USEFUL TIPS
How To Wash a Duvet Cover the Right Way
6 min read
6 min read
Were you about to put your comforter in the washing machine, and then at the last minute, you realized that wait… you don’t actually have a comforter...that’s actually a duvet?
Or maybe, you bought one knowing exactly what it was, but now you’re a few months in, and you just noticed that you haven’t bothered washing it yet. Maybe you’re somewhere in between.
No matter where you find yourself today, we’re about to save you from a phone call home. Keep reading for everything you need to know about duvets, comforters, duvet covers, and how to clean them correctly.
What Is a Duvet?
A duvet is a pouch-like bed cover, typically filled with down-like feathers or wool or a synthetic alternative. Synthetic alternatives can help make sure the duvet is allergy-friendly if that’s something you need to keep in mind. Duvets are most popular in Europe, but people in the United States have begun to make the switch as well. They are soft, warm, and comfortable.
Duvets have two main pieces:
- The duvet insert. This is the main blanket part of the duvet. It is typically plain white and fluffy.
- The duvet cover. This is the outer part of the duvet. It slips on similarly to a pillowcase.
Duvet covers help to keep the duvet insert clean. They also allow you to customize your duvet and switch up the style from time to time without having to buy a whole new comforter.
Duvet inserts come in many different forms. Traditionally they’re made with down, but as people have become more allergy conscious, there are now many alternatives.
Here are a few of the different things duvet inserts may be filled with:
- Wool
- Feathers
- Silk
- Polyester
- Microfiber
- Cotton
Be sure to keep your personal preferences and the allergies of everyone in your household in mind when selecting your duvet insert. Each of these inserts also comes at a different price point, so that may help you make a decision as well.
Duvets vs. Comforters
Welcome to the great debate. If you’re here early in the buying process, you might be wondering if you should get a duvet or a comforter. Or, you might still just be confused about the difference between the two.
Here are the basic things you need to know:
Comforters are traditional one-piece top layer blankets for beds. They come in different thicknesses and materials and can tend to be rather bulky. Many people love them, and you can definitely find high-quality comforters. In fact, if you’re thinking a comforter might be more up your alley, we have the perfect choice. It’s warm and cozy without causing you to overheat.
As we already covered, a duvet is a lightweight, fluffy top layer. It is comfortable, breathable, and easily customizable. Duvets do need an additional layer as opposed to comforters which can be used as they are.
Ultimately, it comes down to your personal preference. Duvets are typically easier to wash because of the duvet cover, while comforters can often be too bulky to wash at home. But comforters are easier to use because they come all in one piece and ready to put on your bed, while duvets need a cover which sometimes can be tricky to get on.
Duvets do also tend to be a bit more expensive, so if you’re watching your budget, be sure to either save up or find a great comforter at a lower price point.
How To Wash a Duvet Cover
Washing a duvet cover is fairly simple and much easier than washing a comforter. You don’t have to worry about the bulky weight of a wet comforter throwing the balance of your washing machine off or taking forever to dry.
Here are a few steps to washing your duvet cover:
- Remove the cover from the duvet itself. You can wash the duvet insert every so often, but with a cover, it is not as necessary.
- Pre-treat any stains before putting it into the wash.
- Avoid fabric softeners or powdered detergent. Use a mild, gentle detergent.
- Try to wash the duvet cover on its own or with other sheets, so it doesn’t snag on anything else in the washing machine or dryer.
- Avoid using hot water. It may seem like you should use the hottest water possible to kill all germs, but warm water will do the job just as well and won’t damage your duvet cover.
- Tumble dry on low. Don’t leave it sitting inside the dryer; try to remove it as soon as possible after the cycle ends.
Once you’re done washing and drying your duvet cover, you can put it back on the duvet insert and place it on your bed again. While this may sound like a nightmare, putting a duvet cover on is relatively simple. Most come with either zippers, ties, or buttons/clasps. Place the cover on your bed, put the duvet insert on top, and then take the appropriate steps to close up the cover around it.
How Often To Wash a Duvet Cover
If you already use a duvet cover and are asking this question, now is probably a great time to go ahead and wash it. We totally get it; we’re all busy, and taking time to wash bigger items like sheets, towels, and duvet covers can feel like an added inconvenience in our day. But these are some of the items that we put on or close to our bodies the most often, so we should take extra care to make sure they are clean.
As a general rule, duvet covers should be washed once a week. If you’re using a top (flat) sheet, you can cut that down to every few weeks or once a month. Another way to cut down on the amount of wash you have to do is by investing in one of our duvet covers.
Infused with natural silver, our duvet covers prevent up to 99.9% of bacterial growth. This means you can rest easy knowing that your duvet is staying nice and clean. Plus, it can give you an extra week or two between washes.
Why Invest in a Good Duvet
With so many options about what to put on top of your bed each night, it may seem over the top to spend money on a duvet and a duvet cover. But consider this: you will spend at least 1/3 of your life in bed. Whether you’re sleeping, trying to sleep, or doing other things, that is a significant amount of time. It’s worth investing in a nice quality duvet, duvet cover, or even just a nice comforter if that’s more your style.
Typically a duvet and the duvet cover are sold separately. This can make them a bit more expensive than a comforter, but it’s possible to get a great deal. Keep your eyes open and be patient.
One nice thing about duvets is that you can get more than one cover set. Cover sets tend to include the duvet cover, pillowcases, pillow shams, and sometimes even sheets. You can get different weights for summer and winter if you like to switch up the look and feel based on the time of year.
What To Pair With a Duvet
So if you’ve decided to add a duvet to your bed or keep the one you already have, what else do you need to make the rest of your bed a cozy place to drift off to sleep?
Here are our top picks:
- A flat sheet. This is much more controversial than it should be. In fact, in Europe, most people who use duvets tend to skip the top sheet because of how easy it is to wash a duvet cover. Despite what they say about millennials, we’re not totally adopting that trend yet, so a flat sheet stays on our list for now.
- A fitted sheet. This one is much less controversial and pretty universal on all beds.
- A great pillow. The pillow you choose can really make or break your sleep quality. Make sure you find one that’s right for you.
We’re keeping it basic and classic with these choices, but you might want to get fancy and add some throw pillows or an extra blanket on top. It’s up to you!
Covering It Up
Now you know what a duvet is, why you should use a duvet cover, and what in the world the difference between a duvet and a comforter really is. Taking good care of your duvet and duvet cover will help it last longer, so it’s important to know how to wash it properly.
Don’t forget to remove the cover, pre-treat any stains, avoid fabric softener, and wash with warm water. The next time you slip under your nice, clean duvet, your body will thank you; it’s truly a Miracle.
Washing Sheets and Other Bedding: A Guide to Keeping Your Bed Clean | Sleep
