The Ultimate Guide to Washing Your Duvet

Let’s be honest, washing your duvet probably isn’t top of your weekend plans. But it is the secret to a cleaner, healthier bed. While duvet covers offer a layer of protection, your duvet still accumulates dust, skin particles, and natural oils over time. The longer you leave your duvet unwashed, the more likely it is that dust mites will become a common feature in your bedroom.

Washing a duvet might seem daunting, but with the right knowledge, it’s a simple process you can easily manage at home. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the best way to clean your duvet, offering specific advice for different fillings and sizes.

In this guide, we'll cover:

• Check the Care Label
• Pre-Wash Prep & Spot Treatment
• Washing Your Duvet by Filling Type
• Washing Large Duvets at Home
• How to Dry Your Duvet
• Troubleshooting Common Issues
• Storing Your Duvet
• Knowing When to Replace Your Duvet

Check the care label

Tempting as it is to throw it in and hope for the best, your care label is there for a reason. It’ll tell you the best temperature, washing method, and whether your duvet is machine washable, hand wash only, or needs a professional clean.

Prepping your duvet for the wash

A little preparation ensures a successful duvet wash:

1. Remove the duvet cover.

2. Inspect for tears: Check for any small holes or undone seams as washing a damaged duvet can lead to filling escaping. Mend any issues before washing.

3. Pre-treat stains: The quicker you act on stains, the easier they are to remove. Start by blotting with a clean cloth or paper towel, then dab the stain with a cloth soaked in cold water. For stubborn stains, apply a small amount of mild liquid laundry detergent, or a paste of two parts bicarbonate of soda to one part water. 

Washing your duvet at home: step-by-step by filling type

The washing method depends on your duvet's filling, so we’ll take you through the steps for different duvet types. 

Can I wash my duvet in the washing machine?

Yes, in many cases! Most synthetic duvets and plenty of feather or down styles can go in the machine as long as they fit. If your duvet fills more than three-quarters of the drum, it won’t clean properly and might damage the machine. In that case, it’s best to wash by hand or take it to a laundrette.

How to wash a synthetic duvet

Synthetic duvets, such as our Feels Like Down Duvet Collection made from microfibre, are generally the easiest to wash at home.

1. Check the label: Our Feels Like Down duvet can be washed at 40⁰C.

2. Machine capacity: Ensure your duvet fits comfortably in your washing machine (no more than three-quarters full). See "Washing Large Duvets" below.

3. Detergent: Use a small amount of liquid detergent (about a third of a normal load). Household brands like Persil Non-Bio Liquid or Fairy Non-Bio Liquid are good. Avoid biological detergents.

4. Wash cycle: Choose a 40⁰C wash, or 60⁰C to make sure dust mites are killed.

5. Post-wash shake: Remove the damp duvet and give it a good shake to redistribute the filling evenly before drying.

How to wash a feather or down duvet

Duvets with natural fillings like feather and down, including our Supreme 80% Goose Down Duvet Collection and Duck Feather & Down Duvet Collection require slightly more care.

1. Check the label: Our duvets can be laundered at 40⁰C, but others may require professional cleaning.

2. Machine fit: Feather and down duvets can be bulky. Double-check your duvet fits well into your washing machine. If too snug, consider hand washing, take it to a laundrette with larger machines or choose professional cleaning.

3. Detergent: Use a small amount of a mild, liquid, enzyme-free detergent (often labelled "non-bio"). Avoid bleach or brighteners.

4. Wash cycle: Select a gentle or delicate cycle with warm water (30°C or 40°C).

5. Add dryer balls: Add one or two clean tennis balls or specific dryer balls to the washing machine to prevent feathers from clumping.

6. Extra rinse: Run an extra rinse cycle to ensure all detergent residue is removed.

7. Shake & prepare for drying: Give it a good shake to redistribute the filling before drying.

How to wash a wool duvet

Some duvets may incorporate wool, which typically requires a specific wool or hand wash cycle and a specialist wool detergent. Follow with a thorough spin cycle to remove held water.

Washing large duvets at home

While most machines handle single or double duvets, a king size or super king size duvet might be a tight squeeze.

You’ll want to aim for your duvet to fill three-quarters of the drum at the most. If it’s packed more tightly than this, it won't get truly clean.

Here's a general guide for washing machine drum capacities (in kilograms):

Duvet too big for your machine? You could try:

• Hand washing: Use your bathtub to hand wash. Simply add detergent to lukewarm water, swish to create suds then submerge your duvet. Make sure to knead so your duvet gets clean.

• Professional cleaning: Many laundrettes have industrial-sized washing machines.

How to dry your duvet

Drying your duvet properly is crucial. A damp duvet is a breeding ground for mildew and can rot natural fillings. Even if the surface feels dry, moisture can be trapped inside, so allow plenty of time.

Can you tumble-dry a duvet?

Many duvets can be tumble dried, but check the care label first.

• Temperature: Keep a low temperature and don't exceed 60⁰C.

• Cycles: You may need multiple cycles for larger duvets.

• Dryer balls: Add two or three clean tennis balls or specific dryer balls. These fluff the filling, prevent clumping, and speed up drying time.

• Regular fluffing: Every 20-30 minutes, remove, shake, and break up clumps by hand. This ensures even drying.

• Check for dampness: Continue drying until it's completely dry with no signs of internal dampness when pressed.

How to dry a duvet without a dryer

Air drying is natural and energy-efficient, though it takes longer.

• Outdoor drying: On a warm, sunny, breezy day, hang your duvet on a sturdy washing line or over a railing. Rotate and fluff frequently.

• Indoor drying: If outdoor drying isn't possible, choose the warmest, best-ventilated room. Hang it over a sturdy clothes horse, ensuring maximum airflow. Using a fan or dehumidifier will speed drying.

• Fluff frequently: Periodically shake and fluff to redistribute filling and help it dry evenly.

• Be patient: Air drying can take 24-48 hours, or longer. Do not put it back on your bed until it is completely dry.

Troubleshooting common duvet washing issues

• Still clumpy? Needs more tumbling with dryer balls, or more vigorous shaking and hand-fluffing.

• Lingering odour? Likely not completely dry. Return it to the dryer or continue air drying. Bicarbonate of soda can also absorb odours.

• Stains won't budge? For very old or stubborn stains, a professional cleaner might be best to avoid damaging the duvet.

How to store a duvet

If you’re rotating your DUSK duvet or storing a spare, proper storage maintains its quality:

• Ensure it's bone dry: Absolutely crucial to prevent mildew.

• Vacuum-sealed bags: Excellent for saving space and protecting from dust mites, moisture, and odours.

• Breathable bags: If no vacuum bag, use a large cotton or linen bag, or a clean cotton sheet. Avoid plastic bags.

• Cool, dry place: Store in a cool, dark, low-humidity environment (e.g., linen cupboard).

How often should you replace your duvet?

Even with the best care, duvets don't last forever. It's generally recommended to replace your duvet every five years, though this varies.

Look for these warning signs that your duvet might be ready for retirement:

• Thin and limp: If it feels flatter, its filling may have compressed, reducing insulation.

• Lumpy or uneven: If the filling is clumpy despite fluffing, it won't provide even warmth.

• Rips, tears, or thinning casing: Physical damage can lead to filling leakage.

• Lingering odours: If it still smells unpleasant after a thorough cleaning.

When the time comes, explore our luxurious range of DUSK duvets. From feather-light down to breathable microfibre, you'll find the perfect blend of warmth, comfort, and quality for cosy nights.