Washing a comforter at home is often a losing battle. Most home washers simply aren’t big enough, leaving your expensive bedding half-clean, soapy, or still damp. Even worse, if a thick comforter isn’t dried quickly and completely, it can develop mildew inside the filling.
Luckily, there is an easy fix. Laundromats have industrial-grade machines specifically designed to handle bulky items, giving them a deep clean and drying them in half the time.
If you are short on time, our Drop-Off Laundry Services can handle the washing, drying, and bagging for you—just pick it up fresh and ready! But if you prefer the DIY approach, follow this expert guide to get professional results.
Quick Summary: The Dutchman’s “No-Clump” Method
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Check the Tag: Ensure it says “Machine Washable.” (Warning: “Dry Clean Only” items will shrink or mat).
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Use a Large Washer: Never stuff a King comforter into a small machine. Use a 60lb+ washer so it has room to tumble.
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Load Loosely: Place it in the drum gently—do not fold it tight.
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Cool/Warm Wash: Use the “Bulky/Bedding” cycle. Avoid hot water to protect the filling.
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Dry with Tennis Balls: Use a large dryer on Low Heat. Add 3 clean tennis balls to fluff the down and prevent lumps.
Step-by-Step Guide to Wash a Comforter at a Laundromat
Before you even leave the house, read the care label. This tag tells you the recommended water temperature and whether the item is machine washable.
1. Check the Care Label First
Before you even leave the house, read the care label. This tag tells you the recommended water temperature and whether the item is machine washable.
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Synthetic/Cotton: Usually safe for machine washing.
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Down/Feather: Requires special care (gentle cycle, specific soap).
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Wool/Silk: Often “Dry Clean Only.” Do not wash these in a standard machine.
If you are unsure how to read the symbols, check out our Guide to Laundry Symbols.
2. Pretreat Any Stains
Inspect your comforter for coffee spills, pet stains, or body oils.
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Gently rub a stain remover or a drop of mild detergent into the spot.
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Let it sit for 10–15 minutes before washing.
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Expert Tip: Avoid harsh chlorine bleach, especially on down comforters, as it can damage the fibers.
3. Choose the Right Machine/Washer Size
Once you are at the laundromat, head straight for the big machines.
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Pro Tip: At The Dutchman’s Laundry in Clarksville, we see customers try to save money by stuffing a King comforter into a 20lb washer. Don’t do this! If the drum is more than 75% full, water cannot penetrate the center of the comforter, and it won’t get clean.
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For Queen/King Comforters: Use a 60lb or 80lb washer.
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For Twin/Full Comforters: A 40lb washer is usually sufficient.
4. Load the Comforter Properly
Unfold your comforter and place it in the washer loosely. Do not ball it up or fold it tightly. It needs to be loose enough for the water and soap to circulate through every layer.
5. Add the Right Amount of Detergent
Use a small amount of mild detergent.
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Less is More: Using too much soap is the #1 mistake we see. Excess soap creates a residue that makes the fabric feel stiff or greasy.
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For Down Comforters: Use a specialized down wash if possible to preserve the loft of the feathers.
6. Select a Gentle Cycle with Warm Water
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Cycle: Choose “Delicate,” “Bulky,” or “Bedding” depending on the machine options.
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Temperature: Use Warm or Cool water. Hot water can damage the filling or shrink the fabric.
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Extra Rinse: If the machine has an “Extra Rinse” button, use it! This ensures all detergent is flushed out of the thick filling.
7. Dry with “Agitators” (Tennis Balls)
Transfer the comforter to a large-capacity dryer. This is the most critical step to prevent clumping.
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Heat Setting: Set to Low or Medium heat. High heat can melt synthetic fibers or scorch down.
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The Tennis Ball Trick: Toss in 3–4 clean tennis balls (or wool dryer balls). As the dryer spins, these balls will bounce around, hitting the comforter to fluff it up and stop the wet filling from balling up in one corner.
8. Check for Damp Spots
Drying a comforter takes time. Do not trust the timer!
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Every 20 minutes, pause the dryer and rearrange the comforter to ensure the center gets dried.
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Squeeze different parts of the comforter. If you feel any moisture, keep drying. A damp comforter will smell musty within 24 hours.
9. Transport Home and Fluff
Once it is 100% dry, remove it immediately to prevent wrinkles. Transport it home in a large laundry bag to keep it fresh. When you get home, spread it out on the bed to let it air out for another hour before sleeping under it.
Why Clarksville Locals Choose The Dutchman’s Laundry for Bedding
Washing a comforter at home in Clarksville is a hassle—especially if you have a standard residential washer. Whether you live in an apartment near Austin Peay or on base at Fort Campbell, you need industrial power to get that deep clean.
At The Dutchman’s Laundry, we offer:
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Mega-Load Washers: Machines big enough to wash two comforters at once.
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High-Efficiency Dryers: Get it 100% dry in half the time of a home dryer.
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Drop-Off Service: Too busy? Drop your bedding off at our counter, and our team will wash, dry, and bag it for you.
We also specialize in TA-50 Army Gear Cleaning—trusted by local military families for tough cleaning jobs.
How Often Should You Wash a Comforter?
Most experts recommend washing your comforter every 1-2 months. If you’re washing a duvet cover, that may require more frequent washing since it’s in direct contact with your body, but the comforter inside can go longer without a deep clean.
Can You Dry a Comforter in a Home Dryer?
Drying a comforter in your home dryer is possible, but it can be time-consuming, and there’s always a risk of overheating or damaging the fabric if not done carefully.
For optimal results, you might want to consider using a dryer at your local laundromat, as these machines are typically larger and more efficient for drying bulky items.
Whether drying at home or at the laundromat, check your comforter regularly during the drying cycle. If it’s dry on the outside but still damp on the inside, take it out, give it a good shake, and place it back in the dryer to finish drying.
Bullet-Point Summary of Key Tips:
- Wash your comforter every three to four months for optimal freshness.
- Always check the care label before washing to avoid damage.
- Use a mild detergent and opt for a front-loading machine at your local laundromat if possible.
- Add tennis balls or dryer balls to the dryer to prevent clumping and maintain fluffiness.
- Be patient during the drying process; a completely dry comforter is essential to avoid mold or mildew.
- Spot treat stains on both comforters and duvet covers to extend the time between washes.
- Laundromats are ideal for washing bulky bedding, offering commercial machines that can handle larger loads.
For oversized bedding like comforters, our Bulky Items Laundry in Clarksville ensures a thorough clean without the hassle.
FAQs
Q. Can I wash a comforter at a laundromat?
A. Yes! In fact, laundromats are the best place to wash them. Laundromats have commercial-sized washers (40lb–80lb capacity) that allow the comforter to tumble freely, ensuring a much deeper clean than home machines.
Q. Is it OK to wash a comforter in a regular washing machine?
A. Only if your machine is large enough. If you have to shove the comforter in to make it fit, it is too tight. A tight fit damages the machine’s agitator and prevents the comforter from getting clean. When in doubt, use a large front-loader at the laundromat.
Q. How often should you wash a comforter?
A. We recommend washing your comforter every 3 to 4 months. If you use a duvet cover (which can be washed weekly), the inner comforter stays cleaner for longer.
Q. How do you fix a lumpy comforter after washing?
A. Lumps happen when the filling stays wet and sticks together. To fix this, put the comforter back in a large dryer on low heat with 3–4 clean tennis balls. The balls will break up the clumps as it tumbles.
