Bedding is one of those household jobs that tends to happen less often than it should, partly because it is inconvenient and partly because, if you have a standard domestic washing machine, a duvet simply does not fit properly. Here are the five most common mistakes, and why a laundrette is genuinely the better option for anything larger than a single.
1. Assuming a Domestic Machine Can Handle It
A standard domestic washing machine drum holds 7 to 8 kilograms of laundry. A double duvet weighs approximately 2 to 3 kg when dry and expands significantly when wet. A king size duvet can weigh 4 kg dry. In a machine that is too small, a duvet bunches rather than rotating freely through the water, which means the centre of the duvet never gets properly agitated. The result is a duvet that smells cleaner and feels damper rather than one that is actually clean.
The professional machines at MD Launderette include 12kg, 18kg, and 20kg drums. A king size duvet washes correctly in an 18kg machine with room to move.
2. Using Too Much Detergent
More detergent does not mean cleaner. Excess detergent in a large item like a duvet does not rinse out fully, leaving residue that attracts dust and allergens faster and makes the filling feel heavy and stiff. The correct amount for a large item wash is typically less than the line marked on the cap.
3. Washing at Too High a Temperature
Synthetic duvet fillings can clump permanently if washed at high temperatures. Down and feather fillings can lose their loft. Most duvets wash correctly at 40 degrees Celsius. Check the care label first. A higher temperature feels more thorough but often does more harm than good.
4. Not Drying Properly
This is the most important and most underestimated step. A duvet that is not dried completely will develop mould and a persistent damp smell within days. Tumble drying a duvet to completion takes longer than most domestic dryers will run on a single cycle. Adding tumble dryer balls helps break up the filling and reduce drying time, but even with these, a large duvet may need two full drying cycles.
Our commercial dryers at MD Launderette complete a thorough dry in a single extended cycle, with enough heat and airflow to reach the centre of the filling.
5. Leaving It Too Long Between Washes
The average person sheds approximately 1.5 grams of dead skin cells per hour during sleep. Combined with sweat, body oils, and the dust mites that feed on this material, a duvet that is washed less than twice a year is carrying a significant biological load, regardless of how clean the cover is. Covers are not a substitute for washing the duvet itself.
For anyone with allergies, asthma, or eczema, more frequent duvet washing, ideally every three months, makes a noticeable difference to symptoms.
The Wash, Dry and Fold Service
If the thought of managing a duvet wash yourself is the reason it does not happen, our wash, dry and fold service takes the entire job off your hands. Drop off your bedding, and collect it clean, dry, and folded. We handle duvets, pillows, blankets, mattress covers, and curtains.
MD Launderette is based on Belgrave Road in Torquay, with modern large-capacity machines and professional-grade dryers. Walk in during opening hours or contact us to ask about our service wash.
