Washing a duvet – what you should pay attention to

Washing duvets in the machine

Your duvet, like clothing or other textiles, has a care label that provides information on how to wash it. The filling and the cover are crucial for the washing recommendations.

Some washing machines even have special programs for duvets or pillows. If your duvet is suitable for machine washing, you should first check that it is not damaged. If the duvet has holes, the filling could escape.

Drum capacity

Ideally, the washing machine drum should only be about half full when washing your duvet. Depending on the volume of the duvet, a small washing machine may not be suitable. In this case, you may need to use a laundrette or dry cleaner, which often have machines with a much larger capacity—sometimes up to 24 kg, compared to the usual 5 or 6 kg of standard household machines.

Washing temperature

Most duvets can be washed at 60°C. This applies to both down and microfiber fillings. Only with silk or cashmere should you carefully check the care label—temperatures above 30°C are not recommended.

Spinning the duvet

Duvets with down filling in particular do not tolerate high spin speeds well. However, even duvets without down or feathers can be delicate. Therefore, choose the lowest possible spin speed, for example 400 revolutions per minute.

Washing a duvet with fabric softener?

Fabric softener makes laundry feel soft—but this does not necessarily apply to duvets. For duvets without animal fillings, you can add a small amount of fabric softener; however, you should definitely avoid it for down duvets, as it can cause clumping.

Washing natural hair duvets

In addition to down fillings, there are also duvets filled with cashmere, camel hair, sheep’s wool, or cotton. These often provide an excellent sleeping climate but can be more challenging to wash. Temperatures above 30°C are not recommended; some of these duvets are even labeled as “not washable.” In such cases, they should be aired regularly. If necessary, only professional cleaning will help.

Washing a down duvet

In general, duvets with down filling can also be washed in the washing machine.

You should keep the following in mind:

Use a low spin speed to prevent the feathers from breaking
Do not use fabric softener to avoid clumping
Use special down detergents and follow the recommended washing temperature

Washing pillows

You can wash your pillow just like a duvet. The advantage is its smaller size, which usually fits more easily into a washing machine. For pillows with down filling, you should follow the same precautions as for down duvets.

Drying the duvet

If you have a dryer, it often includes special programs for duvets or pillows. This allows you to make your duvet ready for use again more quickly. A dryer also reduces the risk of clumping—especially if you add a few old tennis balls during the drying process. The temperature setting should be no higher than medium.

Summary

Like your bed linen, duvet covers (inlets) should also be washed regularly. However, doing so once a year is sufficient. Depending on the material and filling, machine washing is often possible without any issues. Afterwards, your duvet and pillow will be fresh and clean again—and combined with fresh bed linen, your sleep will feel even better.

If your duvet is too large for your washing machine or particularly delicate, it is best to take it to a professional cleaner. Experts there will take care of your duvet and ensure it is properly cleaned. A visit to a nearby laundrette can also be a helpful alternative.

Also read: Washing bed linen: how often and at what temperature is it best?