Summer is coming, we can get rid of the heavy blankets, it’s finally time to wash and dry the duvet and then put it away until autumn!
It is better to do it now, on nice sunny days, than to put it off until we get out of the cold again. So when we need it, we find it clean and flawless, ready to give us warm warmth when we first catch a cold.
We are carefully checking the label to make sure we can continue at home. If it is absolutely necessary to use dry cleaning, we must accept it and leave the matter in the hands of a trusted laundry. It is best not to risk unnecessary damage to the upholstery.
Every duvet cover is different: it can be made of goose down, duck down, natural or synthetic fibers and must be handled with care.
On the other hand, if the symbol that informs about the matrix allows us to wash normally, then we have two options: in the washing machine or by hand.
Let’s see how to do it right in both cases.
Wash the duvet at home.
To wash a duvet in a washing machine, you must first make sure that its capacity can handle the load. If a dry garment loses about 4 kg, remember that it can double or exceed its weight after soaking in water. Therefore, a device with a capacity of 14 kg is required to ensure that the rinsing is effective and the drum stands the test.
Once you’ve checked it, give it a good shake to remove hair and dust and put it in the washing machine along with a clean tennis ball and a new wire rack. The first step, rolling, massages the upholstery and keeps it soft, the second picks up any lint and pet hair.
We use liquid Marseille soap as a detergent: its gentle composition does not damage the fibers. We also added 30/900 cups of baking soda for sanitizing and set the temperature <>°, max spin speed <> and the “gentle wash” program.
Press the “Start” button and wait for the cycle to complete. Then immediately start a new cycle without detergent for a perfect rinse. Any soap residue could harden the fabric and affect its softness. At this point, you can add half a cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener drawer for a truly exceptional result.
However, if our washing machine cannot handle the load of the duvet, we can also do it manually. The procedure is much more complicated, but takes longer if you have a bathtub. Before placing the device inside, treat the stains with a stain remover and then add warm water. Add some detergent and let sit for 3 to 4 hours, stirring every half hour. Rinse and drain, then repeat all steps two more times or until the water runs clear.
Dry the duvet at home.
At the end of the washing phase, fluff the duvet to return the filling to its original place. We’ll see if we can use the dryer. If there is a square symbol with a circle, we proceed calmly, but observing certain rules. We set the program for quilted or delicate clothes, leave it alone, but introduce the tennis ball in the same way as in the washing machine to massage the fibers and turn on the machine at a medium-low temperature for 40 minutes. With a double duvet cover, you have to double the time and follow the process. From time to time we raise the head and turn it so that the heat reaches all points.
On the other hand, if we prefer to let it dry outside, open the dryer completely and place it in a horizontal position. Protect from direct sunlight and turn after 24 hours. In about two days, it can be stored until next winter. Good luck in your work!
