How to Wash and Care for a Down Comforter or Duvet

How to Wash a Down Comforter or Duvet

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Run the Washer

   Turn the washer on, and let it run through the full cycle.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. Start the Dryer

   Set the dryer to the lowest heat setting, and turn it on.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

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.