In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, bedrooms run on air conditioning for most of the year, and the AC keeps fine dust moving around the room until it settles into your bedding. A duvet's filling holds on to that dust long after the cover has been washed.
What builds up in a duvet you don't wash?
A duvet you don't wash often builds up sweat, body oils, dead skin cells, dust and bacteria inside the filling. Dust and skin cells are what dust mites feed on, and a filling that stays damp from night sweats can grow mold and mildew, which is where an old duvet's musty smell comes from. For anyone sensitive to dust, sleeping under that buildup can mean a blocked nose and restless nights.
Why do feather and down duvets lose their fluffiness?
Feather and down duvets lose their fluffiness when the filling clumps together or gets crushed. The fluffiness, called loft, comes from down clusters trapping air, and three things flatten it:
Moisture. Sweat and humidity make down clump, and a duvet that isn't dried all the way through after washing stays lumpy.
Harsh washing. Too much detergent strips the natural oils that keep down springy, and high dryer heat damages feathers. IKEA, for example, advises using about a third of the usual detergent on down and feather duvets.
Compression. Months in a vacuum bag or under heavy bedding press the clusters flat.
Shake the duvet out every morning to put air back into the filling. After every wash, the filling has to be completely dry, with any clumps broken up by hand, or the duvet won't regain its shape.
Can you wash a duvet at home?
You can, but a home wash is where most duvets get damaged. Whether your duvet came from IKEA, Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, 2XL or The One, check its care label first, because the right temperature and cycle depend on the filling. If you wash one at home:
Check the care label for the temperature, the cycle and whether tumble drying is allowed.
Make sure the duvet fits loosely in the drum. If you have to force it in, water and detergent can't rinse through the filling.
Stitch any small holes so the filling doesn't escape.
Use a gentle cycle, a small amount of mild detergent and an extra rinse.
Tumble dry on low heat with dryer balls, and keep going until the center feels as dry as the edges.
A duvet washed too hot, squeezed into a small drum or put back on the bed slightly damp is the one that ends up flat, lumpy or musty.
Why is professional cleaning better for your duvet?
Professional cleaning makes a duvet last longer, because most of the damage to a duvet comes from washing and drying it the wrong way. Washmen, the UAE laundry and dry cleaning app, cleans duvets through Bed & Bath: AED 85 per bag for up to 15 home linens, including duvets, sheets, duvet covers, pillowcases and towels. Bed & Bath removes dust and pet dander, and everything is steam-pressed for a hotel finish. We pick up from your door, so a weekly wash doesn't cost you a day of drying. You can book Bed & Bath in the Washmen app.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to wash a duvet if you use a cover?
Yes. A cover stops some sweat and skin reaching the duvet, but dust and moisture still get through to the filling. Wash the cover with your sheets and keep the duvet itself on the same weekly routine.
Why does my duvet smell after washing?
A musty smell usually means the filling wasn't completely dry before the duvet went back on the bed. Put it back in the dryer on low heat, or air it, until the center feels as dry as the edges.
Can you dry a duvet on a balcony?
A balcony is fine for airing a duvet, but it's a slow way to dry a washed one, because thick filling stays damp in the middle. In dusty weather, bring it in before it collects grit, and finish drying in a tumble dryer on low heat.
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