Duvets and pillows are among the most neglected items in the average household wash routine, largely because they are inconvenient to wash at home. The family duvet either does not fit in the machine, or fits but cannot move freely enough to wash properly, or washes but then takes two days to dry improperly in a domestic dryer. The result is that most duvets are washed far less often than they should be, and when they are washed, they often come out damp in the middle and smelling of the effort rather than genuinely clean.
MD Launderette’s commercial machines solve all of these problems. Here is why the results are categorically different from a home machine attempt.
The Machine Size Problem
A standard domestic washing machine has a drum capacity of seven to eight kilograms. A double duvet weighs approximately two to three kilograms dry and expands significantly when wet. A king size duvet weighs four kilograms dry or more. In a machine that is too small, a duvet bunches and cannot rotate properly through the water. The centre of the duvet, where filling is densest, never reaches effective washing temperature and never gets properly agitated.
Our commercial machines at MD Launderette include 12kg, 18kg, and 20kg drums. A king size duvet washes in an 18kg machine with room to move freely, tumbling properly through the water and detergent for the full cycle. The result is a genuinely clean duvet rather than one that has been through a cycle without being properly washed.
The Drying Problem
Proper drying is more important than most people realise. A duvet that is not thoroughly dried develops mould and a persistent damp smell within days, which is worse than not washing it at all. A domestic tumble dryer typically takes two full cycles to dry a double duvet, and during the pause between cycles the damp filling begins to develop exactly the musty smell you were trying to avoid.
Our commercial dryers complete a thorough drying cycle in a single extended run, with sufficient heat and airflow to reach the centre of even a king size duvet filling. The duvet comes out dry throughout, not damp in the middle with a dry outer shell.
How Often Should You Wash Your Duvet and Pillows?
The Sleep Foundation recommends washing duvets every two to three months and pillows every one to two months. Most people wash them far less frequently than this. The practical consequence is a significant accumulation of dead skin cells, sweat, and the house dust mites that feed on them, which is a particular problem for anyone with allergies, asthma, or eczema.
For anyone with dust mite sensitivity, washing bedding at 60 degrees Celsius is recommended to kill mites effectively. This temperature is easily achievable in our commercial machines and is safe for most duvet and pillow care labels.
Our Bedding Wash Service
Drop off your duvet and pillows, and collect them clean, dry, and ready to use. We handle single, double, king, and super king duvets, pillows, mattress covers, and blankets. Contact us to confirm pricing and turnaround time.
MD Launderette in Torquay and Paignton. Walk in during opening hours or contact us in advance for larger bedding items.
