by Marie Mulrooney
Duvets are, traditionally, down-filled bags used as alternatives to quilts, blankets and bedspreads; they're essentially heavy down comforters. You may also encounter duvets filled with "down alternative" materials. Because duvets are difficult to wash, they can be kept clean and crisp with the aid of duvet covers. Duvet covers work almost exactly like mattress pads on mattresses, taking the brunt of dust, spills and other dirt. Take a look below to learn how to secure a duvet cover.
Launder and dry the duvet cover. Take your freshly laundered duvet cover out of the dryer as soon as it's dry. Hold it by the corners and give it a few brisk shakes. This helps keep it from wrinkling. Turn the duvet cover inside-out and look at the seams to make sure you've got it right. The normally hidden seam allowances should be showing.
Lay the duvet out. Lay the duvet out flat on a freshly cleaned floor. Place the inside-out duvet cover at the foot of the duvet, with the foot or bottom of the cover touching the foot of the duvet. The open part of the duvet cover should be facing away from the duvet.
Grasp the duvet. Work your arms through the open part of the duvet cover until you can grasp the duvet. Line up the seam and corners at the foot of the duvet with the seam and corners at the bottom of the cover.
Pull the duvet toward you. Pull the duvet toward you, lifting up as you pull so that the duvet cover falls down around the duvet. You may find standing or kneeling with your foot or knee on the bottom opening of the duvet cover helpful. You might also want a friend to help by tugging the duvet cover down as you lift up on the duvet.
Keep pulling. Keep pulling until the duvet is completely encased by the now right-side-out duvet cover. Duvets can be heavy, so you may find it necessary to lay the entire thing on the floor again; then lift it up one portion at a time as you work the duvet cover up and over it. Tuck the corners of the duvet into the corners of the duvet cover's open end, which will have a small flap that fits over the duvet corners.
Shut the duvet cover. Button, zip or tie the duvet cover shut to keep the duvet firmly in place. If your duvet cover closes with buttons, start in one corner of the open end and work across to the other corner to make sure you don't skip any buttons.
