Can you machine wash down comforters

This prevents the down from clumping. Run the dryer on low heat. Pacific Coast Feather Company claims that nonchlorine bleach may be used to wash goose-down comforters. However, fabric softener is not recommended. This can coat the down, and the comforter can lose some of its fluffiness. Dryer sheets are OK to use, but ironing, steaming and line drying are all no-nos. During the first hour of drying, check on the comforter a few times to make sure that the fabric is not overheating.

If it is sticking to the inside of the machine, turn it off and take out the comforter. Fluff it with your hands, put it back inside and turn it back on. The comforter should be bone dry and should feel fluffy and soft. You may need to keep the dryer on for a few hours for this to happen, but not doing so could lead to mold or mildew growth.

You should keep your goose-down comforter enclosed in a washable duvet cover at all times. Three or four times a year, remove the comforter and hang it outside with clothespins. Spread the comforter or duvet out as much as possible, and then add the socks with tennis balls to the load. Their beating action will help keep the down from clumping. If you're using fabric softener sheets, toss just one on top of the bedding. Set the dryer to the lowest heat setting, and turn it on. Every 30 minutes, stop the machine, and take the bedding out.

Give it a gentle fluff to keep the down evenly distributed. Expect it to take three or more hours for your down-filled bedding to completely dry. To finish the drying process, you can opt to hang the bedding on a clothesline in a warm, dry area inside or outside.

A bonus for white comforters and duvets is that the sun's rays can brighten the fabric and lighten stains. If you have a duvet, slip it back inside its cover once completely dry, and make your bed with your freshly cleaned bedding. Some people enjoy down bedding year-round, while others prefer to store it away during warmer months.

If you do decide to pack your down items away, they must be clean and thoroughly dry before they're stored. For protection, wrap the down bedding in cotton—a laundry bag works wonderfully—and place it in a well-ventilated closet. Fixing a hole in your comforter or duvet is worth the effort as they can be expensive to replace. For smaller holes, an iron-on patch is a quick and effective solution.

If you have a larger tear, try hand-stitching the fabric together or adding a patch made of similar material. If you have any stains on your bedding, it's a good idea to spot-treat them before machine-washing. To address the fabric directly, adjust or shake the down filling away from the spot.

Next, wet the area using a spray bottle of water, and then apply a stain remover of your choice. Pat the fabric with a clean white rag, and let it sit for 20 minutes. If the stain needs more work, try rubbing the fabric together or using a toothbrush to scrub away the soil.

Repeat if necessary, and then begin the washing process. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. There are also specialty laundry detergents made specifically for washing sleeping bags, down comforters, and other down-filled items. You can often find these detergents available online and at outdoor retailers.

To keep the down from bunching, put a pair of clean white canvas shoes laces removed or a sock stuffed with two tennis balls secured with a knot in the machine with the comforter or pillows. This addition will also gently agitate soil from the items being washed. Editor's Tip: If you've finished washing a down jacket or pillow and it still stinks, don't worry; you didn't miss a step in how to wash a down comforter or how to wash a down jacket.

Down bears a distinctive odor when wet. The odor will dissipate when the down dries. After the wash is complete, load your comforter, pillows, or other down items into a dryer large enough to give them plenty of room.

Run the dryer on air fluff or the lowest temperature possible. Stop the dryer periodically and break up any lumps that form in the comforter or pillow. Make sure that the down is not getting too warm as extreme heat can scorch the down.

Expect the drying process to take three to four hours. To avoid the formation of mildew , only take the down item out of the dryer if it's completely dry. If the item is still slightly damp, lay it out on a clothesline on a breezy warm day to dry the down as much as possible. Once you bring the comforter or pillow inside, leave the item out for a few weeks to ensure all moisture has evaporated. If you're storing the comforter, wrap it in a cotton sheet first.

Some down comforters and pillows come with explicit directions to dry-clean them rather than wash them. To cut down on the number of times you need to wash your down comforter, add a duvet cover over top to keep the oils from your skin from penetrating into the comforter and attracting dirt.

You can further protect the down by always using a flat sheet underneath the duvet-covered comforter. The sheet provides another layer of protection against body oils and dirt. Wash the duvet cover once a week if no flat sheet is used, or wash it once or twice a year if a flat sheet is used.