Spot-Clean

Spot-treat any stains before washing. Push the filling away from the soiled area and then treat with a spot remover like OxiClean. Follow the specific directions on whichever cleaning product you use, which will typically involve rubbing the stained area against itself or a rag, and rinsing with water.

Machine Selection

Again, we highly recommend an industrial front load machine, like those at Big Waves, because they: easily fit bulky items, are more gentle on your clothes, and wash way better. But you can do it with a top load washer if the comforter is small enough and options are limited.

Detergent

Use a small amount of a gentle laundry detergent and skip the fabric softener. If the comforter is white, add a bleach solution into the mix. For a top loading washer with a center agitator, make sure the comforter is neatly spread around it.

Wash + Rinse

Set the machine on a delicate cycle and cold or warm water. Make sure to add an extra rinse cycle so all the detergent gets rinsed out. If the machine doesn’t offer a rinse cycle, wash the comforter a second time with no added detergent.

Thoroughly Dry

Dry at the temperature suggested on the label, which will usually be low heat. Stop the dryer every 20-30 minutes to evenly distribute the filling. Depending on the size of your comforter, this process could take a long time. High-capacity industrial dryers will make it shorter, but if you do decide to pull your comforter out while it’s still damp, make sure you air dry thoroughly.

So how often should you wash your comforter? We’ve seen people recommend everything from every few weeks to every few years. We personally recommend every 3 months, especially if anyone in your household gets sick, an animal sleeps on the bed with you, or you sweat a lot when you sleep.

Happy washing! And stay comfort(er)able!