Down comforters are the pinnacle of warmth and coziness for your bed. The puffy, pillowy mound of down feathers and lightweight fibers makes you want to curl up under the covers and sleep for days.
But keeping your down comforter clean is tricky business. With the delicate filling and often ornate outer fabrics like silk or satin, you can’t just toss it in the washing machine and expect it to come out unscathed. Special care is required to properly wash a down comforter without ruining it or having it turn into a sodden, dripping mess.
This beginner’s guide will walk you through everything you need to know about caring for, washing, and drying your down comforter at home. We’ll also cover when it’s best to send it to a professional cleaner. With the right techniques, you can keep your down bedding fresh between professional cleanings and extend its lifespan.
Why Proper Down Comforter Care Matters
Taking good care of your down comforter is important for several reasons:
- Maintains insulation and fluffiness. With improper washing, the down fill can become compressed and lose loft. This reduces its ability to trap heat.
- Extends lifespan. Delicate care prevents damage, allowing a quality down comforter to last over 10 years.
- Promotes hygiene. Comforters can accumulate body oils, sweat, dust mites, and other allergens over time. Regular washing keeps it fresh and healthy to sleep with.
- Saves money. Professional cleaning is expensive ($100-300 per comforter) so handling basic upkeep at home reduces costs.
Overview of Washing and Drying Methods
When it’s time to clean your down comforter, you typically have three options:
- Home machine washing: Front or top loading washers can be used if proper settings and detergents are used.
- Professional dry cleaning: Takes special chemicals and large machines but is easiest on the down fill.
- Do-it-yourself dry cleaning: Home dry cleaning kits utilize chemical solvents to clean the comforter.
Later, we’ll explore these techniques more in-depth, including the pros and cons of each.
But first, let’s look at what exactly is inside that fluffy comforter and what makes it require special handling…
The Importance of Eco-Friendly Care
Because down comforters are so resource-intensive to produce, taking good care of them is also beneficial for the environment. As consumers, we can reduce textile waste by making down bedding last as long as possible before needing replacement.
When cleaning, use eco-friendly detergents that are biodegradable and free of phosphates, chlorine, and dyes. Line dry instead of machine drying to conserve energy.
Finally, at the end of a comforter’s lifespan, look into donation, recycling, or responsible disposal options to keep the materials out of landfills. With some care and conscientiousness, our comforters can live out full, sustainable lifecycles from production to breakdown.
Understanding Your Down Comforter’s Fill and Fabric
Before washing, it’s helpful to understand exactly what a down comforter is made of. This insight makes it easier to see why they can be tricky to clean.
There are two main components that require consideration when cleaning:
The Delicate Down Fill
- Down fill consists of the ultra-soft under plumage from ducks or geese. It’s what gives comforters their signature puffiness.
- The individual pieces of down are called plumules. They have natural oils that repel moisture and cluster together to trap body heat.
- When washed improperly, the plumules can clump together and lose fluffiness. They also take a very long time to fully dry.
The Outer Shell Fabric
- Popular outer fabrics include cotton, cotton sateen, silk, microfiber polyester, and damask.
- These materials add a smooth, decorative exterior and help contain the down fill.
- Some fabrics like silk and damask can be damaged by excess water or heat from washing and drying.
Now that you know what’s inside a down comforter, let’s look at the best practices for keeping both the filling and shell fabric clean and undamaged…
Step-By-Step Guide to Washing a Down Comforter at Home
While professional cleaning is ideal every year or two, you can wash your down comforter at home occasionally when it needs a refresh between deeper cleanings. Here is the full overview:
1. Choose the Right Washing Machine
A front-loading washing machine is best for a large down comforter. Top-loaders with an agitator can be too rough on the fill and cause clumping or tearing.
When using a top loader, choose a model with a gentle cycle and no agitator. Set it to the lowest or delicate spin speed.
2. Pre-Treat Any Stains
Apply a pre-wash stain remover or gentle detergent directly on any visible stains. Let it soak in for 30 minutes before washing. This helps lift stains from the outer fabric before throwing the whole comforter in.
3. Use a Mild Detergent
Choose an ultra-delicate detergent, preferably with natural ingredients. Powder detergents dissolve better than liquid with large loads. Stay away from detergents with brighteners or fabric softeners as they can damage fabric.
4. Wash on a Gentle, Cool Cycle
Wash the comforter alone on the gentlest, coolest setting. This lower agitation protects the down filling while still lifting dirt and oils. Warm or hot water can strip healthy body oils from down plumules.
5. Rinse Twice on a Gentle Cycle
Run the comforter through a full double rinse cycle to remove all detergent residue. Leftover soap can clump down clusters and reduce fluffiness. Make sure all suds are gone.
6. Air Dry Completely
It’s critical to completely air dry a down comforter instead of machine drying. Put it outside on a clean, dry surface in sunlight or indoor across drying racks. This preserves maximum loft and avoids heat damage many fabrics can’t withstand.
Proper air drying can take 1-2 days for a large comforter depending on humidity. Fluff the comforter 2-3 times during drying to break up clumps.
And that’s it! While it takes some work, with the right techniques, you can get your comforter fresh and fluffy again at home between trips to the dry cleaner.
Now let’s look closer at both machine wash and hand wash techniques…
Step-By-Step Machine Washing Method
Machine washing at home when done properly can safely rejuvenate a down comforter that’s slightly soiled. Here are more details on this process:
Choosing the Right Washing Machine
Front-load washing machines are the best choice, but many homeowners only have access to a top-loader.
Benefits of Front-Load Washers
- More gentle on fabrics with less stress and pulling
- Can fit extra large and bulky items that might not fit top-loaders
- Low-agitation soaking motion perfect for delicate down
- Eco-friendly – uses less water than top loaders
If you only have access to a top loader, look for the following features:
- No center agitator spindle (this can poke and tear fabric)
- Gentle or delicate cycle settings
- Large high efficiency drum to fit a puffy comforter
Ideal Machine Washing Instructions
Once you’ve selected the right washing machine, follow these instructions for the best results:
- Wash alone on largest, bulkiest comforter setting
- Use cool/cold temperature washes
- Choose the gentlest agitation option without high spin speeds
- Use a mild, additive-free detergent
- Include extra rinse cycles to fully remove soap residue
- Check periodically and stop if too much clumping occurs
- Remove promptly at cycle end and dry properly to restore fluff
Be sure to pre-treat any stubborn stains first. Harsher detergents or hotter water can be used for small stain removal as long as the bulk of the comforter avoids exposure.
Step-By-Step Hand Washing Method
While more labor intensive, hand washing allows complete control for maximum delicacy. Follow these steps:
1. Fill Bathtub with Lukewarm Water
Plug the drain and fill your clean bathtub with warm, not hot water. As a rule of thumb, if you can leave your hand submerged without burning, the temp is safe for down.
Add 2 capfuls of mild down-specific detergent.
2. Soak the Comforter
Gently place the comforter in the water solution. Push down with both hands to wet it completely and ensure the fill is fully saturated. Soak for at least 30 minutes, massaging occasionally.
3. Drain Tub and Rinse
Pull the stopper to drain detergent water, then refill the tub with clean cool water to rinse repeatedly as needed until the rinse water runs clear.
4. Drain and Press Water Out
Lift the wet comforter from the tub and press out excess moisture without wringing or twisting aggressively. Place it flat in a mesh laundry bag.
5. Hang to Dry
Move the laundry bag with comforter to an indoor or outdoor space for controlled air drying, as covered next.
While hand washing in a bathtub takes more physical effort, the gentle soaking and rinsing process leaves down extra clean without damage to feathers or fabric.
Step-by-Step Drying Guidelines
However you washed your down comforter – top loader, front loader, or by hand, follow these air drying methods once clean:
1. Find a Dry, Well-Ventilated Area
Look for an indoor or outdoor spot that is:
- Covered – avoid excess dirt or debris
- Room temperature
- Out of direct sunlight (avoid bleaching)
- Little to no humidity
You can set up drying racks or rope lines indoors in a basement, attic, garage, or large room. Outside works on a covered patio, garage, or under an eve protected from rain/dew.
2. Smooth Out the Comforter Surface
Carefully lift the washed comforter from the washing vessel and lay flat on a clean, dry surface like a sheet. Smooth out any wrinkles or creases so air can fully penetrate the inner down fill.
3. Fluff Periodically
Return every few hours to fluff areas of the comforter as they dry. Vigorously wave your hands underneath to break up any interior clumping happening out of sight. This helps feathers fully dry and restore normal cluster distribution needed to revive loft and warmth.
4. Allow 1-2 Days to Fully Dry
Resist urges to machine dry, even on fluff settings! For a king size down comforter, allow 24-48 hours for thorough drying in ideal indoor room or temperature conditions. Expect longer if drying outdoors.
The comforter fill should feel completely airy and resumed full lofty thickness when fully dry. Give the inner middle extra attention by pressing and feeling for any hidden dampness.
With some time and patience, air drying at room temp allows even the most delicate down bedding to emerge fresh, undamaged, and ready to enjoy for years to come!
Now let’s explore when it’s best to dry clean your comforter instead…
Professional Dry Cleaning Overview
While professional dry cleaning is more expensive, it’s the ideal intensive cleaning method for down comforters every year or two. Here’s a closer look:
The Dry Cleaning Process
At the dry cleaners, down comforters undergo a deep, sanitizing soak in gentle chemical solvents (no water). High powered machines then extract soils, rinse clean, and fluff the filling without rough agitation.
Many dry cleaners also have specialized large size presses designed for bulky bedding instead of just garments. This firmly dries the interior down before a final fluff.
Benefits of Professional Services
Dry cleaner facilities offer certain advantages:
- Powerful stain removing solvents lift years of built up oils
- Better disinfecting capabilities with commercial sanitizers
- Fluff restoring methods unavailable to consumers
- No chance of shrinkage or water damage to delicate fabrics
- Ability to thoroughly dry extra heavy/dense comforters
The result is a masterfully revitalized down comforter restored to like-new quality!
Ideal Cleaning Frequency
While costlier than home washing, dry cleaning every 12-24 months is recommended for a properly maintained down comforter depending on use and soiling levels. yearly for more intensive revitalization and sanitization
Routine home washing can handle light soiling in between while extending the time between professional services. Think of dry cleaning as the deeper “reset” cleaning.
Next is a look at DIY dry cleaning options using home kits…
Dry Cleaning Down At Home
If hauling bedding to professional cleaners seems daunting or costly, home dry cleaning kits provide a decent at-home facsimile:
How Home Dry Cleaning Works
These machine-free kits utilize gentle liquid solvents that dissolve grease and body oils without damaging delicate fabrics or down fill power like water can.
To use them at home:
- Select any stains for spot cleaner pre-treatment
- Place comforter in an large sealable dry cleaning bag
- Apply solvent to bagged item
- Massage the comforter through the bag for 10-15 minutes
- Use mesh bag to spin out moisture in washing machine
- Hang outside or on rack to air dry fully
Low odor and non-flammable formulas make home application safe without a washer. Dry cleaning bags catch excess liquid for reuse.
Pros and Cons of Home Dry Cleaning
Benefits include:
- Gentler on fabrics than detergents and hand washing
- Deodorizes and freshens without water
- Large bag mimics commercial machine agitation when massaged
- More affordable than drop-off service
The drawbacks:
- Not as powerful at removing severe, set-in stains
- Requires more physical effort than machine cleaning
- Possible solvent residue without a press extraction
- Doesn’t sanitize like professional chemical disinfectants
While DIY dry cleaning won’t yield professional level results, it can be a good occasional refresher between deeper cleanings.
Alternative Refreshing Techniques
When your comforter needs a lift between actual washings, here are some other simple refreshing tricks:
Vacuuming
Dirt and dust can accumulate not only on the outer fabric but inside the fill as well simply from indoor air and sleeping environments. Every few months, use the brush attachment of your vacuum cleaner to suck away grime and allergens from the surface, seams, and filling without moisture or agitation.
Sun Exposure
On a hot summer day, lay your comforter outside in direct sunlight for 2-3 hours. The UV rays naturally sanitize fabrics and filling while the heat gently loosens and evaporates clinging odors from perspiration or cooking fumes brought to bed. Rotate occasionally for even exposure.
Handy Maintenance and Storage Tips
Implementing some simple habits can go a long way towards keeping your comforter in top condition between cleanings:
Regular Fluffing
Every week or two, vigorously shake out and fluff the comforter on your bed to redistribute filling and restore even thickness. Focus especially on the middle section you sleep on most directly.
Off-Season Storage
During hot summer months when heavy bedding isn’t needed, store the comforter properly folded or rolled up(not crammed) in a clean breathable cotton case or bag under the bed or on a shelf. Keeping in its’ own dedicated container protects from dust and pests.
Eco-Friendly Care Considerations
As a consumer with an energy-intensive down bedding item, considering sustainability should be part of your ownership. Here are some ideas:
- Seek out detergents that are non-toxic, fragrance/dye free, and biodegradable
- Allow solar drying and reuse drying racks instead of electric dryers
- Consider professional cleaning only when truly needed to conserve water/solvents
- Dispose of old comforters responsibly through donation centers instead of landfills
With some care for the lifecycle impacts, we can keep these luxuriously warm covers in use for years while minimizing environmental footprints.
Common Comforter Cleaning Pitfalls
While we’ve covered comprehensive best practices, putting them into action effectively still takes vigilance. Be sure to avoid these all too common down comforter cleaning mistakes:
Overstuffing Machines
It’s tempting to jam an entire king-size puffy comforter into a top loader and expect a thorough wash. But overfilling leaves no room for agitation and water penetration. Settling for a partial wetting ultimately leads to failed cleaning and possible mold issues. Only machine wash what can movable freely swim about.
Aggressive Heat Drying
It’s natural to want bedding cleaned and dried promptly for quick turnaround and usage. But resist temptation to expedite the process with mechanical drying methods beyond a delicate fluff setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to clean a down comforter at home?
The best way is to wash in a front loading machine on a gentle cycle with mild detergent. After washing, it must be thoroughly air dried instead of tumble dried to prevent heat damage. Proper drying can take 1-2 days.
Can I put my down comforter in the dryer?
No, you should never put down comforters in the dryer even on fluff settings. The high heat can severely damage fabrics andcause the down fill to clump. Always air dry down bedding fully after home washing.
How often should you wash a down comforter?
For light, routine soiling, a down comforter can be gently machine washed once every 2-3 years. But it still needs more intensive cleaning to revitalize. Send out for professional dry cleaning at least once a year for deeper cleaning and sanitization.
Why does my down comforter smell bad?
Down comforters absorb smells over time from environmental odors, food residues, or body sweat and oils. Washing with detergent only soaps the outer layer. To fully eliminate odors and freshen the inner down, dry cleaning solvents must penetrate deeper.
Can you put a down comforter in the washing machine?
Yes, you can machine wash down comforters at home if using a front loader on gentle settings with mild detergent. Agitators in top loaders can excessively pull and tear the inner baffles. Avoid frequent machine washing to prevent damage over time.
How do you re-fluff a down comforter after washing?
After home washing, properly air drying while repeatedly fluffing is key to restoring loft and thickness. Use your hands to vigorously shake and redistribute the inner fill every few hours during the 24-48 hour drying period. Focus on creases and lumpy spots until full, even puffiness is restored.
What detergent is best for washing down comforters?
Use an ultra-delicate powder detergent without optical brighteners or fabric softeners which can strip natural feather oils. Choose plant-based formulas free of dyes, perfumes, phosphates and chlorine for both environmental and safety reasons. Always double rinse.
