We are a tennis loving household and I am forever tripping over tennis balls that my kids or dogs have left lying around.  What I’ve never considered, until now, is the possibility of using some of our excess tennis balls to fluff up our down and feather duvet (or pillow or coat).  Could popping a couple of new (not the dog chewed ones) tennis balls in the tumble dryer with my duvet really be the cheap alternative to a professionally clean?  Or is this just an ‘Old Wives Tale’?  

My investigations have found that some manufacturers and wikipedia do recommend this practice suggesting that it prevents the down from clumping when it is drying. As down can start to mat as it gets dirty, the warm air and moisture can open up the matted down clusters again, restoring your duvet.  All sounds great, until I read the Soap and Detergent Association’s advice…  They express concerns that the neon dye from a tennis ball could transfer to the duvet and the ball could even start breaking up or melting if it can’t withstand the heat. Instead, they recommend taking the duvet out of your tumble dryer several times during the drying cycle and shaking it vigorously.

I don’t fancy a yellow duvet.  It’s just not worth the risk. I love my soft and cosy down duvet too much, i’m going to play it safe and take it to the professionals to be cleaned.