How to Care for Your Down Bedding: The Ultimate Guide
Down bedding is a popular choice for many people because of its comfort and warmth. However, if not cared for properly, the down filling can become matted and lose its insulation properties. In this guide, we’ll teach you how to care for your down bedding products so that they last for many years!
Use a pillow/duvet cover
You know what they say - some things just work better with a little help from their friends. To keep your bedding clean and fresh, it's important to tuck your pillows and duvets in cases or covers. This protects them from dirt, spills, and the natural oils on your skin and scalp. It’s much easier to wash and dry the covers, than the actual bedding itself. Wash and dry your pillowcases, duvet covers, and sheets every 7 to 10 days.
Spot treat with natural detergent
Just need to remove a small stain from your duvet? Here’s our favorite tip:
- If it's not already dry when you start treating - give the area some time so any excess moisture can be absorbed by its surroundings before drying completely.
- Grab your trusty detergent of choice and mix it with a tablespoon of lukewarm water.
- Using a spray bottle, apply this mixture to the soiled area and let that sit for around 20 minutes.
- Gently blot away any excess moisture before leaving everything to air dry.
Voila - good as new! No-fuss, no muss.
Can you machine wash a down duvet?
The answer is yes! While it may be a bit of a hassle, the extra effort is worth it to get rid of pesky dust mites and lingering odors. (We will get to this topic in a different post - but for now, just know that a premium down duvet is not supposed to smell or contain mites.) The good news is that premium down duvets should only be washed every few months.
To avoid tangling or damage, it’s important to make sure you have a front-loading washing machine that is large enough and be sure to load only one item at a time.
Use only about a third of the detergent you would usually use for one load. Too much soap takes forever to rinse out and can damage the delicate structure of down clusters. If you want, there are detergents specifically made for down, or simply use one that is mild and all-natural.
Wash it on a delicate cycle with cold water and run the rinse cycle twice, to make sure all of those soap suds are gone.
Industrial Dryer: The one tool all duvets need
Industrial dryers can be your best friend when it comes to drying your duvet insert. If you have access to one, put some wool dryer balls or clean tennis balls in there with the duvet to keep the down and feather from clumping up! Check on it about every 30 minutes to make sure the temperature isn’t too high. No part of the duvet should feel too hot to the touch. If it does, take it out of the machine to cool down.
The entire drying process may take a few hours, so make sure you have enough time before bed if you plan to sleep under the freshly cleaned duvet that night. The filling needs to be completely dry before putting it back on the bed. Otherwise, mold and mites may grow inside your duvet. Shake it out and hold it against a light. If you see clumps, then it's not completely dry. You can hang your duvet insert outside to dry on a nice day or in a well-ventilated room to air it out completely.
Storing your duvet
Down duvets can be used all year round because they are very breathable. However, if you do switch to a summer duvet, you should store your winter duvet in a bag made of breathable fabric, like cotton, to protect the delicate down and feathers. If you always wash the duvet before putting it in storage, we recommend waiting a few weeks to make sure the down inside is completely dry.
