How to Wash a Comforter (and the Other Blankets You Can't Sleep Without)

While we all know that we need to regularly wash our sheets, many of us tend to put off cleaning the blankets and comforters on our beds. Just like sheets, blankets gradually acquire a buildup of sweat, dirt, and bacteria—so they'll need a routine refresh. If you aren't sure how to tackle the cleaning process, stay tuned. Ahead, we've shared tips for how to wash a comforter the right way. With advice straight from laundry experts, you'll be able to conquer cleaning your comforters and other types of blankets without breaking a sweat.

How Often to Wash Your Comforter and Blankets

You should wash your comforter at least every few months to remove germs and debris, according to Rechelle Balanzat, a laundry and dry cleaning expert and the founder of Juliette, a premium laundry cleaning service based in New York City.

As for other bedding and blankets, such as cotton, fleece, and wool blankets, wash them at least once or twice a month for hygienic reasons, explains Balanzat. Cotton blankets that you layer over sheets can be cleaned up to every week or every other week. "Your cotton blanket will accumulate less pet dander and house dust if you regularly shake it out and let it air out," Balanzat notes.

Fleece blankets should be washed up to once or twice per month to preserve their quality. Balanzat recommends washing wool blankets every three months with a wool-safe, delicate detergent so they don't get damaged in the washing machine and dryer.

How to Wash and Dry Synthetic and Down Comforters

Before you attempt to clean your comforter, it's important to know which type you have: down or synthetic. Down comforters are stuffed with soft, natural undercoating from geese and ducks, whereas synthetic comforters are filled with man-made materials, explains Maria Mooney, the brand director of Truly Free, a line of non-toxic laundry and household cleaning products.

"If you're deciding between purchasing a down- or synthetic-filled comforter, compare the differences to determine which one best fits your needs and wants," says Mooney. Down is typically warmer, lighter, and more breathable than synthetic (which is also known as down alternative). Each type requires specific washing and drying techniques, as explained below.

Materials Needed:

• Laundry detergent
• Wool dryer balls
  

Synthetic Comforters

Again, be sure to read and follow instructions before placing your comforter in the washing machine. Do not go against the manufacturer's instruction to maintain your bedding's quality.

1. Set the washing machine temperature to either lukewarm or cold, as anything warmer could damage the comforter's fibers.
2. Use a small amount of laundry detergent. An excessive amount of detergent could leave residue on the filling.
3. Wash the comforter on a delicate or gentle cycle, with an extra rinse cycle if possible.
4. After wash is complete, assess the comforter for dampness. If it is still sopping wet, put it back in the washing machine for another spin cycle to help reduce drying time.
5. Continue by loading the comforter in the dryer with four to five wool dryer balls. Set the dryer to a low heat setting. Drying may take up to a few hours. Even if the comforter seems dry, it's better to over-dry the fabric, as wet filling could cause mold.
6. Check the comforter every 30 minutes to redistribute the filling and break up clumps until it is completely dry.

Down Comforters

1. To machine wash, first ensure that you have a front-load washer. You should only wash down comforters with a front-loading washer. The jerking action of the agitator in a top-load washer may cause damage by packing the down, according to decorvow's Homekeeping Handbook.
2. If you have a front-loading washer, choose a cold temperature setting. (It's the safest wash temperature since the fabric can shrink up to 8 percent in hot water). Use the fastest spin speed to remove as much moisture as possible.
3. Add a laundry detergent of your choosing. Avoid using fabric softener, as this will coat the down and reduce its fluff.
4. Once the wash cycle is complete, run the dryer on air fluff or the lowest temperature possible since high heat can scorch down.
5. Dry with two to three wool dryer balls for about three to four hours, checking every 30 minutes to break up clumps and ensure the down is not too warm.

To hand wash a down comforter, place it in a bathtub filled with lukewarm water and detergent. Gently squeeze the soapy water through the down-filled article. Then, drain the wastewater, says Martha.

How to Wash Blankets

Follow Balanzat's steps to wash other common types of blankets you have on your bed, including wool, cotton, and fleece.

Materials Needed:

• Gentle laundry detergent
• Vinegar
• Microfiber cloth

Wool Blankets

Before washing a wool blanket, the first step is to review the care label. "Most of the time, you only need to spot-clean it or clean it on a seasonal basis," says Balanzat. "Never use warm or hot water or a clothes dryer when washing wool." This could shrink and damage the fabric.

1. Begin by either handwashing, or adding your wool blanket to the washing machine and setting it to a short, gentle, cold-water cycle.
2. Add a wool-safe, delicate laundry detergent.
3. After washing, treat any stains on the blanket with cold water and a mild detergent or a vinegar solution (1/3 cup distilled white vinegar and 2/3 cup water).
4. Soak and blot the affected area with the desired cleaning solution and a clean microfiber cloth.
5. Either line dry or lay flat to dry.

Cotton Blankets

Make sure you check the care label on your cotton blankets, as many of these blankets are typically blended with other fabric types. Additionally, 100 percent cotton blankets can shrink if you aren't careful. "Your cotton blanket's label may say that it is okay to machine wash it in cold or warm water and tumble dry it on low heat, which is fine—but you can shorten the drying time to increase longevity," says Balanzat. "If there are any noticeable stains, carefully hand wash the affected area in warm water with diluted detergent before putting the blanket in your washing machine on cold."

Fleece Blankets

Always wash fleece blankets separately in cold water on a gentle cycle whenever possible to avoid pilling or matting. "Use only a small amount of detergent; more soap won't necessarily make your blanket cleaner," says Balanzat. "In fact, too much detergent can adhere to the fleece fibers and reduce the softness of your blanket."

Another pro tip: Avoid using bleach, as this could deteriorate the blanket's fibers or change the color. Since polyester fleece is naturally stain-resistant, Balanzat says that washing your fleece blanket in cold water with detergent should be able to get rid of any stains. However, you can pre-treat stubborn stains with a drop of dishwashing liquid and letting it sit for about 10 minutes before washing.