A well-maintained duvet can last for many years, providing comfortable sleep night after night. However, improper washing techniques can damage fill materials, reduce loft, and shorten your duvet's lifespan significantly. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about caring for different types of duvets.
How Often Should You Wash Your Duvet?
The frequency of duvet washing depends on several factors, including whether you use a duvet cover, your personal hygiene preferences, and any allergies in your household. As a general guideline:
- With a duvet cover: Wash the duvet itself every 6-12 months, and wash the cover every 1-2 weeks
- Without a duvet cover: Wash monthly or whenever visibly soiled
- For allergy sufferers: Consider washing every 3-4 months, even with a cover
- After illness: Wash immediately to remove germs and bacteria
💡 Pro Tip: Use a Duvet Cover
A quality duvet cover is the best investment for extending your duvet's life. It protects against body oils, sweat, dust, and stains, dramatically reducing how often the duvet itself needs washing.
Before You Begin: Check the Care Label
Every duvet comes with a care label containing specific washing instructions. Before proceeding with any cleaning method, always check this label first. Look for:
- Maximum washing temperature
- Whether machine washing is permitted
- Drying instructions (tumble dry, line dry, or flat dry)
- Whether dry cleaning is required
- Any specific warnings or recommendations
Washing Microfibre Duvets
Microfibre duvets are the easiest to care for and can typically be machine washed at home. Follow these steps for best results:
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Check capacity: Ensure your washing machine is large enough. Most household machines (7kg+) can handle a single duvet. Queen and king sizes may require a commercial machine at a laundromat.
- Pre-treat stains: Apply a gentle stain remover to any visible spots and let it sit for 15 minutes before washing.
- Use mild detergent: Add a small amount of mild, liquid detergent. Avoid powder detergents, which may not rinse completely.
- Select settings: Use a gentle or delicate cycle with warm water (30-40°C). Add an extra rinse cycle to ensure all detergent is removed.
- Dry thoroughly: Tumble dry on low heat with clean tennis balls or dryer balls to maintain loft. Ensure the duvet is completely dry before storing or using—residual moisture can cause mould.
Washing Wool Duvets
Wool duvets require more careful handling than synthetic options. Australian Merino wool duvets are particularly valuable investments worth protecting properly.
Machine Washing Wool
Many modern wool duvets are machine washable if your machine has a dedicated wool cycle. Key points:
- Use cool water only (maximum 30°C)
- Select the wool or delicate cycle with minimal agitation
- Use a wool-specific detergent or very mild liquid detergent
- Never use fabric softener, which can coat wool fibres
- Do not wring or twist the duvet
Drying Wool Duvets
Wool duvets should ideally be dried flat or on a line in a shaded area. If using a tumble dryer, select the lowest heat setting or air-dry function. Wool can shrink and felt if exposed to high heat or agitation when wet.
⚠️ Important for Wool
Never hang a wet wool duvet by its corners, as the weight of the water can stretch and distort the fill. Lay it flat on a clean surface or use a drying rack that supports the entire duvet.
Washing Down and Feather Duvets
Down and feather duvets are luxurious but require special care to maintain their loft and insulating properties.
Professional Cleaning Recommendation
For expensive down duvets, professional cleaning is often the safest option. Look for dry cleaners that specialise in bedding and use down-safe cleaning methods. Traditional dry cleaning solvents can strip natural oils from down, so ask about their specific processes.
Home Washing Down Duvets
If you choose to wash at home:
- Use a large capacity machine: Down duvets need room to move during washing. A front-loading commercial machine is ideal.
- Select mild detergent: Use a down-specific detergent or a very small amount of mild liquid soap. Avoid detergents with enzymes or bleach.
- Wash on gentle: Use warm water (30-40°C) and a gentle cycle with extra rinse.
- Dry thoroughly: This is crucial. Tumble dry on low heat for several hours. Add clean tennis balls to break up clumps and restore loft. The duvet must be completely dry to prevent mould and odour.
- Fluff regularly: Remove periodically during drying to shake and redistribute the down fill.
Washing Bamboo Duvets
Bamboo duvets are generally easy to care for and similar to microfibre in terms of washing requirements:
- Machine wash on a gentle cycle at 30-40°C
- Use a mild, eco-friendly detergent
- Tumble dry on low or line dry in shade
- Avoid high heat, which can damage bamboo fibres
Spot Cleaning Between Washes
For small stains or spills, spot cleaning can help maintain your duvet between full washes:
- Blot (don't rub) the stain immediately to absorb excess liquid
- Mix a small amount of mild detergent with cool water
- Using a clean cloth, gently dab the stained area
- Rinse by dabbing with a cloth dampened with clean water
- Allow to air dry completely before making the bed
Maintaining Your Duvet Between Washes
Regular maintenance extends the time between washes and keeps your duvet fresh:
Daily Care
- Pull back the covers each morning to air the duvet and release moisture
- Give your duvet a good shake to redistribute fill and maintain loft
- Open windows when possible to ventilate the bedroom
Monthly Care
- Air your duvet outside on a dry, sunny day (but not in direct harsh sunlight for natural fills)
- Vacuum the surface gently using an upholstery attachment to remove dust
- Check for any damage or loose seams that need repair
✓ Freshening Tip
To freshen a duvet between washes, tumble it in the dryer on air-only (no heat) for 10-15 minutes. This helps remove dust and refresh the fill without the stress of a full wash.
Common Washing Mistakes to Avoid
Protect your investment by avoiding these common errors:
- Using too much detergent: Excess soap leaves residue that attracts dirt and reduces loft
- Washing too frequently: Over-washing breaks down fibres faster than normal use
- Using hot water: High temperatures can shrink materials and damage fills
- Not drying completely: Even slight dampness leads to mould, mildew, and odours
- Ironing: Never iron a duvet—it can melt synthetic fibres and damage natural fills
- Using bleach: Bleach damages most duvet materials and should never be used
When to Replace Your Duvet
Even with excellent care, duvets eventually need replacing. Signs it's time for a new duvet include:
- Persistent odours even after washing
- Visible clumping or thin spots that don't recover
- Reduced warmth compared to when new
- Allergies or respiratory issues during sleep
- Significant staining that won't come clean
A well-cared-for duvet should last 5-10 years for synthetic fills and 10-15+ years for quality down or wool. By following proper care techniques, you'll maximise your duvet's lifespan while enjoying clean, comfortable sleep every night.