The nights are starting to get pretty chilly as we head deeper into our version of "winter." Although nowhere as bad as some of the other states (which is why we live here right?), it is pretty appropriate now to bust out that down comforter and put away the lighter blankets that have been sufficient until now. It has been said that the less often you clean your down comforter, the longer it will last. However, it is a good idea to shake it out weekly, and air it out to keep it fresh.
Down Comforter Care
If you find that you need to clean your comforter, here are a few reminders and hints (via essortment):
Down comforters can be dry cleaned, but can be pricey. You can use a washing machine, but use cold water and no fabric softer, and only a small amount of detergent. It is best not to use a colored laundry detergent, and hopefully one with no dyes as these can possibly stain. One tip when drying is to put a clean tennis shoe to help fluff up the down and distribute it. Hanging it to dry outside will add a fresh clean scent. Does anyone else have any tips about caring for down comforters? Please share!
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Yes, definitely tennis BALL, not shoe. In fact, 3 unused tennis balls should do the trick on a comforter. If you're looking for down-friendly detergent, you should be able to find some at your local sporting goods/outdoor apparel store - Patagonia & Sport Chalet, for example.
Tennis *SHOE*? I was told to use a tennis BALL. How many people have a spare "clean" tennis shoe hanging about?
Darn, I've been using three tennis PLAYERS, this whole time! That explains the stains and extra headbands I find in each load.
i actually do use tennis shoes...or actually b-ball shoes: i wash my comforter with my converse! but i use hot water to kill the dust mites...ew!
I use worn-out running shoes. If you run much, you always have a lot of extra running shoes around...just run them through the wash with the comforter. We have a king-size comforter and even the shoes don't completely do the job. We have to take it out and manually "fluff" the down by pulling the down clumps apart and then put it in the dryer again to finish.
I use a very tiny pair of sneakers that my son used to wear when he was a toddler. I run them through the wash with the comforter first.