Washing and maintenance of duvets and pillows

We spend a third of our lives in bed, so it’s a good idea to give some thought to the maintenance and care of your duvet and pillow. Including for the sake of your comfort when you sleep. The better the duvet and pillow, the better the night’s sleep, we say. Each night, your body releases a lot of fluid through sweat and exhalation, and over time the filling of both your duvet and pillow will naturally begin to clump together.

To prevent the duvet from becoming heavier and its insulation ability from deteriorating, with the result that you might end up cold at night, it’s a really good idea to both air and wash your duvet and pillow. We have brought together our best expert advice on this page so you can get the down, duvet and pillow to stay high-quality for longer.

How do you wash a duvet? Or dry it? These are questions many people ask, but it’s actually not that difficult. Many people are nervous about ruining the down by putting their duvet in the washing machine or tumble dryer, but with a few tips and a little thought, washing your duvet can be a breeze. The same goes for washing pillows.

We recommend washing twice a year, or as needed. Always refer to the product’s washing instructions to find the correct information. You should be aware that products containing silk and eiderdown must be treated differently.

1. Planning

Schedule a duvet wash or pillow wash on a day when you have plenty of time, because it takes several hours.

Always wash your duvet and pillow one at a time on their own.

2. Check your machines

Both your duvet and your pillow need a washing machine and tumble dryer that can hold a minimum of 7 kg (for a regular duvet) and 5 kg (for a pillow).

3. The right temperature

The temperature you wash your duvet at is important. Always wash your duvet and pillow at 60 degrees to get them properly clean. 60 degrees is also the temperature that kills house dust mites.

4. Detergent

You need to choose the right detergent for duvets and pillows. We recommend enzyme-free detergent, such as our Ringsted Down detergent, which is also asthma- and allergy-friendly.

5. High centrifugation

We recommend a minimum of 1200 revolutions per minute.

When the duvet is finished, it is a good idea to take it out, shake it a bit and centrifuge it once more.

6. Keep an eye on it

It’s a good idea to regularly take the duvet or pillow out of the dryer to shake and puff it up so the filling is distributed, the machine gets some air and it doesn’t get too hot. Do this approx. every half hour during the minimum four hours that drying will take before the down is properly dry. You can also use Ringsted Dun Dryer Balls to shake your duvets and pillows through inside the dryer.

7. Trick with a wet tea towel

If your tumble dryer switches off when the casing is dry on its surface, the down may still be damp inside. You can “cheat” the machine with a wet tea towel, extending the drying time so that all the filling can dry.

8. Completely dry?

If you want to be absolutely sure that you are done, weigh the duvet or pillow before putting it in the washing machine and note the weight.
When you think the duvet or pillow has dried for long enough, weigh it again. If it weighs more than before, it is not done.

When the pillow or duvet is dry, it should be allowed to temper and air a bit before you wrap it up in bed linen and make your bed.

9. Get expert help

If you do not have a washer or dryer that can handle a duvet and pillow, most dry cleaners can help you. They usually have the machines and expertise for this.

Daily routines in the bedroom are important – including in the long run. Duvets and pillows last longer with a little care. This is very good for the down, the duvet and the pillow, and will mean that you’ll end up with products that live up to the same high standard for a longer time. Here, we share our expertise on maintaining pillows and duvets.

Guide on how to easily maintain your duvet and pillow

1. Wait before you put on your bedspread

After a good night’s sleep, your duvet needs some air, just like your bedroom. Wait before you put on the bedspread so that the duvet can get rid of the moisture gathered throughout the night. This also helps avoid a humid environment, like a damp mattress that might attract house dust mites.

2. Give the duvet a little shake

Quality duvets can last a long time with proper care. Start each morning by giving your duvet a little shake, preferably from different sides, so that the filling is evenly distributed again after the night’s sleep.

3. Refresh your pillow with a spin in the dryer

If your pillow has collapsed, you can tumble dry it. This gets rid of the moisture so the pillow will become fluffy again.

4. Airing out duvets and pillows

It’s good for your duvets and pillows to get outside in the fresh air from time to time. It’s important to avoid humid weather and direct sunlight, as this can damage the down filling.

5. Avoid hoovers and carpet beaters

Everything in moderation. Use a soft brush or the tumble dryer instead of the hoover or carpet beater if your duvet or pillow needs a refresh. Hoovering can make the casing leak, while a carpet beater can ruin the down’s texture.

How to airing your duvet properly

If you switch between summer and winter duvets, or need to store your duvets for a longer period, e.g. in a summer house or a caravan, it is important that you know how to store your pillows and duvets the right way – this is how they will last best in the long run.

3 tips for storing duvets and pillows

1. Wash before storage

It’s a good idea to wash duvets and pillows before packing them up. Then you can be sure that they are fresh and ready for use when you need to get them out. Remember that your duvets and pillows must be 100% dry before you pack them up.

2. Storage bags for duvets

Storing duvets and pillows requires the right equipment. They should preferably be stored in a breathable bag – not a plastic bag – so they can get some air. Vacuum bags are a bad idea for storing duvets, as they help destroy the texture of the down and the duvet’s fill power.

3. Good and dry

Your duvet and pillow should be stored in a dry room to avoid moisture, and potentially mould and mildew, during storage.