How often should you wash a duvet or comforter?

Wash the duvet cover every one to two weeks. The down comforter inside needs washing only every one to three years if it is always covered; a down-alternative comforter can be washed two or three times a year.

How often should you wash pillows?

Two or three times a year for down pillows and every three to four months for down alternative, with a protector washed monthly.

Is it bad to wash down too often?

Yes. Every wash and dry cycle stresses the shell and the clusters. Protect down with covers and wash the covers instead.

All guides

Care Guide 16

How often to wash sheets, pillows and comforters

The outer layers do the work so the inner ones can last. Wash the covers often and the down rarely.

White bedding airing in daylight beside an open window

The short answer

Wash sheets and pillowcases weekly, duvet covers every one to two weeks, pillow and mattress protectors monthly, and pillows two or three times a year.

A down comforter kept in a duvet cover needs a full wash only every one to three years; air it seasonally in between.

The schedule

Shorten each interval for hot weather, pets in the bed, allergies or illness.

Item	How often
Sheets and pillowcases	Weekly
Duvet cover	Every 1 to 2 weeks
Shams	Every 2 to 4 weeks
Pillow protectors	Monthly
Mattress pad or protector	Every 1 to 2 months
Down-alternative pillows	Every 3 to 4 months
Down pillows	2 to 3 times a year
Down-alternative comforter	2 to 3 times a year
Down comforter (with a cover)	Every 1 to 3 years

Between washes

Shake out pillows and comforters daily, pull the covers back for an hour before making the bed, and air down pieces near an open window or outside in shade every season. These habits keep fill lofty and fresh far longer than extra washing would.

Common questions

Answered plainly

How often should you wash a duvet or comforter?: Wash the duvet cover every one to two weeks. The down comforter inside needs washing only every one to three years if it is always covered; a down-alternative comforter can be washed two or three times a year.
How often should you wash pillows?: Two or three times a year for down pillows and every three to four months for down alternative, with a protector washed monthly.
Is it bad to wash down too often?: Yes. Every wash and dry cycle stresses the shell and the clusters. Protect down with covers and wash the covers instead.

Talk to us

Building a full care routine?

We can suggest the protectors and covers that make the rest of the bed last longest.

Or call and text 908.349.0040

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