Set the heat to the lowest setting and expect the drying process to take at least three hours. Stop the dryer every 30 minutes, remove the comforter, and gently fluff it to distribute the down evenly. Make sure the comforter isn't getting too hot, as too much heat can scorch the down fibers.
Yes, you can put a down comforter in the dryer. However, you should make sure to use a low heat setting to prevent damage to the down filling. Adding a clean pair of canvas shoes or tennis balls to the dryer can also help fluff up the comforter as it dries.
Air-Drying and Storage
If the item is still slightly damp, lay it on a clothesline on a warm, breezy day to dry the filling as much as possible. This is also a good practice to follow a few times a year to freshen the items—lay them on a flat surface in the sun for 2 to 3 hours before returning them to your home.
Down is comprised of feathers and feathers cannot be put into a washing machine. So no, you cannot wash a down duvet.
What are the steps to fluff a new down comforter? Dry your comforter with 3 clean tennis balls. Throw your comforter in the dryer. Throw the 3 tennis balls in there. Cycle it on low twice. Pick a down comforter one size larger than the duvet cover. Fluff the insert a few times before putting it inside the duvet cover.
To help fluff the comforter and keep it from bunching together, try adding wool dryer balls. 3. Select the lowest heat setting and press start. Depending on the size of your comforter, it may take two to four hours for the down to dry completely.
Front-loading washing machines without agitators work best for cleaning a down comforter. King and queen comforters need washing machines with an extra-large capacity, while twin-size comforters tend to be okay in a full-capacity machine.
Down duvets are best dried in tumble dryers. Again, as with washing, drying should also be done at minimal heat setting. The reason is that heat can cause shrinkage. When you are drying in the tumble dryer, throw a tennis ball or two in it.
Old down comforters can be repurposed or recycled, reducing waste and giving them a second life. You can donate a down comforter if it's in good condition; several local charities and shelters accept these items.
Comforters are also inviting to bed bug populations. To control bed bugs on a comforter, put it in your dryer on high heat. This helps by killing eggs, nymphs and adults.
Set the machine to a gentle or delicate cycle. Avoid using the spin cycle, which can be too rough. To help make sure your washing machine removes all the detergent, add an extra rinse cycle. Proper rinsing is a key step in cleaning a down comforter at home.
A comforter or duvet insert isn't subject to the same direct contact as sheets and blankets, so people often get the most mileage out of this bedding item. The best quality down comforters can last up to twenty years, while down alternative comforters have a shorter life expectancy—about five to ten years.
When the wash cycle is complete, wash the comforter again (gentle cycle) with no soap. This 2nd cycle with no soap will help assure that all soap residue is rinsed from the down clusters. Use a gentle non-bleach detergent, such as Le Blanc Downwash or Tide PureClean Liquid (unscented).
Risk of Damage: Introducing a heavily soaked blanket into your dryer can significantly strain the appliance's mechanism. The additional weight increases the stress on the dryer's motor and can lead to mechanical failures or decreased efficiency over time.
The secret to the down comforter's success is that the down plume traps the air between the outside cold and your body, so you don't get cold but you don't get too hot either.
Place your comforter in a large capacity dryer. Add a few clean tennis balls wrapped in white socks. The tennis balls will help break up clumps as the comforter tumbles. Use a low heat setting and check every 15-20 minutes.
Set aside enough time to tumble dry a duvet. 'The amount of time it takes ranges depending on your dryer,' says Elyse. 'A vented dryer will do this most quickly, in as little as 30 or 45 minutes. A ventless dryer can take more than two hours, though it will be gentler on the material.
The square with a circle inside is the general symbol for tumble drying. If you see it on a laundry label, your item can be tumble-dried, and it's safe to put it in the dryer.
To dry a down comforter properly, use a large-capacity dryer on low heat. Add clean tennis balls to prevent clumping and ensure even drying. Check periodically to fluff and redistribute the filling, and avoid direct sunlight, which can damage the fabric and filling.
Mites multiply quickly in high humidity and can take up residence in sheets and blankets in a matter of days. Wash your bedding (including comforters and duvet covers) weekly in hot water and use a hot dryer. It is not necessary to replace them with new linens. But if you'd rather start fresh, spring for new pillows.
Taking a Down Comforter to the Dry Cleaner
It's important to note that this method tends to be relatively more expensive, with costs typically ranging between $30 and $50 per comforter.
But be warned that a machine that's too small for your comforter can flatten its down fill, making it lose its natural fluffiness. If your home machine is too small to allow plenty of room for washing and drying, you're better off taking your down comforter to the laundromat.
To wash a down comforter without ruining it, use a front-loading washing machine with a gentle cycle. Use a mild detergent that is specifically designed for down-filled items. Avoid using fabric softener or bleach as they can damage the down filling.
Over the course of a few hours, the down will regain much of its natural loft. After that, give it a good shake each day to redistribute the fill. Some customers report that their new comforters continue to gain loft for a week or even two.