A word about capacity The big caveat with cleaning doonas and rugs is that you need a large-enough washing machine to fit them in. If you overload your washer you risk damaging it or shortening its life, and you're not going to get a queen-sized quilt in a 4.5kg agitator washer.
As a general guideline, you'll want a washer with a capacity of at least 6kg to efficiently wash the doona from a single-sized bed. Doubles will need 7kg, Queens 8kg, and Kings 9kg. And for a full-sized set of floor-to-ceiling curtains, you'll want a washer with a capacity of at least 10kg to clean them well.
When it comes to washing a quilt filled with cotton, wash before first use — we recommend a warm, gentle machine wash using a mild eucalyptus-based detergent. Avoid using any optical brighteners and do not bleach. With drying, pull your quilt into shape while it's still wet, and line dry over several lines.
To get the best results possible, queen- or king-sized duvets should be cleaned in an extra-large capacity front-loading washer and dryer. You'll often find these larger machines at the laundromat, although they tend to cost a few dollars more than the average size washer and dryer.
Most modern washing machines now have a high-capacity drum as standard. Unlike some other products on the market, all size and tog rating options of Spundown duvets will fit into a standard 7kg drum.
To wash your down & feather duvet, set the washer to a delicate warm water cycle (60°C or 140°F). Wash the duvet separately and only use one third of the normal amount of detergent. After washing your duvet, place it in the tumble dryer without delay. Set the tumble dryer on air or low heat setting.
A 7 kg drum can wash a double duvet or the towels and sheets for a small family. An 8 kg drum can wash a queen or a lightweight size duvet. This is suitable for a medium size family. A 9 kg machine can wash a whole king size duvet and is the best option for large families.
5kg washing machine – can fit around 25 T-Shirts and is suited for people living alone. 6kg washing machine – can fit around 30 T-Shirts or a single duvet and is suited for couples. 7kg washing machine – can fit around 35 T-Shirts or a double duvet and is suited for a small sized family.
Unlike sheets and blankets, it's best to wash quilts as infrequently as you can manage. Quilts are too delicate for regular washing, which can damage the fabric, and cause the quilt to degrade. If you use your quilt every day, you may only need to wash it about twice a year.
Large Tub Washer
With more than 5 to 6.2 and more cubic feet capacity, large tubs can handle much larger loads like your kind-sized comforters and bedspreads or 20-25 pounds of laundry.
The bigger the washing machine, the more laundry you can wash at one time. A 10kg washing machine can easily fit up to 50 items, a king-sized duvet, or even a set of curtains!
Can I wash a king-size duvet in a 7kg washing machine? Generally, a 7kg washing machine can comfortably wash a duvet for a double bed but not a king-sized bed. Although your duvet might fit after squeezing it into a 7kg drum, it probably won't get a reliable and thorough cleaning.
Duvets! To wash a single duvet you want a machine with a capacity of at least six kilograms, for a double you'll need 7kg and for kings and queens up to 10kg. For a set of curtains that reach the floor, you'll most likely require a 10kg capacity too.
If any color transfers onto the white cloth, or if the colors visibly fade, the quilt is not colorfast, and the dye will run when washed. Quilts that are not colorfast should be professionally dry-cleaned.
Spot Clean as Necessary
Place a clean, white cloth on a flat surface, and then place your quilt on top of it. Dilute mild detergent, baby shampoo, or distilled white vinegar with water using a 1:2 ratio.
Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle with a mild, low-sudsing detergent. Wash quilts with like colors or alone to prevent inadvertent discoloration. Avoid washing quilts in the same load as clothing with zippers or buttons that could snag the intricate stitching.
A 9-10kg washing machine will hold the main bedroom's king doona, while a washer with an 8kg capacity can fit the guest bedroom's queen doona with ease. When it's time to wash the kids' doonas, you'll ideally need a minimum 7-8kg capacity for a double bed doona, or a 6kg capacity for a single doona.
Based on this, it's safe to assume that 7 kg and 8 kg machines can handle duvets weighing up to 2 kg, 10 kg machines can handle duvets weighing 2.5 kg, and 12 kg machines can handle duvets up to 3 kg.
When it comes to placing your duvet in your washing machine, fold it in half and try to spread the weight as you feed it into the drum. If your washing machine is not big enough, you could take the duvet to a launderette. Their washing machines are the perfect size for cleaning and drying duvets.
No room in the washing machine? Then fill your bath or a large plastic tub with tepid water and add detergent, mixing it in with your hands. Submerge the duvet fully, agitate for a few minutes to remove dirt and debris, then rinse until the water is running clean and free of soap.
You can and certainly should wash your duvet — most can be either machine-washed or hand-washed, depending on what the manufacturer recommends— you will usually find this information on the care label. Cleaning your duvet is absolutely essential.
King-size comforters typically measure 86 to 88 inches in length and 102 inches in width, making them too bulky to fit in many standard washers. Though, your washing machine should be large enough to properly clean a king-size comforter if its inner tub has a volume of at least 4.5 cubic feet.