What do I wash my comforter with?
James Olson
Updated on April 15, 2026
Will a comforter damage a washing machine?
For example, you may be wondering if your down comforter can be washed at home. One common misconception people have is that a down comforter can't have water on it. However, many down comforters are safe for machines. On the other hand, if you have a wool or silk comforter, water and/or heat can damage and shrink it.Can you wash a comforter with dish soap?
You can use your favorite homemade spot cleaning solution for this adventure. But a few go-to ingredients for most types of stains are white vinegar, baking soda, and Dawn dish soap. For a white comforter, give it a little presoak with warm water and a cup of hydrogen peroxide.How do you wash a large comforter?
Use either cold or warm water, set the washer for the largest load capacity, and select the delicate or gentle cycle. Use slightly less than the suggested detergent amount—too much soap is difficult to remove and can leave excess suds in the comforter's fibers.Can a comforter go in the dryer?
If your dryer doesn't have a dedicated setting for bedding or comforters, set it to low heat. It might take more than an hour for the comforter to dry thoroughly. Because this is the case, make sure to regularly fluff the comforter during the drying process.The best way clean your Down Comforter
How do you wash a comforter without ruining it?
Load your comforter into the washing machine, along with soap or detergent, and run it through a delicate cycle with cold or warm water. Sukalac said you should wash it a second time on a quick cycle, with no soap, to rinse any detergent residue from the down inside.How often should I wash comforter?
Comforters and Duvet CoversUnless the comforter has something spilled on it, you won't need to wash it more than once or twice a year. The cover, however, will need to be washed weekly. If you consistently use a top sheet, you might be able to stretch this and wash your cover every two to four weeks.
Why does my comforter smell after washing?
Once you have extracted much of the water, you may try spin drying. After washing, while the down is wet, you may notice a pungent odor. This is natural with all down products, and will disappear when the down items are completely dry.Are you supposed to wash your comforter?
Your quilt, comforter, or duvet can harbor allergens such as dust mites that ruin that good night's sleep, so it's important to know how to wash a comforter the right way. Washing comforters two to three times per year will keep your bed fresh and clean (and your allergies at bay).Can I use shampoo as laundry detergent?
Shampoo as a Detergent Substitute for Colored ClothesUse a gentle formula and practice extreme moderation. Shampoo tends to produce a lot of suds, which can be dangerous in a washing machine. Your clothes will get clean, but the rinse cycle might not be able to get all the soap out.
Can I use Dawn as laundry detergent?
Dawn Can Ruin the Washing MachineLaundry detergent doesn't get nearly as sudsy and foamy as a liquid dish soap. Therefore, if you use Dawn in the washing machine, it could overflow and also cause issue in the pumps and drains. Your washer was just never intended to handle those kinds of suds.
What can I use instead of laundry detergent?
“In the absence of laundry detergents, bar soap, liquid hand soap, body wash, and dish soap can be used for hand laundering,” says Dr. Pete He, co-founder and chief scientist of Dirty Labs.What kind of washing machine can wash comforter?
Cleaning comforters.Instead of lugging your king-size comforter to a laundromat, you can wash it in any washer with a claimed capacity of at least 4.5 cubic feet, according to our tests. It's best washed by itself, for better agitation and rinsing. In fact, an extra rinse cycle might be helpful for these bulky items.