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Washing Down Comforter
Washing Your Down Comforter
You’ve probably been putting off washing your down
comforter. For one thing, it’s too big for your washing
machine at home. To make matters worse, after you wash
it, the feathers emit a not-so-pleasant odor that can
linger for weeks. Here are some tips to help you tackle
this loathsome task with less hassle.
The first thing to do is determine whether it is
actually time to wash your down comforter. Ideally, you
should only wash a down comforter once every other year.
Too much washing can cause the goose down to break
apart.
Additionally, if you’ve got stitching on your comforter,
washing it can unravel the delicate thread. This can
cause the feathers to escape from their allotted
sections and bunch up all in one place. If you find that
your comforter is getting dirty too quickly and requires
washing more than once a year, a duvet cover can help
your down comforter stay cleaner for a longer amount of
time.
If you’ve decided your down comforter does need washing,
you may want to consider taking it to your local dry
cleaner. Be sure to specify that you want it dry
cleaned. Otherwise, they will simply take it to the
Laundromat and charge you much more than it would have
cost you to do it yourself. Dry cleaning your down
comforter is gentler than washing with soap and water,
but does not do the same job of killing dust mites as
washing in warm water will.
To wash a down comforter with soap and water, it is
recommended that you use a front-loading washing
machine. Most Laundromats have double-load machines that
will accommodate even the largest comforter sizes.
Pre-spot any stains with your regular stain remover and
use a liquid detergent in cold or warm water. Even if
your comforter is white, do not use bleach, which tends
to weaken fabrics.
Drying your comforter after washing it is crucial. It
must be completely dry. Use a large dryer to ensure
there is plenty of room for movement. Open the dryer
every ten minutes or so to turn it inside out to ensure
it is drying evenly.
As tempting as it may be to use a high setting to have
it dry quicker, use a medium or low setting so your down
comforter doesn’t burn. If you wish, you can throw in a
tennis ball while the comforter is drying so it
constantly ‘fluffs up’ the feathers as it dries. You can
tell when it is completely dry when there is no longer
an odor.
Taking your comforter home only partially dry, with the
thought that it will dry on it’s own, may lead to mildew
problems in the comforter. If possible, wait 2-3 days
before storing it to ensure it is completely dry. Store
in a cool, dry place.
About the Author
Judy Meyer is a full-time freelance writer based in San Diego, CA. Visit
her web site at www.meyereditorial.com. She is a contributor to http://www.comforter-n-duvet-cover.com
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