Step by step
Set aside most of a day; the drying is the long part.
- 1.Check the care label and look over the shell for small tears, mend them first so fill cannot escape
- 2.Spot treat any stains with a little diluted mild detergent on a soft cloth
- 3.Load the comforter alone into a large-capacity front-loader (or a laundromat machine if yours is too small for it to move freely)
- 4.Add a small amount of mild, down-safe detergent, no bleach, no fabric softener
- 5.Run a gentle or delicate cycle in cool to warm water, then add an extra rinse to clear all soap
- 6.Run an extra spin to remove as much water as possible
- 7.Tumble dry on low heat with two or three dryer balls or clean tennis balls in socks
- 8.Every 30 minutes, take it out, shake it hard and pull apart any clumps by hand
- 9.Keep drying until it is light, lofty and evenly dry throughout, usually three to five hours
- 10.Air it for a few hours before putting the duvet cover back on
How often to wash it
With a duvet cover in use, once every one to three years is enough for most households. Wash the cover with your sheets every week or two instead, that is what keeps the comforter clean.
Mistakes that ruin down
Almost every damaged comforter we see comes from one of these.
- Top-loading machines with a central agitator, which tear shells
- A machine too small for the comforter to move, which leaves soap trapped in the fill
- High heat, which scorches the shell and makes down brittle
- Putting it away while still slightly damp, which causes odor and mildew
- Dry cleaning solvents, which strip the natural oils that give down its loft