Can You Wash a Goose Down Duvet?

If you're wondering if you can wash your goose down duvet yourself, the answer is yes. It's risky, but you can do it. To be clear, we're talking about the actual comforter that is made of goose down. Dry cleaning is very costly and you end up with no comforter for at least a few days, so if you can do it yourself you might as well. Don't wash your goose down duvet very often though since the fewer times it is washed, the longer it will last. To simply freshen rather than wash, you can take the cover off and simply hang it outside. It is recommended that you dry clean your goose down about once every three to five years.

You may be able to wash a twin or possibly full sized goose down duvet in your home washing machine, but if you have a queen or king you should go to a laundry mat and use one of their large washing machines & dryers.

Washing

Use a lot of cold water. Do not use any fabric softener and very little laundry detergent. If the comforter starts to baloon up, you need more water. It should look soaked and shrunken. You may need to do several wash cycles to get it to look like this.

Drying

Dry on cold air. An industrial sized dryer at a laundry mat will work the best. Add a tennis ball or some sort of solid ring to help break up the down while drying. It's important for the comforter to be 100% dry, or it it will smell. Make sure to pull the comforter out and rearrange it to expose the wet parts. You can dry it in the dryer for a half hour to an hour and air dry it the rest of the way. It may take up to 24 hours of air drying before it's ready to be back on your bed. All areas should be totally dry.

Other ways to keep your goose down looking fresh:

1. Shake it out everyday to redistribute the down and allow for air to move through.
2. Invest in a good comforter cover to help protect your comforter from stains and reasons to need to wash it.
3. If you need to store your goose down comforter, use a breathable bag. A plastic bag will encourage mold and mildew growth.
4. If you get something on it, clean it right away with cold water and make sure you allow it to fully dry.