Goose down duvets are renowned for their lightweight warmth and plush comfort. But to keep your down duvet in top condition for years to come, it’s essential to care for it properly. Washing and drying these duvets requires special attention to preserve the delicate down fill.
In this beginner’s guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about cleaning goose down, from pre-washing preparations to drying techniques and storage. With the right maintenance, your cozy down-filled bedding will last for over a decade.
Why Proper Care Matters for Down Duvets
Down duvets consist of a tight-weave outer shell filled with the fluffy undercoating from geese or ducks. This natural down fill is what makes the duvets so soft, breathable, and thermal.
However, the delicate strands are also prone to clumping and damage from improper washing methods. Excess moisture and heat can strip the down of its loft and insulation.
With the right precautions, you can keep your goose down blankets, comforters and duvets fresh and aired out for years. Our guide will walk you through the entire process step-by-step:
Step 1: Reading the Care Label
The first rule of washing your down duvet is to always check the care label. Here you’ll find the manufacturer’s instructions on washing methods, dryer settings, and other specifics.
Key things to look for are:
- Machine washable – Confirm it is safe to clean in a washing machine.
- Temperature – Low or delicate temperatures below 104°F/40°C are best.
- Bleach – Most advise against using any bleach.
- Drying – Tumble dry low.
If your care tag is faded or missing, play it safe by following our guidelines for delicate fabrics. When in doubt, dry clean instead which is gentler on down.
Step 2: Inspecting for Stains, Holes, and Damage
Before tossing your duvet into the wash, give it a thorough once-over. Feel for any clumped down and gently break these up by hand. Shake out the duvet to evenly redistribute fill.
Check both sides and seams for:
- Stains – Pretreat mild stains with a small amount of mild detergent. For tougher stains, use a specialized stain remover suitable for delicate fabrics.
- Holes or tears – Avoid washing any duvets with damage or thin spots. The washer mechanics can cause bigger holes.
This inspection also allows you to air out the duvet after a long period of use.
Step 3: Choosing the Right Washing Machine
Front-Loading Machines Are Best
When it comes to washing goose down duvets, a front-loading washing machine is highly recommended. Traditional agitator top-loaders can be too harsh and damage the delicate fabric.
Large capacity front-loaders allow plenty of space for the duvet to tumble freely. Models with wide doors also make loading easier.
When purchasing a washer, look for ones with multiple rinse cycles and the highest water levels for cleaning large items. Many front-loaders also have specific duvet or comforter cycles.
Using a Laundromat Washer
If you don’t own an adequately sized washing machine, consider visiting a laundromat which offers larger industrial washers. Call ahead to verify their machine sizes and settings.
Look for top-loading commercial washers without a central agitator post. Make sure to bring enough coins for multiple rinse cycles.
Step 4: Choosing a Mild Detergent
Harsh detergents can degrade delicate fabrics over time and strip the feathers’ natural oils. When it comes to washing down, skip the conventional laundry products.
Specialty Down Cleaners
For best results, use a mild liquid detergent specially formulated for feathers, down, wool, silks or other fine fabrics. These are readily available from outdoor recreation brands and specialty laundering suppliers.
Some top options include:
- Woolite Down & Feather Wash
- Granger’s Down Wash
- REI Co-op Down Wash
Check that your chosen cleaner does not include optical brighteners or fabric softeners which can diminish the down’s insulating ability. Non-chlorine bleaches are acceptable if needed to remove discoloration from white duvets.
Mild Baby Shampoo
As a budget alternative, use an ultra-mild baby shampoo without dyes or fragrances. Dilute the baby wash thoroughly before adding your duvet.
Step 5: Washing Machine Settings
When throwing your duvet into the wash, choosing the right settings is key. Here are some tips for each wash setting:
Water Temperature
Use the coolest temperature allowed for the detergent you’ve chosen. Warm water is fine for heavily soiled duvets if needed. But high heat can damage down.
Drum Speed and Agitation
The slowest, most delicate cycle is ideal to limit wear and tear. Low spin speeds help avoid forceful water extraction.
Rinse Cycles
At least 2 or 3 rinse cycles are vital to fully flush out detergents which can leave residue on the down. If your machine only has one rinse cycle, manually set additional rinses.
Loading
Avoid cramming too much bulk into the drum. The duvet needs room to gently drop and swell inside the wash. Overloading leads to uneven cleaning.
Step 6: Drying Your Goose Down Duvet
Drying is just as crucial as washing your down bedding properly. Any leftover moisture allows mold and mildew growth which can ruin the fill.
Choosing the Right Dryer
To preserve maximum loft, use the lowest heat to gently tumble dry your duvet. High temperatures can damage and mat down strands.
For fastest drying, use a vented front-load dryer which tumbles clothing more efficiently. Top-loaders often have cool spots where moisture gets trapped.
If air drying, make sure the duvet fully dries within a few hours. Down is prone to mildew if left damp.
Add Dryer Balls for Fluffing
To “re-fluff” your duvet filling and avoid clumping, add a few tennis balls or wool dryer balls to the machine. The balls bounce around breaking up the down and adding airflow.
Step 7: Finishing Touches After Drying
Once dried, your freshly washed down still needs some TLC.
Fluffing
After drying, manually shake out your duvet and redistribute any remaining clumps in the fill. Leave it unzipped over a bed to fully loft for several hours.
Spot Cleaning
Use a specialized down cleaner spray to pretreat any new stains immediately rather than waiting until the next wash. This keeps the duvet cleaner between full launderings.
Airing Out
During your bed’s “makeup” routine, open up the windows and allow the duvet to air out for up to an hour if possible. This reduces dust mites, allergens and that characteristic “doggy” down smell over time.
Step 8: Protecting With a Duvet Cover
- A pure cotton duvet cover creates an extra barrier against body oils, moisture and other contaminants from damaging the delicate down.
- Look for duvet covers with envelope hidden zipper closures to secure the comforter inside.
- Wash the cover separately at least monthly to control dust mites and skin flakes.
How Often To Wash an Goose Down Duvet
You don’t need to launder a down-filled duvet too often if you use a duvet cover and air it out frequently.
In climates with hot and humid summers, wash at least annually to clean out any accumulated moisture from night sweats.
Spot clean duvets over the winter months and wash fully in spring and fall. Washing too frequently can degrade the outer shell over time.
Step 9: Storing Your Duvet Properly
It’s just as vital to store your goose down correctly between uses or seasons to prevent damage.
Prevent Compression Creases
Avoid leaving duvets folded or compressed into tight spaces like underneath beds. The pressure can flatten feather strands and resist lofting back out.
After making the bed, lift or fold your duvet loosely at the foot. Store flat in a large, breathable space like under the bed on top of the box spring with plenty of airflow.
Wash Before Storing Long Term
Wash down-filled bedding before seasonal storage or leaving unused for over three months. Mildew and moth larvae feed on organic debris in uncleaned down.
Common Goose Down Washing Mistakes to Avoid
While properly washing down bedding takes some specific steps, you’ll get the hang of it quickly. Here are some key mistakes to avoid:
Using bleach: Bleach degrades fabrics and damages insulation over time. Always opt for an oxygen-based bleach if disinfecting white duvets.
Overloading: Jamming too much bulk into a washer leads to uneven cleaning and wear. Give down items plenty of space to soak and spin.
Incomplete Drying: Any moisture left trapped in down encourages heavy mildew growth. Always completely dry on low heat before using or storing.
Should You Dry Clean Down Instead?
Many people consider professionally dry cleaning down bedding instead of attempting home washing. But dry cleaning uses harsh perchloroethylene (PERC) solvents which can strip natural lanolin oils from down over multiple cleanings.
Dry cleaners also typically press or steam down items which mats the filling’s loft. So while dry cleaning is gentler than improper home washing, it still carries some downside for your duvet’s longevity.
Cost is the primary advantage of dry cleaning, averaging $20-50 per king-sized duvet. Home washing costs much less but only if following the proper steps using a suitable front-loader washing machine.
Caring for Down With Allergies
For those with dust mite allergies, goose down’s reputation precedes it. But these tips can help reduce symptoms:
Encase Down in Special Covers
Allergy sufferers often switch to hypoallergenic synthetic duvets which resist dust and allergens. If you can’t give up the unbeatable coziness of real goose down, use an allergen-blocking encasement around your down comforter instead.
Wash Frequently
Clean your down duvet once seasonally or every 2-3 months rather than biannually to lower household dust levels. Mild detergents help rinse away traces of dander and skin cells. Just take care not to over-wash delicate materials.
Choose a Down Alternative Comforter
Switching to a washable down-alternative such as Primaloft can prove cheaper long-term. While not as warm or long-lasting as quality goose down, synthetic fills made from microfibers are inherently hypoallergenic.
Finding the Best Value Goose Down Duvet
Not all down duvets live up to their luxury reputation. When evaluating comforters, consider:
Fill Power This indicates the loft and insulation quality using a numeric scale. For lightweight warmth suitable for most seasons, look for fill power between 600-800.
Outer Material Common shell fabrics include cotton, cotton sateen, and damask. High-end duvets use premium tightly-woven cotton with a luxury sateen finish.
Fill Weight This quantifies the total grams of down fill inside and relates closely to overall warmth. Most quality queen duvets contain 700-900 grams of down.
| Product | Fill Power | Material | Fill Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luxurious 1200-FP Goose Down Comforter | 1200 | 100% Cotton Sateen | 958 g | $$$$ |
| Basic White Goose Down Comforter | 550 | 65% Cotton / 35% Polyester | 567 g | $ |
Consider your climate needs and bedroom temperature preferences when deciding fill power and weight. The higher numbers indicate more insulation for cold winter weather.
The Takeaway: Caring for your Goose Down
Follow the care label instructions. Front-loading machines, mild detergents, and low drying temperatures are best.
Inspect before washing. Shake out clumps, spot treat stains and redistribute filling.
Use duvet covers and air out the down frequently to prolong lifespan between cleanings.
With the proper care, a high-fill power goose down duvet can last over a decade and outlast cheaper synthetic alternatives. Taking time to properly maintain your bedding helps ensure many years of heavenly comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put my down duvet in the washing machine?
Yes, machine washing is safe for most goose down duvets as long as you use a front loader on the delicate cycle with a specialty down detergent. Always refer to the care label first.
How do I dry my down duvet fastest?
Use the lowest heat setting in a front-load tumble dryer for fastest drying time. Add a couple tennis balls to break up clumps. Remove promptly once fully dried to avoid over-drying.
How do I know if my down duvet needs washing?
Inspect your duvet interior at least seasonally. Signs it’s due for laundering include visible stains, musty smells, flattened sections, or small dust balls caught in the down fill.
Can I use fabric softener when washing my down duvet?
No, skip the fabric softener. Residues can cling to feather strands and diminish insulation. Use an extra rinse cycle instead to remove traces of mild detergent.
What is the best way to store a down duvet?
Always store flat in a breathable, dry space like under the bed loosely folded in half. Avoid compression which can flatten down clusters. Store clean duvets over summer.
How much does it cost to dry clean a down duvet?
Professionally dry cleaning a king or queen down duvet ranges from $20-50 depending on the cleaner. While a bit gentler, repeated dry cleaning can strip oils too. Home wash is far cheaper when done properly.
How long does a good quality down duvet last?
With proper seasonal cleaning and storage methods, a high fill power goose down duvet will last over a decade easily. Lower quality versions may start to degrade after 5 years.
