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Hi,
I'm posting this in the parents' forum cos i figured that parents especially moms would know what to do. I just tried washing my comforter today and it won't even budge in the washing machine. The bottom was completely soaked and the rest of it was just dry... Thank goodness it fit in the dryer... I was wondering if I would have to send my comforter to the dry cleaners or look for a laundromat with extra big washing machines? Thanks for any advice!

By Alphamom (Alphamom) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 04:21 am: Edit

Think about a washable duvet cover and use the comforter as a fill. Professional cleaners or Laundromat should take care of it, though.

By Sybbie719 (Sybbie719) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 06:58 am: Edit

I purchased 3 duvet covers for my D for just that reason. She picked out some really nice ones on sale at Pottery Barn.

Lily, don't worry, it is not you. I have a huge wasing machine and take my comforters and rugs to the laundromat.

By Weenie (Weenie) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 08:18 am: Edit

You need to take it to a laundermat that has those large, front-loader washing machines. It will cost a few dollars. Use a VERY small amount of detergent in it, as they are super efficient. Once that is done, buy a duvet cover and use it - that will be much easier to wash. Good luck!

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 12:48 pm: Edit

We dry clean ours but that gets kind of expensive, especially for a college kid. I like the idea of the Duvet covers but they are hard to find sometimes.

By Bluejay (Bluejay) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 02:00 pm: Edit

You have no choice but to go the laundromat. Most would be impressed that you are washing your comforter in October. I bet some kids still have the same sheets on their bed from move-in day!

By Thumper1 (Thumper1) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 02:37 pm: Edit

How often do you wash your comforter? DS uses a top sheet (and a bottom sheet) which he does wash every week to 10 days (he likes the smell of clean sheets, he tells me). BUT he doesn't wash his comforter regularly, and we don't wash ours at home all that often either (ok...I know I'm opening myself up for some comments!!). The top sheet separates the people from the comforter. Still, I agree with everyone...when you need to wash the comforter, go to the laundromat.

By Interesteddad (Interesteddad) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 02:51 pm: Edit

If it is a down comforter, it should not be dry cleaned as the chemicals hurt the down.

Machine wash -- gentle cycle, warm water. Good idea to run a second rinse cycle.

Then, tumble dry on a low setting with three tennis balls in the dryer. The tennis balls fluff up the down.

I have successfully washed a queen down comforter in a super capacity home washer -- however the comforter puffs up like a balloon and it takes some hand action to get the thing under water. A commercial front-load laundromat matchine would be much better. A super capacity home drier works fine. However, be prepared to run it several times as the down takes forever to dry.

The same instructions work for down sleeping bags as well.

The tennis ball trick on a "fluff air" setting in the drier is a good idea in between washings to fluff the down back up.

You want to wash down as seldom as possible, so duvet covers are really the way to go.

By Sybbie719 (Sybbie719) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 02:54 pm: Edit

I probably wash my conforter twice a year, because:

1. They always have duvet covers on them (which I change weekly. I like a change of pace, and I'm a push over for a linen sale)

2. I always remove it from the bed along with the pillows in the shams at night and use blankets (yeah they are pretty much there to make the bed look nice.

By Fendergirl (Fendergirl) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 03:24 pm: Edit

i have no problem washing my comforter in my washing machine at home, and its just a regular standard size. same with putting it in the dryer.

By Fendergirl (Fendergirl) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 03:24 pm: Edit

i have no problem washing my comforter in my washing machine at home, and its just a regular standard size. same with putting it in the dryer.

By Emeraldkity4 (Emeraldkity4) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 03:25 pm: Edit

I have made duvet covers from single flat sheets, you can also ( if you don't own a sewing machine) just sew ribbons at corners to tie together to make cover easier to put on.\
I bought daughter down throws ( good sized) instead of a comforter at costco, I never even thought about being easier to wash. ( I hate dry cleaners- and actually for down I don't think it is recommended)
THe front load washing machines I agree are the best .