Cleaning Down Comforters

How do you clean a down comforter? Are they washable?

Rose from Bloomer, WI

Answers: Cleaning Down Comforters

Read answers for this question below.

By Sue (Guest Post) 04/09/2008

Thanks, this is all great advice. My king sized down comforter is hitting the washing machine this morning.

By Lee (Guest Post) 12/17/2007

Is it safe to use bleach on my white down comforter? What would happen to it?

By Carolyn Ballard (Guest Post) 09/21/2007

I did mine in the washer and dryer but it came out smelling like bird or something.........unpleasant to say the least. Any suggestions on getting the smell out?

Editor's Note: It sounds like it isn't completely dry. It can take a while with down. Make sure to put a clean canvas shoe or tennis balls in with it to fluff it up.

By down in the dumps (Guest Post) 07/06/2007

The tips above were great...I didn't know about using tennis balls....

By 01/15/2007

Do you use warm or cold water to wash?

By COOKIEPOM (Guest Post) 01/12/2007

I have a down comforter that I had taken to the cleaners. It cost a lot to have it cleaned/I think it was $20 or so. Anyway when I got it back it did not look all that clean. Then my husband got chocolate on it and I decided to try the washer. I put is in and worked it around in the water to make sure it was immersed properly. It washed fine. I did spin it dry several times before I put it in the dryer for about 30 minutes. Then I hung it out to dry in the house. It looks fine and I will continue to do this method as long as I have it. Just keep an eye on it in the washer and dryer. I can't see paying a cleaners again to have it cleaned for no better than it came back. It would be easier if I had taken it to the Laundry Mat as the machines are bigger and the dryers are too, but I did not want to take the time ect... I hope this helps!

Cleaning Down Comforters

We have a goose down comforter with cotton cover. It needs cleaning for the Fall. Can this be done safely in the washing machine or does it have to be taken to the dry cleaners. Thanks!

C.E. from Nashville, TN

I cleaned one (twin size) in my washer.

I cleaned one (twin size) in my washer. One end came apart; and bleached some how or it looked bleached. So, now it is repaired and hiding in a comforter cover as this belongs to one of my boys. With 4 bedrooms each with a down comforter it would be very expensive to replace. Now, I'll be taking them to the dry cleaners. (11/30/2000)

By Kathy

Tennis Balls

I have a down comforter and I have washed it several times with no problems. When you dry it, put a couple of tennis balls in the dryer (or a new, clean sneaker) to fluff it up. Otherwise it will come out all matted and clumpy. (11/30/2000)

By Jess - North Attleboro, MA

You can machine wash your goose-down comforter.

You can machine wash your goose-down comforter. However, you have to do it carefully, it is water-proof and floats to the top of the wash water! I usually wash mine twice a year or more and I throw a couple of pair of tennis shoes in to help.

I usually toss it in the dryer for 1/2 hour on hot, then hang it to dry completely. Once it is dry, it will need to go back in the dryer for 15 minutes to fluff it up and distribute the down evenly!

To get rid of the mildew, you first have to spray it with an ammonia mix. Bleach doesn't kill the fungus! I spray with ammonia-water, wait a few days (Just to be on the safe side! You don't want to mix ammonia and bleach!), then spray with the bleach-water.

The ammonia kills the mildew, but will not make it white again. The bleach makes it white, but it will always come back, because it is not killing it! (11/30/2000)

By Ashley

RE: Cleaning Down Comforters

I have machine washed many down comforters with success. I do not use my home washer, I take the comforter down to a local laundromat and use the oversize washers that are made for very big loads. It' ususally $4.00 to do it yourself. I use a gentle detergent, some powder bleach. I then dry in their large dryers till almost dry for $2.00. I stop the dryer many times to fluff and turn the comforter. Sometimes I put in tennis shoes to help break up the clumps. When almost dry, I take it home and lay it out in the sun on my deck or across our queen bed or put into my home dryer with just air until I am sure it is completely dry. I do this about once a year, sometimes spray with bleach and lay it in the sun. Be sure to never put it away for at least a month after cleaning, it could still be damp inside and mildew. (09/23/2002)

By bsfrizb

RE: Cleaning Down Comforters

I tried taking mine down comforter to the dry cleaners the other day and they refused to take it, so I guess I am going to try to clean it on the gentle cycle. I also am going to go any buy a duvet cover for the future. Thanks for the tips. (12/29/2006)

By Debbi