If you have invested in a soft and comfortable duvet, you need to keep it clean and in good condition. Washing and care are very different than those required for sheets or blankets. With the right techniques, you'll keep your duvet looking great and can use it for years to come.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparation for Washing
Step 1. Remove the duvet cover (if you have one) and wash it separately
Usually, you can wash and dry it normally. Be sure to read the label that contains washing instructions. Remember that the duvet must be washed separately, without the duvet cover.
Step 2. Make sure the duvet can be put in the washing machine
In fact, it may be necessary to dry clean it. In principle, if it is made of cotton or a cotton blend, it can be washed in the washing machine. In any case, in order not to accidentally damage it, read the instructions on the label.
Step 3. Repair any seams or holes
Before washing it, you need to mend the tears. In this way, the filling will not come out during the washing and drying cycle.
Step 4. Read the washing and drying instructions on the duvet label, if one has one
You have to follow the manufacturer's directions.
- The bucket symbol allows you to understand if it is possible to wash it in water. The number you see in the center of the bucket indicates the maximum temperature. If you see a hand in the bucket, then the duvet should only be hand washed.
- The symbol depicting a square containing a circle represents the dryer. The dots you see inside the symbol correspond to the recommended temperature. If you see one, it is possible to dry the duvet at a reduced temperature, while if there are two, you can use a higher temperature. If the symbol is marked with an X, then you need to air dry it.
Step 5. If the duvet is particularly dirty, pre-soak it before washing
Use a large sink, tub, or other large enough container. Some pre-soaking products, such as borax, make the action of the detergent even more effective.
The bathtub is great for pre-soaking. Make sure it is clean, then fill it with water and pour a small amount of borax or other suitable product into it. Leave the duvet to soak for an hour
Step 6. Go to a laundromat
Your washing machine is probably not large enough for you to wash the duvet, so you will need a larger one.
Choose a front-loading washing machine, while avoiding those that have a central agitator - they can pull the threads of the duvet or even tear it
Part 2 of 3: Wash the Duvet
Step 1. Protect the color by using a mild detergent
Aggressive products can damage the natural oils and fibers of the filling. Use a natural or commercial detergent specifically for delicate fabrics.
Do you want to use natural ingredients? At the beginning of the wash cycle, add half a cup of baking soda to the detergent, while at the beginning of the first rinse cycle, add half a cup of white vinegar. This combination will refresh and soften the duvet
Step 2. Use the detergent sparingly
Whichever product you choose, make sure you don't use too much. Overdoing the doses can be as harmful as using an aggressive product. If you use a commercial detergent, allow for a quarter cap, while with homemade or natural products you can use slightly larger amounts.
Step 3. Use additives
If the duvet is white, use borax or baking soda to make sure it's white and shiny after washing. Avoid harsh detergents or bleach, unless it has a stain you can't fix otherwise.
If you see a blood or ink stain that requires bleach, be sure to read the duvet label to find out if it can be used. If not recommended, the duvet may become discolored
Step 4. Set up a gentle wash cycle
Since the duvet has a delicate weave of threads, it is important to wash it gently. A wash cycle for heavier and more resistant fabrics can unravel or even tear the duvet.
Step 5. Do two rinse cycles
The duvet is double-filled, so unlike light sheets and blankets, detergent is more likely to settle in the fibers. To avoid product residues remaining in the padding, perform two rinse cycles.
Part 3 of 3: After Wash Care
Step 1. Place the duvet in the dryer and run a gentle cycle at a moderate temperature
Once washed and rinsed carefully, you need to move on to drying. Drying a duvet requires more attention than a regular quilt or blanket. Since the padding is particularly thick, it is more difficult to remove all the water. To protect it, dry it at a low temperature and set a longer gentle cycle, rather than a short one at a high temperature.
While drying, occasionally remove the duvet from the dryer and fluff it with your hands. In this way, the padding will not get tangled, and you will also be able to better check the drying progress
Step 2. Try using clean tennis balls to evenly distribute the padding
Even if you use a large dryer and try to fluff the duvet by hand, sometimes the filling will collect on one side or tangle. Placing two or three clean tennis balls in the tumble dryer helps to fluff out the stuffing more evenly.
Step 3. Allow the duvet to air dry for 24 hours
After taking it out of the dryer, hang it out to finish drying. As dry as it feels to the touch, the filling may still be damp. Hanging it outside will make the water evaporate completely, and will also prevent the formation of bad odors, such as mold.
If you can't dry it outside, try hanging it indoors by lining up the kitchen chairs so it airs out. It may be helpful to point an oscillating fan towards the duvet. Also, turn it every two to three hours
Step 4. Keep the duvet covered
After washing and drying it, line it with a duvet cover, which is much easier to maintain than the duvet itself. It will therefore allow you to limit washing.
Step 5. Hang the duvet outside to let it ventilate
Two or three times a year, hang it on a clothesline to air it out (if possible). Do this on a sunny, dry day. This will prevent it from developing a musty smell.
