How to wash a duvet: washing & drying guide

There’s nothing quite like climbing into a bed made with fresh, clean bedding. While your duvet cover gets most of the attention on laundry day, the duvet needs a little TLC from time to time, too.

But can you wash a duvet at home? Can you put a duvet in the washing machine? And what happens when your king size duvet looks suspiciously bigger than your washing machine drum?

The good news is that washing a duvet can be surprisingly straightforward. From machine washing and hand washing to drying and storing, here’s everything you need to know to keep your duvet fresh, fluffy and ready for a cosy night’s sleep.

As your duvet is protected by a duvet cover, it doesn’t need washing as regularly as your sheets and other bed linen. As a general rule, aim to wash your duvet every six to twelve months, unless its care label recommends otherwise.

You might want to wash it sooner if there’s been a spill or accident, or if your duvet has started to smell less than fresh.

Between washes, regularly airing your duvet can help keep it feeling fresh. Pull back the covers in the morning and let your duvet breathe before making your bed. On a dry day, you can also air it outside.

And remember, always check the care label before washing. Different fillings require different treatment, and some duvets may need to be professionally cleaned.

Yes, many duvets can be washed in a washing machine, providing the care label says they’re machine washable and your washing machine has a large enough drum.

Your duvet needs room to move around during the cycle so that water and detergent can circulate properly. Squashing a bulky duvet into a drum that’s too small could result in an uneven wash and put unnecessary strain on your washing machine.

The capacity you’ll need depends on the size and filling of your duvet. A thick feather duvet, for example, can be considerably heavier when wet than a lightweight synthetic one.

As a general guide:

*These are general guidelines only. Duvet thickness, filling and manufacturer recommendations vary, so always check the care labels for both your duvet and washing machine.

If you’re wondering how to wash a king size duvet, drum capacity is particularly important.

A king size duvet is unlikely to have enough space in a 6kg or 7kg machine. Some may fit into an 8kg or 9kg machine, but this will depend on the filling and thickness. A 10kg or larger washing machine is generally better suited to bulky bedding, but you should always follow your machine manufacturer’s maximum load guidance.

Don’t be tempted to squeeze it in. If your duvet fills the drum with little room to move while dry, take it to a laundrette with a larger-capacity machine or use a professional cleaning service instead.

Checked the label? Plenty of room in the drum? Then it’s time to give your duvet a refresh.

Before washing your duvet, look for loose seams, small tears or holes. Repair these first to prevent the filling escaping during the wash. Nobody wants to open the washing machine to a snowstorm of feathers.

Spot-treat stains according to the duvet manufacturer’s instructions before putting it into the machine. Avoid aggressive scrubbing, which could damage the fabric or filling.

Place your duvet into the drum without tightly folding or forcing it in. There should be enough room for it to move during the cycle.

Use a small amount of mild laundry detergent suitable for your duvet’s material. Avoid using more detergent in the hope of getting it extra clean, as residue can become trapped in the filling.

Follow the temperature and cycle instructions on your duvet’s care label. A gentle cycle is often appropriate, but the manufacturer’s guidance should always come first.

If your washing machine has an extra rinse setting, this can help remove any detergent remaining in the filling.

If your duvet won’t fit in your washing machine but its care instructions allow hand washing, you may be able to wash it in the bath.

Give the bath a thorough clean and rinse first so there’s no cleaning-product residue waiting to meet your duvet.

Fill the bath with enough lukewarm water to submerge your duvet, following any temperature guidance on its care label. Add a small amount of suitable mild detergent.

Gently press water from the duvet without wringing it. Wet duvets can become extremely heavy, so take care when lifting yours out of the bath.

Drain the bath, then refill it with clean water and gently rinse the duvet. You may need to repeat this until the water runs clear and there’s no detergent left behind.

Submerge the duvet and gently work the soapy water through it. Avoid aggressively twisting, scrubbing or wringing it, as this could damage the filling.

Wondering whether you can wash feather pillows and bedding at home? When it comes to a feather or down duvet, the care label is your best friend.

Some feather duvets can be machine washed, while others require specialist cleaning. If yours is machine washable, use the recommended gentle cycle and detergent and make sure the drum is large enough for the duvet to move freely.

Drying is particularly important with feather and down. The filling needs to be completely dry before you put the duvet back on your bed, as lingering moisture can lead to unpleasant smells, clumping and mildew.

During drying, gently shake and redistribute the filling from time to time to help restore that lovely cloud-like loft.

Silk-filled duvets need particularly gentle care, and many aren't suitable for conventional machine washing.

Always follow the instructions on your duvet’s care label. If it says dry clean or professional clean only, don’t put it in your washing machine. Washing silk incorrectly can damage the delicate fibres and affect the way the filling feels.

Regularly airing a silk duvet and using a washable duvet cover can help keep it fresh between professional cleans.

Some duvets can be tumble dried, but only if the care label says it’s safe to do so.

If tumble drying is permitted, use the temperature recommended on the label and make sure your dryer has enough room for the duvet to move freely. Stop the cycle periodically to shake out the duvet and redistribute the filling, helping it dry more evenly.

Most importantly, make sure your duvet is completely dry before putting it back on your bed or into storage. Damp filling can develop unpleasant odours and mildew – not exactly the cosy bedtime companion we’re aiming for.

If your duvet can’t be tumble dried, or you’d simply prefer to let fresh air do the work, you can air dry it instead.

Drying a duvet can take some time, so choose a day with good airflow and low humidity if possible.

Lay or hang your duvet somewhere it can receive plenty of airflow. Try to distribute its weight evenly rather than leaving it bunched up.

Turn the duvet periodically and give it a gentle shake to redistribute the filling and encourage even drying.

Don’t judge dryness by the outer fabric alone. Feel across the entire duvet for cool or damp patches, particularly in the filling and corners. Give it more drying time if you’re in any doubt.