The Ultimate Guide to Washing Doonas & Quilts

Firstly, what is a doona?

Doonas, are also known as comforters, quilts or duvets.

A doona is a type of bedding that consists of a soft, quilted, and padded inner filling encased in a fabric cover designed to keep you warm and cozy while you sleep.

These essential bedding items provide warmth and comfort during chilly nights. However, to ensure they stay fresh and hygienic, proper washing and care are crucial.

What’s covered in this guide?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through how often you should wash your quilt, the various types of doonas and the best practices to wash and maintain them effectively.

How often should I wash my doona?

Doonas accumulate dust mites, oils, dead skin cells, and various other debris. Regular washing is essential to keep your doona fresh and free from allergens.

We recommend washing your doona at least every six months. If you have allergies, it’s best to wash it every three months.

What should I do before washing my doona?

Step 1: Check the label

As with any bedding or clothing you should check the the care label to see what washing instructions the manufacturer has listed.

Certain doonas might be “dry-clean only,” so don’t risk of damaging your quilt by washing it at home.

Step 2: Check the size

Smaller-sized doonas can often be comfortably washed within standard household washing machines, typically ranging from 5.0–7.0kg in capacity.

Larger doonas exceeding 8.0kg in weight demand the use of more spacious drums to ensure an optimal and comprehensive clean.

If you’re washing your doona at home, ensure there’s ample room for the bedding, detergent, and water to move around easily in the washing drum. If you’re not sure, take your bedding to your local laundromat.

Step 3: Treat stains

Check over the bedding and spot clean stains. You can treat any visible stains with a mild detergent or a stain remover. we recommend using sonett’s stain removal spray. it’s 100% biodegradable, certified vegan, and works well on delicate fabrics like wool and silk.

Step 4: Shake it off!

Give your doona a good shake to fluff up the filling and remove any loose debris.

Can I use fabric softener on my duvet?

We do not recommend use of fabric softeners on your doona.

Softeners are generally less effective on quilts and often leave behind residues that have the unfortunate tendency to attract additional dust and dirt.

As an alternative, try adding a cup of white vinegar to rinse cycle – vinegar is a great fabric softener, and it won’t smell.

Optionally, also add a small amount of tea tree oil or lavender oil, this will not only make your bedding smell great, but it’s a natural disinfectant.

The Best Way to Machine Wash a Doona

For most doonas, machine washing is a convenient option.

• Use a large-capacity machine: Ensure your washing machine is large enough to accommodate the doona comfortably. If you need a larger washing machine, visit your local laundromat.
• Choose a gentle cycle: Opting for a delicate or wool cycle will prevent excessive agitation.
• Wash with a mild detergent: Using a mild, eco-friendly detergent to clean without damaging the fabric or filling. We recommend using sonett’s laundry liquid, and sensitive laundry liquid.
• Check the care label for water temperature: Check the label to see what water temperature it recommends. If in doubt wash in cold water to preserve the fabric and prevent shrinking.

Can I put my doona in the dryer?

Yes, but make sure your care label says your doona is dryer safe!

There needs to be enough room for your bedding to comfortable tumble around in the dryer, so make sure you’re using a large capacity dryer if you opt for this method.

We recommend taking the duvet out of the dryer a couple of times during the cycle and shaking it out to avoid having the material bunch up. You can also try popping in a few clean tennis balls to help fluff up the doona.

What’s the best way to line dry my doona?

Yes, but make sure your care label says your doona is dryer safe!

You’ll want to do this on a sunny day. Find a spot outside with plenty of direct sun light and hang your doona up across several lines so it has ample breathing room. Spread out doonas will dry faster.

Remember to turn your doona over at least once during this drying process to ensure it dries all the way through.

Finally, be patient! It might take a day or two to fully dry.

How to Hand Wash a Doona

If your doona is too large for your washing machine, and you don’t have access to a laundromat, you can try handwashing your doona.

• Fill your bathtub: Fill the tub with enough water to submerge the doona. Check your care instructions to ensure you’re using the right water temperature)
• Add and mix your detergent: Add in the recommended amount of laundry detergent (check the instructions). Mix the detergent until the water is soapy
• Submerge and soak: Fully submerge your unwashed doona in the water bath, and let it soak for 1-2 hours. You need to give the detergent time to fully penetrate the fabrics, and work its magic!
• Gently agitate: gently agitate and move the doona around in the soapy water, focusing on any heavily soiled or dirty areas.
• Drain & Rinse: Finally, drain your tub fully and then re-fill it with water to rinse the doona. Repeat this step as needed. Press out the excess water, and then hang the duvet for drying in an appropriate place.

Tips for washing doonas with special filling

How to wash Wool Doonas

• Use cold water: Always wash a wool doona in cold water to prevent shrinkage and damage to the fibers.
• Don’t use fabric softeners: Refrain from using fabric softeners, as it can coat the wool fibers and diminish their natural properties.
• Rinse thoroughly: Ensure the doona is thoroughly rinsed to remove all detergent residues.
• Press out excess water: After washing, gently press out excess water from the doona. Do not wring or twist it, as this can misshape the doona and damage the wool.
• Dry flat: Unlike other doona types, you shouldn’t hang wool doonas. Lay the doona flat on a clean surface or a drying rack to air dry. Avoid hanging it on a line, as this can cause the doona to stretch or lose its shape. Additionally, avoid direct sunlight or heat sources, as they can damage the wool fibers.
• Fluff and rotate: During the drying process, periodically fluff and rotate the doona to ensure even drying.
• Patience is Key: Wool doonas take longer to dry than synthetic ones, so be patient and allow sufficient time for it to air dry completely.

How to wash Feather Doonas

• Cold Water Wash: Wash your feather doona in cold water to prevent shrinkage and preserve the feathers’ loft and insulation properties.
• Double Rinse: Run an additional rinse cycle to ensure all detergent residues are thoroughly removed from the feathers.
• Drain and Squeeze Gently: After washing, carefully drain the water and gently squeeze out excess water from the doona. Avoid wringing or twisting, as this can damage the feathers.
• Dry with Care: To dry the feather doona, use a large-capacity dryer with low heat settings. Add a couple of clean tennis balls or dryer balls to help fluff up the feathers during the drying process.
• Monitor and Fluff: During the drying cycle, periodically check the doona and fluff it up to ensure even drying and prevent clumping of the feathers.
• Thorough Drying: Feather doonas may take longer to dry completely, so be patient!
• Regular Maintenance: To maintain the loft and cleanliness of your feather doona, consider fluffing and airing it outside on a sunny day every few weeks or months.

How to wash Silk Doonas

• Use cold water: Ensure you wash your silk doona with cold water. Hot water will damage the fabric.
• Hand wash with care: Silk doonas are best hand-washed to avoid any agitation or rough treatment that could harm the delicate fibers. Fill a bath tub with cold water and add a small amount of silk-specific detergent.
• Submerge and soak: Gently submerge the silk doona in the water and allow it to soak for about 5 to 10 minutes. Avoid rubbing or wringing the fabric to prevent damage.
• Gentle agitation: After soaking, gently agitate the water with your hands to loosen dirt and debris. Be cautious not to scrub or twist the doona.
• Drain and refill: Drain the soapy water and refill with clean, cold water. Gently move the doona in the water to rinse off any remaining detergent.
• Rinse & repeat as necessary: If needed, repeat the rinsing process until the water runs clear and all soap residues are removed.
• Press out excess water: After rinsing, carefully press out excess water from the silk doona. Do not wring or twist the fabric, as this can damage the delicate silk fibers.
• Dry flat or hang carefully: Lay the silk doona flat on a clean towel or a drying rack to air dry. If hanging the doona, do so with great care to avoid stretching or misshaping the fabric.
• Avoid direct sunlight: Ensure that the silk doona is not exposed to direct sunlight or heat sources during the drying process, as this can damage the silk fibers and cause color fading.
• Fluff and rotate: During the drying process, periodically fluff and rotate the doona to ensure even drying.
• Patience is key: Silk doonas may take longer to dry than other materials, so be patient and allow sufficient time for it to air dry completely.

Conclusion

Caring for your doona properly will not only extend its lifespan but also contribute to a healthier sleep environment! Our laundromat locations have large washing machines, and dryers perfect for washing doonas quickly, and efficiently.