Washing duvets and blankets is a rather tiring but necessary operation that is required with the arrival of summer and the change of bed linen. The blankets that we have used all winter, in fact, must be placed in the closets for a few months, well cleaned, sanitized and protected from dust.
How to wash duvets and blankets at home naturally?
Even if washing duvets and blankets may seem difficult, especially due to the large volumes and bulk, it does not necessarily mean that you have to use the laundry to obtain satisfactory results (at a high price). Sometimes it is enough to have a bathtub or washing machine with a maximum load of 5 kg to wash single duvets and blankets. For double blankets, however, remember that you will need a washing machine with a maximum load of at least 7 kg.
How to wash duvets and blankets in the washing machine?
Before washing, remember to beat the blankets with a beater to remove the dust accumulated in the fabrics but do not do it with duvets. Rather squash them by hand.
Then, set a delicate wash (even for synthetic fibers it will be fine) with cold water. You must never exceed 30-degrees in temperature. Also avoid using traditional softeners, but prefer ecological ones or 1 glass of vinegar in the softener compartment.
The spin cycle is also important. Program it to at least 900 revolutions, in order to eliminate as much water as possible from the duvet. In the case of wool blankets, use the specific program to avoid felting the fiber. Place the duvet in the washing machine by folding it on itself so as to avoid weakening the feathers, padding and fabric. Do not use chlorine-based bleaches.
To remove all detergent residues well, you can also repeat the rinse phase.
A bathtub is also enough to wash duvets and best blanket brands at home, as long as you use a mild soap like that of Marseille.
As soon as the washing cycle is finished, remove the duvet from the basket and fluff it by hand. Spread it horizontally across its entire width outdoors, avoiding direct sunlight which could fade the colors and ruin the feather filling due to excessive heat. Also avoid the formation of wrinkles and creases and remember to turn the duvet and shake it at regular intervals of 1-2 hours to prevent the accumulations of feathers and facilitate drying evenly.
Once dry, store the duvet neatly folded in the closet, placing it in a fabric bag for clothing to protect it from dust but allow it to breathe. Blankets can also be stored in vacuum-sealed plastic bags to make more closet space.
How to wash duvets and blankets by hand?
If you do not have a washing machine suitable for washing bulky items such as duvets and blankets, the solution is to wash them by hand, preferably in the bathtub which will facilitate the operation. Definitely a more tiring option, but certainly preferable to laundry for those who want to save and do it themselves. Do not use the beater on the duvet which would damage the feathers, only pass it on the blankets to eliminate residual dust. If there are animal hair or lint, remove them with the adhesive roller.
If the washing machine is too small to wash duvets and blankets at home, the solution is to wash them by hand, preferably in the bathtub.
In the event that your blankets have stubborn stains, remember to pre-treat with a stain remover - only if the label does not prohibit it - which you can also make at home with simple ingredients:
1/2 cup of water
1/2 cup of ammonia
1/2 cup of white wine vinegar
1/2 cup of liquid soap
Fill the bathtub with lukewarm water, add some mild liquid soap and let the blankets soak for at least 4 hours. Remember not to mix light and dark blankets and rinse well, even up to 7 times. The rinsing water must come out clear and free of soap residues. Squeeze well and hang out to dry in the open air, preferably on a hot day, but without exposing to direct sunlight.
How to wash duvets and wool blankets?
If the blanket to be washed is made of wool, before proceeding to washing it will be advisable to remove fluff and lint with a roller or brush. Beat the blanket well in the open air to remove the dust and wash it by hand or in the washing machine, with a suitable program for delicate garments (at 30-degree) using a liquid detergent for delicates and separated from colored garments.
For hand washing, proceed in cold water in a basin or in the bathtub, leaving it to soak overnight. Stretch the blanket horizontally, let it dry and store in the closet.
Conclusion
An equally useful trick can be to put an anti-moth in the wardrobe in order to protect the garment from unwelcome guests.