While it’s recommended that a comforter be washed once or twice a year, many of us likely can’t remember the last time ours had a good cleaning. More often than not we’re reluctant to wash heavy bedding, believing it requires the extra step of going to the Laundromat. But what if you knew how to clean a comforter at home? We believe your comforter will be all the cleaner once you have the know-how!
How to Clean a Comforter Without Setting Foot in a Laundromat
Knowing how to wash a comforter at home is as easy as using the right water temperature, wash settings, and detergent. With our 6 steps for how to clean a comforter, you can feel confident about caring for all your bedding from the comfort of home.
#1 – Read Washing Instructions
Before you venture near the washing machine, we recommend taking the time to read the instructions on your comforter’s care label. For some materials dry cleaning may be the only option. Most of the time, the label will have important directions re: wash and drying temperatures that should be followed.
Image from Crane & Canopy
#2 – Pretreat Stains
We suggest pretreating any stains prior to washing to optimize stain removal. You can use detergent or a mix of baking soda and water by gently rubbing it into the stained area and allowing it to sit for at least 30 minutes.
#3 – Use the Right Type of Washer
If you’re wondering how to wash a comforter without it getting lumpy, the key is ensuring it fits properly in your washer. While it’s tempting to stuff it in and cross your fingers, there’s a risk the comforter won’t be sufficiently cleaned. Worse case scenario, it could cause harm to your washer. Once you determine that your comforter fits properly, we recommend it be washed by itself to optimize space and cleaning potential.
If your comforter is too large for your washer, don’t despair. Refer to our Bonus Step below for how to clean a comforter that won’t fit in your washer.
#4 – Select Wash Settings
Knowing how to wash a comforter in the washer also includes knowing the right settings and temperatures. We recommend using cold water, as hot or warm water can shrink fabric or harm the comforter’s filling. To further reduce harm, we recommend washing on a delicate cycle.
#5 – Use the Correct Detergent
We generally recommend using mild or natural-based detergents, as some chemical additives can break down your comforter over time. We also suggest refraining from using fabric softener, as it’s been known to lessen the fluffiness of down and down alternatives.
#6 – Dry Comforter
Once your comforter is washed we suggest putting it in the dryer at a low temperature setting for 1-2 hours. This will minimize heat damage to the comforter’s filling. To prevent clumping, toss a few tennis balls in with the comforter and remove it from the dryer every 30 minutes to fluff and redistribute filling.
Image from Amazon
Bonus Step: What to Do if Your Comforter Is Too Large for Your Washer
If you have a comforter that’s too big to properly fit your washer, you can still avoid a trip to the Laundromat. Here’s how to clean a comforter at home by hand:
- Fill your bathtub halfway with warm water and a capful of detergent.
- Immerse your comforter in the tub and swirl it gently for several minutes.
- Drain and rinse the tub, repeating as necessary to remove suds.
- Remove the comforter and, without wringing, squeeze to remove excess water.
- If the comforter fits in your dryer, dry on a low setting. If not, air dry in a grassy, sunny spot, flipping as needed until completely dry.
With a little knowledge and some basic steps, you can know how to clean a comforter at home safely. Aviv Service Today is committed to customer service with even more washing tips and suggestions, such as how to wash a down jacket and how to wash a dirty backpack. And, as always, we’re here to help with any type of washer repair!
