How to Clean a Cotton Bed Comforter
There's nothing more luxurious than a thick cotton bed comforter in the summertime. Cotton protects you from overnight chills, without stifling you the way that down or wool might. Whether you have a rough cotton blanket for a comforter, or a high thread count quilted Egyptian cotton bed spread, following a few simple rules will help you keep it clean. Wash your cotton bed comforter as necessary, or in the spring when you pull it out of the closet, and in the fall before you put it away again. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Load your cotton bed comforter into a front-loading washing machine, if possible. It can also be washed in a top-loading machine, but the front-loading machine will be much less likely to damage the comforter.
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Add a mild, pH balanced laundry detergent such as Tide. Avoid using chlorinated bleach; it's better not to use bleach at all. Add a scoop of OxiClean to the wash, if necessary, to help remove stains from your cotton bed comforter.
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Run the machine on a gentle wash cycle with cold water. If you use hot water in the wash cycle, you're likely to damage or shrink your cotton bed comforter.
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Remove your cotton bed comforter from the washing machine immediately after the wash cycle ends. Then shake it out--this will help reduce wrinkles.
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Machine dry your cotton bed comforter on the warm or low setting. Avoid the temptation to use a higher setting to save time, as this will shrink your cotton bed comforter. Instead, check on it every 15 minutes or so, and remove it from the dryer when it is still slightly damp.
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Drape your cotton bed comforter over a shower rod, a clothes line or stair railing to finish drying. Drying it outside is preferable but, if you live in an apartment, or if it's too cold or wet to dry the comforter outside, just hang it inside.
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Check both sides of the comforter to make sure it's fully dry, then place it on the bed. You shouldn't need to iron it--just smooth out any mild wrinkles remaining with your hand.
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Tips & Warnings
If you don't have a means of hanging your cotton bed comforter, try lining several chairs up side by side, and draping it across their backs.
