Yes – as long as your doona’s care label says it’s safe. Use a large-capacity dryer on a low-to-medium heat setting and add a few clean dryer balls or tennis balls to prevent the filling from clumping. Always check the label first – if it shows “Do Not Tumble Dry,” skip the dryer and air-dry instead. With the right settings, most doonas (even king-size) can be safely dried in a big drum.
When it comes to laundry day, many people often find themselves questioning whether they can safely tumble dry a doona. While dryers are super convenient, it’s essential to make sure that it is the right machine with the right settings for your doona.
This is Nina’s full tried and tested advice to make sure you’re drying your doona properly step-by-step.
Check the care label
Start by examining the care label attached to your doona. This label usually offers precise guidance for washing and drying your doona.
It’s very important to be on the lookout for symbols or text that convey whether machine drying is suitable. If you encounter “Do Not Tumble Dry” or come across a crossed-out dryer symbol, avoid using the dryer.
Material matters, what’s your doona make of?
Doonas are made out of different materials and fillings. It is also crucial to discover the material and the filling in your doonas. It is generally mentioned on the package or the care label and can be these types of material:
- Down or feather filling: Doonas with down or feather fillings are often not recommended for machine drying. The heat in the dryer can damage the delicate feathers, which could cause clumping. It is always recommended to air dry these types of doonas.
- Synthetic fillings: Some doonas have synthetic fillings like polyester. They are more resilient to heat and may be suitable for low-heat machine drying.
- Cotton or cotton blend: Cotton doonas may be suitable for machine drying at a low to medium heat setting.
Doona size and type
Consider the dimensions and thickness of your doona. If your doona happens to be thick or quite large, it may require a longer drying time and more room within the dryer to guarantee complete drying.
At Nina’s Launderette in Northcote, we offer oversized dryer machines designed to effectively dry doonas of all sizes.
Dryer settings, how long will it take to dry a doona?
If you choose machine drying for your doona, it’s very crucial to utilise a low to medium heat setting. Avoid high heat setting because they can potentially ruin the fabric and fillings in your doona.
Drying a doona can take around 1 and a half hours on medium heat, so be patient.
Prevent your doona from clumping
Always ensure that you’re checking on the drying process periodically. To prevent clumping, you can shake or fluff the donna a few times during the drying cycle.
Another way to avoid clumping is to add 2-3 dryer balls during the drying cycle. Dryer balls move the donna around creating a larger surface area. This allows your doona to dry quicker and more evenly.
Don’t have dryer balls? That’s OK, tennis balls will work just fine.
Once the doona is dry, carefully take it out of the dryer and thoroughly inspect it. It should have a completely dry feel, with no signs of moisture or cold spots.
Step-by-Step: Drying Doonas at the Laundromat
Wool Doonas – Gentle Air-Dry
- Wring out water carefully. After washing, press or squeeze excess water from the wool doona. Do not wring or twist it, as this can stretch the fibres.
- Optional short dryer cycle. At Nina’s Laundrette, you can place the doona in a large dryer on the low setting for 10–15 minutes. This helps remove surface moisture before taking it out to finish drying flat.
- Lay flat to finish. Spread the wool doona flat on a clean rack or surface. Do not hang it, as this can cause stretching or misshaping.
- Avoid heat and sun. Keep the wool doona away from heaters or direct sunlight, which can cause shrinkage.
- Fluff occasionally. Turn or shake the doona every so often to allow airflow and prevent the wool from matting.
Feather/Down Doonas – Machine Dry (Low Heat)
- Check the label. Ensure the doona’s tag permits tumble drying before use.
- Choose a large-capacity dryer. At Nina’s Laundrette, our 27 kg dryers are ideal for feather and down doonas, giving them enough room to tumble freely.
- Use low heat. Select the low or medium heat setting. Avoid high heat, which can damage feathers.
- Add dryer balls or tennis balls. Toss in 2–3 clean wool dryer balls or tennis balls to break up clumps and keep the filling fluffy.
- Pause and fluff. Stop the dryer halfway, take the doona out, and shake it by hand. This redistributes the feathers and reduces clumping.
- Dry completely. Continue drying until there are no damp or cold spots. Feather doonas may take 1.5–2 hours, so be patient and ensure they’re fully dry before use.
Next time you’re drying your doona, remember:
- Not all doonas are suitable for machine drying.
- Make sure to check its care label for drying instructions.
- It’s always better to use low or medium heat to dry your doona
- Pick a dryer that is big enough for your doona.
If you are looking for a launderette in Northcote to dry your doona, be sure to visit us at Nina’s Launderette. If your doona is too large to dry at home, you may also find our guide on finding a laundromat with large capacity washing machines helpful.
We have 14 dryers which vary in size and we have provided total laundry solutions to the Northcote community for over 50 years. Bring your doonas to Nina’s Launderette; we are open for extended hours from 6:00 a.m. to midnight on all seven days.