Washing a comforter can be tricky, especially if it’s a down comforter. You might know how to wash other comforters, but washing a down comforter is a little bit different. A down comforter is one the softest, coziest comforters you can get, which is why it’s so important to wash your down comforter properly to maintain its softness and integrity for years to come. However, it’s crucial to be extremely careful when washing a down comforter, or else you can risk ruining it completely. In order to wash a down comforter correctly, you need gentle detergent and a couple of socks or dryer balls. Avoid ironing or steaming the comforter as heat can damage down. Washing a down comforter may be challenging, but if you do it right, it will feel brand new again.
In this post, we’ll be discussing how to wash a down comforter correctly, how you should dry it, how often you should wash it, and more. You want your down comforter to be soft and cozy for as long as possible, and that means taking the necessary steps to wash it properly.
- Steps to Washing Your Down Comforter
- What You’ll Need to Wash Your Comforter
- Put Your Comforter in the Washer
- Add Socks or Clothes to Prevent Bunching
- Add Detergent
- Choose the Right Wash Cycle
- Run the Washer & Wait
- Make Sure There’s No Left Over Soap
- Put Down Comforter in the Dryer
- Hang Comforter to Finish Drying
- Is it Better to Wash or Dry Clean a Down Comforter?
- How Often to Wash a Down Comforter
- Wrapping Up: Washing a Down Comforter
Steps to Washing Your Down Comforter
So, can you wash a down comforter? Yes, you just need to take the necessary steps. Following these steps ensures that your comforter will come out of the wash good as new, rather than damaged and deflated. If you’re not sure how to clean a down comforter, there are a few key steps you need to follow. First, you need to put the bedding in the washer and make sure it’s not crumpled while doing so. Next, you’ll need to add socks or clothes to the washer to prevent bunching. Then, you will want to add a gentle detergent and set the washer to a gentle cycle. Once you have run the wash cycle, you will want to make sure there’s no soap leftover on the comforter, which can cause mold. After the comforter is completely washed, you can then put it in the dryer and then hang it to completely finish drying.
As long as you follow these steps, your down comforter should come out crisp, clean, and good as new every time you wash it. If you’re still struggling with how to wash a down comforter, we will explain the steps in more detail below.
What You’ll Need to Wash Your Comforter
Before you get started with washing your down comforter, you need to make sure you have the right supplies first. Don’t go into this task blindly—the more prepared you are, the better your down comforter will come out after washing. This is everything you need to ensure you wash your comforter correctly:
- Front-loading washing machine: There are many benefits of using a front-loading washing machine, especially when it comes to washing a down comforter. Squishing a down comforter into a small washer won’t wash it properly. But with a front-loading washing machine, you have plenty of room to spread the bedding out as much as possible.
- Dryer with extra-large capacity: A down comforter is large, so you need to use a dryer with extra-large capacity to ensure it dries completely. The larger your dryer is, the quicker your comforter will dry. If you don’t have a dryer with extra-large capacity, you may need to visit a laundromat.
- Clothesline or drying rack: Even though your comforter may completely dry in the dryer, it’s still a good idea to hang it on a clothesline or drying rack afterward. You will want to place the clothesline or drying rack in the sun for optimal drying.
- Gentle laundry detergent: Make sure you use a gentle laundry detergent without additives, so it’s not too harsh on the comforter.
- A few socks and articles of clothing: You will want to add socks or clothing into the dryer to stop the down in the comforter from bunching. You can also add tennis balls or dryer balls to get the job done.
- Fabric softener sheets (optional): Adding fabric softener sheets is optional, but if you do decide to add them, make sure you just add one on top of the bedding during the drying step.
Now comes the fun part—the step-by-step process of how to wash a down comforter correctly:
Put Your Comforter in the Washer
First and foremost, you want to put your comforter into a front-loading washing machine. Make sure that it is not crumpled or folded when you put it in the washer, as that can disrupt the washing process. You want to leave as much room as possible in the washer so the comforter can move around. The more space that’s left in the washer, the better your comforter will come out.
Add Socks or Clothes to Prevent Bunching
Once you have loaded the comforter into the wash, you will want to add socks or clothes. Socks or clothes will prevent the comforter from bunching as it washes. They also will add some agitation, which will help to get rid of dirt and germs on the comforter. You can also use tennis balls to mimic the same effect.
Add Detergent
Now, you can add detergent to the washing machine, but just make sure it is a gentle detergent that won’t be too harsh on the fabric. You want to use a small amount of the detergent, about half of the amount you would normally use for a load. Adding too much detergent can make your comforter stiff and reduce the fluffiness. Do not add bleach to the wash. For proper care instructions, refer to your comforter’s Universal Care Label, as each brand has its own specific washing instructions.
Choose the Right Wash Cycle
After the washing machine is loaded up and detergent is added, then you can get to washing. Just be sure to choose the right wash cycle first. You should set the washer to a gentle or delicate cycle with warm water. If you can, set the machine with an extra or extended wash cycle.
Run the Washer & Wait
Now that you’ve loaded the washer, added socks and detergent, and chosen the right wash cycle, you can actually run the washer. Make sure the washer runs through the entire full cycle before taking it out.
Make Sure There’s No Left Over Soap
After the washing cycle is complete, it is crucial to make sure there is absolutely no detergent leftover on the comforter. Leftover detergent can form clumps in the down and ruin its coziness. If you do see soap residue on the comforter, run it for one more cycle, but do not add any more detergent to allow the water to dilute the detergent.
Put Down Comforter in the Dryer
Once the comforter is completely washed and you have made sure there’s no leftover soap on it, you will want to put the down comforter in the dryer. Try to spread it out in the dryer as much as possible. You can also add tennis balls or dryer balls into the dryer to agitate the comforter and prevent clumping, along with an optional fabric softener sheet during this step for added freshness. However, just make sure to add one and place it on top of the bedding. Select the lowest heating setting on your dryer and press start.
It is also important to check on the comforter while it’s drying. Every 30 minutes or so, take the comforter out of the dryer and shake it to fluff it. This helps to distribute the down evenly. Make sure that the comforter doesn’t feel too hot, as excessive heat can damage the fabric. It’s likely that the comforter will take over three hours to dry completely. Stopping it before it’s completely dry can lead to mildew. Just be patient and let it run its course. Once the comforter feels soft, fluffy, and good as new, then you know it’s done drying.
Hang Comforter to Finish Drying
Once the comforter has finished in the dryer, you can hang it on a clothesline or drying rack. Try to hang it in a warm, sunny location either inside or outside for optimal drying. Drying outside is also beneficial for white comforters, as sun rays can lighten stains and brighten the fabric.
Is it Better to Wash or Dry Clean a Down Comforter?
The process of cleaning a down comforter is definitely not short, and it can be difficult to get right. That being said, you may be tempted to ship it off to a dry cleaner to get it cleaned for you. However, dry cleaning is not the way to go with washing a down comforter. A down comforter should be professionally laundered but not dry cleaned, as the harsh chemicals can ruin the down. If you do decide to bring your comforter to a dry cleaner, make sure they have the necessary capabilities to wash it properly. Most dry cleaners offer both dry cleaning and laundry cleaning, so just make sure to check before bringing it in.
If you’re looking for a high-quality and extra cozy comforter, check out the Layla Down Alternative Comforter. This comforter is made with a luxurious down alternative filling that will have you feeling like you’re sleeping on a cloud. It is wrapped in 100% cotton fabric, so it’s soft, lightweight, and breathable. And the best part? It causes no harm to animals and can be washed right at home without the need of a professional launderer. Being able to wash your comforter at home will save you both time and money in the long run.
Some of our other products at Layla Sleep include a weighted blanket, bamboo sheets, and mattresses with copper—all of which are meant to improve your sleep. The Layla mattress with copper is a cleaner, more comfortable way to sleep. The copper draws heat away from your body and is antimicrobial to kill bacteria, fungi, mold, and viruses.
Not sure what sheets to get? Let’s discuss the pros and cons of bamboo sheets. Bamboo sheets are moisture-wicking, odor repellent, and hypoallergenic, not to mention their unbeatable softness. The only cons are that they can be more expensive and may wrinkle quicker. Don’t know how to wash a weighted blanket? No worries—the process is quite simple. The Layla Weighted Blanket can go right in the washing machine. You just have to wash it in warm or cold water and tumble dry on low.
How Often to Wash a Down Comforter
Now that you know how to wash a duvet and down comforter, you’re probably wondering how often you have to wash it. Washing a down comforter is not a quick process, so you may be tempted to put it off. The good news? You don’t actually have to wash your down comforter all that often. Just make sure you follow these guidelines to keep it looking as fluffy and fresh as possible:
- Daily—Shake out your down comforter: Shaking out your comforter will provide a steady airflow so that the down will remain fluffy and soft. You can also redistribute the down as much as needed.
- Monthly—Wash the duvet cover: If you use a duvet cover over your comforter, you will want to wash it monthly. Using a duvet cover can protect your comforter from stains and lengthen the amount of time between washes.
- Yearly—Spot clean and remove stains: Once a year, you will want to spot clean the comforter to remove stains. Just make sure to push the down away while spot cleaning so that it doesn’t get wet.
- Every 1-3 years—Wash or professionally launder down comforter: You should either wash your comforter yourself or get it professionally laundered once every 1-3 years. This will maintain the softness and fluffiness of the down for many years to come.
Wondering how long germs live on fabric? Most germs can live on your bedding for only about 8 to 12 hours. Although that isn’t that long, that doesn’t mean you should skimp on the washing. Still, make sure you wash your bedding frequently. In addition to cleaning your bedding, you should also clean your mattress. Cleaning memory foam is important to remove dirt, debris, and stains. But the best way to keep your mattress clean is to not let it get dirty in the first place. Layla Mattresses are made with copper to draw heat away from the body and reduce the accumulation of germs, thanks to copper’s conductive and antimicrobial properties. Switching from a traditional memory foam mattress to a Layla mattress means you won’t have to clean it nearly as often.
But regardless of the type of mattress you choose, accidents happen, and you might find yourself needing to clean your mattress. Whether it’s blood, urine, or other fluids, it’s important to clean up the mess. If you’re struggling with how to get blood out of a mattress, make sure to keep water far away. Adding water to blood can make it a permanent stain. You will want to dab—not rub— the mattress with a damp cloth to absorb as much blood as possible. Then, you can clean the bloodstain with a number of concoctions made from baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, salt, and more.
Next, we’ll briefly discuss how to get pee out of a mattress. You will want to act fast when it comes to urine. The longer urine sits, the harder it is to remove the stain. To get pee out of a mattress, you need baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, liquid dishwashing soap, vinegar, and a spray bottle. First, you will want to remove any excess liquid with paper towels. Next, soak the area with vinegar to help remove the stain. Then, apply your cleaning mixture and let it sit for at least 20 minutes. If the stain doesn’t go away, repeat as many times as necessary.
Wrapping Up: Washing a Down Comforter
You spend a lot of time in your bed, meaning it’s natural that it’s going to get dirty over time. Whether it’s pee, blood, dirt, or a number of other stains, it is important to take the necessary steps to clean your mattress properly. We all know the feeling of jumping into a freshly cleaned bed and melting into warm sheets and a cozy comforter. But in order to get that, you need to wash your bedding! Take the time to clean your mattress, your sheets, and your comforter so you can experience that feeling as much as possible.
