To get the best results possible, queen- or king-sized duvets should be cleaned in an extra-large capacity front-loading washer and dryer. You'll often find these larger machines at the laundromat, although they tend to cost a few dollars more than the average size washer and dryer.
We recommend a 9kg washing machine or larger for a king-size duvet. For the best, most thorough wash, your duvet should fit in the drum loosely, allowing water and detergent to flow through the drum and duvet freely. Even some thicker king size duvets may not fit properly inside a 9kg washing machine.
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.
Can you wash a king size duvet in a 8kg washing machine? No, the largest duvet that will fit into a 8kg washing machine is a queen sized duvet.
More specifically to successfully wash a king-sized comforter, you need a washer that has a drum capacity of 5.0 cubic feet or larger. The washer should be a front-loading washer or a top-loading washer without or with a removable center agitator.
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.
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.
A 10kg washing machine can easily fit up to 50 items, a king-sized duvet, or even a set of curtains! This can cut down the amount of laundry you need to do each week.
As a rough guide most 7kg capacity machines will cope with a 10-tog double. But check with the machine's manufacturer first if you are in any doubt. Use about one third of the usual amount of detergent and wash at as high a temperature as the care label allows (above 60°C will kill dust mites).
Medium 7-9kg: a medium drum size is able to hold around 10-13 towels, 7 trousers and t-shirts, or 1 double duvet. Large 10-13kg: a large drum size can hold around 14-18 towels, 10 trousers and t-shirts, or 1 kingsize duvet.
Comforters: Instead of lugging your king-size comforter to a laundromat, you can wash it in any washer with a claimed capacity of at least 4.5 cubic feet, according to our tests. It's best washed by itself, for better agitation and rinsing. An extra rinse cycle might also be helpful for these bulky items.
The GHI recommends washing your duvet every few months, or at least twice a year. You should also wash pillows every other month. We also suggest investing in pillowcase protectors to act as a further barrier for your pillows, especially as these can be washed in your machine with your other bedding.
We put our summer 4.5 tog in the 8kg washer and dryer, but wouldn't put a winter one in it. In a word... no. For a king size duvet you'd need to go up to a 9kg with an extra-large drum.
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.
A king size duvet will normally weigh around 3-4 kg when dry, so in theory an 8, 9 or 10 kg washing machine should be able to cope with them. However, they get very heavy when wet, and can easily break washing machines. Even the best washing machines struggle to cope with king size duvets.
Machine Washing Duvets
If your washing machine has an 8 kilo drum, this will comfortably wash even a heavy (greater than 10 tog) double duvet, and can handle a queen size duvet too.
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.
If there isn't enough room in your domestic washing machine, take the duvet to a launderette, where there are big machines, both for washing and tumble-drying. Wash all duvets on a gentle cycle. For feather/feather-and-down duvets use a non-biological detergent (without enzymes).
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.
Wash Gently
If your quilt is a king size, use a large, front loading washing machine. It's also best to put the quilt in the washing machine by itself and not with any other laundry. If desired, you can also add half a cup of distilled white vinegar to the washer to help keep the colors bright.
We recommend keeping the duvet in the tumble dry until it's not dripping wet. Don't try to speed up the drying process by twisting out excess water. You'll likely damage the damp feather lining and make any clumping worse.
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.
The best way to freshen up a comforter without washing is to start by making the bed. Straighten out your comforter to remove any folds and to create a flat surface. Mist the surface of the duvet evenly with Fresh Wave Odor Removing Spray.