We are good about washing our sheets, but the comforter often gets forgotten at the bottom of the bed. So how often should you wash your comforter? For most people the answer is every two to three months, with a few situations that call for more. Here is a simple schedule, plus how to wash a bulky comforter at home without ruining it.
Wash your comforter every 2 to 3 months if you use a top sheet or duvet cover. Without one, wash every month. Using a duvet cover is the easiest way to keep a comforter clean and stretch the time between deep washes.
How often should you wash your comforter?
A comforter does not touch your skin as directly as a fitted sheet, so it does not need washing every week. But it still collects dust, sweat that passes through the top sheet, skin cells and allergens over time. For most people, every two to three months is the right rhythm. Your habits move that number:
| Your situation | How often to wash |
|---|---|
| You use a top sheet or duvet cover | Every 2 to 3 months |
| No top sheet, comforter direct on you | Every month |
| Allergies or asthma | Every 4 to 6 weeks |
| Sleep with pets | Every 3 to 4 weeks |
| Hot sleeper / heavy sweating | Every 4 to 6 weeks |
| Someone was sick | Wash right away |
The easiest trick: use a duvet cover
The single best way to keep a comforter clean is to put a barrier between it and you. A duvet cover or a simple top sheet catches most of the sweat, oil and skin cells before they reach the comforter itself. The cover washes easily every week with your sheets, and the bulky comforter only needs a deep wash a few times a year.
This saves you effort and protects the comforter, since every trip through the machine puts stress on the filling. Fewer deep washes means it keeps its loft and lasts longer.
How to wash a comforter at home
Most comforters can be washed at home if you have a large enough machine. Follow these steps:
- Read the care label. Some comforters are machine washable, others need a large front-loader or a laundromat machine. Check first.
- Use a big machine. A comforter needs room to tumble. If it is crammed in, it will not clean or rinse properly. A commercial machine is worth it for King and oversized sizes.
- Mild detergent, gentle cycle. Use a small amount of gentle detergent and warm or cool water on a delicate setting.
- Rinse twice. An extra rinse makes sure no detergent stays trapped in the filling, which can leave clumps.
- Dry low and slow, with dryer balls. Add a couple of clean dryer balls or tennis balls to break up clumps and restore fluff. This step takes a while, so be patient and stop to redistribute the filling.
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Want a washable cover over your comforter? Our cotton duvet cover slips on and off easily for weekly washing. And if you are rethinking your whole laundry routine, see how often to refresh the rest of the bed in our how often to wash your sheets guide. Not sure if you want a comforter or a duvet? Our duvet cover guide explains the difference.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wash a comforter in a regular washing machine?
Small and medium comforters usually fit a standard front-loader. King and oversized comforters need a larger commercial machine so they can tumble freely and rinse properly.
How do I keep my comforter clean between washes?
Use a top sheet or a duvet cover. The cover takes the daily wear and washes weekly, so the comforter itself stays fresh far longer.
How often should you wash a comforter with no top sheet?
About once a month, since your body is in direct contact with it every night. Adding a top sheet or cover lets you stretch that to every two to three months.
Can I dry clean a comforter instead?
Yes, if the label recommends it, especially for delicate or specialty fills. For everyday washable comforters, a gentle home wash and low tumble dry works well.
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