How to Care for Down Duvets and Pillows

Your down duvet and pillows can last you for decades if they are cared for properly. Here is our guide to everyday care, washing and drying your down products.

How to wash a down duvet

First of all, we recommend protecting your duvet with a duvet cover, which should be laundered weekly. This will keep your duvet clean for longer, which will mean it needs to be washed less frequently.

Here is what you need to know about washing a down duvet:

• Down duvets or comforters can be washed at home, as long as your washing machine and dryer are large enough to accommodate your duvet.
• Check for tears or damage, which need to be repaired before washing.
• Use a mild detergent that is hypoallergenic and without dyes or perfumes (Tide Free and Gentle work well for this)
• A front-loading machine is preferred as the agitator on a top loader can damage the duvet, or the duvet can get air bubbles and float to the top
• Use a delicate cycle with warm water. If dust mites are a concern, you may wash your duvet in hot water, but this should not be done too frequently.
• Run an extra rinse and spin cycle to get rid of excess water.
• If you are using a top loading machine, use a delicate cycle with warm water and a fast spin. Let me machine fill partially with water, add detergent, and then add your duvet. We also recommend you open the machine occasionally and push down the duvet if it has floated to the top.

How to dry your down duvet:

• Press out extra water using a towel, do not wring or twist your duvet.
• Down duvets should be dried in a dryer that is large enough to accommodate your duvet.
• Use a delicate cycle on low or medium heat. Drying can take several hours.
• In between cycles, take the duvet out and break up any clumps that may have formed, using your fingers.
• Be sure to dry your duvet completely before use.
• A down duvet can be hung dry but this is not recommended as the duvet can be damaged on a line. If attempted, make sure your duvet hangs evenly on the line. Shake it and route often, so the down doesn't fall to one side. If possible, add the duvet to a dryer at the end, to fluff it up and reduce the risk of mildew.
• Wet down may have a bitter odour, this will go away once it is dry.
• Be patient, down duvets take a long time to dry.

How to wash a down pillow

We recommend you protect your down pillow with a pillow protector, as well as a pillowcase, which need to be laundered regularly. By doing this, your pillow will only need to be washed when soiled and will last for years.

Washing a down pillow:

• Check for tears or damage, which need to be repaired before washing.
• Use a mild detergent that is hypoallergenic and without dyes or perfumes (Tide Free and Gentle work well for this)
• A front-loading machine is preferred as the agitator on a top loader can damage the pillow, or the pillow can get air bubbles and float to the top
• Wash two pillows at once for balance in the machine.
• Use a delicate cycle with warm water. If dust mites are a concern, you may wash your duvet in hot water, but this should not be done too frequently.
• Run an extra rinse and spin cycle to get rid of excess water.

How to dry a down pillow:

• Press out extra water using a towel, do not wring or twist your pillows.
• Use a delicate cycle on low or medium heat. Due to the size of the pillows, you may need to run two or three cycles to dry them completely.
• Add dryer balls or tennis balls to the dryer to fluff the pillows.
• In between cycles, take the pillows out and break up any clumps that may have formed, using your fingers.
• Be sure to dry your pillows completely before use.
• Wet down may have a bitter odour, this will go away once it is dry.

This information was provided by St. Genève. Shop our selection of St Genève down duvets and pillows.