Dealing with bedding in the laundry can be quite the task, with duvets presenting a particular challenge. Though usually protected by covers, the duvet itself occasionally accumulates stains and requires a thorough clean. Lynsey Crombie, known widely as the Queen of Clean, has shared her key advice for maintaining pristine duvets.
For those with large-capacity washing machines, Lynsey recommends: “If you are lucky enough to have a large drum washing machine then most duvets can be washed this way using the duvet setting.” For those without such a machine, she suggests utilising dry cleaning services as “most dry cleaners offer a duvet-cleaning service”.
Beyond the washing machine, Lynsey advocates for using good weather to freshen up your duvet, especially on sunny days: “On a beautiful bright sunny day, get your duvet out on the washing line.” She cautions about ensuring a robust washing line for airing.
Emphasising the advantages of sunlight, she mentioned: “Leave [the duvet] out in the fresh air and sunshine, the sun is a natural disinfectant so will help to kill germs and bacteria.”
She also addressed spot cleaning your duvet, advising to use “hydrogen peroxide and apply neat to the stain, once the stain has been removed rinse away”.
Hydrogen peroxide is an unassuming natural household staple that is a powerhouse when it comes to stain removal. In addition to stain removal, it has antibacterial properties.
She also informed on different types of pillow care: “Only certain pillows can be soaked in the bath, feathered pillows and foam pillows most certainly can’t be.”
Echoing advice for duvet care, the expert suggests airing out pillows in the sunshine by placing them on a washing line or pegging them firmly to bask in direct sunlight for several hours.
To add an extra level of freshness, Lynsey recommends a spritz of fabric refresher before tucking the pillows into “thick, quilted pillow protectors”.
Lynsey emphasised the significance of these protectors for maintaining cleanliness and mentioned that they should be “washed at least twice a month” to reduce the frequency of washing the pillows themselves.
Should there be any “yellow staining” that often afflicts well-used pillows, Lynsey’s preferred method is “using hydrogen peroxide”, she commented.
Regular maintenance of bedding is stressed with recommendations to wash your duvet twice annually and to keep its cover clean through more frequent laundering.
The lifespan of pillows, according to Lynsey, typically ranges from two to three years, while duvets are expected to maintain their quality for about five years before needing replacement to ensure ongoing freshness.
