4 easy ways to banish summer sweats and make your bed autumn-fresh.

This summer’s been hot. And my bed has seen its share of steam.  No, after 20 years of marriage, I’m not talking ‘Fifty Shades’ kind of steam, but just your average sleeping bodies kind of use.  None of us really want to think about it but most duvets at this time of year need a bit of a freshen up.   Yes, of course we all wash the sheets and pillowcases but we need to do a little bit more to make sure bedding is properly clean.

So – in 4 easy steps here are Duvet Advisor’s magic words for an fresh bedroom autumn-clean.

1. Wash
   Is yours a washable duvet or will you have a clumpy duvet disaster?  The answer is in the filling type, and the manufacturer’s instructions!  Synthetic duvets can wash well – the Best washable duvet we’ve found is The White Company Super-Soft Ultra Wash Duvet – washed a number of times now and it’s still soft, fluffy and great value.  Always tumble dry them though, even if you have to take them to the laundrette to do it – it’s worth it so the filling fluffs up again properly.  Washing at 60 degrees will kill dust mites too, so if your duvet can take it, do it especially if you suffer from allergies.  If you have to wash at 40 but you’ve got space in the freezer, freeze your duvet as the mites perish in the cold. Down duvets and feather duvets – are ok in a large-capacity washing machine but you need to tumble dry them on low / no heat so they don’t clump and never use fabric conditioner or the feathers are smoothed down just like your hair after washing with conditioner.  Use tennis balls in your dryer if you’re brave enough!Wool duvets and silk duvets – be warned.  Only do it if the manufacturers’ instructions say you can. It helps if your duvet is under guarantee (John Lewis, The White Company and Simba for example have 3 or 5 year guarantees on many duvets), you can then blame them if it goes wrong!

   Dry cleaning is an option for cleaning wool duvets and silk duvets, in fact for all duvets but do speak to the shop to ask if they can do an eco-friendly dry clean or a low-chemical option; we don’t like the idea of breathing in  harsh cleaning agents whilst you’re sleeping.

2. Air
   Sounds obvious but air can be your greatest friend in freshening up a duvet.  Tumble-drying we’ve talked about, and airing cupboards are great for getting that final bit of moisture out of a damp duvet but the best thing ever is free – AIR.
   My grandmother used to give everything ‘a good airing’, including me as a child – I call it being locked out in the cold garden, but hey no hard feelings Granny.  We should follow her example.  As well as helping to get rid of duvet smells, a good bit of air and wind on a washing line can help fluff up duvets which have gone flat, and most importantly sunlight helps kill off dust mites, according to research.  So, again, those of you with allergies – get your duvet out in the garden!
3.  Shake
   Shake your duvet, turn your duvet over, move with it and dance with it!  Again, in the same way that airing does, giving your duvet a good old shake and then turning it over to the other side can certainly be a very quick way of making a difference – not a lot, but it’s better than nothing.
4. Replace
   Ultimately, it’s a good idea to replace duvets every few years.  Chuck out any duvet which is clumpy, grey, or heavily stained – they will be more dust-mite than duvet.  Old synthetic duvets are not worth hanging on to, especially with duvet sales on at all times of the year.  Our page listing the best duvet offers on at the moment will make buying a new duvet not too expensive.  Buy a better one – get something that washes well and you know is quality.  You won’t regret it.

And don’t forget your pillows!  

Loads of information and washable pillow reviews at our sister site,  www.pillowadvisor.co.uk