Many people dislike changing bedding, so the thought of washing a bulky duvet and pillows is even less appealing. Although these bedding components do not come into direct contact with our skin, sweat and dirt will still accumulate on them over time, which means they also need to be washed occasionally. Yellow stains on pillows are a common sign of sweat, oil, and dirt buildup, and they can be easily sent to a dry cleaner to be laundered.
However, cleaning expert Lynsey Crombie, recognised as the Queen of Clean, has a brilliant technique for washing bulky bedding at home. She explained: “If you are lucky enough to have a large drum washing machine, then most duvets can be washed this way using the duvet setting.”
If your washing machine doesn’t have a duvet setting, use a 60C cycle and a non-bio laundry detergent. Wash items separately to avoid overloading the drum.
For a completely effortless clean, Lynsey recommends heading outdoors rather than going to a dry cleaner.
She said: “On a beautiful, bright, sunny day get your duvet out on the washing line.” It’s crucial that the washing line is “robust” to support the weight of a duvet, but once it’s secure, cleaning becomes very straightforward.
Lynsey explained: “Leave [the duvet] out in the fresh air and sunshine. The sun is a natural disinfectant, so it will help to kill germs and bacteria.”
Choose a sunny, breezy day and hang it on a clothesline or drying rack, ensuring it’s fully open to allow for even drying. Shake and fluff the duvet periodically to prevent clumping.
Regarding pillows, Lynsey clarified: “Only certain pillows can be soaked in the bath; feathered pillows and foam pillows most certainly can’t be.”
Just like duvets, hang pillows on the washing line or peg them in direct sunlight for a few hours. To give your pillows a fresher feel, use fabric refresher and cover them with “thick, quilted pillow protectors” that should be “washed at least twice a month”.
This will “eliminate the need to wash your pillows”, according to the cleaning expert. Drying duvets and pillows as quickly as possible is important, too, as leaving them damp for too long could encourage mould growth.