Here's How Often You Should Wash Your Comforter

A comforter is a staple piece of bedding for many, especially when the weather cools down. But its size and thickness can make it difficult to wash. Despite how much of a chore cleaning your comforter may feel like, it's a task that should be done regularly in order to prevent a build-up of bacteria and allergens. How often you wash your comforter, however, depends on a few different factors, like whether or not you use a top sheet or duvet cover.

Why Washing Your Comforter Is Important

While your comforter may be more overlooked than other bedding when it comes to washing, regular cleaning is a must. "Comforters collect dust like the other surfaces in a bedroom, and they can pick up sweat and body soil if used next to the body without a flat or top sheet, and oils from hands when pulled into place, both while sleeping and when making the bed,"  says Mary Gagliardi, in-house scientist and cleaning expert for Clorox. "Just because they are hard to wash doesn’t mean they aren’t magically getting dirty." In addition to the dirt on your comforter’s exterior, the filling inside can pick up soils and allergens that work through the weave of the outside fabric. This can lessen the loft of the filling and reduce its insulation properties. 

How Often to Wash Your Comforter

Generally, you should aim to wash your comforter every one to two months, but treat stains and spills immediately. "Monthly washing helps prevent reduced loft from soils building up inside the comforter on the filling," says Gagliardi. How often you wash your comforter typically won’t change based on the type you have (down, down alternative, etc.), but you should always check the manufacturer’s instructions when caring for your specific comforter. 

How Often to Wash a Comforter With a Duvet Cover

If your comforter has a duvet cover, it can be washed less frequently. "Since the duvet insert doesn’t make direct contact with skin or your bedroom’s environment, you don’t need to clean it as often," says Kathy Cohoon, the director of franchise operations of Two Maids. "Make a note to clean your duvet insert every one or two years, more if you store it without a cover for any reason or if you notice damages or staining."

How Often to Wash a Comforter Without a Top Sheet

Top sheets can be a divisive subject—some people swear by them and others see no use for them. If you don’t use one, you will need to wash your comforter more regularly. "Comforters used daily without a flat or top sheet should be washed weekly just like the bed sheets and pillowcases," says Gagliardi. This is because body sweat, skin flakes, and oils are going right onto the comforter rather than touching the flat sheet. 

Should You Wash a Comforter After Buying It?

Always wash a comforter when you first buy it. "While it may not be visible, traces of chemicals may sometimes be left over from the manufacturing process," says Morgan LaLonde, brand manager of laundry for Whirlpool. "Additionally, comforters may collect other irritants during packaging and/or transit, which can cause itchiness and discomfort."