Washing machines are great, but they have limitations – and one such limitation is in cleaning a comforter too big for the washer.
Most conventional washing machines used at home won’t do proper justice to your comforter – especially those king-sized down comforters – leaving you to explore other options for getting the job done. One major reason that standard or compact washing machines won’t wash your comforter effectively is size and space.
Cramping oversized duvets or comforters into washers with inadequate space will not only get the job undone but will also damage your machine. Comforters and bedsheets and blankets must fit into washers with ample space so the materials can agitate properly in soapy water to be clean – or both the bedding and the washer will be damaged.
Although we will consider the options of using the Laundromat and dry-cleaners in this guide, we will focus more on washing your big comforter yourself.
How to Clean a Comforter Too Big for Washer — By Hand
While washing your large comforter by hand is obviously time-consuming and physically exerting, it guarantees better results than other options. So let’s get right down to it to wash your thick beddings the old-fashioned way. Follow the steps below to get the task down:
- Fill a large utility sink or bathtub with water
- If you’re using a bathtub, seal the drain to stop the water from draining
- Add detergent to the water and stir vigorously to product suds
- Put the comforter into the soapy water (you may use warm water or fabric softener to soften the fabric and stains) and let it soak for at least 10 minutes
- You may then squeeze the submerged comforter with your hands as much as you can
- You can now remove the water stopper from the bathtub to allow the water to drain out
- Fill the tub again with clean water and allow it to soak for 5 minutes before swirling again
- Drain out the water and repeat the rinsing process until the comforter is free of detergent suds
- Remove from the tub and squeeze out the water before spreading it out for drying
- It’s best you dry the comforter or blanket over a clothing line or fence and not in a dryer
- You may however use a dryer if you have no space in your compound for open air-drying
- The material should be properly dried in 2-3 hours depending on the amount of exposure to direct sunlight
How to Clean a Comforter Too Big for Washer — Laundromat
If you are unable to wash your comforter by hand, your next best option is to lug it out to a Laundromat if you have one nearby. Laundromats have large-capacity machines that can wash king-size comforters, blankets, and duvets easily – they have the space and machine power to wash the materials easily.
You can get the washing done by yourself if you know how to operate the machine efficiently for your bedding, but it’s best to request a Laundromat assistant to help if you’re not sure how to proceed.
All things being equal, you must use cold water and the lowest setting of the machine to clean your comforter. Using hot water and a high machine setting can wreck your comforter, especially if it’s a down comforter.
You can also dry out the material in the large-capacity dryer at the Laundromat before returning the blanket, duvet, or comforter home. It makes no sense to wash your heavy comforter at the Laundromat and then lug it home to air-dry; it’s better to use the facility’s dryer for the purpose. It might however take up to 1 hour to get it completely dry, and you may chuck in a few wool dryer balls or tennis balls into the machine to help it dry faster.
How to Clean a Comforter Too Big for Washer — Hire a Dry Cleaner
Whether you wash your comforter by hand or get it to the Laundromat, the ultimate importance is to get your bedding clean. So it doesn’t matter if you get a paid dry-cleaner to wash the material.
So consider a professional dry-cleaner if you’re not able to use a Laundromat or wash it by yourself. A dry cleaner can either wash it by hand or use a significantly bigger machine to wash it and dry it.
You must however bear in mind that it might be costlier to hire the services of a professional dry-cleaner than to use a Laundromat. But the cost might be worth it if you consider the health of the comforter users and the need to get it cleaned.
Tips for effectively washing your comforter
- Use only recommended detergent for your duvet and comforter. It’s best to use detergents with mild natural ingredients. This will protect the integrity of the material and protect your skin from harmful chemicals.
- You may consider using fabric softeners for your washing purpose if it is recommended for your type of comforter. In some cases, fabric softener can reduce the fluffiness of your comforter, so it’s best to use the right brand in the right quantity if it’s recommended for your material.
- Always follow the instructions for washing the comforter as printed on the material. The washing instructions will detail the techniques and conditions for washing the material, and it will also cover the washing temperatures as well as the drying methods to be applied. Remember this if you have organic comforters and must wash them.
- Some experts recommend washing your comforters once or twice a year. But depending on your type of comforter, the extent of use, and the number of people sleeping on it, it may be wise to wash it every month. You may even consider washing it more frequently if you have your cat or dog or any other pet sleeping in it with you.
So there you have the various methods for washing your comforter. How to clean a comforter too big for a washer has been outlined in this guide, and you are free to contact the manufacturer of your comforter or washer for guidance if you need further help.
