Why your duvet belongs at the laundromat
A duvet soaks up a lot of water in the wash and gets heavy. In a normal 7 kg home machine it is often squashed so tightly that water and detergent can’t get through the filling properly. The 18 kg XXL machine gives it room to move, and the dryer with its 20 kg drum shakes the filling loose again. On a clothes horse at home, a thick duvet can take days to dry and often stays damp inside.
Which duvets can I wash?
Most duvets filled with down, feathers or synthetic fibres are washable. The care label decides: it tells you the maximum temperature and whether the duvet may go in the dryer. Duvets filled with wool or natural animal hair are delicate and often need a dry cleaner instead.
How to wash your duvet
- Check the care label and take off the cover.
- Put the duvet loosely into the XXL machine, don’t roll it up.
- Use a mild detergent; for down, ideally bring a special down detergent from home.
- Pay for the machine at the pay station and press start.
- Then into the dryer: give down and thick duvets plenty of time and add more in 10-minute steps until the filling is completely dry.
What does it cost?
An XXL wash costs €13.50, or from €10.20 with the discount card. 40 minutes in the dryer add €6.00 (from €4.40 with the discount card). So one duvet comes to around €19.50, or from €14.60 with the discount card. Very thick duvets may need a little longer in the dryer.
Laundromat or dry cleaner?
For ordinary down or synthetic duvets, the laundromat is the quick and affordable option, and you have your duvet back the same day. If the care label says the duvet must not be washed, a dry cleaner is the right place to go.