Published on the 23rd of May 2019
Warmer weather is on its way and its time to take off some layers and reduce the heavy winter bedding, putting it away for the Summer months.
Duvet washing is a task many of us may not do but nonetheless, it’s an important one to ensure you rid your bedding of all the sweat and skin cells accumulated over the winter months which can migrate through the pyjamas and duvet cover and attract dust mites. Yep, not a pleasant thought but one to spur you on.
Check the washing instructions on the label and consider the size and type of your duvet before deciding on whether you can wash this at home or need to take it to a dry cleaner.
As a general rule, larger or higher tog sized duvets and those that are feather or down filled are better washed at the launderette or dry cleaners. They will tend to be fluffier and benefit from being washed in a larger sized washing machine drum.
You may not have a large enough machine at home anyway – usually, a 9kg drum machine is needed for a king size duvet – so a trip to the launderette could be the best bet.
For natural filled duvets, the dry cleaners provide a great wash and dry service and often have a special duvet package. The introduction of wet cleaning at many dry cleaning outlets in the UK means that gentler solvents and cleaning processes are now available for duvets, leaving them not only clean but with a pleasant smell and less wrinkled. The process is also kinder to the environment.
Once the washing is done, it is essential that duvets are completely dry before putting them away otherwise mould or mildew may develop. Air dry your duvet outside if you can even if you think it’s dry when you get it back from the laundrette or cleaners. A few hours on the line will get rid of any lingering process smell and ensure it is completely dry.
When deciding where to store your duvet, select a place that is always dry and clean so not in the attic, shed or garage where there is the chance of mice, damp or insects. Don’t store your duvet in a bin bag as these are not airtight. The best storage bag is a cotton one that keeps bugs and dust away but will allow the duvet to breathe.
If you have a feather duvet then try not to store anything on top of it to avoid the feathers or down being crushed and going lumpy. It’s also really helpful to label the duvet bag so that when you come to put the duvets back on in Autumn you know whose is whose.
So as the weather warms up and the sun comes out, it’s a perfect time to get your duvets back in pristine condition and come winter you’ll be as snug as a bug. Or hopefully not!
FAQs
To wash your down & feather duvet, set the washer to a delicate warm water cycle (60°C or 140°F). Wash the duvet separately and only use one third of the normal amount of detergent. After washing your duvet, place it in the tumble dryer without delay. Set the tumble dryer on air or low heat setting.
Should duvets be washed or dry cleaned? ›
You can and certainly should wash your duvet - most can be either machine-washed or hand-washed, depending on what the manufacturer recommends - you will usually find this information on the care label. Another key reason to wash your duvet is to prevent it from becoming a home for dust mites.
What detergent to use for down duvet? ›
We advise against using any strong detergents with down duvets. Instead, we recommend using detergents for delicate fabrics. Some of the products include Woolite, Ecover Delicate Laundry Liquid, and so on.
How do you deep clean a duvet? ›
How to Wash a Duvet
- Pre-Treat Stains. ...
- Put Bedding in the Washer. ...
- Put the Tennis Balls in the Washer. ...
- Add Laundry Detergent. ...
- Set the Cycle and Run the Washer. ...
- Remove and Check for Soap Residue. ...
- Transfer to the Dryer. ...
- Check the Dryer and Fluff.
Make sure to use a delicate detergent specifically for bedding. Once washed, remove the duvet immediately and let it air dry or put it in the dryer on a low heat setting with tennis balls to help fluff it up.
Can I put my duvet in the dryer? ›
"If your duvet is made from synthetic materials, then yes, you can put your duvet in the dryer on low heat," Mock says. "However, if your duvet is made of down and natural materials, then try not put it in the dryer; you should hang to dry instead."
What happens if you don't wash your duvet? ›
If that isn't gross enough, a duvet that hasn't been washed for a year is likely to contain more than 20,000 dust mites, she said, which can cause irritated skin and eyes. For those with allergies or asthma, dust mites may make symptoms worse.
Is it OK to not wash duvet? ›
Although it's important to clean duvets and quilts to ensure all of your bedding is fresh and clean, there's no need to wash them as regularly as your sheets. Washing duvets or quilts about once a year will suffice. Read more about how often to do laundry here.
What causes yellow stains on duvet? ›
It's normal for your duvet to turn yellow over time, especially if it's white or in a light shade. Duvets absorb whatever liquids come in contact with them. The yellow stains of duvets result from body liquids and sweat. Lotion and creams can also contribute to the yellowish colour.
What do you soak a duvet in? ›
How To Wash A Duvet By Hand
- Step One: Prepare The tub. Fill up your large laundry tub or bathtub with warm water. ...
- Step Two: Saturate The Fabric With Soapy Water. “Place the [duvet] in the sudsy water and let it soak for a few minutes, pressing out air bubbles with your hands,” Mendelson says. ...
- Step Three: Rinse.
LG washing machines have a Duvet Cycle designed for items such as bed covers, sofa covers, and weighted blankets. It can also wash cotton bedding, but not delicate, wool, or silk garments. The Duvet Cycle allows you to adjust the temperature from cold to 40°C, and its maximum load capacity is 2.5kg, or one down duvet.
How often should you wash down a duvet? ›
How often should you wash your duvet? The general advice is once per year at a minimum, but if you use the same duvet year-round, it could probably benefit from a wash every 3-4 months. If you suffer from allergies, are particularly sweaty at night, or have been very ill, your duvet may need more frequent washes.
Can you put vinegar in the washing machine? ›
Vinegar is a natural cleaning agent that effectively removes odors and stains from your washing machine. It is safe for both the environment and your machine, as it does not cause any harm or damage. The recommended amount of vinegar to use in a top load machine depends on the load size, ranging from 1/2 to 4 cups.
Can you wash a duvet with vinegar? ›
Running your duvet through a wash cycle with about a cup of white vinegar can help kill the mildew smell, but you'll have to run an additional cycle with your detergent after to get rid of the vinegar smell.
Is a duvet better than a comforter? ›
Duvets tend to be more expensive than comforters as they are often made with higher quality materials and last much longer. Duvets serve as a very long-term bedding option, while new comforters are purchased when you'd like to transition to a different style or when your comforter has worn out too much in the wash.
What is duvet mode in washing machine? ›
LG washing machines have a Duvet Cycle designed for items such as bed covers, sofa covers, and weighted blankets. It can also wash cotton bedding, but not delicate, wool, or silk garments. The Duvet Cycle allows you to adjust the temperature from cold to 40°C, and its maximum load capacity is 2.5kg, or one down duvet.
What is the best washing mode for bedding? ›
Bed sheets should be washed in the warmest water appropriate for the fabric, using a sheets cycle or the cycle recommended in your washer's use and care guide. If there isn't a cycle specified, a normal or regular cycle will usually suffice for cotton, polyester or linen sheets.
What is the best setting to wash bedding? ›
Sheets should be washed at a warm temperature to kill bacteria. A good temperature to wash bed sheets is 40 degrees but a 60-degree wash will be better at killing germs and should be used if someone in the house has been ill.
How do you wash a duvet in a top load washer? ›
If your top load washer has an agitator, place it loosely around the wash tub and try to keep the load balanced. Sheets and comforters are generally washed using a bulky cycle. However, if you wish to be gentler, a delicate cycle is sufficient.
