When and How to Wash Comforter

The comfy feeling your comforter provides especially during cold or winter is just out of this world, but after using it for a long period, the need to wash is inevitable. When should you wash your comforter? Cuddle down recommends that you seldom wash your comforter, especially if it has a duvet cover. But how do you wash the comforter?
when and how to wash a comforter

How Often Should You Wash Your Comforter? 

If you have a duvet cover for your comforter, it can stay for 5 to 7 years before it is washed. But if you don’t, you should wash about 2 – 3 times per year. You can also make efforts to maintain your comforter so that you can use it for a long time before having to wash it. You can maintain it by,

  • Hang it under the sun at least once a month to get rid of any slight moisture. 
  • Take off your makeup before bed.
  • Avoid using harsh detergents or concentrated bleach when washing your comforter. It is better to get your comforter professionally cleaned.

Where Can You Wash A Comforter? 

 Comforters are usually big and bulky. Sometimes, their size might make it difficult to wash in a machine. If you have a big washing machine that can fit the comforter, then you can wash it in your washing machine. Although you should be sure to check the instructions that are usually on the tag for the right water temperature and dryer temperature to use.

If you have a queen-size comforter, to wash properly, you will need a high efficiency washing machine with 3.5 cubic feet or more. If washed in a smaller washer, it might form lumps or get compressed. 

 For a king-size comforter, a 5.2 cubic feet washer will let you wash it comfortably, without any damage. 

Can You Wash A Down Comforter?

  • Down comforters are lightweight since it’s formed by a mixture of feathers (the undercoating of waterfowl including geese, ducks, and swans). 
  • Washing your down is not a problem, but heavy detergents and chemicals will compromise the comforter.
  • Dry cleaning is not recommended because the dry cleaning unit utilizes Perchloroethylene (PERC) chemicals which are known to be carcinogenic and it is absorbed into the down fiber itself as well as the cotton shell and it leaves the residue. 
  • Because you’re sleeping with the comforter next to your mouth and breathing in that residue every night, it is not a very healthy arrangement. You should ask a dry cleaner to professionally launder your comforter to avoid damage. 

How To Wash A Comforter. 

  •  When you remove your comforter from the bed, this is a great time to check the condition of the comforter because they do wear out, especially in the shoulder areas. So all you need to do is hold it up to your room light or a window where natural sunlight is coming in. If you notice that the compartments, especially the compartment close to your shoulder contain very little down, then you should consider changing your comforter. 
  •  The next thing you are going to do is to put your down comforter into the washing machine with your gentle detergent.
  • If you feel comfortable, Add a small quantity of diluted bleach. Bleach is a little bit hard on the down comforter itself, but it is well worth adding the bleach because it gets rid of dust mites. Almost all bedding contains dust mites and bleach will help get those out of your way, out of your comfortable place. 
  • Once the washing machine hasn’t done its job of washing, take it over to the high speed extractor. Most laundromats have a high speed extractor, what this is going to do is take a little bit more of the water down, speeding up the drying process. If you do not have an extractor, you can take it straight to your dryer. 
  • Once it is taken out of the extractor, head over to the dryer. Select the dryer temperature that is stated on the tag. Put your down comforter inside the dryer and let it begin the drying process. Now you may notice that the down comforter looks flat once it comes out of the washing machine. Not to worry it’s going to flop back up in the dryer. 
  • Once you notice it coming back to life and starting to fill up that drum, what you’re going to do is take it out and reorientate it. The reason you’re doing this is that the outside of the comforter itself is going to be getting more heat while the inside is still a little bit damp. So reorienting it will hasten up the drying process. It is best to reorientate it every 10 minutes.
  • When you think it is totally dry, turn the heat down. Give it another five minutes, in case you missed a damp spot. when you get it out of the machine, it might feel a little damp because it may be warm immediately after it comes out of the dryer. When you get it to your room, simply spread it on your mattress, and allow it to air dry, in no time it’ll start feeling as good as new. Click on the link to watch the illustration.

FAQs: 

What setting should you wash your comforter?

The best thing to do is to check the tag for the settings to wash the comforter. If there is no setting, it is better to wash with cool water and gentle detergent. 

How often do hotels wash their comforters?

Most hotels wash their comforters once a week but change it between guests. 

Can you wash a Buffy comforter?

Buffy comforters are fully machine washable, wash with cold water, and a gentle detergent. 

Can you wash a goose-down comforter?

You can but this should be done with extra care to prevent clumping and flattening. 

Considering All This

To keep enjoying the cuddly feeling your comforter provides, you need to maintain it to prevent it from going dirty easily, and when it gets dirty, wash with a gentle detergent, follow the steps discussed and you’ll achieve a perfect wash.