How to Wash a Down Comforter

updated Dec 18, 2023
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Credit: GIC/Stocksy

Ever wondered if it’s okay to wash your down comforter without taking it to the dry cleaners? You’ve wondered correctly! You can absolutely wash your down comforter sans the pros. All you need is a mild detergent, and a few hours spent at the laundromat. And patience. Did I mention patience?

What You’ll Need:

  • Mild or all-natural detergent
  • Tennis balls
  • Extra large capacity front-loading washing machine
  • Extra large capacity dryer or sunny outdoor space

Instructions:

1. Head to the laundromat. Get in line for an XL front-loading machine at your local laundromat and place your comforter inside.

2. Load up the washer. Select the delicate/gentle cycle and add a small amount of mild or all-natural detergent. Too much soap can strip the down, so be sparing.

3. Rinse it twice. Run the comforter through two rinse cycles to ensure all the soap has been washed out.

4. Dry it. Dry the comforter in an XL capacity dryer on low. This may take a few hours but will ensure that all the down is completely dry to prevent mold growth.

5. Use tennis balls, if needed. You might want to add a few tennis balls to the dryer to help fluff the down as it dries. The goal is to prevent the down from clumping and mushing together. Take the comforter out a few times throughout the drying process and fluff it up.

6. Check if it’s dry. If you’re unsure whether or not the comforter is completely dry, try holding it up to an overhead light. If you can see clumps through the fabric (like in the photo below) put it back in the dryer. If the down seems to be evenly spread out and diffused, its probably pretty close to being dry.

7. Hang dry, if needed. If it’s still damp after a few hours of dryer time, take it home and hang it to dry in your backyard, or an area in the house that will allow air to circulate on all sides.

Edited from an original post by Cambria Bold published on January 06, 2010.