A comforter, or duvet, is a thick blanket with a filler that provides warmth and comfort during cold nights - and also makes washing comforters a difficult task. Comforters are tricky to wash, and take a long time to fully dry. Yet, cleaning experts recommend washing comforters every 3-5 years to maintain its cleanliness and its fluff.
Here's our step-by-step guide to washing comforters the right way, whether you plan to use a laundry machine or not! Follow our guide to deep clean your duvet filler, and always check the manufacturer's wash labels before starting.
How to Wash a Comforter with Laundry
A comforter can be easily washed in a laundry machine, although you need to take precautions to prevent the filling from becoming lumpy. You may also need to go to a local laundromat if your machine at home is too small.
Step 1: Remove the Duvet Cover
First, remove the cover and wash this separately from the filler. Place the filler into the laundry machine, and fill up with water. Add some mild detergent into the washing machine as you would when doing a regular load of laundry.
Step 2: Wash Comforter with Gentle or Delicate Cycle
Let the machine run on a gentle cycle to clean your comforter. The gentle or delicate cycle prevents damage to your duvet filler, and will avoid any distortion from the water pressure misshaping the filling.
Step 3: Rinse Comforter
Once the cycle is complete, fill the laundry machine with cold water, and let your duvet filler rinse. You may need to drain and fill the machine multiple times to remove all the soap suds from the comforter.
Step 4: Place Comforter in Dryer with Dryer Balls
Transfer your duvet filler to the dryer, and toss in a couple of wool dryer balls, or tennis balls. These work well to keep the fluffy texture of your duvet filler, while removing the static charge from your garments. Place two or three wool or tennis balls into the dryer, with each ball spaced out and distributed around the duvet filler.
Step 5: Let Comforter Completely Dry
The dryer only removes excess moisture from your duvet filler. You will still need to let the comforter dry completely before you can use it. Hang it up in a well-ventilated area, or directly under the sun to dry quickly.
How to Wash a Comforter Without Laundry
No laundry machine? No worries! You can use your bathtub to hand wash your comforter, or use a large enough basin to do the same washing process. You'll need a gentle detergent, and some elbow grease, but you can clean a comforter without a machine.
Step 1: Fill Bathtub or Large Basin with Soapy Water
Fill the bathtub with cold or warm water, and a sprinkling of laundry detergent. Make sure to read the washing instructions on your comforter first before cleaning it to check whether the filling should be washed in cool or warm water.
Step 2: Separate Comforter Cover and Filler
Separate the cover from the filler. The cover can be easily washed along with the rest of your laundry, but the filler should be washed alone. Never wash a duvet filler with the cover still on, as cleaning this way may not deep clean your comforter, or kill dust mites.
Step 3: Soak Comforter Clean
Submerge the comforter filler into the tub or basin. Do not wring the comforter as it may misshapen with the pressure, which is the case for a down comforter. Gently press down on the duvet instead to allow the soapy water to soak through the filler, and provide a deep cleaning action. Let the comforter soak to clean - about 10-15 minutes.
Step 4: Rinse Comforter
Drain the water, and fill the tub back up with clean water to rinse the duvet. Press down the comforter to get the soapy water out, and keep rinsing the duvet until you no longer see any soap suds. You may need to drain and fill the tub multiple times, depending on the concentration of laundry detergent residue in the duvet filler.
Step 5: Hang Up to Dry
Press down the comforter to remove excess moisture, and hang it up to dry in a well-ventilated area under direct sunlight. This will provide appropriate conditions for your duvet to dry properly, and minimize the chances of mold growth.
Comfortable Sleep
It's no fun sleeping with a dirty comforter. You'll get allergies, plus that musty smell can be off-putting! Keep your comforter, as well as your home, clean with Luce Home cleaning services that offer a deep clean throughout your entire house! We'll tackle washing that bulky comforter for you with top-quality cleaning solutions.
Want more cleaning how-to's? Check out the other articles in our blog for a guide to clean every part of your home!
