Hygiene in the bedroom: how often should I wash the duvet?

Duvets should be washed regularly to stay hygienically fresh.

But how often is enough – and what temperature is necessary?

Duvets lead a rather unnoticed existence for many.

The bed linen is still changed regularly, but the liner rarely goes into the washing machine – if ever.

In the following, we will tell you how to properly care for the duvet and how often it should be washed and at what temperature.

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Duvets stay hygienically clean if they are washed regularly.

© Shotshop/Imago

How often should you wash duvets?

Experts recommend washing duvets at least once or twice a year.

Despite the bed linen and pajamas, which, by the way, are changed far too seldom, the duvet also gets dirty over time - from skin fat, but above all from sweat.

No wonder: During the night we lose around 0.2 liters of water through sweating and exhaling alone.

Not only does this smell over time - bacteria and mold that multiply in the bedding can even weaken the immune system.

Salts and skin fat also stick together in the filling, making it less fluffy and reducing its warming effect.

However, mites can also multiply wonderfully in the damp and warm sleeping environment.

This can become a real problem for allergy sufferers.

People who are allergic to mites are therefore advised to wash the duvet three to four times a year.

Washing the duvet: what temperature?

In order for the duvet to be hygienically clean again, it should be washed in the washing machine at the highest possible temperature.

However, it also depends on the material here:

• Microfiber blankets at 60° C

• Cotton duvet at 60° C

• Feather bed blanket at 60° C

• Down duvet at 60° C

• Camel hair and cashmere duvet at 30° C

• Silk duvet at 30° C

Under certain circumstances, natural bedding may not even be put in the washing machine.

As always, please note the care instructions on the washing label.

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Which program and spin speed for duvets?

Some washing machines contain special programs for the different fillings, such as down comforters.

If none of these special programs are available on your washing machine, select the delicates or woollens program.

You should set the spin speed low – around 400 revolutions.

Otherwise, the down and feathers of down and feather duvets could break.

Which detergent to use for bedding?

The detergent should always be matched to the filling of the duvet.

There are special down detergents for down duvets.

Otherwise, a mild detergent without optical brighteners is the best choice.

Please do not use fabric softener.

These washing tips from grandma are a thing of the past

These washing tips from grandma are a thing of the past

wash duvet?

What to do if the washing machine is too small?

The size of the duvet quickly becomes a problem when washing.

With thick winter blankets, even 7 kg drums are sometimes too small.

However, you shouldn't force the good piece into it either.

If the inlet doesn't fit in the washing drum, there's only one thing to do: get in the bath!

However, pay attention to the correct washing temperature here as well.

Then off in the dryer or on the drying rack.

If that is too time-consuming, you can also take your duvet to the dry cleaners - they work with larger washing drums.

List of rubrics: © Shotshop/Imago