A duvet insert should also be washed separately, but its cover can be washed with other bedding like sheets, according to Maytag. There should be plenty of room for the comforter to circulate, detergent to disperse, and water to flow within the drum. Mixing sheets or other items in with a comforter can leave detergent residue on it. A comforter is probably the bulkiest item you’ll ever toss into your washer. A quick inspection will help avoid unwanted surprises when you lift that washer lid. It’s easy to overlook this step, but an undetected rip can ruin your bedding if it allows the filling to be exposed to all that water, detergent, and agitation. Repair any loose threads or snags before washing. Armstrong suggests checking for loose seams or tears to ensure your comforter’s filling remains intact. Even if the tag indicates your comforter is machine-washable, it’s good to do a quick inspection before tucking it into the machine. “So take the time to read the care tag and, if you have to, make the trip to get it cleaned by a professional to avoid spending unnecessary money on a new comforter.” That may not break the bank if you’re talking about an inexpensive $25 comforter, but you won’t want to take a chance on that $1,700 luxury comforter filled with European white goose down. “Comforters made from materials such as wool and silk can get damaged in the washer,” says Sarah Armstrong, new product brand manager for Maytag. Other outer fabrics may require dry cleaning. With regard to the outer shell, cotton and polyester can usually be washed at home. In either case, let the care tag guide you. Down comforters are filled with duck or goose feathers, popular for their fluffier, lightweight, and insulative feel. Down-alternative comforters are usually hypoallergenic, filled with cotton, polyester, wool, or silk. Does it say the comforter is machine-washable? Comforters vary in size, material, thickness, filling, and quality. Before stuffing your comforter into the washer, check that white care tag. If you’re rocking a small compact washer and a larger comforter, grab a good book and take a 2-hour time-out to go to your local laundromat, where commercial-sized washing machines can easily wash and dry comforters of any size. “But you wouldn’t want to put a family heirloom comforter in an agitator machine for fear that it may be too aggressive.” “Most machines can be used if they are big enough and your comforter is not delicate,” he says. If the bed is unused (in a guest room, for instance), he recommends washing the comforter every six months to remove the dust that settles on it.Ĭan you safely wash a comforter in a machine with an agitator? Handel says yes, with some caveats. In most other situations, Handel recommends washing your comforter every one to three months for a bed that’s used daily. Who knows where Whiskers and Duke have been? Washing it once a month may work, but if you’re using the comforter as your top sheet or have pets on it, washing more often may be necessary.” “Some people don’t have a sheet between the comforter and themselves,” says Rich Handel, CR’s laundry expert. Is the bed used daily? Do you invite your pet to snuggle on it? Does the comforter come into direct contact with your skin? So it’s a good practice to toss that comforter into a washing machine pretty regularly. Your comforter isn’t likely to be as soiled as your sheets, but it can still harbor bacteria that can disrupt your health and dreams. Washing your bedding can control this nuisance. Almost every home has them (4 of every 5 homes, the American Lung Association says). You can’t see the little critters, but they’re sharing your bed, potentially making you stuffy, sneezy, or wheezy instead of sleepy. Why? Aside from inevitable stains and spills, you dream away body oils, bacteria, and dead skin cells on your pillows, bedding, and mattress while sleeping.ĭust mites feed on those dead skin cells, which can trigger allergies and asthma. According to the American Cleaning Institute, you should wash your comforter every month.
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