Simply speaking, the word duvet comes from the French word for down, the material used inside pillows, quilts, and comforters. Down is the extremely fine, soft under coating of waterfowl, and while it grows from the duck or goose’s quill shaft, the quills are not part of the actual down.
Since the duvet is the first and largest part of the bed that one sees, it should coordinate nicely with the rest of the bed and room décor. By using a duvet cover over your down-filled comforter or spread, you can change colors or patterns more easily and affordably than by continuing to purchase the much more expensive comforters.
Extending the life of your down comforter is another bonus to using a duvet cover. By doing so, your large comforter will need to be professionally cleaned only every three to five years, thereby saving you time and money on cleaning bills and replacement costs.
Perhaps easiest of all is the maintenance and cleaning of a duvet cover versus the hassle of having to gingerly handle the down-filled comforter or spread en route to your local cleaners, where down-cleaning can be expensive.
Duvet covers are available in several different fabrics, including cotton and silk. These two materials are ideal because of their light weight and ease in laundering. Because the down inside your comforter or bedspread is by nature warm and also allows a free flow of air exchange, you’ll want your duvet cover in as light as fabric as possible. Some even prefer to use the duvet cover as the top sheet on their bedding, as well.
The laundering of duvet covers is relatively easy. Most come with the standard button/buttonhole access and can simply be removed from around the comforter or bedspread. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions as per wash/rinse temperature, using a mild detergent and drying according to directions. These covers should be treated like other bed linens, such as sheet sets, and may be washed weekly or when soiled.
The actual down comforter, however, requires a different method of laundering altogether. A small sized comforter can most often times be laundered right at home using your own washing machine, however, some manufacturers do not recommend using an agitator-type machine. If the instructions on your duvet recommend a professional cleaning, it would be in your best interest to do so. If not, then a small sized comforter can be washed at home with a delicate down wash detergent. (Fabric softener should not be used as this can deteriorate the down.) After following the directions for washing, it is best to use at least two or three rinse cycles as this will allow the down a thorough rinsing.
As for drying, it is recommended to use the lightest or coolest cycle available when laundering a down product. Throwing a couple of tennis balls in the dryer with the comforter will keep the down fluffed and help it dry more evenly. When the comforter feels dry to the touch, it is still very likely a bit damp inside the covering. Hang the comforter or bedspread on a line in a cool, shady place for at least twenty-four hours before placing it back on your bed. This will allow the down to fully dry and once again become fluffed.
Storage Tip: When storing or traveling with a down-filled comforter, always use a cotton-like cover. Do not use plastic bags as this will keep the down from breathing freely and may cause an odor in the down itself.
