How can I clean a feather quilt without ruining it other than having it dry cleaned?

Answer 1

If you have a front-loading washer or high-capacity washer, you can wash it yourself. If it is real feather down, drying time will probably have to be increased, and I find it more efficient to hang it outside in the sun to dry. If you do dry it, be prepared to empty your lint trap halfway through the cycle. Those bad boys produce a lot of lint!

Answer 2

A couple of questions that you need to ask before you try anything at all:

1) If there are washing/cleaning instructions, what do they say? Follow them if you want to be certain you get this item clean and not damaged.

2) What type of soil is on the quilt? If it is dirty just from general use you don't really need to do anything special. However, if it a protien based stain (grass, blood) you may need to use an enzyme to facilitate soil removal.

Ok. Let's say there are no washing instructions and the soil is general and the quilt cover is cotton/cotton blend. Quite simply, wash as you would wash your normal linens. If the quilt is white you can use a small amount of chlorine bleach. If it is colored, use an oxygen bleach. The secret here is not so much washing it, but it is the drying that can ruin your items. When you take the quilt out of the washer put it into the dryer and add a couple of tennis balls or a tennis shoe wrapped in an old athletic sock. The tennis shoe/tennis balls help keep the the quilt from flattening. Dry the quilt completely and when it is finished drying take it out and shake it to fluf the feathers.

If there are no directions, I WOULD NOT DRY CLEAN. Dry cleaning uses fluids that can impart a odor to linens. They have come a long way over the years, but something you are going to be sleeping with should be completely free of this type of odor.

If you are uncomfortable washing this item yourself, take it to a dry cleaner, but ask them to "wet wash" or to "launder it". Make sure you tell them you do not want it dry cleaned. Most places probably would not dry clean anyway, but it pays to tell them.

Answer 3

first check the tag and see what type of feathers are used, the only thing you need to worry about is if it contains Water Fowl feathers. These feathers HAVE to be dry cleaned due to the natural oils they contain that will permanently stain your comforter. Most contain Goose Down though and can be machine washed in the appropriate size washer. Look for a Laundromat that has very large, industrial size washers (to hold aproxamately 40lbs.) and, preferably, one that has an attendant on duty who can help guide you in the right direction. Wash normal/warm, or cold if you want, and dry in large dryer with plenty of new tennis balls. You will have to take it out now and then rearranging it so it won't stay wadded up and not dry in the middle. It takes a lot ot draw all the moisture from the feathers, so once it seems that the majority of the dampness is gone and the feathers inside are fluffier and less clumpy, the best thing to do is hang dry it the rest of the way giving it plenty of good shakes now and again. The more air flowing through the fabric the dryer it will.become.

Answer 4

Do what I did. I took my quilt to the local laundromat and put it in one of the big washers.

Then I put it in a big dryer. If you throw in two or three tennis balls, the balls will help fluff it up while it dries.

My quilt came out like new. It's the best alternative to the dry cleaners. I also cleaned my feather pillows this way.

Answer 5

Is it a feather down comforter? If it is and you have a large or super capacity washer you can wash it on gentle cycle in the washer... Down shrinks alot when wet... Just don't use too much soap.... Also, get some clean tennis balls and run it through the dryer it will fluff it back up.. If you have a washer that's too small ...Go to the laundry mat and use the double load size washer I have two feather down comforters and I was able to wash both no problem... Warm water.....cold rinse... Good luck

Answer 6

if it is dirty and you are not able to spot clean it - it will have to be cleaned professionally or as per label - (if it was mine i'd stick it in the washing machine and then tumble dry it) ;-)
my grandmother would have put it out of the bedroom window on a fine day to "air" it...