How to Wash a Comforter

Can you safely wash a comforter in a machine with an agitator? Handel says yes, with some caveats. “Most machines can be used if they are big enough and your comforter is not delicate,” he says. “But you wouldn’t want to put a family heirloom comforter in an agitator machine for fear that it may be too aggressive.”

If you’re rocking a small compact washer and a larger comforter, grab a good book and take a 2-hour time-out to go to your local laundromat, where commercial-sized washing machines can easily wash and dry comforters of any size.

Read the care label. Before stuffing your comforter into the washer, check that white care tag. Does it say the comforter is machine-washable? Comforters vary in size, material, thickness, filling, and quality. Down-alternative comforters are usually hypoallergenic, filled with cotton, polyester, wool, or silk. Down comforters are filled with duck or goose feathers, popular for their fluffier, lightweight, and insulative feel. In either case, let the care tag guide you. With regard to the outer shell, cotton and polyester can usually be washed at home. Other outer fabrics may require dry cleaning.

“Comforters made from materials such as wool and silk can get damaged in the washer,” says Sarah Armstrong, new product brand manager for Maytag. “So take the time to read the care tag and, if you have to, make the trip to get it cleaned by a professional to avoid spending unnecessary money on a new comforter.” That may not break the bank if you’re talking about an inexpensive $25 comforter, but you won’t want to take a chance on that $1,700 luxury comforter filled with European white goose down.

Inspect before washing. Even if the tag indicates your comforter is machine-washable, it’s good to do a quick inspection before tucking it into the machine. Armstrong suggests checking for loose seams or tears to ensure your comforter’s filling remains intact. Repair any loose threads or snags before washing. It’s easy to overlook this step, but an undetected rip can ruin your bedding if it allows the filling to be exposed to all that water, detergent, and agitation. A quick inspection will help avoid unwanted surprises when you lift that washer lid.

Wash the comforter by itself. A comforter is probably the bulkiest item you’ll ever toss into your washer. So it’s important to wash it by itself. Mixing sheets or other items in with a comforter can leave detergent residue on it. There should be plenty of room for the comforter to circulate, detergent to disperse, and water to flow within the drum. A duvet insert should also be washed separately, but its cover can be washed with other bedding like sheets, according to Maytag.

Use the bulky or delicate cycle. Whether you’re removing stains or just refreshing, choose a wash cycle based on the recommendations on your comforter’s care label and how dirty it is. If your comforter is elegant or flimsy, or if your washer isn’t so gentle on clothes, you can use the delicate cycle. But many comforters require the bulky or bedding cycle, which uses a combination of high-speed and low-speed agitation to specifically clean bulkier loads like comforters, duvets, and sheets.

Pretreat if necessary. If your comforter has stains or spills, pretreat the area first with a stain remover spray or a dab of stain-removing detergent. Gently rub the area, removing as much of the stain as possible before loading the bedding into the washer. Hot water can help remove body oils and heavy stains, but it can also set some stains into the fabric. Blood stain removal, for instance, requires cold water. Generally, cold or warm water is a safer choice than hot. The care label is your North Star—let it guide you.

If you’re sensitive to allergens or worried about detergent residue left on your comforter, you can add an extra rinse cycle. CR doesn’t recommend using fabric softener because if it gets into the fill, it can weigh the comforter down. It also leaves a residue on the surface that may bother those with sensitive skin.