Nothing like getting into a freshly made bed at the end of a long day. Good pillows, a comfy duvet and clean sheets may all make a difference to a good night’s sleep. But most of us remember to wash our bedsheets, we forget the duvet cover.

So how often should you wash your duvets? 

If you use a duvet cover and keep your bedding clean, a rule of thumb is every 6-12 months. But if you’re prone to sweating a lot at nighttime, share your bed with pets, or have allergies, you may need to wash it more often.

The right cleaning schedule also relies on what your duvet is filled with, how often you use it, and the manufacturer’s care instructions.

What you need to know about keeping your duvet clean, fresh and in tip-top condition.

How often do you wash your duvet?

Duvets are not laundered as often as your bed linens or duvet coverings. The outer cover keeps the filler protected so it does not get dirty and build up body oils as fast.

Most homes only need to wash their duvet once or twice a year. An excellent time to do this is when you change your summer bedding to your winter bedding.

But that’s not a hard and fast rule for every home.

How often you should wash your duvet depends on what?

There are a few regular living habits that can affect how fast your duvet gets dirty.

• Nite sweating: If you often wake up hot and sweaty your duvet may require washing more regularly.
• Pets on the bed: dogs and cats can leave hair, dirt and allergens on bedding.
• Allergies:if you sneeze when you see dust mites, it helps to clean a lot.
• Spills and stains: Don’t wait for your next scheduled wash to clean up any accidental spills.

How to use a duvet cover ? 

Wash the cover occasionally to prevent duvet stuffing from directly touching skin and perspiration.

If you still think your duvet is fresh and has a clean cover, then you probably don’t need to wash it that regularly. In fact, washing it too often might degrade it over time, particularly if it includes fragile natural fillings.

Why You Should Wash Your Duvet Regularly

Even if your duvet looks clean, it can slowly build up dust, sweat, body oils and other particles.

They can also make bedding smell terrible and feel less comfortable over time. Cleaning your duvet regularly will help keep your sleeping environment cleaner and will help avoid the build up of dirt within the fabric.

Sweat, dust mites and allergies.

Dust mites are a prevalent nuisance in residential beds. It feeds on shed skin cells and can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive people.

Your duvet may also absorb some moisture from sweat, especially on warmer nights or if you’re using a heavy winter duvet.

To assist prevent dust and humidity building up, keep your duvet clean, wash your bedding regularly and air your bed.

For allergy sufferers it is especially important to follow the proper washing instructions for duvet and cover.

How to know when to wash your duvet

You don’t have to wait six months to wash your duvet.

Here are some things to look for:

• A stale or musty odor
•  Color change or visible stains
• A duvet that doesn’t feel as fresh as it should be
•  Recent Accidents & Spills
•  Use often in hot weather
• More exposure to dust or pet dander

If it still stinks, check whether your duvet has been dried or stored properly. Washing alone won’t do anything, if moisture is trapped inside the filler.

How Often To Wash Various Types Of Duvet

The materials utilized for each duvet are not all identical. Some are filled with feathers or down, others with synthetic fibers.

Knowing the difference is important because a bad wash can damage the stuffing, reduce insulation or even cause the duvet to lose its shape.

How often should you wash a feather or down duvet?

Feather and down duvets are popular for warmth without the weight.

They are frequently covered with a duvet cover and typically only need washing every 6 to 12 months (depending on usage and manufacturer recommendations).

But natural fillers are more taxing.

Some feather and down duvets can be machine washed, but others will need to be professionally cleaned. If you wash them incorrectly, they could clump together and/or damage the outside fabric and/or lose their loft.

Always check the care label before trying to wash a feather duvet at home.

If you don’t know how to clean it, expert aid can save you the expense of destroying an expensive duvet.

How Often Should You Clean a Synthetic Duvet?

Synthetic duvets are normally filled with polyester, hollowfibre or microfiber.

Many are machine-washable, making them a practical alternative for folks who need to wash bedding more often.

Polyester duvet should be washed every 6 months. However, a gap of 6 to 12 months may be OK if it has been carefully protected and lightly used.

Always check washing temperature and drying instructions. High heat can damage some synthetic fibers, which can alter the way the filling rests in the duvet.

Duvet Washing Frequency If You Have Allergies

If you are allergic to dust mites, asthma or other sensitivities you may need to clean your duvet more often.

If the duvet can be washed safely that regularly, then for certain households a cleaning interval of 3 to 6 months may be good.

Most essential, routinely wash your duvet cover, pillows and bed sheets and consider using appropriate allergen safe bedding covers.

Cleaning methods and temperatures should conform to the fabric care specifications. If you have a diagnosed dust mite allergy, follow the bedding hygiene advice of your healthcare expert.

How to Wash Your Duvet At Home

Washing a duvet at home may seem like a simple task, but it pays to be well prepared.

Before you chuck the duvet in your washing machine, check it’s machine washable and your machine has the room for it.

Read the care label on the Duvet before laundering

The care label is always your best bet.

It should tell you:

•  Possibility of machine washing the duvet
• Maximum recommended washing temperature
• If you need a light cleaning procedure
• The proper drying processes include

If special cleaning is recommended:

Don’t assume that because one duvet may be washed, another duvet – similar in composition – can be washed.

Different producers utilize different materials, stitching and fillings.

Can I Wash a Duvet in a Washing Machine?

Yes, many duvets may be machine washed if the care label allows and you have a large enough washing machine.

It needs to be big enough so you can move about in the duvet during washing. It may be packed very tightly in the drum and water and detergent may not be able to circulate properly.

How to Wash a Machine-Washable Duvet:

• Remove the duvet cover and check for any noticeable stains.
• Handle stains with care, as directed on care.
• Duvet in the washing machine. No further washing.
• Add the mild detergent up to the indicated level.
• Select the right wash program and temperature as indicated on the label.
• Rinse again to eliminate any detergent residue if necessary.
• Take the duvet off immediately and dry it thoroughly
• Don’t use too much detergent as it is hard to rinse out of heavy contents.

What Temperature To Wash A Duvet?

The proper temperature for washing a duvet will depend on the material it’s made of and the care label.

Most synthetic duvets can be machine washed at 30°C or 40°C. Some goods however may be more heat resistant and some fragile natural fillings may require special care.

Some duvet can be helped by hotter washing but not all hygienic criteria.

Do not exceed the temperature advised by the manufacturer.

The filling or the contour of the duvet can be harmed and it can shrink from being too hot.

How to wash a king size duvet at home

King size duvets are especially tough to clean at home. These are bulky when dry and increase considerably in weight when wet.

You may not have a normal household washing machine big enough to do it properly.

If you are going to wash a large duvet, check the manufacturer’s instructions for your appliance and ensure that there is enough room for the duvet to move around.

Don’t stuff it into the drum. Overloading the washer may cause poor washing results and put additional strain to the equipment.

If your duvet is too big for your washing machine, try a large capacity washing machine or a professional laundry service.

How to Dry a Duvet the Right Way

Drying is just as important as washing.

If the duvet is damp inside, it can develop an unpleasant smell, even if the outside fabric is dry.

Heavy padding holds moisture far longer than typical clothing, so allow plenty of time for it to dry completely.

Can you dry a duvet in the dryer?

Some duvets can be dried in the dryer, however that depends on the content and the care instructions.

If tumble drying is permitted:

• Turn down to the recommended setting, which is normally low.
•  Ensure that the dryer has sufficient capacity.
•  Now and then stop to examine the filling.
• Give the duvet a gentle shake to redistribute the contents.
• Continue drying until there are no wet spots.

Some varieties of duvet can benefit from duvet balls, which help to distribute the filling uniformly. Make sure this is suitable for your duvet.

Avoid excessive heat, unless recommended by the manufacturer.

How to Dry a Duvet if You Don’t Have a Dryer

If you don’t have a tumble dryer, you can try air drying.

Choose a light and airy place and spread out the duvet so that it may breathe.

An outdoor laundry line might be beneficial when the weather is cooperative. Or use a nice drying rack in a properly ventilated place.

Turn and shake the duvet from time to time to ensure it dries evenly.

In colder or damper UK weather it can take much longer to dry a thick duvets. Don’t put it on your bed or in storage until you’re sure the filling is completely dry.

How often should you change bedsheets and duvet cover?

You’ll have to wash your duvet cover a lot more regularly than the actual duvet.

The cover is always in contact with your skin, hair, sweat and body oils, not the filler.

Most homeowners will be well advised to wash their duvet cover once a week.

If you sweat a lot, sleep with pets, or have unique hygiene concerns, you may need to wash it more often.

How Often Should You Change Your Bed Sheets and Pillowcases?

You should normally wash your sheets and pillows periodically.

While fitted sheets can accumulate sweat and dead skin cells, pillowcases are particularly prone to holding onto facial oils, hair products, and skin residue.

Here is an easy bedding washing schedule:

• Bedding products
• Suggested Maintenance Schedule
• Duvet Cover Sheet (2)
• Weekly update
• Bed line
• Pillow covers
• Stuffing for duvet
• Once every 6 to 12 months.
• Cushions

Care instructions often read every 3-6 months

These are basic guidelines, not hard and fast rules. Always think about the needs of your home and the care label of each product.

How to Keep Your Duvet Smelling Fresh in Between Washes

You don’t have to wash your duvet every time you want to freshen it up.

Some easy behaviors to get it in shape:

• In the morning fold back your bedding, to let the moisture out.
•  Duvet Cover. Wash regularly.
• Follow the care instructions and air your duvet from time to time.
• If possible, keep pets off bedding.
• Act fast on spills and stains.
•  Never store wet linens in drawers or bags.

These tips can help you wash your bedding less often without losing the comfort you get from your bed.

If you find it hard to find the time to keep up with the household laundry then Laundry2Door’s bedding laundry service is a simple solution to get your bed linen cleaned without adding another task to your schedule.

When To Get Your Duvet Professionally Cleaned

Many duvets may be washed at home, but some require particular care.

Delicate substances, vast sizes and special care guidelines make washing at home challenging.

If your duvet is too huge for your washing machine, or if you’re afraid about ruining the fabric, professional cleaning is a great alternative.

Duvets: Home Wash Or Professional Dryclean

Smaller duvets are generally far more manageable to clean at home, especially if they are machine washable and filled with a synthetic filling.

Sometimes, however, expert cleaning might be more suited.

For a proper clean and dry of a heavy king size duvet, you need big equipment. A down or feather duvet could require specific cleaning to maintain its content.

Before you book in, check that the cleaner can handle your type of duvet and that the method they use is suitable for the care label on your duvet.

But this doesn’t mean regular dry cleaning because some fillings can be better suited to specialist laundering.

Benefits of a Laundry Pick-up and Delivery Service

Washing bedding can be time-consuming, especially in a busy home.

Washing, drying, folding and changing huge quantities of bed linen can easily take up a substantial part of your day.

This can be made easy by a laundry collection and delivery service who can handle appropriate household laundry without a visit to the launderette.

Laundry2Door allows clients in selected areas of West London to book collection and delivery of their laundry at a time to suit them.

The service is particularly vital to keep duvet covers, sheets, pillowcases and other acceptable bed linen fresh.

Please confirm with the team before to duvet fillings to ensure your particular item and filling type is suitable for washing.

When should you replace your duvet?

Even with regular washing, duVets are not forever.

When to replace will depend on the content and quality of the duvet as well as its use and care.

Some synthetic duvets may need replacing after a few years but top grade natural filled duvets can last a good deal longer if looked after properly.

Age isn’t everything and neither is the condition of the duvet.

Signs you could need a replacement:

•  Flat or uneven lie
• Odors that persist even after a thorough wash
•  Leaking feathers or ripped seams
• Much less heat
•  Lumps or substantial wear that is permanent.

If your duvet is still giving you constant warmth and is clean and toasty then you may not need to change it merely because of a specific age.

FAQs

Do you need to wash your duvet every month?

Most people don’t need to wash their duvet every month. If the duvet is covered with a washable cover then six to twelve months is generally enough washing frequency. If you sweat a lot, have allergies, dogs or accidental spills it may need cleaning sooner.

Can you wash a duvet in a 7kg washing machine?

It is reliant upon the size and weight of the duvet, and the filling, and the advise of the producer of the machine. Liteweight and smaller duvets are okay but a large, heavy double or king size duvet may be too much for you to fit safely. Don’t overload the drum, but if the dry weight of the duvet looks like it will fit within the maximum of the machine,

Do I need to wash a new duvet before using it?

Sort of. If your new duvet is clean, packaged and ready to use, you may not need to wash it. But you might want to wash it if the manufacturer suggests it, or if you’re sensitive to packaging dust. Always read the care label first.

What If You Don’t Wash Your Duvet?

Over time a duvet that is not washed can attract dust, sweat, body oils and allergens. It can also cause some awful smells, especially if moisture is trapped inside. Ensuring you wash the duvet cover regularly and wash more often helps to maintain the sleeping environment fresh.

How much does professional duvet cleaning cost in UK?

The cost depends on the size of the duvet, the kind of filling, the cleaning technique and the service provider. A huge feather or down duvet might require a different treatment to a synthetic one. Get a quote from a suitable laundry company and make sure it is safe for them to clean your particular duvet.

How to Keep Your Duvet Clean and Smelling Fresh

Knowing how often to wash your duvet will help you maintain your bed cleaner and more comfortable, without over cleaning.

Clean the duvet every 6 to 12 months, most houses are a good beginning point. You should be washing your duvet cover, sheets and pillowcases a good deal more often – weekly, ideally.

Remember, the exact cleaning process depends on the type of filling, your sleeping habits, and the care label.

Big bedding can be a real chore to wash and dry at home. Get the correct products for professional laundry services.

Need help with your bedding laundry?

Laundry2Door’s bedding laundry service makes it easy to keep your bed linen feeling fresh. Collect & deliver in the supported districts of West London.