How long the blankets will last depends on their quality and proper care. Washing blankets increases their service life. During operation down and feathers may fall off. This can cause the blankets to lose looseness and appear thinner. In order to maintain the proper shape of the blankets they must be washed. Why do you need to wash the blankets? Because they can get microorganisms such as the dust mites which die at a temperature of 30 - 60 degrees Celsius. When it comes time to wash a filled blanket or down blanket dry cleaning is possible (it prevents shrinkage) but this is not always necessary and you want to avoid applying strong chemicals to the down. First, check the care label: if the fabric is delicate or if the blanket has embellishments you may need to leave the cleaning to a professional.
In order to maintain the proper shape of the blanket it should be washed at least once a year, optimally twice a year, a maximum of four times a year. Washing more often can lead to unnecessary wear. Before the washing be sure to check the maximum allowable washing temperature in the instructions. Start by finding a day off for a great wash. Washing and drying blankets can take 6 - 8 hours of your time. Blankets with natural filling can be washed in a washing machine and dried in a drum dryer provided that the relevant instructions are followed. Read the information about the temperature, hand or machine washing, drying and spinning. If they differ from our recommendations follow the instructions.
First, check all the seams and make sure there are no holes in the headboard.
Wash the blanket and the pillow separately. The blanket may decrease in size and volume during the washing.
The detergent should not contain enzymes as they destroy the protective fat layer of the feathers and down and, accordingly, the filler loses its ability to retain heat. A liquid detergent for washing wool is suitable. Use your usual microfiber - filled quilt detergent.
At the end of the cycle, check the bed linen for soap. If you see foam or feel soap residue wash the bed linen again, this time without detergent. Soap residue will cause fluff to accumulate so make sure it is thoroughly washed.
Be careful when removing bedding from the washing machine. The wet cover is heavy and you don't want to tear the blanket or duvet. You may notice a slight odor from wet down - this is normal. The smell will disappear as soon as the down dries.
Choose a temperature of 60 degrees Celsius and a light squeeze.
Dry the blanket in a drum dryer with two or three tennis balls or special rubber balls for drying. They will not allow the filler to get lost.
Stop the machine every 30 minutes and remove the bedding. Give it a soft fluff to keep the down evenly distributed. Make sure it is not too hot as the fluff may burn.
Expect your filled bedding to dry completely for three or more hours. If you finish the process before the down is completely dry you may have mold and odor. You will learn that it is dry when the down feels light and evenly distributed on the blanket.
After drying in the drum the blanket should be laid out horizontally and beaten every 15 - 50 minutes. It is best if you shake each section of the blanket.
Dry the blanket completely before further use.
In order for the filler to be more evenly distributed it is better to dry the blanket on the balcony or in the yard where there is the air circulation. If you dry the blanket in the fresh air try to avoid the direct sunlight which can affect the quality of the fabric - napernika.
If you want to be 100% sure that the blanket is completely dry weigh it before and after the washing. If the blanket weighs more after the washing then it still has moisture and needs to be dried.
If you have a blanket tuck it inside its cover as soon as it is completely dry and cover your bed with your freshly cleaned bed linen.
Storing blankets is not a complicated science but you can approach everything with the imagination. This question becomes relevant when the season changes. It is unlikely that in summer at a positive temperature, even at night, someone sleeps under a duvet so there is a need to fold and hide the bedding for the cold. Even if you do not hide the blankets in the closet in summer there is always a need to store spare sets of bedding.
We recommend storing your duvets in special covers. Under no circumstances store them in damp, poorly ventilated rooms, plastic containers. Blankets already packed in covers can be safely stored in a closet, pantry or under the bed. Alternatively, you can use various boxes, wicker baskets and ottomans to store down blankets at home. The main thing is to protect the material of the blanket from the contamination and damage.
The first and probably the main rule is to remove stains from the duvets without waiting for it to dry. Otherwise, the contamination will penetrate deep into the fibers of the fabric and then get rid of it will be much more difficult if not impossible. If there are stains on the bed linen it is good to treat them before the machine-washing.
To apply to the fabric directly, adjust or shake the filled filling away from the place. Then moisten the area with a spray of water and then apply a stain remover of your choice. Smear the cloth with a clean white cloth and let it stand for 20 minutes. If the stain needs extra work try rubbing the fabric together or using a toothbrush to clean the soil. If necessary repeat this and then start the washing process.
The duvet needs special care. Such products should be washed once every 5 years. At home you have to remove the filler from the cover, wash them separately from each other and after drying refill the blanket with down. This procedure is long and laborious, in addition, the procedure is complicated if the quilt is quilted so we recommend giving such models in special laundries. Ventilate the down products weekly. So you get rid of odors, dust and partially dust mites. Keep the blanket folded but do not press on other things, otherwise the down may clump and lose some of its excellent qualities. Use the laundry service to also wash the mattress and bed skirt. You will go to bed in a completely fresh bed and eliminate dust mites and other allergens.
The down is designed to be washed again and again so don't worry about cleaning the bed linen too much.