How to Wash Your Duvet and Pillows

The most important thing to do before you wash a duvet? Always check the care label first. Here you'll find the correct temperature and washing cycle to use.

Secondly, check whether your duvet fits into your washing machine's drum. It should fill no more than three-quarters of the drum so it can move freely during the washing cycle. Single duvets should fit comfortably, but you might need to go to a launderette or specialist cleaners to wash a double, king-size or super-king size duvet. Next, choose a gentle, non-irritating detergent (non-biological formulas are ideal) and choose a suitable washing cycle.

So, how do you wash a feather or down duvet? These can generally be machine-washed at 30-40°C on a delicate cycle using a small amount of mild detergent. Always wash the duvet by itself and avoid fabric softener. Thoroughly tumble dry on low heat using dryer balls to prevent the feathers clumping together, making sure it's totally dry to avoid any mildew or mould appearing.

Memory foam pillows should never be washed or dried in a machine, as the agitation and heat destroys the foam. Instead, spot-clean stains using mild detergent and water, or hand wash using gentle squeezing motions. Air dry completely for at least 24 hours in a sunny, well-ventilated area.

Remove yellow stains by soaking in hot water with laundry detergent and baking soda or white vinegar. For best results, dry in direct sunlight, which acts as a natural whitener.

Clean outdoor cushion inserts by removing covers and gently washing the foam with mild soap and water, or a mix of white vinegar and water. Avoid soaking if possible, just spray lightly and wipe clean.

Clean a duvet without a washing machine by hand washing it in the bath with lukewarm water and gentle detergent, then rinsing thoroughly. To refresh a duvet without washing it, hang it in direct sunlight to kill bacteria, then use a vacuum upholstery attachment to remove dust, or spray with a fabric freshener.

You should wash your duvet once or twice a year to keep it fresh and hygienic, every six months is ideal. If you have allergies, pets, or sweat frequently, you should wash it more often, possibly every three to four months.

Pillows should generally be washed every three to six months to remove sweat, dead skin cells, and dust mites. Most synthetic and feather pillows are machine-washable. Using pillow protectors can extend this to once or twice a year.