How to Wash a Duvet – A Step-by-Step Guide (Without Ruining It!)
Properly washing the duvet is about cleanliness, good hygiene, and long-lasting comfort. Over time, duvets tend to trap sweat, skin cells, and dust mites. This eventually affects the quality of sleep one gets and may expose them to allergens. Washing your duvet will make your bed feel even cozier, and it will also keep the environment where you sleep more health-friendly.
If you wish to avoid the hassle of laundry loads and long drying times, Love2Laundry offers professional duvet cleaning service. With a speedy pickup and delivery service, expert treatments, and quick turnaround times, it’s the perfect hands-free bed cleaning solution if you’re short on time or room.
Keep reading if you want to learn how to wash a duvet in the washing machine.
Can you wash a duvet?
If you are wondering, can I wash the duvet? The answer depends on the type. Most duvets can be washed in the home environment, although this may often depend on the filling type:
- Synthetic duvets are the easiest to wash at home. Most can be machine-washed with a large capacity, using mild detergent and a gentle cycle.
- Down duvets require special handling. If the machine allows, they can also be washed at home. Always use cold water and down-safe detergent, and avoid high heat when drying to prevent damage.
- Feather duvets are similar to down ones and can occasionally be washed at home. However, if not dried properly, they risk clumping or losing loft.
If in doubt, always refer to the care label. When convenience is needed, Laundry services like Love2Laundry are always trustworthy.
Should You Wash a New Duvet Before First Use?
Although it’s not always necessary to wash a new duvet before using it for the first time, it can be beneficial sometimes.
Advantages: This would remove residues, such as dust, dyes, or chemicals, that could trigger reactions in sensitive skin or cause allergies. It also softens the fabric and makes it smell fresh.
Disadvantages: Some duvets, especially those filled with down or feathers, can lose their loft or structure if washed too frequently. Also, washing tends to shorten their lifespan.
How Often Should You Wash Your Duvet?
Duvets should ideally be washed every six months to keep them fresh and clean. Regular washing removes the allergens, dust mites, and sweat buildup that can lead to poor sleep. However, if you have allergies or pets, consider washing every three to four months for added safety.
How to Wash Your Duvet Safely
Always refer to the specific care instructions on the duvet’s label before washing. Using a capable front-loading washing machine with a gentle wash and a mild detergent is advisable. Never bleach or tumble dry, as these methods damage filling materials.
Rinse thoroughly to remove all the soap, and then tumble dry at low heat with dryer balls to fluff. Ensure the duvet is sun-dried before using or storing it, as it may develop mold and mildew if not.
Check the care label
Here are the main care symbols at a glance:
🧺Machine Wash: Safe by machine wash, just observe the temperature.
✋ Hand Wash: Gentle hand wash in cool water only.
🔺 Dry Clean Duvet Only: Must be dry cleaned professionally only.
🌡️ Temperature Dots: 1 dot = cool, 2 dots = warm, 3 dots = hot.
⛔ Do Not Wash: This item will become damaged if washed.
🔄 Tumble Dry: Suitable for tumble drying (check with heat level).
🚫 Do Not Tumble Dry: Dry only air.
Check the care label
How to wash a duvet stain:
Blood: Dampen cold water and soap, but don’t use hot water.
Sweat: Use a mixture of water and baking soda or mild detergent.
Spills: Blot first, then treat with stain remover for delicates.
Always perform a patch test before applying it to the affected area, and avoid rubbing harshly.
Empty your washing machine
Duvets require a good amount of space for proper cleaning, so don’t stuff the washing machine with too many items. Overcrowding can lead to uneven washing, soap residue, and clumping. If it doesn’t fit properly, use a larger duvet washing machine or ask professional dry cleaners to clean it.
How to Wash a Duvet at Home
- If the duvet is synthetic, wash it on a gentle cycle with mild detergent and tumble dry on a low setting.
- Down duvets require a little more care. Wash them in a large front-loading washer with down-safe detergent and cold water, then dry them with dryer balls on a low heat setting until they are completely dry.
- Feather duvets follow the same process, except be extra careful to avoid clumping. Always check the care label before washing for safety.
Can you dry clean a duvet?
An improper drying routine will ruin your duvet because trapped moisture leads to mildew, mold, or unpleasant odour when it is not thoroughly dried. For down and feather duvets, improper drying will also cause the filling to clump together, leaving lumps in the duvet. Always dry thoroughly, using low heat and a dryer to distribute the filling evenly.
Can you hand-wash a duvet?
A duvet can be hand-washed, mainly if it is delicate or too big for your washing machine. Fill a bathtub or large basin with lukewarm water and a mild detergent. Place the duvet in the water and gently press down on it, avoiding wringing or twisting.
Rinse thoroughly and press excess water before drying flat or hanging it on a clothesline in a well-ventilated area. This method of cleaning a duvet is time-consuming, but it does work for gentle washing.
How to clean a duvet
Check the care label on your duvet first to determine whether to machine wash, hand wash, or dry clean it. Use a mild stain remover to pre-treat any stains, then machine wash in cold water with a mild detergent on a gentle cycle or hand-wash as desired.
Make sure the duvet can move freely in the washer. Dry it thoroughly on a low-heat cycle with dryer balls to avoid clumping of filling and mildew. For a stress-free alternative, understanding how to wash a duvet in the washing machine is essential to achieving thorough and even results.
How to Properly Wash a Synthetic Duvet
Wondering how to wash a duvet? Synthetic duvets are normally pretty easy to maintain at home. A large-capacity washing machine will do the job on a gentle cycle with warm water and eco-friendly detergent. No bleach or fabric softener will harm the fibers. After the wash cycle, tumble dry on a low heat setting with dryer balls to fluff the filling and give an even dry. Always ensure the duvet is fully dry before use or storage to prevent mildew and unpleasant smells. That’s how to wash a duvet.
How to get stains out of a duvet
You can use a stain remover or a paste of baking soda and water for spot cleaning. Blot it gently with a clean cloth (don’t rub), which helps spread the stain without damaging the fabric. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse or wash it as usual.
How to Wash a Queen- or King-Size Duvet
The first thing to determine is whether your washing machine can take an oversized duvet because stuffing will not allow it to clean properly. Use a mild eco-friendly detergent, select either gentle or bulky cycle with cool water or warm, and add one rinse to remove soap traces. The duvet is to be tumble-dried on low heat with dryer balls. Make sure it gets dried to avoid mildew and clumping. For a huge duvet which your home machine cannot suck in, pay for laundromat or professional services.
How to Clean a Duvet Without a Washing Machine
If you don’t have a washing machine available, you will have to fill the bathtub with lukewarm water and add a mild detergent. After gently submerging the duvet, press it and do not wring or twist it. Rinse thoroughly, then press out the excess water and air dry flat or hang in a well-ventilated area. This is practical for delicate or oversized duvets!
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FAQs – How to Wash a Duvet
Can you wash a duvet in the washing machine?
Is it okay to put a duvet in the dryer?
Four types of laundry services are wash and fold, dry cleaning, ironing, and commercial washing. People choose the one that suits their requirements and effectively deals with stains and odours.
Should you wash pillows?
Wash pillows regularly, or at least once a month. They can easily trap dust and allergens that can affect your sleeping schedule.
Wrap Up!
The issue of how to wash a duvet in the washing machine is constant when you are doing it at home. It is best cleaned in a front loader on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent and dried completely with some dryer balls to reduce clumping for easy care.
Why worry about how to clean a duvet when one can skip these laundry day chores with fast & reliable service? Our pickup and delivery laundry service cleans your duvet professionally, while students benefit from a special discount!
