Guide To Washing Your Duvet

We spend many hours a day in bed, and yet we may not be washing our sheets as often as we should be. Our duvets are probably washed even less frequently due to how complicated and time-consuming it can be.

So how do we create a more sanitary sleeping environment? The answer is simple: clean our sheets and pillowcases more frequently by washing the duvet.

In this guide, we will talk about how to clean a duvet properly so you can have a good nights sleep.

What Is A Duvet?

A duvet is a kind of blanket stuffed with a natural or synthetic down to provide insulation. Duvets are sometimes confused for standard comforters, which are a similar type of blanket but are instead composed of one piece and have no duvet cover.

Duvets normally come with a duvet cover that is easy to remove and clean. The duvet is protected by the cover and doesn’t need to be cleaned as often. 

How Often Should You Clean Your Duvet?

As long as you keep it in the duvet cover, you only need to wash it minimally. That being said, you should be washing your duvet at least once a year. A duvet cover should be washed once a month.

10 Easy Steps To Wash A Duvet

Your bed is the perfect environment for dust mites, so it’s important to keep it as clean as you can. One of the best ways to do that is to keep the sheets and duvet washed and fresh. 

If you are intimidated by washing your duvet, don’t worry – you’re not alone! With these ten easy steps breaking down the process, you should have no trouble cleaning your duvet and getting a great night’s rest. 

1. Check The Duvet Care Label

You should always begin by checking the duvet care label. Not all duvets are made of the same stuff, and some might specify dry-cleaning. Always follow care instructions for the specific duvet – if your duvet says to dry-clean only, then we strongly suggest you dry clean it.

Purple duvets are made with synthetic filling so they are machine washable. This article and instructions are only for duvets that can be washed at home. 

2. Spot Treat Any Tough Stains

The best way to care for your duvet is to spot treat any stains as they happen. But if you didn’t notice them at the time or you happened upon them before washing your duvet, you should spot-clean any stains first before throwing them into the machine.

1. Isolate the stain: Move the fluff out of the way to help you concentrate on the stain.
2. Apply your stain remover: Wet the area with a spray bottle and apply your stain remover.
3. Leave it on or scrub: Either leave the stain remover for twenty minutes to see if the stain lifts on its own, or scrub it with a toothbrush.
4. Remove any remaining soap: Once the stain has been lifted, wet the area to remove any remaining soap.
5. Blow-dry the area: Dry the area with a blow dryer to speed the drying process – you don’t want any damp spots in your comforter.

3. Put Your Bedding In The Washer

You will need a front-loading, high-capacity washer for this, as it’s important that you can fit the entire duvet in the washer comfortably. If you are trying to wash your duvet at home and find that you are shoving it into the washer, consider going to the laundromat and using a commercial washer there.

4. Add Tennis Balls To The Washer

Put two clean tennis balls inside two socks and tie them off to keep the tennis balls in. Then, put the tennis balls in with your duvet to provide extra friction and agitation. They will help lift any body oils and dirt from the duvet.

5. Make Sure You Have the Right Detergents And Setting

Choose your laundry detergent – you should need about half the amount you would use for a full load. Then, set your wash setting to a delicate cycle and use warm water. Give it an extra rinse and spin cycle if you can. 

6. Remove The Duvet And Check For Detergent Residue

Once your rinse cycles are done, remove your duvet and check for any soap residue. If there are still suds, then put it through another rinse and spin cycle without any additional soap.

7. Transfer Duvet To The Dryer

Transfer your duvet to a high capacity dryer. It's important to use larger capacity machines for your duvet. If you want to avoid using the dryer, you can also air-dry your duvet on a drying rack or a clothesline. 

Remember that you want your duvet to be as dry and fluffy as possible, as any damp spots can cause mold and mildew growth.

8. Add Dryer Balls To Prevent Clumping

These balls follow the same principle as the tennis balls. They agitate the fabric and help redistribute the stuffing.

9. Remove From Dryer And Fluff

You may want to periodically remove your duvet from the dryer and fluff it manually to make sure the down is properly redistributed. If the duvet is not fully dry, return it for another dry cycle. Keep in mind that it may take a long time to dry your duvet, so plan accordingly.

10. Make Your Bed

Time to make your bed! Now you can rest easy knowing you’ve got fresh sheets and a clean duvet keeping you cozy. While you’re at it, you might want to clean your pillows, too!

Washing And Caring For Your Purple Duvet

Purple duvets are machine-washable so you don’t have to worry about getting them dry cleaned. Just use a mild detergent and follow these care instructions, and your duvet will always come out fresh and clean.

You don’t have to do it as often as you wash your sheets, but you should clean your duvet from time to time. However, you should be washing your duvet more if you have pets or if you share your bed with a bedmate. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Washing A Duvet

Here are the answers to a few commonly asked questions not covered in the care label:

How do you store your clean duvet?

Keep it in a cool, dry place in a cotton cover. The material needs to breathe – if the stuffing gathers moisture, your duvet could mildew.

How often do you wash a duvet?

It can be kind of a hassle to wash a duvet. Thankfully, you only have to clean it once a year.

Is it better to wash or dry clean a duvet?

That will depend on the duvet. Purple duvets are machine-washable, but other duvets might need special care. Always be sure to read the care label for instructions beforehand.