How to Wash a Comforter

Freshly washed comforter

Wash a comforter when it needs it. If it's used every day, the oils from your skin and hair can build up quickly and be a haven for dust mites. Oils also leave odors after awhile that could be offensive to guests. Wash a comforter with care and it will last for many years.

Instructions

1. Read and follow manufacturers' care instructions on the comforter's tag. Instructions for washing down comforters often say to "dry clean," but this isn't necessary unless your comforter contains silk or another delicate material.

2. Wash a comforter in a large washing machine like the side-loading washers at the laundromat. Standard-sized home washing machines are too small and will squash a comforter so it won't clean well or stay fluffy.

3. Use a mild detergent -- even dishwashing liquid will do. Regular laundry detergent can leave a phosphate coating on a down comforter, preventing it from regaining its fluff.

4. Set water temperature to cold for best results. Washing a comforter on hot will kill more bacteria but could cause shrinkage.

5. Dry a comforter on high unless your manufacturers' instructions specify otherwise. Use a tennis ball or dryer balls to fluff it during drying. After the drying cycle, check the comforter for moisture, fluff it, and return to dryer on lower setting if needed.

Tips & Warnings

• You can wash a comforter at the dry cleaner, but be aware dry cleaning leaves chemical residue that could be unhealthy. Make sure your comforter is completely dry by placing it in a warm room or hanging it outside in warm air for a few hours before returning it to your bed. Shake out a down comforter daily to keep it fluffy.