How to Wash a King Size Comforter at Home

Co-authored by Kadi Dulude

Last Updated: June 10, 2021 References

You can easily wash your king-size comforter at home! Read your comforter’s label to determine the best washing method. Most king-size comforters can be washed using your washing machine and dried in a clothes dryer. If your comforter is too large for your machine or if it is made out of delicate materials, hand-wash it and let it air dry instead. Either way, your comforter will be fresh and clean in no time.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using a Washer and Dryer

1
Review the care instructions on the tag. If your comforter needs to be hand-washed or laundered at a particular water temperature, this information will be listed on the tag. If not, your comforter is safe to wash in your washing machine and dryer.
2
Gather the 4 corners of your comforter so it's easy to put in the washer. Pick up your comforter by the corners and bundle together the blanket. Most washing machines can easily fit a king-size comforter, as long as you load it into your washer by itself.^{[1]
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- If your comforter does not fit into the machine easily, you should wash it by hand.
- If your comforter is made out of a delicate material such as lace, you should hand-wash your comforter instead.
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3
Throw 1-3 tennis balls in the washing machine with your comforter. Tennis balls help fluff your comforter up as it washes, and they also keep the load balanced. Simply toss them in your washer after you put the comforter inside.^{[2]
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- Use new, clean tennis balls.
4
Pour 1 cap full of laundry detergent into the appropriate slot. Most washing machines have a detergent slot towards the top left or middle of the machine. Locate your slot, pour all-purpose detergent into the included cap, and pour the detergent from the cap to the slot.^{[3]
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Select the delicate wash setting and press “Start.” When washing your king-size comforter, always use the “delicate” setting to prevent damaging the fabric.^{[4]
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- The wash settings are typically located towards the right of the machine, along with the “Start” button.
6
Place the comforter in your dryer after the wash cycle is complete. Most washers take 45-60 minutes to complete a delicate wash cycle. Once the cycle has finished, open the top of the machine, take out your comforter, and put the damp comforter inside your dryer.^{[5]
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- Most king-size comforters can easily fit in the dryer, as long as you don't add other items.
7
Put the tennis balls inside the dryer to help maintain its shape. Once your comforter is inside the dryer, throw the tennis balls in as well. The tennis balls cut down on drying time and help maintain the shape of your comforter.^{[6]
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- Use the same tennis balls you used to wash your comforter.
8
Dry your comforter on a low heat setting. Before you press “Start,” adjust the heat setting to the lowest option. An average dry cycle on a low heat setting takes 60-80 minutes.^{[7]
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- Using a high heat setting can damage your comforter or warp its shape.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Washing and Drying Your Comforter by Hand

1
Fill up your bathtub with warm water and add your detergent. If your comforter is delicate or will not fit in your machine, the best way to wash it at home is in your bathtub. Use a bathtub stopper to seal the drain, and fill your tub about two thirds of the way full with warm water. Then, fill up the cap of your detergent and pour it into the water.^{[8]
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- Before you start, ensure your bathtub is clean.
- 1 cap full of detergent is plenty to wash your comforter.
2
Submerge the comforter in the water for at least 5 minutes. Put your comforter into the sudsy water, and push it down so it is completely covered. Let your comforter absorb the soapy water for several minutes for a thorough clean.^{[9]
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- You can swish around the water as it soaks if you’d like.
- If you want, you can use a soft-bristled scrub brush to scrub the comforter. This is not required, however.
3
Push the comforter to the back of the tub and drain the soapy water. After your comforter soaks for awhile, move it away from the drain using your hands and remove the drain stopper. Let the soapy water go down the drain so you can get fresh water.^{[10]
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- If your comforter slides towards the drain, hold it toward the back of the tub with your hands.
4
Soak your comforter in fresh water for 5 minutes. Once the soapy water is gone, replace the drain stopper and fill the tub about halfway full of cool water. Let the comforter soak as the tub fills back up. Leave your comforter in the clean water for 3-5 minutes.^{[11]
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- This washes off any remaining soap from your comforter.
5
Empty the tub and wring out any excess water from your comforter. When your comforter is completely rinsed, remove the drain stopper once again and let the cool water drain away. Then, use your hands to wring out the comforter.^{[12]
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- You can leave it in the tub and press against the comforter to remove the majority of the water, then pick up the comforter and wring it out with your hands.
6
Place your comforter on a line outside or banister so it can air-dry. Once you wring out your comforter, it is ready to dry. Drape it across a clothing line or an outdoor banister for best results. Leave your comforter to dry for 1-3 hours.^{[13]
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- If the banister is dirty, cover it with a clean sheet before laying the comforter over it.
- If you don’t have a clothesline or a banister available, you can drape the comforter over your stairway.
- If you'd like, you can flip the comforter over halfway through the drying period.

Expert Q&A
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Question

Can I wash a king-size comforter in my top load washer?

Kadi Dulude
House Cleaning Professional
Kadi Dulude is a House Cleaning Professional and the Owner of Wizard of Homes, a New York City-based cleaning company. Kadi has over 10 years of experience and manages a team of over 90 registered cleaning professionals. Her cleaning advice has been featured in Architectural Digest and New York Magazine.

Kadi Dulude

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

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It depends on the size of the washer. If your comforter can easily fit into the washer without having to be stuffed into it, then it can be washed there. Just don’t put any other items in the washer while doing it.
Question

What size washer do you need to wash a king size comforter?

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A 3.8 cubic foot (or 0.12 cubic meter) machine should be able to handle a king size comforter. You should be able to find your washer’s capacity in your owner’s manual or find it by looking up your model online.
Question

How much does it cost to dry clean a king size comforter?

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Most dry cleaners will charge between $30-$45. However, the cost may vary depending on factors like where you live and what the comforter is made of.

Warnings

If you use a warm or hot heat setting to wash or dry your comforter, it may warp its shape or ruin the fabric.

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