• Yes, you can wash a down comforter that has a “dry clean only” label.
• Don’t use too much detergent, as that can ruin the downfilling.
• Always ensure your comforter is 100% dry to prevent mildew and bad smells.

Down comforters are a cozy addition to your bedding but can cause a bit of confusion in how to launder and care for them. While general laundry guidance is to follow the instructions on the care label, sometimes a trip to the dry cleaners isn’t going to work if the label says “dry clean only.”

We spoke to a laundry expert to understand when it’s okay to fudge the instructions on a care label and how you can care for your down comforter at home. 

Can You Wash a Down Comforter That Says Dry Clean Only?

Yes, you can wash a down comforter that says “dry clean only,” as long as you follow precautions when washing it at home.

“In most cases, you can care for the comforter at home with a special, enzyme-free washing solution and a cold-water wash,” Yokoji says. 

Yokoji says it may be best to leave the cleaning to the pros if your comforter has embellishments.

“Regardless of the tag, comforters or blankets with dyed patterns or embellished designs should be taken to a professional, as color bleeding or fabric damage may occur with machine washing,” she says.

It’s also important to check if your washing machine is the right size to fit your down comforter. In general, you’ll need a machine that’s 3.5 cubic feet to fit a queen-size down comforter without overstuffing, which negatively impacts cleaning.

You may need to visit a laundromat with larger machines if you don’t have a larger washer at home.  

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How to Wash a Down Comforter

1. Put the down comforter into the washer. Spread the bedding out as much as possible in the machine so it’s not crumpled or folded. 
2. Add gentle detergent.
3. Select the delicate cycle on your washing machine. Make sure the water temperature is cold and the spin is on medium or low.
4. Run the wash cycle. 
5. Promptly remove your comforter from the machine after washing. Give it a thorough shake to help redistribute the feather fill. 
6. Set the dryer to the air fluff or low heat cycle and repeat the drying cycle until there is no sign of moisture. If the filling clumps together, it means excess water is present and another dry cycle is needed.

Tips for Washing Your Down Comforter

• Do not add bleach when washing down-filled bedding or it can seriously damage the down.
• Yokoji recommends removing the comforter halfway through the dryer cycle to give it a good shake to manually redistribute feathers before placing it back in the dryer. “Sometimes it’s necessary to repeat this two to three times for a very large comforter,” Yokoji says.
• To help reduce static and fluff up feathers and filling, add wool dryer balls to the dry cycle.
• Avoid hot settings on your dryer since high temperatures can damage or even scorch the down. Use air fluff or a low heat cycle.
• Protect your down comforter from accumulating dust and oils between washes with a duvet cover and top sheet. With these protections, Yokoji says down comforters only need to be laundered one to two times every season (potentially more often if you have pets).