Can you put a down comforter in the wash
How to Wash a Down Comforter, According to Experts
A down comforter is a lightweight, breathable way to keep yourself warm and cozy at night. Plus, down comforters are ultra-versatile: simply swap out your duvet cover when you feel like it to tweak your bedroom's aesthetic. While down comforters offer some unique benefits, they're also a little more complicated to care for than, say, basic quilts. In addition to the duvet cover, you'll also need to wash the down comforter itself.
Luckily, all you need to safely and effectively launder your comforter is a little time and a bit of strategy. Here's everything you need to know about how to wash a down comforter, according to three laundry and cleaning experts. Learn about how to keep your down comforter feeling fresh and cozy for the long haul.
The Home Consultant
Here's the good news: you can wash your down comforter in the washing machine. But how often do you actually need to take yours to the laundry room? If you protect duvet inners with a cover, Boyd says you only need to wash it about once a season. Your duvet will need more attention.
"Duvet covers should be on a washing rotation of 1-2 months, depending on the fabric and your lifestyle–less for silk, more for pet owners," she adds. Of course, Boyd's suggestion is only a general rule of thumb: if your down comforter or your duvet get soiled, you'll need to wash them sooner.
You'll need a couple of key ingredients for washing a down comforter, but fortunately, you probably already have many of them on hand:
Katherine Carter
Step 1: Pre-Treat the Comforter
After removing the duvet cover from your comforter, Bowen recommends checking it thoroughly for stains or tears. Repair the tears, if necessary, with a needle and thread before washing it—you don't want to lose any feathers. Then, treat any stains you find with your preferred (ideally, gentle) stain treatment of your choice.
For food spills or yellowing due to sweat, you'll want an enzyme-based stain remover. Apply the stain treatment directly to the comforter, working it into the fabric with your fingers or a dedicated stain brush.
If you'd rather not use chemicals on the comforter, Varela says you can also use a DIY paste made up of baking soda and water on the affected areas before washing. Simply add enough water to a small bowl of baking soda to create a paste, then apply it to the stain and rub with your fingers or a brush.
Step 2: Wash the Comforter
After pre-treating your down comforter, it's time to wash it. Effectively washing your comforter requires a bit more attention than a normal load of laundry, so be sure to follow each step.
Bowen suggests spreading the comforter out as much as possible in the machine so nothing is bunched, then dropping old dryer balls to keep your comforter from developing clumps in the wash cycle.
Set the washer on the gentle or delicate cycle, then add a gentle and bleach-free detergent to avoid post-wash suds. Boyd says it's best to wash down comforters alone to avoid tangling, and she recommends always using the coldest water possible.
Be sure to give the comforter a once-over before throwing it in the dryer. "Down comforters can fold and trap soap in the wash, so once the wash cycle is complete, be sure to check for soap residue," Bowen says. "If you spot any, rinse and spin on gentle again."
Step 3: Dry the Comforter
Yes, down bedding can be put in the dryer. For the most successful finish, Boyd suggests setting the dryer to the low heat/low tumble cycle. To help redistribute and fluff up feathers and filling, add wool dryer balls or clean tennis balls to the cycle. Avoid fabric softener or dryer sheets, which Varela says can coat the down comforter's feathers and make it less fluffy.
Restart the cycle as needed until there's no sign of moisture—residual moisture, Boyd says, can result in mildew buildup. Halfway through the dryer cycle, remove the duvet and give it a good shake to redistribute feathers, and break up any remaining clumps with your hands before placing it back in the dryer.
This can also help prevent pesky burn marks on the outside of your down comforter, according to Bowen.
Dying down can take upwards of three hours, she adds, so you'll want to settle in for the long haul. If you'd like, you can pull the comforter out when it's about 85% dry, then finish on a clothesline.
Jenn Pablo Studio
While you should aim to wash your down comforter about once a season, there are a few ways to keep it fresh between washes. Washing your duvet more frequently (and being careful to avoid spills and messes in bed) can help keep the inner down comforter fresh.
Boyd also suggests steaming the down comforter between launderings to help remove allergens and odor-causing bacteria. Never use an iron or starch on a down comforter. If you don't have a steamer or you want a quicker solution, you can also spritz it with a fabric freshener between washings.
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The Ultimate Guide to Washing A Down Comforter
Want to Save? Use Code Blog10 For 10% Off Your Next Order Shop NowWhen it comes to washing a down comforter, you can relax.
It’s not hard to do. One of the special things about natural down filling is that it can be washed over and over to ensure a long lifetime to your investment.
While it can be tricky to wash a synthetic comforter, one of the many benefits of down comforters is that they come out of the wash beautifully. With proper care, your down comforter - also called a duvet, or a doona if you are from Down Under - can last many years. Washing your down comforter, whether duck down or goose down, can ensure a long life with your treasured friend.
Do it yourself or dry cleaner ?
Taking a down comforter to the dry cleaner
We recommend that you have your down comforter professionally laundered (not dry cleaned) because it’s easy and worry-free. This means to have your dry cleaner wash the comforter in a commercial-sized washing machine so you can be assured that your comforter will be clean and unharmed. We do not recommend to have your comforter dry cleaned because the harsh chemicals are not good for the down.
But, dry cleaning is the sure way to prevent any shrinkage so we put that option on the care tags. Most dry cleaners can do either process but if want your comforter to be laundered, you need to ask to be sure they have washing capabilities because not all dry cleaners launder as well. A survey of dry cleaners across the country showed that it costs from $30 to $50 to have a dry cleaner wash your comforter, often depending on size. One way to cut down on the frequency of needing to wash your comforter is by using a duvet cover. It's like a pillow case for your comforter - just pop it off and throw it in the washer.
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Washing a down comforter at home
If you have a full-sized washing machine, it’s possible to wash your comforter at home. However, if you don’t have a large enough machine to fit your comforter with ample room, it might be best to head to the laundromat. Just pick the ‘triple load’ machine and follow all the same steps.
- Water Temperature– Hot, warm or cold.
We prefer cold water because the fabric can shrink up to 8% in hot water - Spin Speed– Use the fastest speed to take as much moisture out as possible
- Soap– Gentle soap without additives
Optional:
- Whitening– Use non-chlorine bleach
- Fabric Softener– Not recommended because it will coat the down and reduce its fluff
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- Heat– Hot, warm or low; your choice
- Dry time– Be patient, on low heat it will take multiple cycles depending on your machines
Optional:
- Clean Tennis Balls or Dryer Balls– Add two or three balls to speed up your dry time. It will sound like they are beating up your dryer but they don’t actually hurt it
- Clumping or Odor– These are signs that your comforter is not dry yet. You want it to be completely dry to prevent mold
- Dryer Sheets– Ok to use for freshness
- Line Drying– Not recommended due to risk of damp spots and clumps
- No ironing or steaming
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How often can you wash a down comforter ?
As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure.
Keeping your down comforter in a duvet cover will protect it against dirt, stains and spills. Using a duvet cover can more than double your time in between washings.
Spot cleaning stains is also a great way to extend the time between washings. Push the down away from the area so the down doesn’t get wet while spot cleaning.
- With use of a duvet cover– wash every 3-5 years
- Without a cover– wash every 1-2 years
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In addition, the best thing you can do to keep your comforter looking new is to fluff it every day when you make your bed. By providing a steady flow of air, your down will continue to loft. Redistribute the down in your comforter as needed for Baffle Box or Euro Box designs. To redistribute the fill, you want to push the down with both your hand and forearm together so that you don’t create clumps. Each baffle box has a small opening in one corner to push the down through when refilling a box that has emptied over time.
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How to store your down comforter
Last but not least, many people store their comforters during off seasons. The key to storing your comforter is breathability. Letting the down breathe by keeping your comforter in a cloth bag will prevent any moisture or odor buildup. It should also be stored in a location where it is not compressed and has room to stay fluffy. Give your comforter a good shake when you take it out of the bag next season and it should be ready to go.
- Daily– Give it a shake
- Monthly– Wash your duvet cover
- Yearly– Check for stains and spot clean
- Every 2-3 Years– Give it a wash
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All-natural down is a durable and easy-to-clean material for bedding. With a wash every now and then, your down comforter will stay beautiful and warm for a long time. Lucky for you, care is easy.
Choosing a Down Comforter
If you are in the market for a new down comforter, you’re in the right place! Pacific Coast® comforters are exquisitely made with the best materials available and timeless elegance in its craftsmanship.
We guarantee you’ll have a good night’s sleep every night for years to come. Take a look at our comforters and experience what it’s like to sleep in true luxury. We’re so confident you’ll love our comforters, you can try it out with our 30 Night Comfort Guarantee. If you’re not fully satisfied, you can return your comforter, hassle-free. And while you're at it, add some life to your bedroom with our wide variety of opulent pillows, all-season comforters, stylish down blankets, and silky soft sheets!
How to wash a duvet? Tips for home care.
We all love duvets because they that they are very warm and gentle. But any product in everyday life requires its own separate care. And then the question is asked: “How to wash a duvet? Can Is it possible to wash a duvet at home? Down and feather duvets quite voluminous and whimsical in their care. There are several methods that will help you to return to a blanket novelty and to give freshness. In modern world household appliances have made life much easier, such as washing automatic machine.
Now we will describe to you several ways to wash duvets in at home and beyond.
Preparation:
Down and feather duvets cannot be washed without proper preparation. Regardless of whether you wash it manually or in a washing machine, you need to perform a couple of actions.
Visually check blanket. If you see holes or seams that have parted, then immediately need to be sewn. This will prevent the filler from falling out during washing and drying.
On every downy The blanket should have a tag (sewn-in) for caring for it. Need to follow directions manufacturer indicated on it. What do the icons mean: bath - means - can be washed in water, the numbers in the tank or on a washing machine - the maximum water temperature, hand in the basin - hand wash only, square with a circle inside - drying (the dots inside this symbol correspond to the drying temperature, 1 - low temperature, 2 - medium, 3 - high).
If a the down and feather blanket is old and has not been cleaned for a long time, then you should soak it for about 1 hour in ordinary water.
The amount of capacity required is not small, advice soak a blanket in the bathroom. Wash through dry cleaning. The most convenient way.
If you do not want to waste your own time, then take your duvet to the dry cleaners. In this case, everything will be done for you. Will hold preparation of the product, wash and dry your blanket.
Local stain removal.
If on your blanket there are stains, but there is no desire to wash it completely, then you can remove the stain with with minimal effort.
Take a small container and dilute in it mild soap solution. It is best to use liquid products, powder is bad is washed out of the fluff. Try to spread the fluff away from pollution. Apply a small amount of solution and rub. Wash off with water. Pretty good dry, you can use a hair dryer, at a distance of at least 20 cm from the blanket.
Hand wash.
Wash the duvet by hand only when there is a badge on the patch a crossed-out washing machine, and there is an icon of a basin with hands in water.
Take a bath in sufficient amount of water.
Add detergent product, add a small amount, use liquid care products, the powder is poorly washed out of fluff and feathers.
Place downy blanket in soapy water. Press down on blankets until they are completely hide under water.
Leave in water for 1 hour.
Gently massage wash the blanket with movements, do not rub.
If you see spots that were not immediately noticeable, then treat with laundry soap.
Rinse the blanket less than 3 times.
Squeeze with your hands ask relatives for help, duvets become unbearable when absorb moisture.
Lay out to dry.
Washing in the washing machine.
Check if there is a washing machine icon on the patch.
Before loading the duvet, make sure the duvet fits snugly into the machine drum. There should be no overload.
The temperature regime is not over 30 degrees.
Can be used tennis balls when washed, they will keep the fluff in good shape and prevent it from wrinkle.
Add detergent, add a small amount, use liquid care products, the powder is poorly washed out of fluff and pen.
Use an extra rinse.
Spinning is best at the lowest speed, but we recommend squeeze manually.
How do I dry my duvet?
It is long enough process and takes about 24 hours, it is not recommended to dry longer. A task dry in the shortest amount of time. It is recommended to choose for washing sunny and warm day. If there is a balcony, then we take it out into the air and lay out so that the fabric does not touch each other. Great for drying a regular linen rack will do. Sold in any household store. And I'm sure you have one at home too. If there is no balcony, then spread out near the batteries. Every 3 hours, the blanket needs to be fluffed and straightened. Thus it evenly saturated with fresh air and dries faster.
Care is needed for any products not only for downy. The main thing when washing is to prepare it for further work. Read the inserts, it always says how to wash textile products. Use liquid detergents. And dry in warm weather on ventilated space. These simple rules will keep your duvets looking their best.
How to wash duvets, pillows and jackets forces. True, experts recommend cleaning duvets and pillows no more than once a year, otherwise they will quickly “wear out” when washed. It is also not worth washing down jackets often, it is best to wear them at the end of the season.
Prepare your down jacket for washing. Carefully remove surface dirt with a soft brush or dry cloth, empty the pockets and fasten the buttons and zippers. Place the down jacket in the drum of the washing machine. It is best to wash a down jacket separately from the rest of your clothing to ensure an optimal cleaning regime and not damage the product.
For this type of washing, front-loading washing machines are more suitable. Choose a quality laundry detergent. Use a specialized down cleaner, or choose an alternative product suitable for washing natural fibers and delicate fabrics
How to wash a duvet?
First, make sure that the garment is machine washable and does not require professional care. Then remove the duvet covers and covers, they should be washed separately, and make sure that the product is in good condition. If necessary, sew up holes and damage to prevent lint from entering the washing machine. Make sure that the washing machine is not only large enough to hold the item, but also leaves enough room for the water to circulate. Do not overload the machine - if everything does not fit in the drum, then wash each item separately or take them to the dry cleaner.
Detergent and wash cycles
Downy items should be washed delicately in warm or cool water, not more than 30ºС.
If there is no serious contamination on your product, then choose the most gentle detergent and stain remover. Do not leave the product unattended during washing; at the end of the main cycle, stop the washing machine and rinse the down jacket again to get rid of dirt and soap suds, and only then proceed to drying. After washing, wet feathers will darken temporarily, which may make it look like shedding, but don't worry. This is a temporary phenomenon, and after drying, the down jacket will return to its original color again.
How to dry down items?
Down garments are best dried in a washing machine or tumble dryer. Be sure to check the care label on the care label to make sure the product is suitable for mechanical drying. If you want to leave the blanket to dry outdoors, remember that the room must be well ventilated. Due to the large volume and friability, down products dry for a very long time, which can lead to the formation of mold and an unpleasant odor.
