How To Clean A Down Comforter
Have you ever thought about washing that down comforter that keeps you so warm? Your next question might be “Can I use my home washer? If I push it in my new front load washer it should fit. Don’t they get really small when they are wet?”
Well, the answer would be No, don’t try and use your home washer unless you are one of the few that has an industrial washer bolted to the basement floor. I have heard of this but that guy is in jail for fraud. But that’s another story.
Also known as a duvet they are made out of real feathers so they need to be treated differently than other items.
A duvet cover should always be used. These can normally be washed with other sheets during your normal cleaning cycle.
Here are the steps to follow and things to look out for.
1- Take it to a Laundromat. There you will find the big machines that are actually bolted to the floor. For a list of laundries in your area, the Coin Laundry Association has a website http://findalaundry.org/
Hint: Ask if they have a drop off service. You will probably spend less money and time paying them to do it. You can expect to pay $4-$6 to wash it yourself and $7-$20 to dry. Our current rates for a King size is $20. We only dry on Medium for about a half hour and then low and cool for 2 to 3 hours. This is what needs to happen to get it dry, big and fluffy.
2- Wash on a gentle cycle with a mild or natural detergent. When you load it into the washer start with one corner and feed it in. If you put it in folded it may not clean as well.
3- Most washers are programmed with one wash and two rinse cycles to clean the soap out.
4- Avoid using a softener as it will cause the feathers to stick together and clump.
5- Use a dryer that will seem too big at the start. The duvet needs room to fluff and tumble to dry correctly.
Hint: Don’t forget the tennis balls. These are used to bump the feathers and help break up clumps.
6- After about 15 minutes check to make sure it hasn’t rolled into a sausage. If it has, stop the dryer and loosen it up.
7- Once it’s dry pull it out and hold it up to the light. You should see an even distribution of light. If you see any dark spots that are the feathers clumped up. Grab the clump on each side and gently pull them apart. After they are all apart another 15 minutes in the dryer on Low or Cool will finish the fluffing.
Hint: After removing from the dryer, lay on a table and feel for any cool spots. This will indicate if more dry time is needed. Don’t skimp on the dry time or it will smell like a wet duck is laying beside you.
Take it home, put the cover back on and head to bed early.
( About now you are daydreaming about a warm bed on a cool rainy morning)
Good Night and Sleep Tight
If you have any comments please post them below.
Ken
