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Washing Down Comforter
Washing Your Down Comforter
Congratulations. You've just invested a lot of money in
something that you intend to use every day. It will add
comfort, warmth and beauty to your life. It also needs
some specialized care once in a while to keep it looking
its best and prolong its life. I'm talking about your
beautiful, new down comforter. There's a lot of
information out there about caring for and washing your
down comforter. Some of it is contradictory, and some of
it is misinformation that has been repeated so often it
has taken on the ring of truth. To come up with the
definitive guide to washing your down comforter, we went
straight to the source - a manufacturer of down
comforters that has been making top quality down
comforters for nearly two decades.
First, let's define terms here. When I speak of a 'down
comforter', I'm talking about a plain down comforter,
sometimes referred to as a duvet, eiderdown quilt or
featherbed. They're not meant to be pretty, though some
are. They're meant to be warm, cozy and luxurious - and
to fit inside stunning and fashionable comforter covers
that will protect them much the way a pillowcase
protects a pillow from dirt and bodily oils. Once you
understand that, you'll understand why we say that
washing your comforter is something that you should do
seldom - once or twice a year is the recommendation from
our down comforter expert.
Taking care of your down comforter starts with selecting
a quality product. Bedding care experts suggest that a
comforter's 'ticking' - the fabric that holds the down -
should be at least 300 denier (a measurement of how many
threads per square inch). Anything less than that, they
say, and you risk feather quills poking through, and
stitching that lets go when you're washing your down
comforter.
They also recommend using a cover on your down comforter
at all times. Down comforter covers are available in a
wide variety of styles, colors and fabrics that will let
you suit any decor in your home easily. If you keep at
least two comforter covers, you'll always have an extra
to slip onto your comforter when one is in the washing
machine. Having more than one comforter cover is also a
great way to change your room around when the notion
strikes you.
Instead of washing your down comforter on a regular
basis, our comforter experts recommend shaking it out a
couple of times a week, and airing it outside once or
twice a month to keep it smelling fresh. Oddly enough, I
remember doing this with my grandmother as a child. It's
a two-person job that can actually be a fun thing to do
with a child. To shake out your comforter, slip it out
of its cover and spread it out over the bed. Stand one
person on either side of the bed, and grasp the four
corners. Now, lift the comforter about a foot off the
bed and start shaking. An up-and-down wave works best -
it's an easy rhythm to get into and will redistribute
the down evenly and fluff the comforter back into its
wonderfully lush comfort.
To air your down comforter, hang it on a clothesline
outside for a few hours on a brisk, dry day. About once
a year, though, you can give your down comforter a good
washing. Your home washing machine will work just fine
if its large enough to hold the comforter. If not, use a
large capacity washer at the Laundromat. Cold water is
best, and a small amount of a mild laundry detergent
with a degreaser is recommended. If possible, avoid
using a colored laundry detergent - one of the dye-free,
hypoallergenic varieties will reduce the chances of
staining your down comforter while you're washing it.
Because of the natural tendency of the down to hold
moisture, you may want to run it through the spin cycle
two or even three times before taking your down
comforter out of the washing machine. Here comes the
little trick that our comforter experts recommend to
keep your comforter in top condition - do not take your
down comforter directly from washing machine to dryer.
Instead, take it outside and lay it out flat on a top
sheet on the ground. Use your hands and fingers to break
up any clumps of down as you smooth it out, and leave it
out in the sun for about two hours before turning it
over. Do the same, and give it another two hours. It
still won't be dry -- but most of the moisture will have
evaporated out. NOW it's time for the dryer.
Tennis shoes. That's right - you read tennis shoes. Many
folks have recommended tossing a couple of tennis balls
in the washer to help break up any remaining clumps of
down. Our expert comforter specialists say no - tennis
balls aren't heavy enough. A clean tennis shoe makes an
excellent beater to help fluff the comforter as it
finishes drying.
That's it. While it sounds complicated and
time-consuming, washing your down comforter is a pretty
simple process all in all. Just be sure to use cold
water, mild detergent, and a tennis shoe in the dryer,
and your down comforter will be fresh and good as new
when you're done.
About the Author
Abe Gardea is a full-time freelance writer and a contributor to http://www.comforter-n-duvet-cover.com.
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