So you’ve noticed your beloved down comforter looking a little worse for wear lately. Maybe there are suspicious stains from that late-night snack, or it just smells musty from months tucked away in the closet.
You know it’s time give your comforter some TLC with a good wash, but can you really throw a big fluffy down-filled comforter in with the rest of the laundry? Is that safe for the fabric? And just how do you wash such a bulky bedding item anyway?
This beginner’s guide has all the answers on how to give your down-filled comforter the care it needs with a machine wash right at home.
Do Down Comforters Need Special Care?
Unlike flat sheets and lightweight summer quilts that can be tossed in the weekly wash without worries, down comforters do require a bit of special care when it comes laundering.
The down filling inside these puffy bedding items come from ducks or geese. This natural down filling keeps its warming loft through delicate interlocking clusters that can fall apart if washed too roughly.
Exposing down comforters to high agitation or heat can compress those down cluster interiors permanently. That causes the filling to mat and lose insulation value, leaving your comforter flat and lacking that heavenly fluffiness.
So while down comforters can absolutely handle regular machine washing, there are right and wrong ways to go about it. Following best practices for fabric care will keep your comforter in great condition for years.
When To Wash a Down Comforter
As a guideline, most down comforters only need washing a couple times per year. Here are signs it’s time to clean your down-filled bedding:
- Visible stains – Food, drinks, or body oils that leave spots or discoloration.
- Musty smell – A damp, unpleasant odor from moisture buildup inside.
- Lingering smoke – For comforters exposed to a campfire or grilling smoke.
- Heavy usage – If there are multiple people sleeping under it every night.
Plan to wash cotton and poly-blend down comforter covers more often than ones made of satin, silk, or microfiber since the smoother fabrics resist stains. Delicate covers may only need a refresh once a year.
Preparing a Down Comforter for The Wash
Proper prep before washing is key to protecting your down-filled bedding. So first things first – shake out loose dirt particles outdoors. Use a lint brush then vacuum over both sides of the comforter.
Check the care instructions label sewn into your comforter. Confirm what washing machine settings the fabric shell recommends before moving forward.
If your machine has an agitator column, avoid top loading washes. The spinning vanes can damage down filling during cleaning cycles.
Always wash down comforters separately from other laundry. Zipping it inside a large mesh wash bag adds an extra barrier of protection while allowing adequate water flow.
Washing Machine Settings for Down
The best washing machine for cleaning bedding uses gentle cycles designed for delicate items. Most labels recommend using cold water and low agitation levels.
Here are the ideal washer specifications for machine washing down:
- Washing machine – Front or top loading without agitator
- Water temperature – Cold
- Cycle selection – Delicates/handwash with extra rinses
- Spin speed – Low/no spin
Adding a few tennis balls to the wash drum can help redistribute clumping in *down filling during the cycles.
Use a mild powder detergent formulated for *fabrics like wool, silk, or linen. Liquid detergents can leave residues that affect insulation and fire resistance.
Skip the fabric softener or dryer sheets as well – those textile treatments can also impact filling performance by causing it to collect rather than loft.
Drying Your Down Comforter
Never put wet down bedding into a hot tumble dryer right after the final rinse!
The intense heat damages those delicate internal down structures leading to permanent clumping and loss of that desirable sinking, billowy loft.
Here are 2 methods to safely dry cleaned down comforters:
#1. Air dry
- Lay comforter flat on a clean, dry surface
- Reshape thick sections
- Allow to fully air dry, about 12-24 hours
Fluff and rotate filling every few hours as sections dry. Use a wire pet brush to lift and separate interior down clusters.
#2. Low heat tumble dry
- Shake and reshape comforter
- Set dryer to no heat/air fluff cycle
- Toss in 2-3 dry towels to absorb moisture
- Air dry last 15% of moisture
This uses just enough airflow to dry insulation without damaging loft. Rotate and massage areas as needed – drying should take 60-90 minutes.
Storing to Maintain Freshness
Once your freshly cleaned comforter has finished drying completely, you’ll want to store it properly to maintain that like-new fluffiness.
Follow these down comforter storage tips:
- Hang or fold neatly to avoid creases
- Store in breathable space like closet
- Avoid plastic tubs or vacuum sealing
- Wash pillow protectors/mattress pads too
Make sure closets and bedrooms have adequate ventilation year-round. Use cedar blocks, charcoal, or baking soda to manage musty smells.
Reviving a Lumpy Down Comforter
Over time and repeated use, washed down comforters can lose that dreamy puffy loft that provides such great insulation.
If your bedding start to become flat and lifeless, try this:
#1. Hot dryer refresh
Toss the flattened comforter in the dryer on high heat for 15 minutes only. The hot turbulent air will re-inflate filling and restore some loft.
#2. Full machine wash
Re-launder the comforter following the steps above. Be extra careful removing from the machine – pick up gently to avoid straining seams.
#3. Filling adjustment
For stubborn flat spots, use hand stitching to shift interior baffles around to areas that need more fluff.
Know When To Replace a Down Comforter
With repeated washings and daily use, eventually even high-quality down comforters lose their warming and comfort restoring powers.
Signs that your beloved bedding needs to be replaced:
- Permanent clumping that cannot be restored
- Fabric pilling/fraying at seams & edges
- Casing holes, rips, or broken stitching
- Musty odors that won’t wash out
- Lost ability to provide cozy sleep
While pricier than other bedding options, with proper maintenance top rated down comforters provide 5-10+ years of daily comfort and luxury!
Conclusion
While deluxe down-filled comforters do require just a bit more special care when it comes to laundering, with these tips washing them at home is simple.
Frequently Asked Questions
#1. Can I put my down comforter in the washing machine?
Yes, you can machine wash your down comforter using cold water on a delicate or handwash cycle. Make sure to use a gentle detergent and put the comforter in a protective mesh bag first.
#2. How often should I wash my down-filled comforter?
Most down comforters only need to be washed 1-2 times per year. Check for stains, musty smells, and other signs it needs cleaning. Washing too often can damage the down filling.
#3. Why does my down comforter turn flat after washing?
Using too much heat or agitation when laundering can damage delicate down clusters, causing permanent clumps and loss of loft. Always air dry and handle carefully when wet. Fluff filling to maintain that billowy puffiness.
#4. How do I clean a down comforter that’s too large for my washing machine?
If your comforter is oversized, look for a specialty laundry service that handles bulky bedding items. They have commercial machines designed to wash large down-filled textiles while protecting insulation integrity.
#5. What is the best way to dry my freshly washed down comforter?
Air drying over 24-48 hours is ideal to fully dry a washed comforter without harming the down filling. If needed, use an extra low or no-heat tumble dryer cycle with dry towels that absorbs moisture gently.
#6. How can I restore loft and fluffiness to a flattened down comforter?
Use short dryer bursts on high heat or redistribute filling material inside casing to revive limp comforters. For extreme loss of loft, consider replacing old bedding with prolonged daily use.
