Sweaty summer nights make it really important to keep bedding clean as no one wants to sleep in a bed that smells musty and is riddled with bacteria. However, it can be awkward to wash duvets as they are often too big and clunky to fit easily inside a washing machine.
Luckily, there is a simple way to use the hot weather to your advantage, as the bedding experts at Denachtwacht have shared that airing a duvet out in the sun can help freshen it up naturally. They said: The best thing you can do for your duvet is to regularly air it outside. This will release the perspiration that your duvet absorbs at night.”
It might sound strange, but sunlight is a natural disinfectant as ultraviolet rays can kill any bacteria in your duvet if you cannot wash it regularly.
Warm air will remove any trapped moisture from sweat, which can prevent mould and any unpleasant musty odours from festering in the fabric.
Hanging a duvet outside does not replace washing it, but it can reduce how often it needs to be cleaned in warmer months by helping to freshen it up.
It is a simple way to help keep bedding clean that will not cost you a penny as you are not relying on any products or even having to use electricity.
How to freshen up a duvet by airing it out
To begin, wait until it is a sunny, breezy day without any chance of rain. You do not want it to be humid outside, otherwise your duvet will not dry properly and could cause mildew.
Then, simply give the duvet a good shake to help remove any dust and then hang it up somewhere side. It tends to be best to hang a duvet on a clothes line, but you can also hang it on a drying rack, or any clean surface.
Leave the duvet alone to air out in the sun for around three to four hours. At some point, turn the duvet over to expose the other side to as much fresh air as possible.
It tends to be best to hang a duvet outside around 11am so it can get most of the hot afternoon sun. However, make sure to bring it inside before the evening to avoid to getting damp.
When you bring the duvet inside, give it another good shake to help fluff it up and your duvet should feel a lot fresher and stay cleaner for much longer.
You only need to freshen up a duvet every four months, so only do it once this summer to get the benefits, and it should be washed at least twice a year if there are no visible stains on it.