The use of a Duvet is too common in almost every house. They are an essential part of your complete bedding set, without which you may not even sleep comfortably. However, only a clean and hygienic Duvet is suitable for everyday use. It can contribute to better health through uninterrupted sleep. Washing a Duvet is not that hard. But you must check their labels to determine whether they are eligible for a hand or machine wash. It can save your Duvet from the risk of damaging its fibers.
Continue reading below to familiarize yourself with how to clean your duvet safely.
How to Wash A Duvet
Washing a Duvet might be more challenging or hard than it may appear to be. You may use a washing machine with a non-bio washing detergent. However, whatever way you clean it, make sure to do it gently. Otherwise, it may damage the Duvet, making it unusable. Next, you must have all the necessary tools and materials for washing.
You may need 2-3 tennis balls, a drying rack, clean old socks, and good-quality washing detergent. Make sure all these tools and materials are available, as they are mostly easy to find.
Pre-Treat Stains
If you want to make your Duvet looks nicely clean and tidy. Make sure to first take care of those large and small stains that are hard to clean. It can be a good idea to get them first separately instead of leaving them at the mercy of your washing process.
Although, such stains need to be dealt with at the same time when they appear. You can look for tears or small rips simultaneously, which will help make your whole bedding look cleaner. After all, the goal is not just to wash the Duvet but to clean the entire bedding.
Put Bedding in the Washer
To clean the duvet easily, you must remove the cover from it first. Therefore, it will help with easy washing rather than making it difficult to whirl around in the washing machine since the goal is to clean the bedding.
Moreover, it needs to spread properly inside the machine, which can be difficult. Therefore, you can avail of the services of a Laundromat instead to make it easy. The larger machines over there can help with a full nice, tidy wash, which your home machine might not do for bedding.
Put the Tennis Balls in the Washer
Using tennis balls can help to remove those sticky oils, dirt, and sweaty stains, which otherwise can be difficult to remove. You only need to tie tennis balls in old but clean socks and put them inside the machine. However, ensure the ball does not come out; otherwise, it may lead to more stains instead of cleaning them. If done perfectly, this trick can help remove all sticky stains for better cleaning.
Add Laundry Detergent
You can add around half of a normal load into the machine. Do not exceed as this is the normal recommended amount of detergent. You must not pour this detergent amount directly onto the bedding. It can leave stains of detergents on the cloth when left in a single spot.
Instead, run it inside the machine’s detergent dispenser. Avoid using bleach or liquid bleacher as it might damage the look due to rigorous washing.
Set the Cycle and Run the Washer
Set the machine washer gauge for a comfortable wash with a gentle and warm water option. Check if your machine supports the extra feature of extra rinse with a spin cycle option. It would help to make it easier and give your duvet deep cleaning for better wash results.
Remove and Check for Soap Residue
If you have put the washing detergent directly onto the Duvet, it will leave soap residue. Therefore, first, put it separately inside the detergent dispenser. However, at the end of the washing cycle, if there is still soap residue left.
You may rewash the Duvet with another spin and rinse cycle without adding soap this time. It can help remove that sticky soap residue left behind, which can otherwise leave a smell.
Transfer to the Dryer
After ensuring no soap is present in Duvet, take it out gently. Next, transfer it to an appropriate-sized dryer for the drying process to begin. At the settings, make sure to set the dryer at air-dry or low locations. In case you need a drying facility or a right-sized dryer. By using a drying rack or a clothesline, you can even put it out in the open air to dry.
Put a Piece of the Sheet Underneath While Drying
This little trick might save you the whole time of repeating this cleaning process. Suppose you don’t have the right-sized dryer and are planning to leave it at the mercy of a clothesline or drying rack. Sometimes, the surface or racks already have stains, especially fresh ones. They can stick to the Duvet and make your efforts go in vain.
Check the Dryer and Fluff
Keep checking the Duvet from time to time in the dryer to ensure the even distribution of fluff. After taking it out for the safe side, you can do it with your hands. Before that, ensure it is not too hot and dangerous to touch your hands. You must plan this activity accordingly, as this washing process can take a while.
The drying process can take 2-3 hours if done in the open air. You would know once the Duvet starts to feel lighter and its fills have spread evenly inside. If unsure or the Duvet hasn’t dried out completely, you may still use the dryer or leave it in the open air for some time.
Wash the Rest + Make Your Bed
The Duvet mostly takes a lot of time and attention to get washed. As a result, most people lose it when it’s their turn to wash the Duvet. Once it is washed completely, clean the rest of the bedding items, like pillows and sheets. They don’t take much time and are an easy job relatively.
Once all the bedding is clean, it’s time to enjoy a good sleep. Since you would be tired by now, we hope your bed will smell nice and clean without any smell and stains remaining.
Check the Instructions
Many users intentionally or unintentionally ignore the small label attached to your Duvet. Reading it before starting the washing process may help you a lot and avoid this whole effort of going through the long-day exercise. Therefore, before washing, we recommend checking the label.
Sometimes, duvets don’t need to be washed rigorously in a machine or with detergents. A simple hand wash may do the trick instead.
Consider the Washing Machine Type and Size
Consider both the Duvet and machine size before you start the whole process. You can easily guess by judging through different angles; the Duvet you are about to wash is either fit for your available machine or not. Therefore, forcing your Duvet into a machine that might not be the best suitable size or type may ruin the Duvet.
What temperature should I wash my duvet at?
Wash your duvet insert on a gentle cycle in cold water, around 30°C or lower. Hot water can damage and shrink the fibers. Unless the duvet is heavily soiled, cold water with mild detergent is sufficient for cleaning. Check the care label instructions too.
How do you dry a duvet insert quickly?
- Use a low heat setting in the dryer, removing and shaking it every 20 minutes to redistribute filling.
- Hang outside on a breezy, sunny day. The breeze and sunlight will help it dry faster.
- Lay flat on top of towels or a clean sheet, and flip periodically. The moisture will transfer.
- Use a fan directed onto the duvet to speed drying. Fluff the duvet filling every so often.
Conclusion
Duvet is an important part of the bedding that completes your bedroom. It can help to keep you cool in summer and warm during winter days (check the top rated all season duvet inserts). However, keeping them safe and clean is as important as owning one for a comfortable night. Therefore, you must keep a check on them and wash them frequently.
A dirty Duvet with different stains can become the main hurdle in your comfortable all-night sleep. Try to wash them once a month or at least one or two times a year.
Washing duvet inserts FAQs
What’s The Alternative to Dry Cleaning Comforters?
The usual hand-washing techniques are handy when you are away from dry cleaning. For that, add detergent to a small-sized washing basin with water. Gently start rubbing the comforter with the water and wash carefully. Rinse it by taking the water out and dry it with a clean towel before you hang it for drying.
How Often Should You Wash Your Duvet Insert?
Duvets are an important part of the bedding and must be cleaned frequently like the other stuff. Therefore, we recommend washing them every time you plan to wash the pillows, sheets, and other bedding items. You may wash them once a month with the rest of the things.
Can You Wash A Duvet Insert Inside The Cover?
You may do it, but it can be risky, and cleaning with a cover can damage the Duvet. Therefore, avoiding it and removing the cover before washing is best. The Duvet needs to spread out as much as they can. However, if it cannot fit into your machine, consider visiting a Laundromat.
Can I Ruin My Duvet By Machine-Washing It?
Yes, you may ruin your Duvet if you don’t do it rightly. The size of the Duvet and machine matters the most. Trying to stuff it inside a small machine will most likely ruin everything. Therefore, if possible, it’s best to take it to a laundry or a professional cleaner instead for the best results.