How to clean a comforter or duvet at home

Step by step

1. 1

   Read the care label

   Check whether the comforter is washable, what temperature it takes and whether it can be tumble-dried. Some comforters, including some synthetic-fill ones, are dry-clean only. The laundry symbols guide explains the icons.

   Why: The label reflects what the shell and the fill can survive. One bedding maker's synthetic comforter is dry-clean only while its down comforter is washable.

2. 2

   Pretreat stains

   Work a stain remover or a little liquid detergent into any spots and give it the time on the label. Use cold water and an enzyme product on blood and other body soil.

   Why: Stains that are still there when the comforter goes in the dryer can set with the heat.

3. 3

   Check the washer is big enough

   The comforter should fit loosely with room to move. If you have to cram it in, take it to a laundromat and use a large-capacity machine.

   Why: Purdue Extension notes that overloaded washers clean poorly and strain the machine, and a bulky wet comforter can unbalance the drum.

4. 4

   Wash it alone on a gentle cycle

   Wash one comforter at a time with a small amount of mild detergent, on the gentle or delicate cycle, at the temperature on the label (often warm).

   Why: Gentle agitation protects the stitching that keeps the fill in its channels. Too much detergent is hard to rinse out of thick fill.

5. 5

   Rinse twice

   Run at least one extra rinse. Press a corner when it comes out: if you see suds, rinse again.

   Why: Detergent left in the fill leaves residue and can make it smell or clump. One bedding maker rinses its down comforter twice, and the University of Florida guide uses several rinses.

6. 6

   Dry low and slow, fluffing as you go

   Tumble-dry on low with tennis balls or a dry towel. Stop every cycle to pull it out, shake it and break up clumps, then run another low cycle. Keep going until it feels evenly dry, including the center and corners. You can also lay it flat to air-dry.

   Why: Movement and even drying keep the fill from clumping. A comforter that is still damp inside will mildew in storage or on the bed.

What a comforter is made of, and what that rules out

A comforter or duvet insert is a fabric shell (cotton, polyester or silk) stitched into channels or boxes and filled with down, feathers, synthetic fiber or wool. A duvet insert usually lives inside a removable cover, which is just a large pillowcase and washes like a sheet.

The fill is the issue. It soaks up a lot of water, gets heavy, and holds onto detergent. That rules out small or overloaded washers, harsh agitation, a single quick dryer cycle, and any shortcut that leaves the inside damp. Wool fill and silk shells usually have tighter limits, so follow the label or use a professional cleaner.

How often to wash a comforter or duvet

Purdue Extension suggests washing blankets and comforters monthly, or, if you use a removable duvet cover, washing the cover monthly and the insert only two to four times a year. For dust mite allergy, NIEHS and the AAAAI recommend washing bedding weekly in hot water (130°F or more). If your comforter's label doesn't allow hot water, follow the label; NIEHS notes that non-washable bedding can be frozen overnight to kill dust mites.

By situation

Blood on a comforter

Use cold water only. Blot the spot, then flush or dab it with cold water from the back if you can reach it. Apply an enzyme detergent or presoak to the spot, give it at least 30 minutes, then wash. Check it before drying: heat sets blood. For a brown shadow, use oxygen bleach on colorfast fabric. The same steps for bed linens are in blood on sheets.

Spot-cleaning a comforter you can't wash

Lay the stained area over a towel, dab it with a cloth dampened in mild detergent solution, then blot with plain water so no soap is left. Use as little water as possible and dry the spot with a fan. Take dry-clean-only comforters to a cleaner and point out the stain.

Cleaning a comforter in the bathtub

If it's too big for your washer, a bathtub works. Fill a few inches of lukewarm water with a little mild detergent, press the comforter down and knead it gently. Drain, refill with clean water and press again; repeat until no suds appear. Press out the water rather than wringing, then dry it in a large dryer on low or flat on a rack, turning it often.

Freshening a comforter in the dryer

A low-heat tumble with tennis balls fluffs the fill and shakes out some dust between washes. It doesn't clean it, and it shouldn't be used on a comforter with an untreated stain.

Down comforters

Down is washable when the label allows: gentle cycle, mild detergent, two rinses, and a long, low dry with tennis balls. Down dries slowest in the middle, so allow extra time and check for clumps.

What not to do

• Don't cram a comforter into a small washer. It won't get clean, and the heavy wet load can unbalance and strain the machine.
• Don't machine-wash a comforter labeled dry clean only. Some fills and shells are damaged by washing.
• Don't use or store a comforter that's still damp inside. Damp fill grows mildew and smells.
• Don't put a stained comforter in a hot dryer. Heat sets stains, especially protein stains like blood.

Other methods that work

Laundromat washer and dryer

Large-capacity machines give a king comforter room to move and dry evenly. It's often the best option for bulky down.

Professional cleaning

For dry-clean-only comforters, silk shells, wool fill and heirloom quilts.

Caution: Tell the cleaner about any stains, and what caused them.

Washing only the duvet cover

With a removable cover, most routine cleaning is just washing the cover like a sheet, which protects the insert from body oil and stains.

Stain still there?

The fill is clumped after drying

It's still damp inside or needs more fluffing. Run more low cycles with tennis balls, pulling the clumps apart by hand between cycles.

The comforter smells musty after washing

It wasn't fully dried, or detergent stayed in the fill. Rinse again if soapy, then dry until it's completely dry through.

A stain is still there after washing

Don't dry it with heat. Treat the spot again with the right remover, let it work, and rewash.

Questions

More guides for this room

• How to clean a mattress, including stains and smells
• How to clean pillows: washer, dryer, by hand and foam