Can You Wash a Down Comforter in the Washing Machine?

Yes, you can wash a down comforter in a washing machine at home! Just make sure to wash it with cold water on a gentle cycle.

You can also use milder washing solutions to avoid harming your down comforter.

When it comes to washing a down comforter, many confusions arise. So, to avoid that confusion, we have laid out a complete guide for washing a down comforter by yourself.

Make sure to read on to find out step-by-step instructions, answers to all of your queries, and some valuable washing tips.

Is It Safe to Put a Down Comforter in a Washer

Is It Safe to Put a Down Comforter in a Washing Machine?

It depends on the type of fabric and material used in the washer.

If it’s made out of cotton or similar natural fabrics, then it’s fine to put it in a washing machine.

On the other hand, if it’s made of synthetic fabrics or polyester, you should avoid putting it in a washing machine. It may tear or wear out too quickly.

Many of the down comforters are safe to be washed in a washing machine, but you must read the care label to learn more about the type of comforter you have.

However, just like every other delicate piece of textile, a few things need to be kept in mind with washing a down comforter.

A full-sized washing machine, mild detergents, gentle wash cycles, and optimum temperature are all needed.

Let’s look at the machine’s proper method of washing a down comforter.

How to Wash Down Comforters in a Washing Machine?

Before placing your don comforter in the washing machine, you first need to look for any physical damage in the comforter, like any holes, loose thread, or tears.

If you find any, please secure them in the first place.

Step 1: Prewash Treatment

In this step, you must spot clean if you find any stubborn stains. For spot cleaning,

Prepare normal soapy water.
Soak a cotton swab in it,
Rub the stains with it.

Step 2: Load It into the Washing Machine

Now that your down comforter is ready to be put in the washing machine stuff it into the machine and keep these points in your mind.

Make sure to have a full-sized washing machine. If you don’t have one, you’ll need to visit a local laundromat.
Try to spread the comforter out as much as you can. The More the space comforter has to move, the more it will wash efficiently.
Avoid twisting and folding it too much.
Add a mild laundry detergent in less quantity.
Never add bleach at any cost.
Do not use fabric softener. It can reduce the fluff of the comforter.

Step 3: Adjust the Settings of Your Washing Machine

Here are some important points to be followed when adjusting the settings of your washing machine.

Opt for a gentle wash cycle.
Add an extra rinse cycle. This helps wash away any extra dirt or detergent residue left behind.
As far as the water temperature is concerned, we prefer it to be cold. Hot or warm water can potentially shrink the comforter.
Spin speed should be fast. This will help in taking out moisture as much as possible.

Step 4: Dry It Out

After the wash cycle is completed, it’s time to dry out the comforter.

The process of completely drying out the down comforter can be time-consuming, so you need to be patient with it.

You can always choose air-drying but if you do not have a room where you can spread it, then follow these steps for drying it out in a dryer.
Place the just-washed down comforter in a dryer available with the largest capacity.
You may add some old tennis balls or dryer balls in between to avoid getting clumps in the comforter. This would also speed up the drying process and let the comforter dry evenly.
Just like you did with the wash cycle, stick with low temperature. A high temperature would dry it quickly but damage it as well. So be patient! It can take up to hours!
During the time when the comforter is in the dryer, you need to be vigilant. Every hour or so, take the comforter out and shake it a bit to maintain the fluff.
After the process is completed, you can air dry it for some time in a well-ventilated area. If you do not have enough space, you can simply drop it over a few chairs in a room under a fan.

Can you Dry-Clean a Down Comforter?

We would never recommend you to get your down comforter dry cleaned. The harsh chemicals that are used in the process can undeniably damage the interior of the down comforter.

It is usually written on the care labels that it is dry clean safe. You can have it as an option as it is a safer way to prevent the comforter’s shrinkage.

If you cannot wash the down comforter at home, you can ask the dry cleaner to do it with a little extra care.

How Often Should You Wash Your Comforter?

If you have kept your comforter inside a removable cover then, washing the whole comforter once every two years would be enough.

On the other hand, if you do not have a removable cover, you should wash it once a year.

That would be good enough. We would suggest you get a cover on your down comforter in the first place so that you can simply pull out the cover only and wash it whenever it feels less than fresh.

However, one must wash the comforter even with a cover on it.

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Final Words

So, that was all about getting a down comforter washed in a washing machine.

We hope that by now, you have no more confusion regarding washing a down comforter.

The washing process requires extra effort but is worth the freshness and coziness during winter nights.

Do let us know how you washed your down comforter in the comments. We would love to hear it. And stay hooked for more such interesting and helpful articles!

Steven Settles

Steven Settles is an ISCET-certified master in appliance repair. He has aced the National Appliance Service Technician Certification Exam, showcasing his exceptional diagnostic and repair skills. With an in-depth understanding of the latest repair technologies and a keen eye on evolving industry standards, Steven is a go-to expert for any appliance issue.