Down comforters are just that: comforting, fluffy, and warm. When it comes time to cleaning them, however, it’s easy to be concerned about tearing them or otherwise ruining their stuffing. Fortunately, there are a few simple ways to keep your down comforter clean and fresh.
Estimated Time: 2-3 hours
Estimated Cost: $5-$10 (cost of water, soap, energy for washer/dryer)
Materials Needed: Laundry detergent, washer/dryer
Can I Wash Down Comforters and Pillows At Home?
Absolutely! While you should check the care label on your pillow or comforter before washing, most of the time it’s easy to wash your down items at home.
How To Wash A Down Comforter
Check the care label: Before washing your down comforter (or pillow), ensure that it can be machine washed. If you’re cleaning a hand-wash-only item, scroll down to the hand-washing section below. If it’s machine-wash, read on.
Next, pre-treat any visible stains with a solution like Oxiclean. You’ll want to use a pre-treatment to ensure tough stains aren’t ground in.
After pre-treatment, it’s time to prepare your washing machine. Set it to a regular or delicate cycle, but use warm water. Hot or cold water can damage the down. You’ll also want to use a minimal amount of detergent: use just enough to get the job done (typically a half cup or less).
Run your wash cycle, and then you’re all set! All that’s left to do is dry your comforter.
Hand Washing Down Comforters and Pillows
In order to hand-wash a down pillow or comforter, follow the same process as above (check the care label, pre-treat stains) and then pause before the machine washing step. Instead of using your washing machine, place the product in a large basin. Use a small amount of detergent along with warm water, and wash your item by hand. Don’t scrub too hard, use just enough force to clean any soiled areas.
What Is the Best Wash Cycle for Down Comforters and Other Down-Filled Items?
The best cycle for washing a down comforter or pillow is a gentle cycle with warm water, which helps to ensure the down inside won’t be damaged. It can also be helpful to buy special detergents made specifically for down products to ensure the best results.
How To Dry A Down Comforter (or Pillow)
To dry a down product, once again be sure to check the care label! Some down comforters need to be line-dried rather than machine dried. If your comforter can be machine-dried, use the lowest temperature possible. You can also occasionally stop the dry cycle to ensure the comforter isn’t getting too hot. Temperature control is essential when drying down! The same is applicable to pillows (assuming their care label says machine drying is okay).
If your product is line-dry only, simply hang your comforter on a clothesline or bannister to allow it to dry. Pillows can be left out in the sun, but make sure you don’t let them get too hot.
How Often To Wash and Dry Down Items
You should wash (and dry) down-filled items at a cadence based on their care label. Some items may need to be washed monthly while others may only need a wash every few months. The best way to keep your down comforters clean is to follow their individualized care instructions!
How To Store A Down Comforter
Storing a down comforter is simple! Just follow these tips:
- Keep it dry: When your comforter isn’t in use, make sure to use a cloth/cotton bag to store it inside a well-ventilated closet, away from moisture. This will ensure your comforter (or pillow) lasts as long as possible.
- Keep it isolated: Down is sensitive to heavy weights and pressure, so store it on the top of other items, not the bottom. Try to keep it on its own shelf whenever possible.
- Use a cover: As previously mentioned, a cloth/cotton cover is an excellent way to preserve a down comforter. These covers are usually inexpensive but are invaluable for protecting your down items!
Stay Fresh With Help From Taskers
Now that your down items are well protected, you may be thinking: what else needs tidying around here? For all your cleaning needs, hire a Tasker today, and take the stress out of your to-do list.
