Have you ever....

[Belle10]

…machine washed a “dry-clean only” down comforter?

We have a nice down comforter for the winter, and I want to get it washed and ready for the season before the baby comes just so it’s done. It’s so expensive to have it dry cleaned, but I don’t want to ruin it in the washer. I was thinking about putting it on the gentle cycle and then just lay it flat or hang it outside to dry (I think putting it in the dryer would be a bad idea).

I also would prefer to do this not to just to avoid the expense of having it cleaned (it was like $30 last year, which is kind of a lot for this type of thing for us right now), but also because I don’t like the idea that while DH and I are sleeping we’ll be breathing in all those chemicals they used to clean it .

What do you think?

 

[bunnynessuk]

It might be worth washing it in the bath as you can use ‘hand-wash’ materials which are gentler! Then dry it outside if weather permits or over the radiator?

 

[MSParrott]

Unfortunately I have machine washed a down comforter and it definitely wasn’t pretty. When it came out of the washer, all of the “feathers” were clumpted into a corner of the comforter and the rest was just material. I thought maybe putting it in the dryer would bring it back, but nope. the insides just dried in a clump. So I had to trash the whole thing.

What if you maybe just put it in the dryer with a few extra dryer sheets (if it’s not stained or anything) ?

 

[Mary_Gail_36]

I wouldn’t wash it, down comforters are so expensive, and if it ruins, then you’ll need to replace it.

But, I wonder how come some are washable, and some aren’t. My DS has one that washes nicely, but mine is dry clean only

There is that product called “Dryell” I think, where you could dry clean in your dryer. Maybe that would work

 

[Belle10]

It might be worth washing it in the bath as you can use ‘hand-wash’ materials which are gentler! Then dry it outside if weather permits or over the radiator?

Maybe I could do that…but it’s so big I think it would be tough to do the whole thing by hand.

Unfortunately I have machine washed a down comforter and it definitely wasn’t pretty. When it came out of the washer, all of the “feathers” were clumpted into a corner of the comforter and the rest was just material. I thought maybe putting it in the dryer would bring it back, but nope. the insides just dried in a clump. So I had to trash the whole thing.

What if you maybe just put it in the dryer with a few extra dryer sheets (if it’s not stained or anything) ?

Sorry about yours - that stinks. Thanks for sharing though – now I’m very hesitant to wash it myself, since it would be more expensive to have to buy a new one.

By the way, I love the picture in your signature.

I wouldn’t wash it, down comforters are so expensive, and if it ruins, then you’ll need to replace it.

But, I wonder how come some are washable, and some aren’t. My DS has one that washes nicely, but mine is dry clean only

There is that product called “Dryell” I think, where you could dry clean in your dryer. Maybe that would work

Yeah, I hate dry-clean only stuff. I bought this comforter at a great sale price, but I definitely can’t replace it right now if I ruin it. I don’t know about the Dryell stuff – maybe I can give that a try.

Thanks for the suggestions everybody!

 

[whatevergirl]

I have machine washed one before, and it never looked quite like it might have, had I had it dry cleaned. I second bunny’s advice…maybe wash it in a clean large sink in the laundry room, or your bathtub. You could put it on a short cycle on gentle…it’s the over spinning that causes the problems with dry clean only items, I think. Good luck!

 

[BlestOne]

I actually check wash instructions before I buy… no dry clean stuff here except coats… that being said…I had a down coat that I washed in my washer on gentle cycle and I believe I had to “Fluff” it several times in the drying process… I was later told that putting tennis balls in would have helped. I think they have “dryer balls” now that would help fluff it back into shape…

Ohhh… smelled terrible until it was done drying… that is just the nature of down… don’t stop drying half way through, it will stink up your whole house.

 

[Belle10]

I have machine washed one before, and it never looked quite like it might have, had I had it dry cleaned. I second bunny’s advice…maybe wash it in a clean large sink in the laundry room, or your bathtub. You could put it on a short cycle on gentle…it’s the over spinning that causes the problems with dry clean only items, I think. Good luck!

I actually check wash instructions before I buy… no dry clean stuff here except coats… that being said…I had a down coat that I washed in my washer on gentle cycle and I believe I had to “Fluff” it several times in the drying process… I was later told that putting tennis balls in would have helped. I think they have “dryer balls” now that would help fluff it back into shape…

Ohhh… smelled terrible until it was done drying… that is just the nature of down… don’t stop drying half way through, it will stink up your whole house.

Thanks for sharing you guys! I think I’m leaning toward just getting it dry cleaned at this point (unless somebody comes up with a great success story for me! ) DH LOVES this comforter (as do I) – it’s so nice to get cuddly under on a cold winter night and I don’t want to ruin it. I guess I’ll just have to find the cash to get it cleaned and then let it “air out” for awhile before we’re not sniffing all the chemicals they use to clean it! Hopefully we won’t need it for a few months anyway, though in upstate NY you never know!

 

[kage_ar]

After you have it cleaned, look for a cover - this will help keep it clean in the future

 

[Belle10]

After you have it cleaned, look for a cover - this will help keep it clean in the future

Yeah, I just never got around to it (there was always something more important to spend money on), and it’s a white comforter.

It’s not like it’s filthy or stained or anything, I just feel like after using it for 6 months I should have it cleaned, ya know?

 

[Nepenthe]

You know, the old-fashioned japanese method of hanging the bedding out on a nice, fresh dewy morning, and then swatting it all over with oh, maybe a tennis racket works pretty well to freshen and fluffify down comfies. Works great for futons, and down both!

But if it’s really nasticated, I’m afraid a trip to the drycleaners really is the option.

 

[MSParrott]

I did some “googling” and found this website: Washing down comforters.

HTH!

front loading washing machines are great for washing down - but NOT AGITATORS! so - - take it to the landromat - don’t try to do it at home if you have an agitating machine. agitators put stress on the seams, often opening up pockets and causing the down to clump (if you’re lucky) or they can cause small tears that spill down into the machine, which, as we all know, can cause the end of life as we know it, and it will take months to get the down out of your machine.

use a detergent made for handwashing wools and delicates - or an HE detergent can be used. use less detergent than you think you need and don’t use ANY other laundry additives. be aware that it will give off a funky smell when it wet - it’s not ruined, and don’t add more detergent, it’s just the smell of wet goose feathers and it will go away when it’s dry. use the extra rinse cycle so it rinses twice as detergent residue is not good for down.

drying: definately use tennis balls - six of them (2 each in 3 socks) and dry it on a medium-low setting. you’re gonna dry it forever and forever, and then dry it some more. small comforters can be dried at home if you have an extra large capacity dryer - but the queens and kings need the big machines at the laundroamts. drying a large comforter in a home machine will produce uneven drying, (hot spots are bad for down) and the cramped dryer which will roll the thing into a ball will not help the down to fluff or disperse evenly - you’ll have lumps, and a bit that didn’t get all the way dry can grow mold.

down comforters are an investment - (okay maybe there are some cheapo down comforters out there that don’t merit your time - in that case - gamble - you can always toss it and buy a new one). but - chances are: you’re reading this because you paid a pretty price for a comforter you love? well then! it deserves to be washed properly once every other year or two, so do it right!

dry it in a big machine on med-low with the tennis balls. take it out and fluff it every now and then. DON"T let it get too hot. it could take a couple of hours (so take a copy of The New Yorker along and catch up on your reading). you’ll be happy with the results if you take the time to do it right. in fact, you’ll get better results than if you send it out to be professionally cleaned.

by all means - NEVER dry-clean a down comforter. the chemicals are horrible for the down.

btw - down pillows are easy to do at home, and should be washed several times a year - so practice on a pillow or two first! (but use fewer tennis balls).

 

[monicatholic]

You know, the old-fashioned japanese method of hanging the bedding out on a nice, fresh dewy morning, and then swatting it all over with oh, maybe a tennis racket works pretty well to freshen and fluffify down comfies. Works great for futons, and down both!

that would be my plan, too. I’d spray it with some fresh smelling green product (i really hate febreez) and i’d hang it on the line from early morning on. beat it, fluff it and maybe spot clean (by hand) any parts that were stained.

then i’d sew up a duvet cover from pretty (and discount) sheets to keep it clean on the bed.

 

[strngrnrth]

On a related topic, everyone, if you have shrunk a wool or artifical-fiber blanket, just save it and sew it together with other shrunken blankets. The wrinkles will only add tot he warming power of it. Or use it for a baby – be aware it will be very warm. If you shrink a sweater or other garment, give it to a child it fits – it’s for the cold, cold nights. Much warmer than it was before because the knit is tighter. Be careful doing this with infants, who cna’t tell you when it’s hot, but waste not want not, especially for a beloved and pretty item. Moms already know this I assume but the rest of us single folks need to be less wasteful – I know I do.

 

[Belle10]

You know, the old-fashioned japanese method of hanging the bedding out on a nice, fresh dewy morning, and then swatting it all over with oh, maybe a tennis racket works pretty well to freshen and fluffify down comfies. Works great for futons, and down both!

But if it’s really nasticated, I’m afraid a trip to the drycleaners really is the option.

that would be my plan, too. I’d spray it with some fresh smelling green product (i really hate febreez) and i’d hang it on the line from early morning on. beat it, fluff it and maybe spot clean (by hand) any parts that were stained.

then i’d sew up a duvet cover from pretty (and discount) sheets to keep it clean on the bed.

Hmm, maybe I’ll do that…thanks!

 

[Belle10]

by all means - NEVER dry-clean a down comforter. the chemicals are horrible for the down.

I’ll have to check out that site specifically – it says dry-clean only on the tag, so that’s weird…

Thanks again!

 

[EmBee]

I did some “googling” and found this website: Washing down comforters.

HTH!

I second this. My mom and I have always washed our down comfortors ourselves, either at a laundromat (before we had laundry machines at home), or with our front loaders (just got last year - yipee!!). They come out looking good as new

–

 

[Ruthie]

Check the seams first. If there’s only one line of stitching, and/or the seam is the loop kind that pulls out easily, fix 'em. If you have a sewing machine, go over the outside seams (around the edge) a couple of times before you wash it.

I second the tennis ball thing. Or use a pair of freshly washed sneakers.

I got a big washer and dryer, which do fine with our full-size comforter.

Ruthie

 

[puzzleannie]

shell out this once for cost of professional cleaning, air it well outside, and get a comforter cover to keep it clean from now on. if it is just the cover that has stains you should be able to spot clean, only if some noxious liquid has gotten inside to the feathers should you have to have it cleaned at all

I am surprised yours says dry clean only, because I have always been told NEVER to dry clean down items, I do know if you do launder it, or it ever gets wet, make sure it dries thoroughly or you will never get rid of the musty smell

 

[Feanaro_s_Wife]

**I vote for airing it outside:thumbsup:. You could also lay it out flat, sprinkle generously with baking soda and leave it overnight…then just vacuum it the next day. If there are no obvious nasties then I wouldn’t wash or dry clean it.

If you are worried about dust mites, put it in the freezer (kills them all).**
**
I second the advice of getting a washable cover. That would be well worth your money. If you can sew, maybe you could make one out of thicker material (like a blanket) to add further protection from sweat and stuff.

You can also make your own “febreeze” type product with distilled water and some essential oils. Lavender is a good one (both for freshening and for relaxation).

Hope that helps!!!
**