Sharon Tanenbaum is a writer and editor based in New York. Highlights: * Former fact checker and researcher turned reporter and associate editor at Real Simple * Has held positions at Us Weekly, Everyday Health, DailyGlow.com, and Brit+Co
Mary Marlowe Leverette is one of the industry's most highly-regarded housekeeping and fabric care experts. She has over four decades of experience and has been writing and consulting for more than 20 years sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, stain removal methods, and textile conservation. Mary is a Master Gardener and an apple orchard owner.
Snuggling under a warm, fluffy comforter is a perfect way to relax. The thick layer of insulation—whether down or a synthetic material—traps the warmth of your body for a comfortable night's sleep. Eventually, the comforter is going to need cleaning. Take a minute to look for the care tag. It will give you information about the fiber content and how to clean the comforter. Most comforters can be washed at home, but some have outer coverings that require dry cleaning. If the comforter is washable, follow the steps below to wash the comforter at home or at your local laundromat. Here's how to wash a comforter so you can sleep soundly tonight under clean and cozy bedding.
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Many comforters have removable covers that can be washed to remove body soil and stains every time you change the sheets. A thick comforter without a removable cover should be washed at least seasonally and more often if you allow pets on the bed, or if someone in the household has been sick. Always wash a comforter before storing it for the off-season.
Down-filled comforters and comforters filled with synthetic down-alternative are easy to clean and dry at home, especially if you have a spacious washing machine. If you don't have a large-capacity washer, head to your local laundromat. A smaller household washer could compress and distort the filler, says Allen Rathey, president of Housekeeping Channel. You can wash a comforter by hand in the bathtub, but the comforter will become very heavy and can take several days to dry. Cleaning it in a washing machine is easy, and you'll save money by skipping the dry cleaner.
Just as you would with any dirty laundry, pretreat stains before washing the comforter. Pretreating allows the stain remover to begin breaking down the stains and loosening them from the fibers, so that the wash water can flush them away.
The down or feathers in a comforter are a bit more temperamental than synthetic poly-fill. Always use a gentle detergent or down wash to prevent stripping the natural oils from the feathers. Start by pretreating any stains, following the steps outlined above.
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