessary, repair the tears with a needle and thread before washing them - you don't want to lose any feathers. Then treat any stains you find with a (ideally gentle) stain remover of your choice.
If you don't want to treat the blanket with chemicals, you can apply a paste of baking soda and water to the affected areas before washing. Simply add enough water to a small bowl of baking soda to form a paste, which you then apply to the stain and rub with your fingers or a brush.
Washing down duvets – what is needed?
You need the following:
- Gentle detergent
- 2 Tennis ball in 2 Sock
How to properly clean your down comforter
Wash down duvets with tennis balls
After you have pre-treated your goose down comforter, it is time to wash it. Effectively washing your down comforter requires a little more attention than a regular load of laundry, so make sure you follow each step.
Spread the down comforter as much as possible in the machine to avoid clumps. Give the socks with the tennis ballsinto the washing machineto prevent your duvet from clumping in the wash cycle. This also makes it easier to remove dirt.
Wash down duvets: select a gentle cycle
Set the washing machine to the gentle cycle and add a gentle, bleach-free detergent to reduce sudsafter washingto avoid. It is best to wash down comforters alone to avoid clumping and always use as much cold water as possible.
Before you put the down comforter in the dryer, you should wash it again. After washing, you should definitely look for soap residue. If you spot any, rinse and spin again on a gentle cycle. Soap residue can cause clumps in the down, so make sure it is rinsed thoroughly.
Remove the down comforter from the washing machine
Remove the down comforter from the washing machine carefully so that it does not tear. There may be a slight smell, but this will quickly disappear once the blanket is dry.
Dry down duvets
Set dryer after washing down duvets
Washable down comforters can be put in the dryer. For best results, set the dryer to low temperature. To help the feathers and stuffing spread and fluff up better, add clean tennis balls or dryer balls. Avoid dryer sheets as they can coat the feathers of the down comforter and make them less fluffy.
Avoid residual moisture
If necessary, start the drying cycle again until there are no more signs of moisture - otherwise residual moisture can lead to mold growth. Halfway through the drying cycle, remove the duvet and shake it well to redistribute the feathers. Use your hands to break up any remaining clumps before putting it back in the dryer.
Drying down can take up to three hours, so be prepared for a long period of time. If you wish, you can remove the comforter when it is about 85% dry and then dry it on a clothesline.
Tipp:If the down filling clumps together when you remove the comforter from the dryer, there is probably excess water and you should start another drying cycle.
Can you air dry a down comforter?
Air drying is not recommended for down comforters. If the down is not completely and thoroughly dried on the inside, mold can quickly form. Plus, air drying a down comforter takes forever.
