How to wash a duvet
Many synthetic duvets can go in a home washing machine, as long as it's big enough. Wool needs a cooler, gentler approach, and feather or down often needs a professional.
- Time
- 3 hours plus drying time
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Cost
- Low cost
- Steps
- 6
- Checked
What you’ll need
- Mild laundry detergent
- Stain remover for spots (optional)
- Tumble dryer balls (optional, for synthetic duvets) Search Amazon for tumble dryer balls
- Washing line or airer with plenty of space
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Safety first
- Don't overload the machine. A cramped, waterlogged duvet can strain the drum bearings, and the duvet won't be cleaned properly.
- Don't put a duvet away or back on the bed until it's fully dry inside.
Step by step
-
Step 1: Read the care label
The label tells you whether the duvet is machine washable, the maximum temperature, and whether it can be tumble dried. If it says dry clean only, take it to a dry cleaner. See our guide to laundry care symbols.
Next: step 2 -
Step 2: Check it fits your machine
The duvet must have room to move. If it fills the drum completely, water and detergent can't circulate and it won't come clean. Many home machines can't fit a double or king-size duvet. A launderette with large machines is a good alternative.
Next: step 3 -
Step 3: Treat stains first
Take the cover off. Dab small stains with a little detergent or stain remover and leave it for a few minutes before washing.
Next: step 4 -
Step 4: Wash on a gentle cycle
- Synthetic, hollowfibre or microfibre: a gentle cycle at about 30 to 40°C.
- Wool: a gentle or wool cycle at no more than 30°C.
- Feather, down or silk: Which? recommends taking these to a professional cleaner, unless the label says otherwise.
Use a small amount of mild detergent. Too much is hard to rinse out of the thick filling.
Next: step 5 -
Step 5: Add an extra rinse
Run an extra rinse cycle if your machine has one, so no detergent is left in the filling.
Next: step 6 -
Step 6: Dry it completely
If the label allows, tumble dry synthetic duvets on a low heat, stopping now and then to shake the filling out. Don't tumble dry wool. Hang it in a well-ventilated room or outside. Make sure the duvet is completely dry all the way through before you put it back on the bed, or it may smell musty or grow mould.
Tips
- Which? suggests washing a duvet once or twice a year. Wash the cover and sheets much more often.
- Airing your duvet outside on a dry, breezy day freshens it between washes.
- A duvet protector, like a mattress protector, cuts down how often the duvet itself needs washing.
When to call a professional
Use a professional laundry or dry cleaner for feather, down and silk duvets (unless the label says they're machine washable), and for any duvet too big for your machine.
Questions people ask
Can I wash a king-size duvet at home?
Only if your machine is big enough for it to move freely. Many aren't, so use a launderette's large machine instead.
How long does a duvet take to dry?
It depends on the filling and the weather. A thick duvet can take a day or more on a line. Check the middle is dry before using it.
Can I use fabric conditioner?
It's best avoided on duvets. It can coat the filling and reduce how well it traps air.
Sources
Checked 9 October 2026. We wrote this guide in our own words, using:
- Which?: how to wash clothes, towels and bedding (which.co.uk)
- Which?: how often should you wash your bedding? (which.co.uk)
- Dormeo: how to wash a duvet (dormeo.co.uk)
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Printed from howtoguides.uk/guides/how-to-wash-a-duvet/ · Checked 9 October 2026 · General information only. For gas, electrics, structural work, medical, legal or money decisions, use a qualified professional.