Can Bleach Be Used on Down Quilts?

Bleach Test

• When you want to clean a down comforter using bleach, you need to make sure you can use bleach without damaging its color. According to Mary Gagliardi on the Clorox website, it's recommended you test an area using a small sample of diluted bleach. Add 2 tsp. of bleach to 1/4 cup of water and apply a small drop to a hidden colored area of the down comforter. Wait for approximately one minute before blotting the area with a towel. If there is no change to the comforter's color, you can bleach the down comforter with no problem.

Washing with Bleach

• Prior to washing the comforter in the washing machine, do a quick soak in bleach and water to allow the bleach to get at the tough stains that may have accumulated. Add 1/4 a cup of bleach per gallon of cool water in a large tub. Soak the whole comforter for approximately five minutes before transferring to the washing machine. Run a full cycle in the machine using warm water, gentle detergent and 3/4 cup of bleach. When cleaning a large down comforter, make sure the machine you are using can handle a larger load.

Drying the Down Comforter

• After washing the down comforter with bleach, you will need to dry it completely to prevent mildew from forming. Transfer the wet comforter to the dryer and tumble dry on low. Add dryer balls to speed up drying time. The dryer balls will fluff up the comforter during the drying process to allow all areas to get dry. If you don't have ready access to dryer balls, you can also use tennis balls for this purpose. Allow the dryer to dry as much of the comforter as possible and then spread the comforter out on a clothing line to air dry the rest of the way. It may take several hours for the comforter to dry completely.

Considerations

• Before washing a down comforter, read the label instructions and make sure to follow them to prevent damaging the comforter. If the instructions say to dry clean only, don't attempt to wash the comforter at home. Down comforters need airing out at least once or twice a year to limit the number of times it's washed via a washing machine. The less often it's done the better for the lifespan of the comforter.