Down comforters and duvets are fluffy and perfectly soft. This is the main reason why so many people invest in such products and enjoy their comfortable warmth during the cold summer nights. As pleasant as they are, however, down comforters come with one common problem. It’s possible for the down filling to bunch up on one side, ruining the shape and the practical appeal of the comforter.
If you think that your comforter is ruined because of bunching, slow down. The issue is relatively easy to fix, as long as you follow a couple of step.
The “Shake and Fluff” Method
This is one of the simplest techniques that will ensure the even distribution of down inside the comforter. This is the way to do things if you’ve just noticed some bunching. The shake and fluff technique isn’t going to work in the case of serious clumping but it’s definitely worth a try.
Grab the two sides of the comforter’s bottom edge. Raise it up and give the item a big shake. If the comforter is a larger one, you may need an assistant to get the job done.
Now hold the comforter from the side and repeat. Do the same with the top side. A good, thorough shaking should redistribute the down and feathers, giving you a fluffy comforter that looks brand new.
Shaking the comforter at least once per week is a good idea because it will prevent the bunching of the feathers. By engaging in this five-minute procedure once in a while, you’ll reduce the risk of experiencing a serious problem and having to go the extra mile to have it fixed.
Wash and Dry the Comforter
Big clumps of down that have formed inside the comforter can be broken down through washing and drying.
Before attempting to do anything, read the label! Some down comforters aren’t intended for machine washing. If you own such a product, the technique will become inapplicable. Please move on to the next article section for a more adequate suggestion.
To wash a down comforter, you will need a front-loading machine that’s big enough. Choose a mild detergent. Liquid detergents work better because there’s no risk of residue remaining between the folds. Choose the gentle program and rinse the comforter two times. One final and very important thing to remember is that you should never go through the spin cycle with a down comforter. It will only make the bunching worse.
Take the wet comforter out and squeeze some of the water from it. You now have the option to go for air-drying or machine drying (using the low heat setting). If you place the comforter in the dryer, put a few sock-covered tennis balls inside, as well. The purpose of the tennis balls will be to break down the clumps of down and ensure the even distribution of the feathers.
After taking the comforter out of the washing machine, put it on a flat surface and use your hands to improve the distribution of down even further. If you come across a bunching, use your fingers to separate the filling. When done, shake the comforter one final time.
Rotation
This is more of a preventative measure but it can also help break down the clumps. The only problem with this technique is that it requires time to deliver results.
Rotate the down comforter every two to three nights. This way, you’ll prevent the accumulation of the filling in one and the same spot (due to your typical sleeping position). Apart from preventing the bunching, the technique can also redistribute the down with the passage of time and help to deal with massive bunching on one side or the other.
A Final Word of Caution
Be careful when attempting to break the bunches and clumps by hand. If you’re too rough, you’ll destroy the density and the consistency of the filling. The same applies to trying to deal with bunching while the comforter is still wet. The clump will be very hard and it will require the use of force. As a result, you can end up with a down comforter that’s completely ruined because of rough handling.
