Washable bedding and being able to wash a filled duvet has now become the THIRD most important factor in what type of bedding to buy (just behind quality/comfort and price) according to a new survey.
But all “washable duvets” are not the same. Here’s a buying guide of things to consider when buying a washable duvet.
The Fine Bedding Company asked the experts*, and we also put our own washable Spundown duvet through rigorous lab tests, to unearth:
• What should consumers look for to find the best washable duvet?
• What makes a duvet more washable than others?
• Why choose a washable duvet in the first place?
We all have different bedtime habits and body types – whether that’s being partial to drinking a cuppa in bed (with potential spillages) or experiencing overheating and night sweats.
In fact the average person expels 200ml in sweat and sheds hundreds of dead skins cells every night – and dust mites can live in their thousands in unwashed duvets.
A washable duvet can save consumers up to £270 in its lifespan on launderette and dry cleaning costs3, making washable bedding a cost-effective option for anyone who doesn’t want to pay for professional cleaning.
Some of the best washable duvets can be washed and dried as quickly and easily as bed linen, and be back on the bed on the same day even when dried outside on a washing line.
What makes a duvet washable?
It’s the type and quality of the fill that makes one duvet more washable than others. Also whether the fabric casing is quick drying and seams are robust enough to withstand regular washing.
The three key factors to consider are:
1. Is it MACHINE washable (in a domestic machine – the average being 7KG)
2. Can it be washed at 60°C
3. Is it ‘quick-dry’
1. Size matters: While some duvets might claim to be washable – when it comes to fitting them into a domestic washing machine, many of the larger more bulkier duvets might not fit. The best washable duvets are those that have fine, coated microfibre fillings that, because they trap more air than standard fibres, require up to 30% less filling to deliver the same tog (warmth) rating. Similarly, duvets that require less fill but can maintain the tog (warmth) rating make it easier for water to circulate around the washing machine drum and for the duvet fibres to rub against each other which helps to deliver a more effective cleansing process. Check product claims or failing this, handle the duvet in the size you need to assess whether it would fit into a domestic machine.
2. Temperate counts: While washing at low temperatures might rid duvets of dirt and grime, it’s only at 60°C that those little allergy causing critters – dust mites – will actually be killed. Good news for the UK’s 21m allergy suffers.
3. Quick dry: Most bed owners don’t want a duvet hanging around the house drying for days – so products that feature a quick dry cover will help make it easy to wash and get it back on the bed on the same day. Check the packaging for quick dry claims. Fillings that have a silicone coating not only deliver more airflow (for a comfortable night’s sleep) but this also helps water to drain from the product when washed (thanks to hydrophobic, water repellent properties). Highly washable fibres also won’t deteriorate when subjected to even high temperature washing (maintaining plumpness).
Other things to look for in a washable duvet
• Proven performance – has the product been tested in wash tests to show it can withstand frequent washing?
• Smartfil® fibres – This is a great type of filling to look for. Microfibre versus polycotton came out stronger in independent testing
• Resistance to creasing – Fabric covers that maintain their size and quality after washing
• What the independent washability tests showed
In independent tests*, The Fine Bedding Company pitted its best washable duvet Spundown against a polycotton alternative. The tests washed the duvets 20 times, with each cycle being a standard wash at 60°C followed by 45 minutes in the tumble dryer. The labs assessed the products throughout the process to see how they changed. See how independent experts test the washability of a duvet in the short video below.
