How to Wash a Duvet Cover

Does anything lull you to sleep quicker than fresh sheets? Well, the good news is deep, restful sleep can be yours every night with these simple tips for washing your duvet cover.

But we know washing a duvet for the first time can be a little scary, especially when getting it wrong could ruin some of that sumptuous softness. So, to help you keep that luxurious fresh-from-the packet feel to your bedding, we put together a guide to washing a duvet cover. 

Continue reading, below, to find out the best way to wash your duvet cover, including the best temperature and spin speeds, as well as whether you can wash a duvet cover with the duvet inside.

How to wash a duvet cover

So, you want the luxurious feeling of clean bed sheets, but you aren’t quite sure where to start. Well, let us give you a helping hand! 

While our bedding range comes with specific care instructions, we want you to keep that luxury appeal you expect from us at DUSK for as long as possible. So, we thought it would be helpful to go over some top tips for washing your duvet cover as well.

What temperature and speed should I wash my duvet cover on?

Most washing machines come with preset options to make sure your items are being washed properly and safely. So, since our duvet covers are all 100% cotton, go ahead and pop your machine onto a cotton wash. 

However, if your machine doesn’t have a cotton preset, let’s talk through what settings you should be looking for when washing your duvet cover. 

Having your machine on the correct speed is key for safely washing your duvet cover. 

So, make sure your machine is set to either a minimum of 1400 and a maximum of 1600 to properly drain your duvet cover of water and keep it safe from damage. 

The correct temperature is important too. Make sure your machine is set no higher than 104°F when washing a duvet cover. The reason is twofold – you want the temperature to be high enough to properly wash your duvet cover of any dirt and dust, but duvets are delicate, and too high a heat can cause undue wear and tear. 

For the same reason, if you tumble dry your duvet cover, make sure the temperature isn’t too high. A medium heat setting works best to dry your duvet cover and to keep it safe. 

What do I wash my duvet cover with?

Most fabric softeners and detergents smell lovely, but they can contain harsh chemicals that cause damage when you wash your duvet cover. 

It’s best to use a gentle detergent and forgo the fabric softener completely. This is because, while detergent is important to properly clean your duvet cover, fabric softener is just to make the material, well, softer. 

However, since the chemicals in softener can cause damage to delicate cotton fibers, it’s best to leave it as it’s not necessary for the cleaning process.

How often should I wash a duvet cover?

Now you know how to wash your duvet cover to keep it feeling as fresh as the day it arrived, you may now be wondering how often you need to wash your duvet cover.

Well, from the daily wear-and-tear to the sweat and body oils your duvet cover soaks up as you sleep, tons of things can reduce the fresh feeling of a duvet cover. 

So, to keep your duvet cover in the best condition, we recommend you wash your duvet cover (as well as the rest of your bedding) at least every 2 weeks. However, having multiple duvet covers can help reduce this time frame. We always recommend having at least two duvet covers so you can have one in use and one in the wash at the same time. 

But, as they say, the more the merrier – having multiple only means you spend less time washing your duvet cover. And you can choose a style and color to match all the seasons, holidays, or even to match your mood. What’s not to love about that? 

Can you wash a duvet cover with the duvet inside?

When creating your cozy bedroom, we understand if you feel in a rush to get to relaxation quicker. But all good things come to those who wait and washing your duvet or comforter is no different.

So, if you’re wondering whether you can save time by washing a duvet cover with the duvet inside? Well, we don’t recommend it. While it does, in theory, save you time on washing – and you’re forgiven for looking to do that – it can be harmful to the duvet and duvet cover.

You can wash them both at the same time though. In fact, you can wash your whole bedspread together including pillows, pillowcases, fitted sheets, and flat sheets, if your washing machine has enough space to properly wash and spin the items. Just remember to remove any duvet covers from duvets and pillowcases from pillows first. 

Still not sure whether you need a duvet cover in the first place? Or perhaps you’re looking for some tips for putting on a duvet cover? To discover everything you need to know about luxury duvet covers and bedding, head over the DUSK site.