My sister gave me this beautiful down comforter for my birthday, and I don’t know how to wash it! Can a down comforter be washed in the washing machine? If not, what do I do?
I want to take good care of it, but I’ve never had a down comforter before and don’t know how to keep it clean!
Holly Burton – Dallas TX
The good news is you can clean your comforter in your home just like you can wash a fleece blanket, but you really need a washing machine without an agitator. These types of machines are normally front loaders. Agitators are notoriously rough on clothes in general, and they can end up doing damage to your comforter, as well as other items over time.
Ensure that your machine is big enough to handle your comforter. If you have to push and shove to cram it into the machine, it’s too small and you should just take it to the laundromat instead to keep from causing damage.
Make sure your detergent is mild. Mix the detergent well with water before the comforter goes into the wash and always use the delicate cycle. Down is fragile and extreme temperatures can harm it.
Use the rinse cycle twice to make sure all the detergent is rinsed out. Then, let the comforter air dry for a little while before putting it in the dryer. Again, use the delicate cycle and low heat. To get more details on cleaning comforters, you can check out our longer article here: https://www.tipsbulletin.com/the-ultimate-guide-on-how-to-wash-a-down-comforter-at-home/
Remember you have to be patient when drying your comforter. It’s going to take a long time and should be completely dry before you remove it or you could end up with mildew in the comforter.
Make sure nothing feels damp, and clumps indicate that part of the down isn’t dry yet, so back into the dryer it should go. When it’s finally dry, however, you should be able to put it right onto your bed all fresh and clean!
