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Duvets, which are used every night, accumulate various kinds of dirt, including sweat, dander, dead skin cells, and food crumbs during sleep. Duvets that are damp and dirty become breeding grounds for dust mites and mold, which thrive in such conditions.
This article explains how to wash a duvet, addressing questions like, "Can I wash it in my washing machine at home?", "Should I take it to a laundromat?", and "Is it even okay to wash a duvet?"
Can you wash a duvet at home?
When determining if you can wash a duvet at home, check various conditions, such as whether the material is washable, if it fits in your washing machine, and if you have a suitable drying environment. Even if you can't use a washing machine, you can also wash it in a bathtub.
1: Check if the duvet is made of washable material
First, check if it can be washed with water. All duvets have care labels, so remove the cover and look for it.
If the care symbol has an "X" mark, it means it's not washable with water, so send it to a dry cleaner. If there's a hand symbol or the text "Hand wash," it means "not machine washable, but hand washable," so hand wash it in a bathtub or similar instead of using a washing machine.
Care symbols were updated in 2016, so symbols may vary depending on the duvet. Check the meaning of the symbols to determine if it can be washed.
2: Check if it fits in the washing machine
Once you know it can be machine washed, check if the duvet fits into your home washing machine.
For thick duvets, a washing machine with a capacity of 10kg or more is recommended. Thinner duvets can be washed in a more compact machine, but stuffing it in forcefully is a no-no as it can cause tears and damage. If it doesn't fit in your washing machine, use a laundromat with a large washing machine.
3: Check if you have a drying environment and suitable weather
Duvets are large, so you need to check if you have a suitable drying environment. The appropriate drying method (sun-drying or shade-drying) varies by material, so check if you have space on your balcony or indoors to dry it. Generally, down and silk floss duvets are best shade-dried, while polyester and cotton duvets are suitable for sun-drying.
Duvets are difficult to dry completely; often, the surface may feel dry, but the inside is still damp. Storing it before it's completely dry can lead to mold, bacteria, and unpleasant odors, so make sure it's thoroughly dry before storing. Even sun-drying can take more than two days, so check the weather forecast in advance to ensure suitable drying conditions.
4: There's also the option of washing it in the bathtub
For duvets made of materials that can only be hand-washed or duvets that are too large for a washing machine, you can try washing them by hand in a bathtub.
To wash, first fill the bathtub halfway with water, add a neutral detergent for delicate clothes, and mix well to create a washing solution. The amount of detergent can be approximate, referring to the recommended usage on the label.
Place the duvet in the washing solution in the bathtub and gently step on it to loosen the dirt. Once you've stepped on the entire duvet, flip it over and repeat the process on the other side. Drain the dirty water, refill with clean water, and step on it evenly again to rinse. Repeat 2-3 times until no more suds appear, then the rinsing is complete.
Hang the washed duvet over the edge of the bathtub, and wait for the water to drip off completely. After about an hour, once most of the water has drained, hang it on a clothesline to dry thoroughly.
Care methods when you can't wash at home
There are two cases where you can't wash a duvet at home: when the duvet is too large to fit in the washing machine, and when it's simply not washable with water.
1: Laundromat
Even if your duvet is too large for your home washing machine, you can wash it in the bathtub, but it's a lot of work and takes time. If you don't want to wash it in the bathtub, take it to a laundromat that has large washer-dryer machines capable of washing duvets.
To protect your duvet, place it in a laundry net and use a neutral detergent for delicate clothes. When using a laundromat's washing machine, it's recommended to use sheet-type fabric softener instead of liquid.
2: Dry cleaner
Duvets with a "do not wash" symbol cannot be machine-washed, so take them to a dry cleaner. Different dry cleaners may handle different materials, so it's a good idea to check if they can accommodate your duvet before bringing it in.
Even if a duvet is made of a material that cannot be handled by a general dry cleaner, a specialized duvet cleaning service might be able to help, so it's worth inquiring.
Occasionally, duvets may not have a care label; in such cases, it's also best to entrust them to a specialized duvet cleaning service. A specialized duvet cleaning service will wash it using the most suitable method even without a care label.
Reasons why you should wash your duvet
It's said that people sweat about one cup's worth during a night's sleep. Duvets accumulate various types of dirt, including not only this sweat but also dander, dead skin cells, and food crumbs. A warm duvet that is damp and dirty becomes the most favorable breeding ground for dust mites and mold.
Dust mites and mold can not only trigger allergies such as asthma and eczema but can also lead to more severe conditions like pneumonia and bronchitis. Therefore, it is essential to wash your duvet regularly for your health.
Duvet washing frequency
You don't need to wash your duvet every month; aim to wash it about once every six months.
Washing a duvet thoroughly will eliminate most dust mites and mold, but after about six months, dander, dead skin cells, and moisture accumulate, leading to the reappearance of dust mites and mold. A good time to wash it is when you switch from a summer duvet to a winter duvet. Washing it before storing it, rather than before using it, will prevent dirt from setting in and allow for clean storage.
How to keep unwashable duvets clean
Depending on the material and type of duvet, washing may not always be possible. Still, here are some recommended ways to keep it clean.
1: Use a duvet cover
If you can't wash the duvet itself, use a duvet cover to prevent it from getting dirty in the first place, and wash the cover about once a week.
Using a cover can reduce dirt and wear-and-tear damage to the duvet itself, and washing the cover helps maintain cleanliness.
2: Sun-dry (down duvets)
To maintain the fluffiness of a down duvet, sun-drying is recommended. Drying it removes moisture, allowing the down to fluff up again. However, down is very delicate, so prolonged direct sunlight can cause damage. Therefore, dry it for about an hour, then flip it over and dry for another hour. In a well-ventilated area, shade drying can also be quite effective.
Vacuuming after drying is recommended to remove dust mites. Additionally, gently brush with a dedicated duvet brush to remove dust. Do not beat the duvet with a futon beater after drying. This can damage the down and push any dust mites that have come to the surface back inside.
3: Send it to a specialized duvet cleaning service
If you can't wash your duvet at home or at a local dry cleaner, entrust it to a specialized duvet cleaning service. Professional cleaning can remove stubborn dirt that you can't get rid of yourself, and minimize damage. Also, if the service offers mail-in cleaning, you can easily send your duvet from anywhere in the country.
It's recommended to check beforehand, as some specialized cleaning services may not be able to handle duvets with silk outer fabric or those requiring repairs, depending on the material and design.
How to wash in a washing machine
Here are the steps and tips for washing your duvet in a home washing machine. Before you begin, to avoid damaging your precious duvet, always check the care label carefully to confirm if it's machine washable in the first place.
For down duvets, always check if they are quilted. If they are not quilted, the down inside will shift during regular washing, so please take them to a dry cleaner.
What to prepare and check beforehand
Laundry net
If you put the duvet in the washing machine without a laundry net, the fabric may rub and tear, so prepare a laundry net large enough to fit the duvet.
Liquid detergent for delicate clothes & liquid fabric softener
We recommend using a liquid detergent for delicate clothes (neutral detergent) because it dissolves easily in water. Especially for down duvets, be careful as washing with alkaline detergent, which removes too much oil, can damage their fluffiness.
If you prefer a soft finish, prepare a liquid fabric softener as well.
Check duvet drying space
Assume that a duvet will take longer to dry than you expect. If stored before it's completely dry, it can lead to mold, dust mites, and odors.
The best place is a well-ventilated area where you can spread the duvet out to air dry in the shade. If drying outdoors, check the weather forecast for the day of washing and 2-3 days afterward to ensure no rain. For a dryer, it would be difficult with a home-sized dryer, as it would need to be very large to prevent the fabric from rubbing and getting damaged.
If you can't secure a drying space, consider washing at a laundromat or dry cleaner.
1: Fold it into a circle and put it in a laundry net
Fold the duvet into a cylinder shape and place it in a laundry net. First, fold it lengthwise into thirds, then gently press out the air as you roll it to fit neatly.
If the filling is cotton, tying it with string in about three places can prevent the cotton from shifting. Cotton string is recommended as it's less likely to come undone during washing.
2: Fill the washing machine with water and dissolve the detergent
For top-loading washing machines, before adding the duvet, start the machine, fill it to the maximum water level, and add liquid detergent. Dissolving the detergent beforehand prevents it from directly staining the duvet, which could cause discoloration, and ensures the detergent is evenly distributed. Add the duvet once the detergent is fully dissolved.
For front-loading washing machines, you cannot fill with water beforehand, but to prevent detergent from directly contacting the duvet, add the liquid detergent to the detergent dispenser and set the water level to maximum.
If setting the water temperature, use lukewarm water, as temperatures above 50°C can strip the oils from the down clusters in down duvets, impairing their fluffiness.
3: Select the duvet or blanket washing course
If there's a dedicated course like "Duvet" or "Blanket Wash," choose that. Otherwise, select a gentle cycle such as "Hand Wash" or "Delicates." If only standard cycles are available, aim for about 6 minutes of washing, 2 rinses, and 1-2 minutes of spin-drying.
If you have time, soaking the duvet in the washing machine is recommended. After running the machine briefly to ensure the duvet is thoroughly wet, pause the cycle. Let it soak in the lukewarm water with detergent for about 10 minutes, then resume washing. This allows the detergent to penetrate the inner material thoroughly, making it more effective at removing dirt than regular washing.
4: Add fabric softener and run
Many washing machines now allow you to add fabric softener beforehand, but if there's no dedicated compartment, add the fabric softener during the rinse cycle. As with detergent, be careful not to pour it directly onto the duvet, as this can cause unevenness or stains.
5: Spin dry for 1-2 minutes
The spin cycle of a washing machine can be harsh on duvets, so limit it to 1-2 minutes. Prolonged spinning can damage the fabric or cause the internal material to clump.
6: Hang in an M-shape to dry
If you hang it on a single clothesline, it will not only take longer to dry, but the weight of the water will also cause the internal material to shift. Therefore, use two clotheslines. Hang the ends of the duvet over each clothesline, allowing a slight sag in the middle to create an M-shape. This improves air circulation for faster drying and reduces the weight, preventing the internal material from shifting.
For down duvets, gently pat the duvet every few hours to fluff up any clumped down, which will enhance its plumpness.
Direct sunlight can cause fading, so if drying outdoors, place a cover over the duvet.
If you have a large dryer at home, you can also use it. Dry the duvet by moving it frequently. For down duvets, adding tennis balls helps to fluff up the down, resulting in a softer finish.
How to wash in a laundromat
Similar to washing in a home washing machine, first carefully check the care label to confirm if it's machine washable. If your home washing machine is too small, take it to a laundromat with large washing machines.
For down duvets, always check if they are quilted. If they are not quilted, the down inside will shift during regular washing, so please take them to a dry cleaner.
What to prepare and check beforehand
Laundry net
If you put the duvet in the washing machine without a laundry net, the fabric may rub and tear, so prepare a laundry net large enough to fit the duvet.
Liquid detergent for delicate clothes & sheet-type fabric softener
If the detergent isn't automatically dispensed, prepare a liquid detergent for delicate clothes (neutral detergent) that dissolves easily in water. For down duvets in particular, be careful as washing with alkaline detergents, which remove too much oil, can damage their fluffiness.
For fabric softener used at laundromats, sheet-type is recommended over liquid.
Check the size of the washing machine at the laundromat
First, check if your duvet will fit in the laundromat's washing machine. If the machine is too small, it won't be able to spin dry effectively and will take longer. Choose a size where the drum is about 90% full when the duvet is inside. If there's a dedicated duvet washing machine, a snug fit is fine.
1: Choose a washing machine that fits the size
Choose a washing machine that is the right size, so that when the duvet is put in, the drum is about 90% full. Be careful not to choose a machine that is too large, as this can create excessive space in the drum, causing the duvet to lose its shape.
2: Fold it into a circle and put it in a laundry net
Fold the duvet into a cylinder shape and place it in a laundry net. First, fold it lengthwise into thirds, then gently press out the air as you roll it to fit neatly.
If the filling is cotton, tying it with string in about three places can prevent the cotton from shifting. Cotton string is recommended as it's less likely to come undone during washing.
3: Select the duvet or blanket washing course
Add detergent and fabric softener to the designated compartments. If there's a dedicated course like "Duvet" or "Blanket Wash," choose that. Otherwise, select a gentle cycle such as "Hand Wash" or "Delicates." If only standard cycles are available, aim for about 6 minutes of washing, 2 rinses, and 1-2 minutes of spin-drying.
4: Put it in a larger sized dryer
Transfer the washed duvet to a large dryer. Immediately after washing, the duvet will be compressed, but it will fluff up and return to its original size once dry, so choose a large dryer. As a guide, the wet duvet should take up less than one-third of the dryer's capacity.
Even if the surface of the duvet feels warm and dry, the inside may still be damp, so use the dryer for at least 1 hour. Incomplete drying can lead to mold, dust mites, and odors, so it's very important to dry it thoroughly. If you can dry it at home, you can shorten the drying time and finish drying it there.
Tip: Wash only the same type of duvet
Laundromats have large washing machines, so you might consider washing multiple duvets at once. However, when washing duvets, if the balance is off during the spin cycle, it won't dry properly. So, wash only down duvets with other down duvets, and blankets with other blankets.
Washable duvets are recommended
We've outlined methods and precautions for washing duvets. Washing large, slow-drying duvets can be a hassle, but it's important to wash them regularly to prevent mold, dust mites, and odors.
Many duvets with easy-to-wash materials and sizes are available, so if you want to maintain cleanliness easily, choosing a washable duvet is also recommended.
