Duvets and bedding: when to wash at home and when to bring them in

Most duvets carry a label saying they can be washed at home. In practice, many will not fit in a domestic machine, or will not dry properly afterwards. Here is how to decide what to wash yourself and what to bring to us, and how often bedding really needs cleaning.

Will it fit in your machine?

A single duvet will often go into a large domestic washing machine. A double or king-size duvet usually will not, at least not with enough room to move. A duvet that is packed in tightly does not get clean, because the water and detergent cannot work through the filling. It also puts a heavy load on the machine.

A good rule: if you have to push the duvet in to close the door, it is too big for the machine.

The drying problem

Drying is where most home-washed duvets go wrong. Feather, down and thick synthetic fillings hold a great deal of water. If they are not dried right through to the middle, they can clump, smell musty and grow mildew. A duvet that feels dry on the outside can still be damp inside.

Drying on a washing line takes a long time and does not fluff the filling back up. Drying a duvet properly usually needs a large tumble dryer and patience.

How often to clean bedding

• Sheets and pillowcases: weekly is the usual advice.
• Duvet covers: at the same time as the sheets.
• Pillows: every few months, and replace them when they no longer spring back.
• Duvets: once or twice a year for most homes, and more often for anyone with allergies or after a spill.
• Blankets and throws: a few times a year, or when they look or smell as though they need it.

Feather and down

Feather and down duvets and pillows need particular care. The feathers have natural oils that keep them light and springy, and harsh detergents strip them. They also need to be dried thoroughly and evenly. If you have a good feather or down duvet, it is usually worth having it cleaned professionally.

When to bring it to us

Bring your bedding to the counter if:

• the duvet is double size or larger;
• it is feather or down;
• it has a stain, such as tea, coffee or a spill from a child or a pet;
• it smells musty after storage;
• you do not have the space or the time to dry it properly.

Read more about our duvet and bedding service.

For guest houses and small hotels

If you run a bed and breakfast or a small hotel, bedding is part of your daily work rather than a twice-yearly job. We work with businesses within five miles of our shops. Read about our service for business customers, or call the shop nearer to you to talk it through.

When the seasons change

Swapping a winter duvet for a summer one, and back again, is a good moment to have the one you are putting away cleaned. A clean duvet stored in a breathable bag, in a dry cupboard, will be fresh when you need it again.