How To Wash A Duvet
How To Wash A Duvet
To ensure your duvet is nice and clean, you should aim to wash your duvet every 3 to 6 months, and also anytime before you pack it away for the summer.
While doona covers and sheets offer some protection, your duvet is collecting sweat, dead skin and other microbes while you sleep. This can attract dust mites which feed off dead skin and are one of the most common allergen triggers for asthmatics.
Getting things started
Before you wash your duvet, it’s important to read the label. If the label says ‘dry clean only’ then you should take it to your local dry cleaners to avoid ruining it.
Once you’ve done that, check your duvet for holes, patch up any holes you find to avoid the stuffing escaping during the wash.
How to Wash a Duvet?
It’s important to choose the right machine when washing your doona. Attempting to wash a doona in a machine that’s too small could result in your donna not getting washed properly. It can also result in the machine overflowing.
Single bed doona covers can be washed in a 9kg machine. Anything bigger should be washed in a 13kg machine or larger. King and queen doonas should load one per machine to ensure a thorough wash and avoid the machine overflowing.
Once you have loaded the machine, set it to a warm/gentle cycle. The National Asthma Council recommends washing duvets, linen and at 55 degrees to kill dust mites and remove allergens.
To wash a duvet, place it in the washing machine on a warm to hot cycle at 40–60°C. Wash it separately using one-third of the suggested detergent (approximately ¼ of a cup). After washing, tumble dry on low heat for an hour and half or air dry. Always check the care label before starting.
How to Wash a Down & Feather Duvet
- Air the duvet regularly to keep it fresh.
- Place the duvet in a large-capacity washing machine.
- Select a delicate cycle at warm to hot setting (40-60°C).
- Add mild detergent, using only one-third of the usual amount.
- After washing, dry it immediately in a commercial dryer on low heat.
- Use dryer balls or tennis balls to stop clumping and restore loft.
Avoid high heat, as it can damage feathers.
How to Wash a Polyester or Synthetic Duvet
- Polyester duvets are easier to care for and wash more often.
- Use a delicate cycle at warm to hot setting (40-60°C) with a mild detergent.
- Wash separately from other items to avoid uneven cleaning.
- After washing, tumble dry on low or air dry outdoors.
Polyester dries faster than down, so air drying is often more efficient..
Step-by-Step: Washing a Duvet at the laundromat
- Remove the duvet cover and check the care label.
- Place the duvet in a large-capacity machine.
- Select a gentle cycle warm to hot setting (40-60°C).
- Add mild detergent (one-third of normal, about ¼ of a cup).
- Select the super wash option for an extra rinse cycle.
- Dry immediately using a commercial dryer on low heat or air dry in direct sunlight.
- If your duvet is down or feather, use tennis balls to avoid clumping and keep the filling fluffy.
Drying your duvet
It’s important to dry your doona correctly to prevent the buildup of mildew and musty smells. The fastest and most effective way to dry your doona is to use a commercial dryer.
As with washing your duvet, it’s important to choose the right machine when drying your doona so that it dries evenly. Make sure your laundry has enough room to move around and not bunch up.
Once you have selected the right machine, set the machine to low heat, start the machine and check on it every 20 minutes redistributing the duvet to avoid missing spots.
For the best results try adding dryer balls or tennis balls when drying your doona. Dryer balls help balance the load and have been proven to reduce drying time by up to 25%.
Aftercare and storage
Store your duvet in a cool, dry place. For extra protection use linen storage bags. These allow your duvet to breathe while being stored over summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, most duvets can be machine washed if the washer has enough capacity. A king or queen duvet usually requires at least a 9–10 kg machine so it can move freely and wash evenly.
👉 At Nina’s Laundry, our 27 kg front-load washers are perfect for bulky items like doonas and duvets, ensuring a thorough clean.
Yes, 40 °C works for most fabrics, while 60 °C is more effective at killing dust mites and bacteria. Always check the care label before choosing a cycle.
👉 Our self-service machines at Nina’s support warm cycles, so you can safely wash duvets while following the recommended settings.
A 9 kg machine may handle a lightweight king-size duvet, but for heavier or super king duvets, it’s usually too small. Large-capacity washers are recommended for best results.
👉 Nina’s offers commercial 27 kg washers that easily fit king and super king doonas, giving them space to wash properly.
Duvets should be washed every 6–12 months, or more often if you have allergies. Using a cover can help extend the time between washes.
👉 At Nina’s, many customers bring in their duvets seasonally to use our larger washers and dryers for a deep clean.
Use a gentle cycle at 40–60 °C, add mild detergent, and dry on low heat. Avoid bleach and high heat, which can damage the filling.
👉 Our laundrette machines are designed for bulky loads, helping your duvet wash and dry evenly without clumping.
Yes, duvets can go in the dryer on a low heat setting. Using dryer balls or tennis balls helps keep the filling fluffy and prevents clumping.
👉 Nina’s has large and extra-large dryers that are ideal for bulky items like doonas and duvets, ensuring a quick and even dry.
Drying a duvet can take 1–3 hours, depending on size, filling, and the type of dryer. It’s important to ensure the duvet is completely dry to avoid mould.
👉 With Nina’s commercial dryers, duvets dry faster and more evenly compared to smaller home machines.
Most duvets can be machine washed at home if you have the right equipment. However, delicate down or silk duvets may benefit from professional cleaning.
👉 At Nina’s, we provide self-service washing and drying for common duvets and doonas, but recommend specialist dry cleaners for delicate fabrics.
Yes, doonas (the Australian term for duvets) can be machine washed if the washer is large enough. Always follow the care instructions on the label.
👉 Nina’s has extra-large machines designed to handle doonas, quilts, and other bulky bedding with ease.
You can air a duvet outside in sunlight or run it in a dryer on a no-heat cycle to remove odours and fluff the filling. Spot cleaning helps manage small stains.
👉 Customers at Nina’s often use our dryers to quickly refresh their doonas without doing a full wash.