Can I wash my duvet? This is a question we are asked quite often.
Whether a duvet can be washed depends, naturally, on the specific type of duvet. One material might be perfectly suited for the washing machine, while for another, we strongly advise against it. Always follow the care instructions found on the wash label. To make things easier for you, we have put together a guide for each type of duvet!
Can you dry clean a wool duvet?
The fibers of a wool duvet contain a natural layer of lanolin. Lanolin is an essential wool fat that remains after sheep's wool is processed for bedding. It provides self-cleaning properties and prevents the wool from drying out. When a wool duvet is washed, this layer can diminish or disappear entirely, significantly reducing the duvet's performance. Therefore, we strongly advise against washing a wool duvet at home. If you still wish to clean or refresh your duvet, we recommend taking it to a professional dry cleaner!
Can you wash a down duvet?
A down duvet consists of down clusters and/or feathers. We generally do not recommend washing a down duvet yourself. Why? Because it is vital that down and feathers are dried thoroughly. If not dried correctly, the feathers inside the duvet will stick together and cause clumping, ruining the loft. The best practice is to pull back your duvet every morning to let it air out and occasionally hang it outside (out of direct sunlight). If you must wash it, we highly recommend professional cleaning.
Can you wash a silk duvet?
In theory, a silk duvet is washable at 30°C. However, we still advise against it. With any duvet, there is a risk of shrinkage. While the duvet might fit in your machine, the expansion of the material as it absorbs water can cause the temperature in the drum to rise, leading to shrinkage. Silk duvets generally belong to a higher-quality segment, so to protect your investment, we recommend professional cleaning.
Washing a Tencel duvet
A Tencel duvet requires very little maintenance. Simply airing out your duvet keeps it fresh and dry. One of the best features of a Tencel duvet is that it is easy to wash at home. It can be washed at temperatures up to 60°C and tumble-dried up to 70°C, or you can air-dry it outdoors. Important: Do not hang your Tencel duvet in direct sunlight! The sun extracts moisture from the Tencel fibers, causing them to lose elasticity and reducing sleep comfort.
Can you wash a cotton or bamboo duvet?
Both bamboo and cotton duvets can be washed easily and frequently without immediate loss of quality. Always read the care instructions on the label first! If you want to play it safe, take your cotton or bamboo duvet to the dry cleaners. If your washing machine drum is too small, the duvet will overheat, damaging the filling. If washing at home, ensure you press as much water out as possible before drying (do not wring!). It is also possible to hand wash cotton or bamboo duvets in a bathtub. To dry them properly, use a tumble dryer immediately after the wash cycle ends. Be sure to add dryer balls (or clean tennis balls) to help fluff the filling and keep it from clumping.