Is it OK to wash my dry clean only comforter?

Answer 1

i have the same question. i did a search on yahoo answers and online - there seems to be a lot of disagreement. (1) is it expensive, have sentimental value, or not easily replaced? if you said yes then maybe you should dry clean it. if not some people have safely washed their dry clean only comforters. (8) a woman who said she used to work testing appliances said use a high setting because the water evaporating cools the dryer but cautioned not to overdry and cautioned that if you do not dry it properly and throughly you can get a musty smell and clumping (8). another caution is if the comforter is polyester because it melts at medium and high heats (8).

some people say you can use the gentle cycle, cold water, and line dry/lay it flat to dry. (2, 3) i do this with the few dry clean only clothes and curtains i have and it works fine. but a comforter is much thicker and would seem to pose a problem drying. and what about the stitches it is too large to go in a lingerie bag and then into the washer. but do not line dry it if the area you live in is humid (8).

some people say you can put it in the dryer too but that you need to use a low setting. (4, 5) note: laundry mat/commercial dryers are often more powerful. home dry cleaning kit makers say not to use them. (6) it seems a home setting of low is not equal to a laundrymat/commercial one or the kit makers just do not want the liability. i am concerned it would cause shrinking especially given my comforter seems to have a dry clean only fabric on the top (the pretty part one would see looking at the bed) and a washable fabric on the bottom (part that faces the matress).

some say they have successfully used home dry cleaning kits. (7) i have read up on that before when i was trying to find a solution to the dry clean only comforter. you have to use the bag they come with which is not large enough for queen and king size comforters. they say you must use the bag for it to work and caution against just placing the clothes in the dryer. they say do not use their kits as a replacement for dry cleaning. they are to be used to freshen your clothes. (6)

maybe the comforter manufacturers do not want the liability so they say dry clean only that way if you mess it up when you wash it then you pay the bill instead of them. (i thought of this but then was reading and a poster said they read about this before see 8)

Answer 2

Depending on the size of your washer.. If it's a down comforter it's perfectly OK to wash it in the washer.. Once it gets wet it will shrink down to nothing.. Just dont' use too much detergent.. If you have an extra rinse cycle then use it.. I also spin it one extra time to make sure all the water is out ! I put mine in the dryer with some tennis balls and a dry light colored towel.. This will help it dry fasther.. good luck

Answer 3

If it is totally down and the cover is washable...hoping it's a cotten of some type, yes, gentle cycle, cool water and with Woolite. The trick is getting it all fluffed back up. The down will clump, so you have to dry it, fluff it, dry it, fluff it, etc. Avoid hot dryers.......so taking to laundromat will be tuff unless they have lower heat settings on the dryer........and they work. Other option is to hand outside for awhile, but the dryer is really necessary to get the fluff back.

The final question is the size. Most likely anything larger than a twin (or full?) will have to be washed in oversize machines at the laundromat.

Answer 4

I do it all the time with Woolite.
For my larger comforters I use the laundry mat because of the size.
Do not allow larger full comforters to air dry, by the time they finish it will smell moldy. Use the air dry cycle in a larger dry at the laundry mat. I switch between low heat and air to speed the process along.

Answer 5

It is OK. to wash it, but I would air dry the comforter.

Answer 6

I have hand made quilt bed spreads and I do it all the time. Just wash on delicate with a mild baby clothes detergent and DO NOT dry in dryer. It will loosen the sticthing.

good luck!

Answer 7

yes,definitely wash in cold water with Woolite or baby detergent works well...on gentle cycle..you can put it in the dryer,BUT,make sure it is on cool dry only,no hot,and place 2 or 3 clean tennis balls in there with it,I know,it's noisy,but it helps fluff the comforter back into shape or it might and will come out lumpy.

Answer 8

You could try washing it on the gentle cycle and then hang drying or no heat drying.

Answer 9

dont do it it will break your washer..it will be too bulky & once wet will become very heavy... a trip to the dry cleaners to wash a comforter is like 25.00 to get a new washer 450.00.

Answer 10

use non detergent soap ---- Woolite. and gentle cycle.