You won’t always have access to your washing machine, or have it up and running all the time, and in times like this, how do you clean heavy bedding items like duvets?
If for some reason you can’t access a washer, use the bathtub to clean your duvet using cold water and a gentle detergent. Alternatively, you can opt for the costly option of taking the duvet to the Laundromat or the dry cleaners and let them do the job for you.
Below, you’ll learn more on how to properly clean a duvet without a washer.
Use bathtub
One of the easiest ways to clean a duvet without using the washing machine is in the bathtub. It has enough space to accommodate even your king size duvet.
To wash a duvet in a bathtub, first add water to ⅔ the total volume, or less if you have a much smaller duvet (to save water), and then add an appropriate amount of detergent into the water.
Swish to incorporate the detergent and water, and add the properly dusted duvet to the wash water. Allow the duvet to soak for long to make up for the lack of agitation in the style of washing.
Let the duvet sit for up to 1 hour or more depending on the size and age of stain you have, and also how soiled or unfresh the duvet is. After soaking, release soiling on the duvet using techniques like pulling and plunging, and also swishing it around in the wash water. Whatever you do however, avoid scrubbing on the duvet so you don’t end up tearing the delicate internal baffles and also facilitating the clumping of down or feathers.
When you’re satisfied with the degree of stain and soiling removed, gather the blanket on one side of the tub and drain the water completely. When the water is gone, leave the duvet to fall flat on the bottom of the tub and then press against it to release the remaining soapy water.
Add fresh cold, warm or even hot water depending on the type of fabric you have; cotton and polyester fare well under hot water application whereas silk dislikes them and prefers only cold water, and repeat the same technique of pulling and plunging to release soil as well as detergent from the duvet.
Next, drain the water and let the duvet fall flat. Press against it to remove as much water from it as possible and then transfer it to the drying machine. Make sure to check the size of the dryer with that of the duvet to ensure it’s a free fit. Run three cycles with the first on moderate heat whereas the last two on low heat. Make sure to remove the blanket between cycles and fluff it up gently.
If you have only little space to work with in the dryer, it would mean that the surface of the duvet constantly touches the walls of the dryer which can cause scorching. It also means less room to tumble, therefore the duvet blanket will not dry properly!
If you have a really small dryer, opt for air drying, although the dryer is always recommended. When air drying, make sure to spread the duvet on a clothesline to prevent the weight of water in the duvet from causing tears in the internal baffles.
Use a badminton racket to fluff up the duvet mid way drying.
Dry clean
Dry cleaning is also another option you have when it comes to washing duvet without a washing machine. In fact, most duvet are recommended to be dry cleaned in order to take away the hassle and risks involved in washing duvet at home.
At the dry cleaners, a duvet is inspected and treated for stains using professional knowledge from experts which guarantees that fibers are protected while stains are removed from them.
After stain removal, the duvet is washed using a chemical solvent which cleans better than water and detergent without also having the negative side effects they exert on fibers. Water causes fibers to swell at the micro level, and this leads to minor shrinkage that becomes apparent with progressive washing.
Dry cleaning solvent also eliminates the idea of washing duvet in a certain temperature, which makes it safe to use on nearly every type of duvet out there.
Aside from the solvent, the dry cleaning machine is also gentler than the regular washer you have at home. The agitation in a dry cleaning machine is mostly to support contact of the solvent with the stain or soil for effective cleaning, even though the little friction here and there also helps to release some stains too.
Wet wash
You can opt for wet washing if dry cleaning isn’t your thing. Wet washing your duvet is possible in the Laundromat or with a reputable cleaner.
When taking a duvet to the Laundromat, which means you’ll be cleaning them yourself, wash them exactly the way they’re supposed to be washed at home. If you don’t know how, read the guide we wrote about it below.
Spot clean
Another option you have is to spot clean. Spot cleaning is the best way to clean a duvet that isn’t heavily soiled. Spot cleaning your duvet until it has completely lost its freshness will help preserve its integrity better.
Treating stains on duvets is easy. First check the care label of the duvet you have to learn about its composition. From the composition, you’ll have a great idea on how to spot-treat the fabric.
The most basic way to treat stains on durable fabrics like cotton and polyester, their blends or other durable materials like linen is to use a concentrated solution of mild detergent and water. Apply this to the stained area using a soft brush. Work it in and let it sit for some time. Work it in again then rinse with warm water.
Air dry the duvet flat on a clothesline and that’s it. Make sure to fluff up the area to prevent lumps from forming.
If that doesn’t work, use professional stain removal products meant for the specific type of stain that you have, and if you can afford that stress, or have a delicate material like silk, opt for professional help.
Final thoughts
It’s very easy to clean a duvet without the washing machine. You have the option to treat stains as they form and then leave the duvet to dry outside, you have the option to take it for dry cleaning and you also have the option to take it to professionals for wet cleaning.
When it comes to things you can do to keep your duvet looking and feeling fresh all the time, air dry it regularly to remove any moisture that may have collected, unfold the duvet cover at least halfway to allow air to reach the duvet insert inside, and treat stains immediately they form.