Wash a down duvet

How to Clean and Care for a Down Comforter or Duvet

Michelle Ullman

Michelle Ullman is a home decor expert and product reviewer for home and garden products. She has been writing about home decor for over 10 years for publications like BobVila.com and Better Homes & Gardens, among others.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 11/07/22

Reviewed by

Brandon Pleshek

Reviewed by Brandon Pleshek

Brandon Pleshek of Clean That Up! is a seasoned veteran of the cleaning industry with over 20 years of experience in commercial and residential cleaning. He is a member of The Spruce's Cleaning and Organizing Review Board

Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board

The Spruce / Mira Norian

In This Article

Before You Begin
Instructions
Treating Stains
Care and Repairs
Storing
How Often to Wash
Tips
FAQ

Project Overview

Many people imagine that a dirty comforter must be dry-cleaned, but in most instances, this is not necessary. When it comes time to clean a down-filled comforter or duvet, dry-cleaning is an option to prevent shrinkage, but it's not always a must. First, check the care tag. If the fabric is delicate or if the comforter has embellishments, you’ll probably need to leave the cleaning to a professional. But if your down comforter or duvet insert has an outer cover that is 100 percent cotton or a cotton/synthetic blend, you can usually machine-wash it at a gentle wash cycle in warm (not hot) water and dry it yourself. Take care not to wash or dry the comforter at high heat, as this can cause shrinking or fading

Follow this guide to get the best results when washing a down comforter or duvet yourself.

Before You Begin

For the best results, a queen- or king-size comforter or duvet should be washed in an extra-large capacity, front-loading washer and dryer set. You can find these oversized machines at most laundromats, but be prepared to spend more than the standard options. If you're washing a twin comforter or duvet and have a full-capacity, front-loading washer and dryer at home, you can likely skip the trip to the laundromat.

How to Wash and Care for a Heavy Comforter

Equipment / Tools

Front-loading washing machine and dryer, extra-large capacity for bigger comforters or duvets
Drying rack or clothesline for drying
Two clean socks, with tennis balls

Materials

Gentle laundry detergent
Fabric softener sheets (optional)

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

How to Wash Down Comforters and Duvets
Detergent	Mild
Water Temperature	Warm
Cycle Type	Delicate
Drying Cycle Type	Low
Special Treatments	Wash alone
Iron Settings	Do not iron
How Often to Wash	Annually, or when visibly soiled

How to Wash a Down Comforter or Duvet

Load the Washer

If you are washing a duvet, remove the down-filled insert from the duvet cover. Put your comforter or duvet insert in the washing machine, and make sure it’s not folded or crumpled. Spread the bedding out as much as possible in the machine.

Plain duvet covers can be washed separately from the quilt insert, with other laundry, but if it is a delicate fabric or embellished in any way, it may need to be dry cleaned.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Add Socks With Tennis Balls

Add two socks with tennis balls tied inside them to the load. These help keep the down from bunching and also add a bit of extra agitation to dislodge dirt, sweat, and body oils from the bedding.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Add Laundry Detergent

Pour a small amount of gentle laundry detergent into the machine’s soap dispenser. Use half the recommended amount for an average load—you don’t want to end up with soap-stiffened down. Do not add bleach.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Set the Cycle

Set the washer to the gentle/delicate cycle with warm water. If possible, set the machine for an extra or extended rinse cycle.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Run the Washer

Turn the washer on, and let it run through the full cycle.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Check for Soap Residue

Once the cycle is complete, check your bedding for any remaining soap. If you see suds or feel any leftover soap, rewash the bedding, this time without any detergent. Soap residue will cause clumps in your down, so make sure it's thoroughly rinsed. If soapy residue remains, you can run the washer through another rinse cycle.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Remove Bedding From the Washer

Be gentle when removing the bedding from the washer. Wet down is heavy, and you don’t want to rip your comforter or duvet cover. You might notice a slight odor from the wet down—this is normal. The smell will disappear once the down is dry.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Place Bedding in the Dryer

Put the bedding into the dryer. Spread the comforter or duvet out as much as possible, and then add the socks with tennis balls to the load. Their beating action will help keep the down from clumping. If you're using fabric softener sheets, toss just one on top of the bedding.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Start the Dryer

Set the dryer to the lowest heat setting, and turn it on.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Check the Dryer and Fluff

Every 30 minutes, stop the machine and take the bedding out. Give it a gentle fluff to keep the down evenly distributed. Make sure it doesn’t feel too hot because down can scorch.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Continue Drying

Expect it to take three or more hours for your down-filled bedding to completely dry. If you end the process before the down is entirely dry, you may end up with mildew and odor. You’ll know the item is dry when the down filling feels light and evenly spread throughout the comforter or duvet insert.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Finish Drying on a Clothesline

To finish the drying process, you can opt to hang the bedding on a clothesline in a warm, dry area inside or outside. A bonus for white comforters and duvets is that the sun's rays can brighten the fabric and lighten stains.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Make the Bed

If you have a duvet, slip the insert back inside its cover once completely dry, and make up your bed with your freshly cleaned bedding.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena

Treating Stains on Down Comforters and Duvets

If you have any stains on your bedding, it's a good idea to spot-treat them before machine-washing. To address the fabric directly, adjust or shake the down filling away from the spot. Next, wet the area using a spray bottle of water, and then apply a stain remover of your choice. Pat the fabric with a clean white rag, and let it sit for 20 minutes. If the stain needs more work, try rubbing the fabric together or using a toothbrush to scrub away the soil. Repeat if necessary, and then begin the washing process.

Down Comforter/Duvet Care and Repairs

Fixing a hole in your comforter or duvet is worth the effort, as down items can be expensive to replace. For small holes, an iron-on patch is a quick and effective solution. If you have a large tear, try hand-stitching the fabric together or adding a patch made of similar material.

Storing Down Comforters and Duvets

Some people enjoy down bedding year-round, while others prefer to store it away during warmer months. If you do decide to pack your down items away, they must be clean and thoroughly dry before they're stored. For protection, wrap the down bedding in cotton—a laundry bag works wonderfully—and place it in a well-ventilated closet.

How Often to Wash Down Comforters and Duvets

As a rule of thumb, down-filled bedding should be washed once a year. Of course, if your bedding becomes soiled, more frequent washings will be necessary. Down is meant to be washed over and over again, so don't worry about cleaning your bedding too much.

Tips for Washing Down Comforters and Duvets

Don’t wash down bedding in a machine with an agitator—you’ll end up with a damaged and clumped comforter or duvet.
If your own washing machine is too small to comfortably hold your down comforter, take it to a commercial laundromat, where larger machines are available. Washing a down comforter or duvet can take longer than you think. Bring a book or another activity to the laundromat to keep yourself occupied for a few hours.
Never add liquid fabric softener to the washing machine when washing a down comforter or duvet because it can permeate, coat, and ruin the down’s fluffiness.
Take advantage of laundry day, and also wash your mattress pad and bed skirt. You’ll go to sleep in a completely fresh bed and eliminate dust mites and other allergens.

How to Pick Out a Down Comforter

The Ultimate Guide to Washing A Down Comforter

Want to Save? Use Code Blog10 For 10% Off Your Next Order Shop Now

When 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.

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.

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.

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!

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 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. 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 a duvet in the washing machine

It is impossible to imagine a comfortable sleep without a clean and soft bed. Those who have ever slept under a duvet will never exchange it for an artificial analogue. But what to do when it's time to wash?

We will tell you how to wash your duvet in the washing machine so as not to harm it and not overload the CMA. Is it possible to wash a duvet in a washing machine? And even these measures do not protect the down blanket from dust and stains. Don't forget about dust mites and bacteria that can cause skin reactions and disrupt sleep.

Even if you dry such a blanket in the sun in the old fashioned way, it will not disinfect the filler, so washing is not a whim, but a necessity.

The question is, can the product be washed in a washing machine? The hostesses advise taking it to a dry cleaner, where they will wash and dry the blanket thoroughly, sort out and disinfect the “stuffing”. But this applies to blankets that have been in operation for a long time.

If your item is relatively new and you would like to freshen it up or remove a stain, machine wash is the easiest solution.

It all depends on the dimensions of the product - whether it correlates with the capacity of the drum. If you have a one and a half bed (or even a two), it will not fit into a washer with a load of up to 7 kg. The blanket will get wet, heavy and become an unbearable burden for the moving parts of the SM.

Important! If the drum is full, be prepared for a bad spin. Washing will go in a small amount of water, so the quality of the process will be low.

Automatic washing is not prohibited, but should be a thoughtful and balanced decision. If the blanket is large, and the drum is less than 7 kg, then do not risk it - wash the item by hand.

Attention! Take a look at the tag - it will indicate which wash is suitable for the product. Inspect the fabric for damage - if there is even a small hole, the fluff will spill out into the drum, from there it will go into the drain system and clog the filter, pipe or pump. Disassembly of the SMA body in this case is inevitable.

Washing process

If you decide to machine wash your duvet, buy a special detergent. Downy things are washed with special shampoos for natural fillers. Check how well the gel is washed out of the tissue. If the product rinses out perfectly, the quality of the wash will be higher.

Wash the duvet in the following steps:

Soak. Fill the bathtub with water (temperature 40 degrees) halfway, dissolve a little shampoo for downy things and table vinegar in it. Lay the blanket for a quarter of an hour, do not keep it longer: swan and any other fluff does not tolerate prolonged exposure to water.

Drain the water and wait for the excess to drain to make it easier to transfer the item to the washer.

Carefully transfer to a basin and from there to the drum.

Spread the blanket so that it evenly covers the entire drum - this way you will protect the machine from imbalance.

Throw a few laundry balls with the laundry. Balls can be replaced with tennis balls. They will not allow the natural filler to go astray.

Close sunroof.

Open the cuvette and pour detergent into the main wash compartment at the dosage indicated on the bottle.

Do not use rinse aid - professional down shampoos already have this component.

Select the appropriate mode. If you are an LG brand SM owner, then wash on the "Duvet" mode. In other brands, click "Delicate" or "Hand Wash".

Correct the temperature setting if it is higher than 40 degrees in the program.

Limit the spin speed of the drum to 800-1000 for 1 minute.

Wait for the machine to complete the cycle.

Remove the duvet, check whether the wash was successful and the degree of spinning (repeat if necessary).

Start drying.

How to dry things with down filling

Anything filled with natural down must be dried properly. When drying the duvet, follow these rules:

Avoid direct sunlight to avoid damaging the filling. Hang the product in the shade, choosing a ventilated place.

Do not dry in the yard in strong winds, otherwise you will have to overwash - a damp cloth will collect dust and specks.

If you have an apartment with a balcony on the north or west side, you can dry on it. The main thing is that nothing smokes under the windows. It is better for residents of industrial areas to abandon such an undertaking.

At home, you can stretch the blanket on the dryer or ironing board.

Do not hang the product with ropes to avoid knocking down.
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Wash a down duvet

How to Clean and Care for a Down Comforter or Duvet

Before You Begin

Equipment / Tools

Materials

How to Wash a Down Comforter or Duvet

Load the Washer

Add Socks With Tennis Balls

Add Laundry Detergent

Set the Cycle

Run the Washer

Check for Soap Residue

Remove Bedding From the Washer

Place Bedding in the Dryer

Start the Dryer

Check the Dryer and Fluff

Continue Drying

Finish Drying on a Clothesline

Make the Bed

Treating Stains on Down Comforters and Duvets

Down Comforter/Duvet Care and Repairs

Storing Down Comforters and Duvets

How Often to Wash Down Comforters and Duvets

Tips for Washing Down Comforters and Duvets

The Ultimate Guide to Washing A Down Comforter

Do it yourself or dry cleaner ?

Taking a down comforter to the dry cleaner

Washing a down comforter at home

Optional:

Optional:

How often can you wash a down comforter ?

How to store your down comforter

Choosing a Down Comforter

How to wash a duvet? Tips for home care.