How to wash a duvet

Most duvets can go in the washing machine: check the care label and that your drum is big enough (the duvet should fit with room to tumble). Wash it alone on a gentle or duvet cycle with a little liquid detergent, run an extra rinse if your machine has one, then dry it fully in a large tumble dryer on low or hung outside until every part is bone dry, so mould can't grow inside.

1. Read the care label: machine-washable synthetic and many down duvets are fine; foam or specialty fills usually aren't. 2. Check drum capacity: the duvet must fit loosely with space to tumble; use a launderette's large machine if yours is too small. 3. Wash the duvet on its own on a gentle or duvet cycle with a small amount of liquid detergent, nothing else. 4. Run an extra rinse if you can, so no soap is left in the filling. 5. Dry fully in a large tumble dryer on low with clean tennis balls or dryer balls to fluff it, or hang it outside and shake it often until every seam is dry. 6. Do this every 3-6 months, and air the duvet weekly by hanging it outside or by an open window.

Yes, with care. Follow the care label and your washing machine manual: an overloaded drum can damage the machine and leave the duvet wet in the middle. Use one detergent only, never bleach with vinegar, ammonia or another cleaner, and never mix products. The duvet must be completely dry before it goes back on the bed or mould can grow inside. Don't force a wet duvet into a small dryer. Never mix cleaning products. Bleach plus ammonia, vinegar or other acids releases toxic gases. Use one product at a time, rinse between them, ventilate, and unplug appliances before you clean them.