Look after your duvet with these handy washing and duvet cover tips.
Now that you’ve found the perfect duvet or quilt, it’s important to know how to properly care for it. Like any investment you want to get the most benefit out of your purchase. Proper care and a good duvet cover will prolong its usefulness with the result being that you will realize the benefits over many years to come.
Washing your duvet
The duvet should be cleaned according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Always read the label and follow the directions. Today, there are duvets that can be machine washed and dried. These are usually made with a man-made fillings of some sort. It’s best to use a commercial washer and dryer for this purpose because duvets are bulky and may, simply, not fit in a home washer or dryer.
Naturally filled duvets, such as Goose Down or Duck Feather, are the more difficult to clean. Again, they are usually too bulky for most home washers, and using a tumble dryer on a high heat can damage the filling (feathers and down deteriorate when exposed to heat.) If you look around online hand washing your duvet or quilt in a large sink or a bathtub is one suggested solution.  This issue then arises of how to dry it as air drying might be problematic if you don’t have the room to hang it up.
Duvets must be thoroughly dried because damp filling can mildew and mold and no one wants that to happen! It’s best to have your duvet professionally dry cleaned or professionally laundered. The good news is, that if you properly care for the duvet, professional cleaning will rarely be necessary. Many manufacturers recommend a professional cleaning at least once every five years. But, that requires proper care.
Find the Right Duvet Cover
So, how do you protect your investment? What’s the best way to care for a duvet? More good news! It’s easy. The best, most cost effective, way to protect your duvet is to use a duvet cover.  I’m sure you will know what this is but for those who don’t it’s basically two pieces of fabric stitched together on three sides (obviously, there’s a bit more to it, but you get the idea!). The cover slides over the duvet, keeping it protected from dirt, stains, rips, and tears. These covers come in a wide selection of styles, fabrics, colors, and designs. They are available in a range of standard sizes, as well as custom made sizes to fit any duvet.
Speaking of fit, it’s a good idea to take down the measurements of your duvet when you first receive it. This way, when you’re shopping for a cover, you can be sure you’re purchasing the right size. I’ve personally had an experience with a cover that was marked as a king, but wasn’t even close!
A fun benefit of using a duvet cover is having the ability to change the decor of your room with a simple change of the cover. You can easily change the way a room “feels” without completely redecorating. Go from dark winter colors to light, bright springtime in a snap.
Unlike the duvet, the majority of covers can be put into the household washer and dryer along with your regular sheets and pillowcases. However, to be on the safe side, be sure to read the label before cleaning the cover. There are some synthetic fabrics, such as rayon, that won’t do well in the dryer. It’s best to know that beforehand.
So, simply put, get yourself a couple of beautiful duvet covers.  Its probably the best and cost effective way of looking after and protecting your duvet.
