How to wash a duvet and a pillow

Short answer: Follow the label in the duvet, not the one in the cover. Duvets and pillows have their own instructions, and they depend on the filling rather than the cover fabric.

The label in the duvet

The filling decides whether the duvet can be machine washed and at what temperature. That is stated on the label. See washing and care.

Room in the machine

A duvet has to be able to move freely. If it is too large for the machine, it comes out neither clean nor fully dry.

Drying is the critical part

A duvet that does not dry all the way through develops odour and mould in the filling. That is why the drying matters more than the wash itself.

The cover is something else

The cover is washed like other bedding at 40 degrees. See bamboo bedding.

Air rather than wash

A duvet that is aired regularly rarely needs washing. See home and homewear in bamboo.

Frequently asked questions

Can you machine wash a duvet?

It depends on the filling. Follow the label in the duvet, not the one in the cover.

What matters most when washing a duvet?

That it dries all the way through. Moisture in the filling causes odour and mould.

How often should a duvet be washed?

Rarely, if it is aired regularly and has a cover that gets washed.