It can be frustrating trying to shove a duvet inside a washing machine.
Duvets can be a nightmare to wash given their bulky size, so it’s usually advisable to keep them out of the washing machine. While many duvets have labels stating they’re machine-washable, the issue is they become extraordinarily heavy once saturated with water due to their thick material.
Putting a duvet in a washing machine can put pressure on the drum and cause it to crash against the metal during the spin cycle, potentially leading to machine breakdown. I despise attempting to cram a duvet into a washing machine, but it does require cleaning in spring as we begin perspiring more during sleep when temperatures rise. If you neglect to wash a duvet, any perspiration becomes locked in the fabric, and even if it doesn’t feel damp the excess moisture will create odours and turn the bedding into a haven for bacteria.
However, I’ve found a straightforward method to refresh a duvet and make it feel cleaner: rather than putting it through the wash, I use a laundry technique called sunning.
What is sunning?
Sunning is a natural approach to disinfect a duvet and eliminate perspiration within the fabric by hanging it outdoors on a sunny day and leaving it in the sun for several hours.
The ultraviolet rays in sunlight possess antibacterial qualities which can produce a gentle sanitising effect on fabric and help destroy any bacteria in a duvet. It will also air-dry your duvet to eliminate any moisture that’s accumulated within the filling, banish stale odours, and leave it feeling much fresher.
I began sunning my duvet last year after reading it’s a common practice in Scandinavian countries to get rid of any humidity in bedding, and it’s now a regular part of my weekly schedule.
How to freshen up a duvet without a washing machine
Airing out a duvet is genuinely straightforward and requires less than five minutes of effort. I prefer doing it on a bright and breezy day as you’ll achieve the best possible outcome.
All you need to do is take your duvet, strip off any coverings and then give it a thorough shake before heading outside.
Shaking redistributes the filling and plumps it up so it doesn’t become clumpy. Then, simply peg your duvet onto a washing line or position a large airer in your garden and drape it over.
Leave your duvet outdoors for roughly two to four hours to catch the early afternoon sunshine. Ensure you place your duvet outside after 10am as ultraviolet rays will be at their peak around midday.
I steer clear of hanging up a duvet first thing in the morning, and I never leave it out in the evening, as these periods can be rather humid. This risks trapping dampness in the material, leaving it damp.
Remember to turn the duvet over at some stage so both sides receive adequate sunlight. After a few hours have elapsed, bring the duvet back indoors and place it on your bed. Your duvet should feel fresher, more plump and smell utterly wonderful with minimal effort. From personal experience, it leaves your duvet feeling far more comfortable, and airing out all your bedding in the sunshine makes everything feel wonderfully snug.
It’s worth bearing in mind, however, that sunning a duvet is no substitute for a proper wash. That said, doing it on a regular basis helps to eliminate sweat and breathes new life into it, meaning you can go longer between thorough cleans.
