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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Machine Washing Duvets
If your washing machine has a capacity of 7 kilos or more, you should be able to machine wash your double duvet at home. 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.
Simply spread out the duvet and let it sit until it's suitable for sleeping. If possible, switch on a heater or fan in your bedroom to get the air in the room moving, and be sure to keep an eye on the clock.
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.
Step 1: Fill half of your tub with cold or warm water. Step 2: Pour a cap of mild laundry detergent into the water and mix it in with your hand. Step 3: Immerse your comforter and gently swirl it through the water. Step 4: Let your comforter soak for 10 minutes.
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.
Other studies show that an unwashed duvet contains up to 20,000 live dust mites, along with the bacteria and fungal spores they leave behind. These things can result in irritated skin, eyes, and sleepless nights, so professional dry cleaning ensures you're sleeping in a comfortable and hygienic place.
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. Finally, empty the tub and rinse the duvet thoroughly with warm water before drying in a machine or line-drying.
If your duvet fits into your washing machine, Persil recommends washing it on a gentle cycle with "minimum agitation" - so you can use a normal spin setting. After washing the duvet, make sure it is completely dried and aired before returning to the bed.
Most hotels use peroxide-based laundry detergents to keep their sheets and towels bright. While these compounds are extremely successful at preventing white linens from greying or yellowing, they do necessitate some amount of knowledge. When used incorrectly, they might cause damage to your linens.
One of the most well-known secrets of the hotel industry in keeping their sheets enviably is peroxide-based detergents. Bleach is also added to the mix. While these chemicals are truly effective in preventing white linens from greying or turning yellow, they do require some level of expertise.
The Sleep Council suggests duvets are replaced every two to five years, but it is possible to extend the length of your duvet's life. Duvet protectors are much easier to wash and can protect your duvet from stains and picking up dust mites. Many are waterproof, breathable and hypoallergenic.
Additionally, do not use any fabric softener as this prevents the duvet from drying properly. Once the duvet is washed, make sure to set a rinse and spin cycle; rinse the duvet 2-3 times. The duvet can be dried in a tumble-dryer, however, this must be on a low heat.
Many duvets are perfectly suited to tumble drying. Duvets with synthetic fillings are especially resilient to tumble dryers.
Go Inside Out
“Turn pillowcases and duvet covers inside out when washing AND drying, especially when drying outside. This is really important, where the sun will certainly help to dry your sheets quickly, it's also a major culprit in causing colours to fade.”
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.
10kg washing machine – can fit around 50 T-Shirts or a heavy king sized duvet and is suited for a large sized family. 11kg washing machine – can fit around 55 T-Shirts or a heavy king sized duvet and is suited for a very large sized family.
The bigger the washing machine, the more laundry you can wash at one time. A 10kg washing machine can easily fit up to 50 items, a king-sized duvet, or even a set of curtains!