Product Cleaning & Care Guide
We’re answering some of your most common questions about product cleaning and care!
Question 1: Can I wash my product at home?
If your product is filled with natural down and feather, it should be dry cleaned. If it must be washed, bring to a professional cleaner who has experience with down and feather products.
Natural down and feather are very sensitive to moisture. If any moisture at all is left in the product after washing, mold, mildew and other bacteria can develop. Many of our products are quite thick and can be difficult to dry completely. These products are also quite delicate, and most home machines are too small for the product, which may cause rips or unnecessary wear and tear.
Now - we know some of you are going to wash your down and feather product at home anyway ;) Note that this is not recommended and will invalidate the warranty. However, if you do decide to try, we want to set you up for the best chance of success! Wash on a gentle cycle in a large machine on low heat with mild detergent. Dry on a low heat cycle in a large machine. Dry many, many times! If you think it's dry, dry it again for good measure!!
If your product is filled with microfiber (polyester), it can be washed at home.
Wash and dry in large machines on a low heat setting with mild detergent. It may take several dryer cycles to dry the product all the way through!
Spot cleaning: If your product is otherwise clean, but has a small stain or spill, you can spot clean it, by holding the fabric away from the fill, massaging with mild detergent, rinsing, and drying with a hair dryer. Take as much care as possible to keep the fill dry!
Remember – your product is made with 100% cotton, which may shrink in the wash!
Question 2: How often does my product need to be cleaned?
If products are in a relatively clean environment and properly cared for (see Question 3), they don’t need to be cleaned often.
Duvets need to be cleaned every 5-10 years, if at all.
Pillows need to be cleaned every year and replaced after about 5 years.
Mattress toppers need to be cleaned every 2-5 years.
Question 3: Apart from cleaning, how do I care for my product?
Use protectors: Duvet covers, pillow protectors, and mattress protectors increase the longevity of the product and protect them from the buildup of body oils, allergens, and environmental particles like dirt and dust. You don’t need an expensive brand to get the job done – simple, inexpensive products work well. Just remember to wash your covers and protectors regularly!
You may notice we recommend feather bed protectors in some cases. Feather bed (or mattress topper) protectors were once relatively common, but now are difficult to find. If you have one, feel free to use it! But if not, no need to worry - a mattress protector will work just as well and can serve as a protector for both your mattress and mattress topper at once!
Take them outside: Once a year, on a sunny day, take your products outside to air out. This helps maintain their freshness. If you’re unable to do this, fluff in the dryer on a low heat setting.
Fluff, flip, and rotate regularly: Shake out your products to help them maintain fluffiness. It is also best to rotate and flip them periodically to avoid having heavy use in the same spot, prolonging wear.
Use gently: Good quality down and feather products are somewhat delicate. Jumping on the bed, rough use, or use of products for purposes other than sleep may cause premature wear and tear.
Have additional questions about product care? Ask away in the comments :)
17 comments
Hi Cyndi, I’m so sorry to hear that! There are openings between the boxes – that’s how we insert the filling pipe to fill the product. Migration is possible, but rare. Down is so lightweight, it doesn’t really have the weight or heft to force itself through those openings easily. It also likes to cling to itself within the boxes. You can redistribute it by pushing it through the openings from the outside. You can also send it back to us for re-distribution (we would do the same – try to grab portions of down and poke them through the openings from the outside of the duvet). Feel free to contact us if you’d like our help!
Canadian Down & Feather Company
My beautiful duvet has lost some of it’s “fluff”.. it’s the 850 red label loft version. I noticed when I hold it up to the light, some of the boxes look empty of down? I see small openings between the boxes, so I am assuming the down is migrating to other boxes, which, some look very full.
How do I redistribute the down more evenly back into all the boxes?.. the full ones seem to be on the outer edges of the duvet. I bought the duvet in 2020. I loved it so much, I bought all new down pillows as well.
Cyndi Law
Hi Gisele, Care instructions can be found on the product page, under Care! In summary, zip your cover fully closed and wash in cold water with like colours. Tumble dry on low heat. If you want to iron it, ensure it’s on a low heat setting too!
Canadian Down & Feather Company
Hi Bernard, Store in a cool, dry, well ventilated area! Moisture and humidity can cause odour to develop, and in extreme cases, mold and mildew. If you still have the zippered back you got it in, that makes a great storage bag. But any other breathable bag or tote will work! Alternatively, store it in a duvet cover in your closet.
Canadian Down & Feather Company
What’s the best way to store my Duvet over the summer months ?
Bernard
I just received my duvet & cover. Love them both…. wondering how to clean the duvet cover? This company was beyond my expectation. Delivery of the product was fast…. the packaging is exceptional and let not forget the product itself… amazing
Gisele Godon
Hi Morgan, If it was just a small spot, you can spot clean yourself at home with water, mild detergent and a hair dryer. Or, dry cleaning should work. If the duvet was really soaked or soaked through, it may be best to have it washed.
Canadian Down & Feather Company
My baby peed a little bit on our down duvet. Would dry cleaning suffice in this situation or should we have it fully washed professionally?
Thank you in advance!
Morgan Donovan
Hi Annie, I’m so sorry to hear that. Do you mean that the odour only appeared after 2 days but wasn’t present when you first opened the product? This would be quite unusual. Typically any scent would be most noticeable when you first take the product out of the packaging and would dissipate after some use. You can try fluffing in the dryer or airing outside on a dry, sunny day. If you believe the odour to be extremely powerful and it is not going away, you may qualify for a replacement under warranty.
Canadian Down & Feather Company
Hi Elizabeth, Dry cleaning is recommended for our cushion covers! If you want to try washing at home, wash them inside-out on a cold, delicate cycle with like colours and hang to dry.
Canadian Down & Feather Company
Hi F A, I’m afraid we don’t have any specific connections in your area! Most professional cleaners should be able to handle it! Just double check that they have experience with down and feather products.
Canadian Down & Feather Company
New to area of Kanata..
Can u recommend a good cleaner for a queen size feather tick with
Mildew smell.
Thank you.
F A Duncan
I recently bought the 850 Loft Hutterite Goose Down Pillow, King Size, Firm……this is the BEST pillow I’ve ever tried. Contrary to what Canadian Down & Feather suggests about this pillow not being the best pillow for side sleepers I find it to be absolutely perfect for me. I’ve bought a lot of pillows looking for the right one i.e. the Four Seasons Hotel, the Ritz-Carlton pillows etc. and was always disappointed. For me this is just the Perfect Pillow……THANK YOU.
Wayne Clark
Wayne Clark
Hi, we just bought two pillows from you company and after two nights of sleep we are smelling a bad odor from the pillow? Is it normal ? What can we do?
Annie
annie nepveu
I just purchased two Shalimar cushion covers and didn’t find any care instructions with my order. Washable?
Elizabeth Warshawski
Hi Sherri, If your duvet is filled with down or feather, bring it to a dry cleaner or a professional cleaner if it needs to be washed. Down and feather products need to be washed delicately in a very large commercial machine and thoroughly dried. If you have a down alternative duvet, you can machine wash and dry on a low heat setting.
Canadian Down & Feather Company
I would like to know how to clean my duvet. I’ve had it for 10 years. If not for the mouse problem at our cottage, I wouldn’t have to. Please advise. Many thanks!!!!
Sherri Nightingale
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