When you go to bed, one of the first things you do is pull down your comforter to climb in, get cozy, and relax from the stressors of your day. That’s why a premium, soft, durable comforter is a crucial investment to make for restful, uninterrupted sleep for a healthy body and mind.
There are a lot of options to consider when choosing a comforter for your bedroom with different fills, textures, and sizes. When searching for a solution that’s both luxurious and comfortable, many opt for down comforters. Down comforters can be incredibly costly and are more likely to go flat as you sleep. Since down comforters are filled with feathers and fluff found on the chest area of ducks and geese, they aren’t a great option for those who suffer from allergy sensitivities as the light, fluffy down fill can aggravate them.
A down alternative comforter is a great choice since it has all of the upsides of sleeping with a down comforter without falling flat or aggravating those pesky allergies. Down alternative is typically naturally hypoallergenic, made of materials like cotton or synthetic fibers, and is much more affordable. If a hypoallergenic comforter is a must-have for you, we recommend one of Beckham Hotel Collection’s Down Alternative Comforters.
Often people wonder how to clean and care for such a large, high-quality item without destroying it or compromising its longevity. Don’t let questions like, “How do you wash a down alternative comforter?” and “Can you even wash a down alternative comforter at home?” stop you from pursuing the plush comfort provided by one. Caring for a down alternative comforter does require a few extra steps, but they are neither too time-consuming nor that complicated. Once you learn the process, it’s easy to integrate keeping your bedding fresh into your cleaning routine.
How To Wash A Down Alternative Comforter
Washing down alternative items does require a touch of extra love, but the instructions themselves aren’t that much different than washing anything else. Stay mindful of these pointers as you prepare your comforter for washing. The care you put into the process will show when you get comfortable under your fresh, clean covers afterward.
1. Choose the recommended cycle and temperature
The care instructions that come with your down alternative comforter are your trusted guide when it comes to selecting a cycle and water temperature for your wash. If you are unsure, always choose the most gentle option which is the lowest setting with cool to warm water. It is helpful if your machine has several rinse cycles as well to ensure the detergent is fully removed from your comforter.
2. Use soap sparingly
A little detergent goes a long way, but too much will compromise the quality of your down alternative comforter over time. Truthfully, a down alternative comforter does not need a heaping scoop or cup full of cleaner. Insert a small amount for the best results and, if you can use the previously mentioned extra rinse cycles, they will come in handy here to make absolutely sure you are removing soap build-up.
3. Top-Loading Versus Front-Loading
Front-loading washing machines work best for cleaning your down alternative comforter, primarily because nothing is obstructing its movement as it washes. If you have a top-loading washing machine, you can still thoroughly clean your comforter. You will just need to exercise extra caution. When you put the comforter into the machine, double-check to see that the machine is balanced—you may need to adjust the positioning of the comforter once it’s inside so it doesn’t experience any damage from the agitator in the center. Whether you have a top-loading or front-loading machine, always wash the comforter separately from your other laundry so you are giving it as much room as possible for it to move inside.
How Often Should You Wash Your Comforter?
The good news about cleaning a down alternative comforter is that you shouldn’t be washing it that often. Using a protective cover on your comforter acts as a barrier against direct contact and prevents dust, dirt, bacteria, and odor. We recommend washing the comforter itself once or twice a year. Down alternative comforters that are washed too frequently can become destroyed, lumpy, or flat and wear down rapidly.
How To Dry A Down Alternative Comforter
Checking the care instructions is just as important for the drying process as it is for the washing. Always be sure to follow what it says to preserve the quality of your comforter. One tried-and-true drying method that’s safe for almost any comforter is simply letting it air dry. This option is perfect for those who don’t have access to an extra-large capacity dryer. It’s the most gentle method and, with an outdoor line, you get a fresh, sun-kissed scent baked in. Of course, if your comforter’s care instructions explicitly state that you should not air dry, stick to those guidelines.
What To Know About Putting Your Comforter In The Dryer
If you prefer to use your dryer at home to tend to your down alternative comforter, there are a few extra but simple steps to ensure that your comforter stays fluffy, light, and as high-quality as the day you received it.
1. Load dryer with dryer balls
This may seem like a “nice to have,” but it’s one of the easiest ways to help maintain your comforter’s quality. Inserting a few wool dryer balls with your down alternative comforter helps keep its fluffiness and bounciness so that the fill can move around more freely, and your comforter won’t go flat. If you are planning to dry your comforter and don’t have dryer balls, tennis balls work just as well!
2. Select a low setting on your dryer
Again, we strongly suggest following what the care tag on your down alternative comforter says, but the lowest setting on your dryer is typically the best setting to ensure gentle spinning and optimal drying. We recommend the low tumble dry cycle if you have it. Resist the temptation to increase the heat to speed up the drying process. High heat can cause irreversible damage to your down alternative comforter, making the time saved not worth the money spent in the long run.
3. Check often
A down alternative comforter is still heavier than an average blanket due to its fill and weight, even if it’s for a twin-sized mattress. Drying can take up to 8 hours depending on size, so patience is key, but so is intermittent checking. Stop the drying cycle every 30-45 minutes to see where your comforter is in the drying process. This will give you accurate pacing, but also, it will allow for you to redistribute the fill if it starts to get bunched up or squished due to its positioning in the dryer. Over time, this will also help preserve the quality of your comforter as you ensure its contents are properly distributed each time it’s cleaned.
4. Let it dry completely
Even if it feels 100% dry when you remove it from its final spin, it’s still a good idea to lay the comforter flat and let it air dry on its own for a few hours. You want to make sure it’s completely dry; a hasty drying process, even at the end, has the potential to encourage mold growth and odor from trapped and overlooked dampness.
Now that you know precisely what goes into maintaining a down alternative comforter when cleaning it, you can rest easy knowing that its premium quality and superior comfort will last for a long while. Enjoy your blissful sleep!
