This is how often you should wash your duvet, according to an expert (and how to do it)

Cropped shot of a young woman making up her bed

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This is how often you should wash your duvet, according to an expert (and how to do it)

1 min read

2023 is almost here and the desire to get our homes in tip-top shape is at an all-time high  Stylist speaks to an expert about the best time to wash your duvet.

The Twixmas period is always a strange one.

It’s easy to lose track of time (and days) between Christmas and the New Year, with many trying to navigate this murky period before kickstarting into full gear in January.

For some, this time is the perfect opportunity to finish tasks, take time to reflect and even tidy up ahead of the new year – and one thing we could all do during this time is to wash our bedding, specifically our duvets.

Washing our bed sheets is a topic of contention, but most of us know that we should be doing it pretty regularly if we want to keep our hygiene levels above board.

But washing our duvets? Hmm… that’s a different beast entirely. Now, we’re not talking about your duvet sheets, we’re talking about the actual duvet you stuff inside of them – the thing that keeps you warm.

Do you wash it once a year? Every couple of months? Never? Would you take it to the dry cleaners or is it safe to chance the washing machine?

The questions are endless – but luckily, we have the answer below.


How often should I wash my duvet?

Sally Bonser, spokesperson for Silentnight, has the definitive answer to the question we’re all asking. She says: “You should be washing your duvet every eight to 12 months – there are no excuses on this one. Not washing it for this amount of time can mean a build of dead skin and dust mites.”

Can I wash my duvet at home – if so, how?

Check your duvet’s label for washing instructions. If it shows a washing machine symbol with a number to indicate the temperature of wash, then you can and should follow those instructions.

First though, check your duvet all over and see if there are any stains that need attending to. Sponge them off with some stain remover. Next, put the duvet into the washing machine and be careful to choose a gentle wash cycle, a non-biological washing detergent and no fabric softener.

You’ll need to rinse your duvet twice if it’s got a natural filling and make sure the spin cycle isn’t too vigorous. If you have a tumble dryer use a low heat. Top tip: pop in a couple of clean tennis balls while tumble drying and it will help it dry more thoroughly and keep its fluffy shape. Then, to make sure it’s 100% dry, air your duvet outside. Plus, drying it in the sunlight will kill micro-organisms. Remember, feather and down duvets are thicker and heavier, and will therefore take a long ol’ time to dry. 


Do I need to dry clean my duvet?

This really depends on the type of duvet you have and it will be indicated by the label. Another reason you might need to dry clean it, though, is if it is too big for your washing machine drum. If you’re struggling to get it in, a good tip is to fold your duvet in half before turning it into the drum. This will spread out the weight of your duvet, and it shouldn’t be as noisy either.

Image: Getty

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