How to Wash Your Down Comforter

After what feels like an interminable winter, the weather is starting to warm up a bit around here! I’ve been throwing the windows open every chance I get, which has been doing wonders for my mood and getting me thinking about spring!

One item on my pre-spring to-do list is to get my down bedding cleaned up before I store it away for the season. And if you have down pillows or a down comforter, it should be on your to-do list too! (After all, it’s much less pleasant to pull a musty-smelling blanket out of storage than it is to take out one that still smells freshly washed.)

Related: How to Wash a Weighted Blanket

So I thought that in today’s blog post, it would be helpful to share all the tips and tricks you might need about cleaning and caring for down bedding. Because investing a little TLC into your down bedding now will only benefit you down the road! :-)

How To Wash Your Down Bedding

Since down bedding can be really bulky, it may be worth a trip to a local laundromat to wash it. Most laundromats offer large machines for washing bulky items, and you’ll run into fewer issues than you might if you insist on squeezing them into your home washer!

When washing down bedding, use a small amount of a mild laundry detergent, like my homemade laundry soap or a store-bought one like Woolite.

Once the wash cycle has completed, machine dry the item on low heat with a few wool dryer balls to help fluff it back up. (When drying a down comforter, it can help to occasionally remove it from the dryer, shake it out a bit, then put it back into help it dry more evenly.)

How Often Should I Wash My Down Bedding?

Comforters:

Wash your down comforter only as needed, up to twice a year at most, to avoid stripping the feathers of their natural oils and loft. Keep it in a duvet cover and wash the cover weekly to help protect your comforter and keep it clean.

Pillows:

You should wash your down pillows in your washing machine every 3 to 6 months. Washing your pillows regularly (whether down or not) is important in order to remove bacteria and dead skin that can cause musty smells.

3 Bonus Tips For Caring For Down Bedding

Tip #1: Air It Out

Never underestimate the power of fresh air and sunshine when it comes to keeping things fresh and clean! Any down bedding item will benefit from being aired out outdoors, and you can do this as often as you want to freshen them up.

It’s also a good idea to hang down bedding outside after washing and drying it, even if it already looks and feels completely dry. The fresh air will circulate through the feathers and help dry out any damp clumps that may be trapped inside.

Tip #2: Spot Clean It

You don’t have to wash the whole blanket or pillow to deal with a small stain. Just use a bit of Dawn dish soap and some warm water to spot treat the stain. Then dab it with a clean, damp cloth to remove the stain and any soap residue.

Tip #3: Don’t Panic

The natural colors of down feathers will show through more when your bedding is wet, so don’t panic if you see shades of dark brown inside your comforter or pillow! Down feathers can be brown, or white with black edges, which can look a bit like mold in the right (or wrong) light. But never fear—as your down bedding dries, it will return to its normal appearance. :-)