How to Wash a Down Comforter at Home
While many people believe a down comforter should only be dry-cleaned, it is possible to wash it at home if you have a large-capacity washing machine. Your comforter only needs to be washed once a year and protected with a duvet the rest of the time. If you spill something on it, spot-treat the comforter, then soak it in warm water. Wash with soap and water until the stain comes out. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Large-capacity washing machine
- Detergent
- Outdoor clothesline
- Flat sheet
Instructions
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Use a front-loading washing machine. If you do not own one, take a trip to your local laundromat. Comforters are too large for a top-loading washer.
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Set the machine to the delicate or gentle setting and use warm water.
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Use half the amount of detergent than usual. Too much detergent can strip the down, so use a mild or all-natural detergent if possible.
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Run the rinse cycle two more times to make sure all the soap is rinsed out. Squeeze out some of the water before it hits the spin cycle. Down comforters become very heavy when they are wet, so this may take some work.
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Machine-dry in an extra-large capacity dryer on low. Drying in a machine dryer will take at least three hours. Add a dryer ball or a couple of new tennis balls to help fluff up your comforter.
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Hang the comforter on a line if it is still damp after three hours. Not only will the sun dry the comforter, it also has a natural bleaching effect that will make your comforter look like new. If you have trees hanging over your line, lay a flat sheet over the comforter to prevent debris from hitting it.
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Tips & Warnings
Before washing, check your comforter for any loose threads and repair those by hand.
Shake your comforter regularly to keep it fluffy.
Do not add bleach or fabric softener when you wash your comforter.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Digital Vision./Digital Vision/Getty Images
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Comments
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commercial laundermats will no longer clean down comforters. they can split if frayed or old (or new) and the feathers clog up the water pipes. a grand mess. dry cleaners are leary of these comforters also. so what do we do?
