Can I Wash a 100 Percent Cotton Comforter in Hot Water?

Detergent

• Depending on the colors in your comforter, it's essential to choose the proper detergent. After you check the care label, select a mild or gentle detergent. Regular detergent will also clean your comforter, but the chemicals may fade color or designs. An oxygenated bleach will help sharpen colors, but do not use regular bleach. Use a prewash stain spray or stick on any stains before laundering.

Washing

• If you have a large-capacity washing machine, it's possible to wash your comforter at home. But if you have time and a few extra dollars, consider laundering your comforter in a commercial machine at your local Laundromat. The large-capacity, front-loading machines will do a thorough job of cleaning it for you. For either a home or commercial machine, select the gentle agitation setting and set the water temperature to cool or cold. If your comforter is particularly large or bulky, you may need to run it through the rinse cycle twice to remove all traces of soap.

Drying

• Select the dryer's gentle cycle, or one that uses a low-heat setting. Toss in a couple of tennis balls or clean tennis shoes with rubber soles to help fluff the comforter. You can also line dry the comforter, which takes about eight to 12 hours, and then use your hands to re-distribute the fluff.

Comforter Care

• Once a quarter, refresh your comforter in the dryer by fluffing it on a low-heat gentle cycle, with the tennis balls or rubber-soled tennis shoes and a dryer sheet. Try washing your comforter twice a year, and have it professionally cleaned once a year. If you invest in a duvet cover that slips over your comforter, your comforter will last longer.