Best Way to Wash a Down Comforter

Remove Stains Using the Spot-Treatment Method

You may feel a little apprehensive about getting rid of those stains that have somehow appeared on your down comforter, especially if you own a goose feather comforter. Don’t worry, you can easily tackle stains by doing a spot treatment before washing. Apply a small amount of stain remover to the area, and allow it to soak for up to several hours. Tougher stains take longer to fade. If you don’t have any stain remover, applying a small amount of laundry detergent directly to the stain and working it into the fabric can be an effective substitute.

Use a High-Capacity, Front-Loading Washing Machine

Comforters take up a lot of washer space, so it’s important that you only wash yours in a large front-loading washing machine. The main reason for choosing this type of washer is its lack of an agitator. While agitators are great for regular laundry loads, they can damage bulkier items. A front-loading machine is the best option to keep your down comforter in top shape.

Choose the Gentle Cycle

Load the comforter into the washing machine to see how it fits. If you have to pack it in tightly, then the washer is too small and you’ll need to use a bigger machine for the task. Temporarily remove the comforter. Add a mild detergent and set the wash cycle to gentle or delicate. Water temperature should be warm, never hot or cold. Run the washer for up to two minutes and then place the comforter inside. The soapy water will gently clean away any dirt or grime.

Rinse Twice

When the cleaning cycle is finished, allow the washer to complete the entire rinse cycle. You should run the rinse cycle a second time to ensure that every drop of soap is removed from the comforter.

Dry Your Down Comforter

When it comes to drying your comforter, you can put it in an electric dryer or let it naturally air-dry. Using an electric dryer is faster. Just make sure you run it on a low-heat cycle. To speed up the process, simply toss a couple of tennis balls covered with socks into the dryer. This helps break up the filling so that the comforter dries faster.

To air dry your down comforter, spread it out flat in an open area and leave it for a few hours. When one side starts to feel dry, flip it over on the other side. If you can lay your comforter in the sun, it will dry faster.

Don’t Forget to Fluff

Once your comforter is done drying, fluff and shake it a bit to get rid of clumps and distribute the down more evenly. When you’ve spread the down around to your satisfaction, you’re free to put your down comforter back on your bed. Doing this each time you wash it will keep your down comforter fluffy and comfortable.