How to wash a duvet and a pillow
Short answer: Follow the label in the duvet itself, not in the cover. Duvets and pillows have their own washing instructions, and those depend on the filling rather than the fabric of the outer cover.
The label in the duvet is what counts
The filling decides whether the duvet can be machine washed and at what temperature. That is always stated on the label sewn into the duvet itself, not on the loose cover you have put over it. See washing and care.
Space in the machine is decisive
A duvet needs to be able to move freely around the drum during the wash. If it is too large for the machine, it ends up neither properly clean nor fully dry afterwards, whatever programme you choose.
Drying is the critical step
A duvet that does not dry all the way through develops odour and, in the worst case, mould deep inside the filling. That is why drying matters more than the wash programme you pick.
The cover is something else entirely
The cover is washed like other ordinary bedding, usually at forty degrees. It can take that much more often than the duvet itself, because it does not hold the moisture sensitive filling. See bamboo bedding.
Airing rather than washing
A duvet aired regularly on a balcony or by an open window rarely needs a full wash, which saves time and spares the filling. See home and homewear in bamboo for textiles that tolerate the same routine.
Tennis balls help with drying
A couple of clean tennis balls in the dryer stop the filling from clumping together while the duvet dries. That gives a more even distribution and a softer feel once the duvet is fully dry.
Wash less often than you think
Most duvets only need one full wash a year or two, if the cover is changed regularly and the duvet is aired in between. Over washing can actually wear the filling down.
Pillows follow the same rule
Pillows follow the same basic principle as duvets. Check the label, give them room in the machine, and make sure they are fully dry before they go back onto the bed, however tempting it is to rush the process.
A sign that it is time
Lumps in the filling that do not come apart with a shake, or a lingering smell even after airing, are signs that a full wash is needed rather than just airing, however convenient the latter is.
Frequently asked questions
Can a duvet be machine washed?
It depends on the filling. Always follow the label in the duvet itself, not the loose cover placed over it.
What matters most when washing a duvet?
That it dries all the way through. Moisture left in the filling causes odour and, in the worst case, deep mould.
How often should a duvet be washed?
Rarely, usually only once or twice a year, if it is aired regularly and has a cover that is washed often and easily.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
