How To Wash A Duvet - The Ultimate Guide | Fine Bedding Company (2024)

How To Wash A Duvet - The Ultimate Guide | Fine Bedding Company (1)

Duvets and pillows are often the most neglected items of bedding when it comes to washing. People regularly wash bed linen but tend to either forget about the duvets inside or consider this as a big chore – not even during the annual spring clean. And who wants to lug a big duvet to the launderette or dry cleaners?

However, it’s perhaps easier than you think to wash bedding (if you choose the new highly washable products on the market)! Here is The Fine Bedding Company’s definitive guide to how, why and when to wash bedding.

How Often Should I Wash My Duvet and Pillow?

We recommend a duvet and pillow wash every few months (particularly for allergy sufferers) – or at least twice a year.

Why Is It Important to Wash a Duvet?

While our pyjamas and bed sheets are the first line of defence, stuff builds up in duvets over time.

One of the biggest nasties are dust mites – microscopic mites that can be present in their thousands. They live on the dead skin cells everyone loses while in bed. It’s also estimated that we sweat out about 200ml every night – passing beyond the humble sheet.

Washing helps cleanse the product of any accumulated dirt, moisture and dust; it keeps it hygienic and refreshes the filling. More importantly, washing at 60°C kills dust mites. If people have allergies or asthma dust mites can make symptoms worse.


How Often?

The first thing to check is whether your duvet is synthetic or natural (feather/down).

Synthetic Duvets

  • Look for care labels on synthetic products that show how best to wash individual products, but as a guide the best synthetic products can be washed at 60°C.
  • Wash as high as the care label allows.
  • Check that your duvet actually fits into the machine – allowing enough room for fabric and fibres to agitate inside and get thoroughly clean. We recommend larger togs and sizes, e.g.13.5 tog king and super kingsize duvets, should be washed in a large capacity machine (the majority of modern washing machines now have a high capacity drum as standard). All size and tog rating options of Spundown will fit into a standard 7kg drum, unlike some others on the market.
  • It’s wise to use about one third of your usual amount of detergent
  • Use a normal spin cycle
  • After the cycle, shake out the duvet while it’s damp to redistribute the filling evenly.
  • Again check the care label, but drying a duvet as quickly as possible is advisable – in a tumble dryer for 45 minutes – or outside on a hot sunny day!
  • Air the duvet before placing back on a bed


Natural Duvets

  • Natural duvets should be washed with extreme care – specialist cleaning is highly recommended.
  • Feather filled products can be washed at home but generally the machine capacity isn’t large enough and they take much longer to dry versus products that have a hydrophobic filling (like Smartfil) that repels water.
  • It is absolutely ESSENTIAL that natural duvets be thoroughly dried. Even though a duvet may feel dry to the touch, the filling inside often holds on to moisture so if the duvet is not dried properly, rotting of the filling can occur.

Removing Stains

Mop up any excess liquid as soon as possible. Try and move as much of the filling away from the area you need to clean and tie the area off with an elastic band. Dab (don’t rub) the stain with cold water (hot will set the stain) and add a mild detergent or a specialist stain removal product for more stubborn stains.

Dry Cleaning

Dry cleaning isn’t advised as it uses chemicals that can affect the filling. Professional cleaning is different as it’s a specialist version of washing at home.

See how independentexperts test the washability of a duvet.


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June 05, 2019 — Sleep Expert

Tags: Duvets

How To Wash A Duvet - The Ultimate Guide | Fine Bedding Company (2024)

FAQs

Can I wash a duvet in a washing machine? ›

Many duvets and quilts will recommend taking the item to a professional dry cleaner, but it is possible to wash a duvet at home as long as you have a big enough washing machine and follow the care label instructions carefully.

How do you wash a duvet bedding? ›

Put your duvet cover in the washing machine drum. Add a mild detergent where indicated by your machine. You may also add non-chlorine bleach as needed; bleach sparingly to prevent damaging or weakening the duvet cover's fibers. Wash your duvet cover using the cold water setting and a gentle wash/spin cycle.

Can duvets go in the dryer? ›

Most types of duvets can be dried in your own tumble dryer at home, providing they fit inside the machine. In fact, many duvet manufacturers recommend tumble drying synthetic duvets as this makes sure they are completely dry before you use them again.

What setting is best for washing duvet? ›

To wash your duvet, set the washer to a gentle, warm water cycle. If your machine has the option, include an extra rinse and spin cycle.

Can an LG washing machine wash a duvet? ›

Having a bigger capacity means you can now save time and money by washing bulky items like curtains, duvets or even quilts. LG washing machines are bigger on the inside but not the outside. LG Steam or non Steam Direct Drive washing machines are the same size as standard machines but have a bigger drum.

How do you wash a duvet that is too big for the washing machine? ›

You can hand-wash a king-size duvet with delicate laundry detergent and a bathtub if you don't have a washing machine. To do so, fill a bath halfway with warm water, and add laundry detergent. Then, use your hands to rub the duvet material together in the water, taking small sections at a time, for 10-15 minutes.

How do you wash a large duvet in the washing machine? ›

Remove the duvet cover if you use one. You will want to use a gentle detergent and set your washer on delicate or gentle, with a cold water cycle as well as its largest capacity. A front load washer with a large capacity is the best machine to wash a comforter or duvet in.

How do you wash a duvet without ruining it? ›

  1. Remove the duvet cover. Bedding that comes in direct contact with your skin, like your duvet cover, requires more frequent washing than the comforter inside. ...
  2. Read the care label. ...
  3. Spot clean and repair if needed. ...
  4. Load into a large capacity washer. ...
  5. Choose cycle settings, temperature and detergents. ...
  6. Dry your comforter.

Do duvet covers need to be laundry or dry cleaned? ›

While we suggest sending your duvet cover to be dry cleaned at least once or twice a year, it is okay to wash it at home as frequently as once a week. Quick Tip: Before throwing it in the washing machine, make sure to check the duvet cover's care instructions.

How long does a duvet take to dry? ›

Since duvets are all a little different, it can be tough to give a precise timeframe for how long it might take for yours to dry out naturally. As a rule, you can expect a freshly washed duvet to be dry to the touch after about 18-20 hours. In some cases, it may take closer to 24 hours to dry all the way through.

How often do I need to wash my duvet? ›

How often should duvets be washed? Whilst you likely wash your bed linen every week, fortunately, duvets and pillows don't actually require as much care and attention. In fact, the general recommendation for washing duvets is at least twice a year.

Will dry cleaners wash duvets? ›

Simply put, dry cleaning products are not suited for down items or down feathers. Instead, a professional cleaner will launder household items in a commercial laundry washer and dryer to ensure the best possible outcome.

How do I keep my duvet from twisting in the dryer? ›

Use dryer balls

Pop a couple of tumble dryer balls, such as JML Dryerballs from Wilko, in the dryer drum with your bedding. If you'd rather go plastic-free opt for wool dryer balls like these merino ones - not only are they fully biodegradable but they'll be quieter in the dryer too.

Can you tumble dry a down duvet? ›

It's best to tumble dry a feather down duvet as this will plump the feather up again, ensuring they are separated following the wash. Avoid line drying, this can take so long that mildew can start to grow in the filling before it dries.

Should you wash a duvet in hot or cold water? ›

Select the gentle or delicate cycle and add an extra rinse if possible. The label on your comforter may recommend a temperature setting. Cold or warm water will protect colors and fabrics, while hot water will kill dust mites if you don't plan on machine drying.

Is it worth washing a duvet? ›

Why should I wash my duvet? Washing your duvet is an important part of keeping your bed hygienic and free from dust mites. House dust mites feed on dead skin that has been partially broken down by mould, and both the skin itself and the dust mites that find it so tasty can quickly build up in unwashed beds and bedding.

Is my washing machine big enough to wash a duvet? ›

A 7 kg drum can wash a double duvet or the towels and sheets for a small family. An 8 kg drum can wash a queen or a lightweight size duvet. This is suitable for a medium size family. A 9 kg machine can wash a whole king size duvet and is the best option for large families.

What does a duvet setting on a washing machine do? ›

Easy Care - this cycle is for clothes that don't need ironing after washing, such as polyamide, acrylic and polyester fabrics. Duvet - this program is especially for large items such as bed covers and pillows, and it's perfect for spring cleaning season when you're washing your duvets after a long winter.

How do you wash an expensive duvet? ›

Duvets will require a large machine so they can move throughout the wash to get a proper clean and avoid compressing. Use a cold water setting for a gentler wash; it is also a good idea to use an extra rinse cycle to make sure the detergent is entirely flushed from the material.

Can you wash a duvet at a laundromat? ›

How to Wash a Duvet/Comforter at a Laundromat. The laundromat has extra-large capacity machines which makes it so much easier to wash your duvet. The large capacity machines are perfect for ensuring that the duvet properly moves throughout the wash cycle to get your bedding fully cleaned.

Is king size duvet too big for washing machine? ›

When it comes to placing your duvet in your washing machine, fold it in half and try to spread the weight as you feed it into the drum. If your washing machine is not big enough, you could take the duvet to a launderette. Their washing machines are the perfect size for cleaning and drying duvets.

Can I ruin my duvet by machine washing it? ›

If done properly, no, washing a down comforter will not ruin it! Like all delicate textiles, there are a few things to keep in mind to avoid permanently damaging your down comforter. Using properly sized laundry machines, delicate cycles, mild temperatures, and mild detergents are all things to keep in mind.

How do you dry a washed down duvet? ›

Run the dryer on air fluff or the lowest temperature possible. Stop the dryer periodically and break up any lumps that form in the comforter or pillow. Make sure that the down is not getting too warm as extreme heat can scorch the down. Expect the drying process to take three to four hours.

Why does all the washing end up in the duvet cover? ›

When you wash a duvet cover, why does other washing end up in it? The problem with the duvet cover is caused by a lack of preparation before the wash. The removed cover should be kept inside out to allow it to be correctly replaced on the duvet when dry.

Why do duvets go flat? ›

Yes, duvets can lose their warmth if the filling starts to lose its fluffiness and ability to trap air. Why is my duvet so flat? Instead of feeling light and springy, a duvet that has lost its ability to trap air will feel flat and deflated.

What happens if you don't wash new duvet? ›

What Happens if You Skip Washing? According to Kleinman, most people will be fine and won't notice any adverse reactions. But if you have sensitive skin, any chemical remnants may cause itching or skin irritation.

What is the easiest bedding to wash? ›

Cotton is the easiest to care for can be washed in hot water and placed in a dryer on the regular cycle. For a more delicate fiber like linen, stick to washing in warm water and drying with medium heat.

What does duvet wash do? ›

To keep your duvet clean, we recommend washing it every two to three months. This will prolong the lifespan of your duvet by keeping it free of mites and dust.

Should I button my duvet when washing? ›

She also suggests closing the duvet cover (via its buttons or ties) before washing to avoid smaller pieces becoming tangled inside, or the buttons and ties coming loose from excess friction.

What washing mode is best for bedding? ›

Use the hottest water setting on your washing machine that's safe for the material. Polyester blends are best washed using warm water, while cotton can tolerate hot water. Hotter water kills the most germs and takes care of dust mites that thrive in bedding. Wash at least once every other week.

Is duvet too big for washing machine? ›

Whether it's an oversized comforter or king-sized pillow, most materials are safe to throw in the wash. But always check the care label instructions to make sure your oversized item is machine washable.

How often should a duvet be washed? ›

How often should duvets be washed? Whilst you likely wash your bed linen every week, fortunately, duvets and pillows don't actually require as much care and attention. In fact, the general recommendation for washing duvets is at least twice a year.

Can I wash the duvet with the thing inside? ›

We would not recommend washing a duvet cover with the comforter inside of it. This will lead to more drying time, and more opportunities for your comforter and duvet cover to rip or tear in your washing machine. However, you should also check the care instructions on your comforter before tossing it in the washer.

What temperature should I wash my duvet? ›

The right temperature

The temperature you wash your duvet at is important. Always wash your duvet and pillow at 60 degrees to get them properly clean. 60 degrees is also the temperature that kills house dust mites.

What dryer setting is best for bedding? ›

Tumble dry your sheets on the low-heat setting to reduce wrinkling and prevent unnecessary wear. Using a low-heat setting also keeps your fitted sheets fitting snugly—if the dryer is too hot, it may damage the elastic.

What temperature and setting should you wash bedding? ›

Most fabrics can be washed at a warm temperature of 40° as this helps to remove dirt, natural body oils and takes care of germs. Silk bed sheets should be washed at a lower temperature of 30° with a mild, non-biological detergent, or a silk specialist washing detergent.

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