There is a really easy method to get rid of any bacteria or germs crawling on a duvet without having to risk dripping water around your home.
Duvets can develop a rather stale whiff around this time of year, yet many of us shy away from chucking them in the wash due to their sheer size and awkwardness. Once sodden, they become ridiculously cumbersome, and the prospect of hauling the sopping material from the machine to the washing line is enough to make most people think twice.
Fortunately, there’s a far simpler method to revive your duvet without the hassle of a full wash – you can eliminate lurking bacteria by simply sun-drying it. Bedding accumulates germs throughout winter, even when they’re invisible to the naked eye, and sun-drying harnesses natural sunlight to zap these nasties.
Simply peg your duvet outdoors for a few hours, and it’ll feel considerably fresher with minimal fuss.
Why should you sun-dry duvets come springtime?
During winter, duvets are subjected to considerable moisture, as we’re more inclined to crank up the heating in the evenings, creating humid bedroom conditions that make us perspire more whilst we sleep, reports the Express.
This accumulated dampness seeps into the fabric throughout the colder period, and despite your duvet appearing dry, residual sweat provides the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.
The result? A smelly duvet, potential mould growth, and an itchy bed as it becomes a haven for dust mites.
The ultraviolet rays in sunlight are proven to destroy bacteria, fungus and dust mites, effectively sanitising your duvet without needing to fire up the washing machine. Additionally, it will help to evaporate any surplus moisture, eliminating any unpleasant odours, and the breeze will separate any clumped filling, leaving your duvet feeling significantly fresher.
How do you sun-dry a duvet?
I opted to experiment with sun-drying my bedding to see if it could sanitise my duvet, and having tried it, I believe it’s set to become a regular weekly routine as it truly made a discernible impact.
To start, I held out for the first sunny day in March, ensuring to check the weather forecast to confirm it hadn’t rained the previous day.
This is crucial to avoid high humidity levels, as if it’s damp outside, the excess moisture will simply be absorbed by the duvet, rendering sun drying ineffective.
I took my duvet outdoors at 10am, a couple of hours before midday, to maximise its exposure to sunlight.
Prior to hanging the duvet, I gave it a thorough shake to dislodge any trapped dust, then draped it over my washing line. If you don’t have a washing line, a drying rack placed outside will serve just as well.
I left the duvet basking in the sun for four hours, retrieving it at 2pm. It smelt delightfully fresh and felt considerably cleaner, despite not having been washed.
It’s remarkable how such a straightforward task can yield such significant results, and I wholeheartedly recommend incorporating it into your spring cleaning regimen, as it certainly made my bedding feel much more sanitary.
