Most duvets are machine-washable but before you attempt to squash it into your machine make sure that the drum capacity is big enough and that you don't overload it. 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.
' The answer: it depends. Duvets or quilts with synthetic fillings can usually be washed at home, but some domestic washing machines do not have a large enough capacity to allow the duvet or quilt to move around freely in the drum.
6kg washing machine – can fit around 30 T-Shirts or a single duvet and is suited for couples. 7kg washing machine – can fit around 35 T-Shirts or a double duvet and is suited for a small sized family. 8kg washing machine – can fit around 40 T-Shirts or a queen sized duvet and is suited for a medium sized family.
For bulkier blankets like quilts, recommended to use a large load capacity washing machine. 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.
A 6 kg drum will hold a single 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.
Can I wash a king-size duvet in a 7kg washing machine? Generally, a 7kg washing machine can comfortably wash a duvet for a double bed but not a king-sized bed. Although your duvet might fit after squeezing it into a 7kg drum, it probably won't get a reliable and thorough cleaning.
The good news is that you certainly can wash a double duvet in a washing machine! If your washing machine has a capacity of 7 kilos or more, you should be able to machine wash your double duvet at home.
Cleaning a quilt
But if you're confident a quilt is safe to wash, fill a clean bathtub with cold water and add a little gentle, fragrance-free, undyed liquid detergent and 1⁄2 cup of white vinegar. Put the quilt in the tub and gently move it around. Leave for about 10 minutes, then drain and refill with fresh water.
Use the bath
No room in the washing machine? Then fill your bath or a large plastic tub with tepid water and add detergent, mixing it in with your hands. Submerge the duvet fully, agitate for a few minutes to remove dirt and debris, then rinse until the water is running clean and free of soap.
As a general guideline, you'll want a washer with a capacity of at least 6kg to efficiently wash the doona from a single-sized bed. Doubles will need 7kg, Queens 8kg, and Kings 9kg. And for a full-sized set of floor-to-ceiling curtains, you'll want a washer with a capacity of at least 10kg to clean them well.
If you have a stain on a duvet then move the feathers away from that area of the blanket, treat the stain and wash according to the instructions. A 5 kg drum will accommodate sheets and towels for an individual or a household of two people. A 6 kg drum will hold a single duvet.
A 7 kg washing machine is considered standard, perfect for a household of two to three people. You should be able to wash between five and six small towels in the drum without overloading it. For larger bath towels, we recommend sticking with four so you don't accidentally exceed capacity.
The best advice with quilts is to wash them only when necessary to prevent fading—usually not more than twice a year. Hand-washing with cold water and mild detergent is the preferred cleaning method since it is the gentlest; as a last resort, you can use a washing machine's delicate cycle using cold water.
Unlike sheets and blankets, it's best to wash quilts as infrequently as you can manage. Quilts are too delicate for regular washing, which can damage the fabric, and cause the quilt to degrade. If you use your quilt every day, you may only need to wash it about twice a year.
HE top-loading washers have a soaking advantage even though they use much less water. Allow the machine to fill until it reaches the pre-set soak water level, then pause the cycle and open the lid and add the quilt. Gently submerge it under water to soak.
When it comes to washing a quilt filled with cotton, wash before first use — we recommend a warm, gentle machine wash using a mild eucalyptus-based detergent. Avoid using any optical brighteners and do not bleach. With drying, pull your quilt into shape while it's still wet, and line dry over several lines.
Some materials, such as wool or silk, can be damaged or shrink in the washer, so if the label says “Dry Clean Only,” it's best to let the professionals handle things. If the label gives you the okay to machine-wash, be sure to follow any specific instructions, such as using cold water or handwashing.
Use cold water and a short cycle that doesn't apply too much speed and force. If your blankets are too delicate to handle machine washing, put them in a dry-cleaning bag with a dry-cleaning sheet and use your dryer for 30 minutes on medium heat.
duvet mode is specially designed for large items such as bed covers pillows sofa covers etc this mode allows cotton beddings except special garments delicates wool silk etc with filling duvets pillow blankets sofa covers with light filling.
The delicate wash cycle uses high levels of cold water and a low spin speed for carefully tending to undergarments and delicate fabrics that need to be handled with care, like lace, lingerie, or silk neckties.
Large capacity washing machines: 4.5+ cubic feet
A washer with 4.5 cu. ft. or above should also be able to handle king-sized duvets and comforters, so make sure you're getting the capacity you need to avoid trips to the laundromat.
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.
Every washer comes with a laundry load size chart for recommendations. As a rule of thumb, 12 pounds of laundry is appropriate for a standard top-load machine. A front-load washer can accommodate as much as 15 to 18 pounds of clothing. An extra-large front load machine can wash 20 to 22 pounds of laundry in one cycle.