Washing Duvets in the machine?

ripplyuk

I usually bring mine to the laundrette/dry cleaners where they have big commercial washing machines but it costs £12 for a double duvet, which adds up over a year. Is it safe to stuff it in my machine at home?

It would be quite a squeeze as mine doesn't have a modern, large drum. I've tried putting it in the bath, but that was a disaster. It was really heavy to lift out and soaked half the house trying to get it outside.

HappyMJ

ripplyuk wrote: »

I usually bring mine to the laundrette/dry cleaners where they have big commercial washing machines but it costs £12 for a double duvet, which adds up over a year. Is it safe to stuff it in my machine at home?

It would be quite a squeeze as mine doesn't have a modern, large drum. I've tried putting it in the bath, but that was a disaster. It was really heavy to lift out and soaked half the house trying to get it outside.

For that price I'd just buy a new one each time.

£7.50 for a new one....

http://www.tesco.com/direct/tesco-basics-double-duvet-105-tog/716-5790.prd?pageLevel=&skuId=716-5790

You can wash them in your machine if your machine is big enough. You'll have to weigh it and if it's less than half of your machine's capacity then yes you can do it. So that one above is 10.5 tog and weighs 2kg so it can go in a 4kg machine.

ripplyuk

Mine are fully dust mite proof as I have allergic rhinitis which the doctor thinks might be due to, or worsened by, dust mites.They were expensive, around £80 for the 15 tog one and £45 for the summer one. So I couldn't afford to replace them all the time.

The winter one is quite heavy but maybe the summer one would fit.

HappyMJ

ripplyuk wrote: »

Mine are fully dust mite proof as I have allergic rhinitis which the doctor thinks might be due to, or worsened by, dust mites.They were expensive, around £80 for the 15 tog one and £45 for the summer one. So I couldn't afford to replace them all the time.

The winter one is quite heavy but maybe the summer one would fit.

If you're going to throw them out every 6 months then the fact they aren't themselves dust mite proof isn't going to matter. They'll be free of dust mites anyway. You're going to have a cover which should be dust mite proof covering it and you're sleeping on a mattress which is dust mite proof too. Your exposure to dust mites therefore should be minimal anyway. Maybe you've taken the carpet out and replaced with wooden flooring which helps reduce them.

pigpen

you could tie it up in a binbag and shove in the freezer for about 12 hours.. that would kill off any dust mites. Put them in when you get up and remake at bed time!

You have to wash them weekly at 60'C+ to keep them free of dust mites so if you're not having symptoms it is likely your dr is wrong!


you could just put it inside a dust-mite proof cover and your pillows too.. that would work better and be cheaper long term.

ripplyuk

I used to buy cheap duvets and used dust mite proof covers but decided to buy these expensive ones because they don't need the extra covers. It's already part of the duvet. I'm not convinced my doctor is right about the allergy but these duvets are much nicer anyway and feel more luxurious than the cheaper ones so I'm reluctant to get rid of them.

I've always washed them every 3 months, even before the rhinitis problem. Do most people replace them this often?

suki1964

ripplyuk wrote: »

I used to buy cheap duvets and used dust mite proof covers but decided to buy these expensive ones because they don't need the extra covers. It's already part of the duvet. I'm not convinced my doctor is right about the allergy but these duvets are much nicer anyway and feel more luxurious than the cheaper ones so I'm reluctant to get rid of them.

I've always washed them every 3 months, even before the rhinitis problem. Do most people replace them this often?

No.

But then I use a top sheet as well as a duvet cover

I change the sheets/pillow cases weekly, cover monthly

I change my duvet every two years

Just to add, I buy the best cotton sheets I can afford ( or not ) and wash on 75oC

You need a hot wash to kill mites

missbiggles1

I've had my duvets (one summer, one winter) for nearly 10 years and I wouldn't dream of changing them until they wear out - why would I, they cost nearly £200 between them. I take them to the launderette at the end of each season so I can pack them away clean until needed.

ripplyuk

I use a topsheet and change everything once a week, so the duvets maybe don't need washing so often. I think I'll change to using the laundrette for it every 6 months to save some money.

There's also the mattress protector which is quite thick and padded. It usually goes to the laundrette too but I think its light enough to go in the machine at home.

Mr_Singleton

missbiggles1 wrote: »

I take them to the launderette at the end of each season so I can pack them away clean until needed.

Last time I went to a laundrette the basic wash lasted 17 minutes and included a pre-wash, spin, main wash, 3 rinses and a final spin.

I can't see how that would A) give a satisfactory wash Get rid of all the detergent. Not to mention the low final spin speed to ensure you spend extra in the dryers.

BTW the longest possible wash was 38 minutes in the largest machines so still not great.

Any comments from those that use laundrettes?

Torry_Quine

My winter duvet was a wedding present and is nearly 30 years old. It's still in good condition and has been washed but like others I use a top sheet. My lighter summer one goes in the machine, I have a new bigger machine so may be able to wash the winter one too.