A comforter is an amazing addition to any bed. The thick, quilted, fluffy, and warm blanket gives your bed a cozy and luxurious feel and also adds to the aesthetics of your bedroom. While a comforter offers multiple benefits, cleaning it can be daunting. And if you’ve got a dreaded stain on your comforter, you might be wondering whether you can simply bleach it away.
Bleaching a comforter can refresh its look and feel, but carefully check the wash instructions to ensure it’s safe for the material before using bleach. Use a high-quality bleach and conduct a bleach test on a hidden area of the comforter before washing the whole thing.
Using bleach is the most effective solution for removing stains from your comforter. The best bleaching detergent removes stubborn stains quickly and easily while keeping the color you love. Harsh detergents might affect the color of the cover and strip away natural oils from the down filling. Let’s find out more about the best way to clean your comforter.
Can You Use Bleach on a Comforter?
If you have a white comforter, gentle bleach is recommended to freshen up the color. Before you bleach your comforter, check the washing-and-drying-instructions tag on the bedding. If the manufacturer allows bleach, buy a product suitable for your comforter.
Carry out a bleaching test to see how the product affects your comforter—mix two teaspoons of bleach with a small amount of water. You can use liquid bleach like Clorox (on Amazon). Apply the solution to a hidden area on your comforter using a cotton swab. If the color of your comforter holds, proceed with the washing process.
Follow the bleach-mixing instructions on the product’s label and use the pre-soak setting in the washing machine. After the pre-soaking process with the bleach, add detergent and clean your comforter normally.
What’s the Best Way to Clean a Comforter?
The bulky size and delicate construction of a comforter make washing the bedding an intimidating task for many. Because of the comforter’s size, a front-loading washing machine is the most practical solution for cleaning it.
But before you clean your comforter in a washing machine, confirm the type of filling. Machine washing works well for down and feather comforters but isn’t a great choice for wool.
If you don’t have a front-loading washer at home, use a laundromat for more efficient comforter cleaning. Laundromats have commercial-grade washing machines to handle huge loads. Whether you’re cleaning your comforter at home or a laundromat, you’ll need:
- Gentle/specialty laundry detergent with stain release qualities. Avoid powder detergents because they don’t dissolve easily in a washing machine.
- Stain removing agent
- An old but clean rug or t-shirt to remove the stains
Here are steps to follow when cleaning your comforter:
Read the Care Label on the Comforter
Clothing manufacturers provide detailed care instructions for their products, including comforters. If the label recommends dry cleaning, use a laundry service to get the best results. If the label allows machine washing, prepare yourself for the laundry process.
Remove Spots and Repair Tears
Before you load your comforter into the washing machine, remove any stains. Use a stain removing product like Grandma’s Secret Spot Remover (on Amazon) and a clean rag for the job. Check for any damage on the comforter and repair tears or loose threads.
Use the Washing Machine
Use the instructions on the care label to choose the correct washing cycle and the right amount of soap. After loading the comforter into the washing machine, start with a delicate cycle using cold or warm water.
Second Wash
For the second wash, choose a quick cycle but don’t add detergent. The bulky nature of the bedding and the materials inside make rinsing a difficult task. A poorly rinsed comforter feels soapy, slimy, and sticky.
The soap suds also ruin the natural fillings with time. Your comforter might start to flatten and lose that cozy feel. When rinsing your comforter, please remove it from the machine between cycles and confirm there are no hidden soapy spots.
Dry Your Comforter
To maintain your comforter’s fresh and comfy feel, dry it thoroughly. Use low or medium heat to dry the comforter and remove it from the dryer to redistribute the heat.
Don’t rush the drying process if you want a luxurious and odor-free comforter. The heat also destroys germs in the fabric for a healthier sleeping experience.
Comforter Maintenance
Cleaning a comforter once or twice a year maintains the quality you love. To keep your comforter in the best shape, run the bedding through a dryer for an hour once a month. The process kills any germs, dries moisture, and prevents odors.
Cleaning a comforter requires a lot of time and attention. Your comforter requires more than one wash cycle and thorough drying. So if you’re doing the laundry at home, plan for other chores to complete as the cleaning continues. And at a laundromat, find something to keep you busy because you might be there for a while!