Yes, you can wash a down comforter, and many can go in a washing machine. How to wash a down comforter comes down to a washer big enough for it to move freely and a long dry on low heat. The International Down and Feather Testing Laboratory says washing is the better way to clean the down fill itself.
Key Takeaways:
- Many down comforters are machine washable, but the care label decides.
- A large-capacity front loader gives the comforter room to move.
- Use warm water, a gentle cycle, and a small amount of detergent made for down.
- Dry on low heat with dryer balls until it’s dry all the way through, which can take two to four hours.
- With a duvet cover on, washing the comforter once or twice a year is usually enough.
Can you wash a down comforter?
Often, yes. The down lab says down is very resilient. Its ideal is a warm water wash with mild soap, then tumble drying until the comforter is completely dry.
Size is the catch. Large comforters may not fit in most home washers, the lab says, and it suggests a large laundromat washer or a professional cleaner for those.
The shell fabric matters too. If the shell can only be dry cleaned, the lab says the comforter should be dry cleaned, by a professional who has experience with down. Follow the tag.
How to wash a down comforter, step by step
- Check the care label first.
- Spot treat any stains. Lift the shell fabric away from the fill, rub in a little laundry detergent, and let it sit for 10 to 20 minutes.
- Load the comforter into a large front loader, spread loosely around the drum with no folds or twists.
- Add a small amount of gentle detergent made for down, and skip chlorine bleach and fabric softener.
- Run a gentle wash cycle with warm water, never hot.
- Add an extra rinse cycle so no detergent stays in the down.
- Dry on the lowest heat setting with a few wool dryer balls or clean tennis balls.
- Every 30 minutes or so, remove the comforter and shake it out to break up clumps.
Go easy on the detergent. The Sleep Foundation’s down comforter guide says too much can leave residue and clump the down. Strong detergents are a problem too, since sulfates, dyes, and synthetic fragrances can damage down fibers.
Front loader vs top loader, and when to use a laundromat
A front loader is the safer pick. The Sleep Foundation explains that a comforter can wrap around the agitator in a top loader. Once it twists, it can wash unevenly, stretch, or tear.
A large-capacity washer at home can work if the comforter still moves freely once it’s in. If yours is too small, find a laundromat with large-capacity washers and dryers. Queen and king comforters dry best in a big dryer where the air can circulate, the guide says. Our guide on how to wash a weighted blanket covers the same washer-size question for heavier bedding.
How long does a down comforter take to dry?
Plan on two to four hours on the lowest heat, depending on the comforter’s size, the Sleep Foundation says. High heat can damage the down clusters. Skip dryer sheets, which can coat the down with fabric softener, and use dryer balls instead.
Keep checking for damp spots and the smell of wet down. Down that stays damp can clump, smell musty, or grow mildew. It’s done when it feels light and smells fresh all the way through.
How often should you wash a down comforter?
With a duvet cover or top sheet on, the Sleep Foundation says once or twice a year is usually enough. The cover takes most of the body oils and sweat, so wash it every one to two weeks instead. Take it off before you wash the comforter.
Without a cover, or if you have allergies, sleep with pets, or sweat heavily at night, the guide suggests washing every three to six months. Washing more often than that can reduce the loft.
For a dust mite allergy, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America says to wash sheets and blankets weekly in water that’s at least 130°F. A duvet cover can take that hot wash if its label allows. The comforter itself stays on warm.
Spot cleaning and storage between washes
For a small spill, push the down away from the stain first so the fill stays dry, the Sleep Foundation says. Work in a little stain remover with your fingers or a soft toothbrush, and let it sit for at least 20 minutes. Blot with a damp cloth until the mark is gone. Then blot with a dry cloth and hang the comforter where air can reach it.
For off-season storage, use a breathable cotton or linen bag. Plastic bins and vacuum bags can trap moisture and lead to mildew or a musty smell. Make sure the comforter is completely dry before you pack it away.
Skipping the laundromat trip
If you’d rather not haul a king comforter across town, OrangeBag picks up at your door and washes it for you, down comforters included. A blanket or comforter is $55.00, priced by the piece. Each order adds a $9.95 service fee and a $3.00 delivery fee, and prices are subject to change. Dry cleaning isn’t currently available in San Fernando Valley, Glendale, or Silver Lake.
Note any stains or special care instructions in the order when you book. Every line is on our OrangeBag price list for comforters and bedding. The page on laundry pickup and delivery in Los Angeles shows how pickup works.
Down comforter FAQ
Can you put a down comforter in the dryer?
Yes. The Sleep Foundation recommends the lowest heat setting with a few dryer balls or clean tennis balls. Pause every 30 minutes or so to shake it out and break up clumps. Line drying works too, but it can take most of the day. Save it for a sunny, breezy day with low humidity.
How do you get a musty smell out of a down comforter?
A musty smell comes from moisture. The Sleep Foundation ties it to down that stayed damp after washing and to storage in plastic. Wash the comforter again, then dry it until there’s no trace of the wet-down smell. Finishing it outside in fresh air can help clear a lingering odor, the guide says.
How do you wash a down alternative comforter?
Follow its care tag. Down alternative is a synthetic fill, and the advice in this guide comes from sources written for real down. Use the water temperature and drying setting the tag gives you. Before it goes back on the bed, check that the center is completely dry.
Need a hand with heavy bedding?
Leave the comforter and the rest of your laundry at your door. A driver picks it up and brings it all back clean.
