If you’ve been putting off tackling your duvets and pillows, there’s a simple hack that will make the process much easier and more effective.
Duvets and pillows appear to be the most challenging laundry items to clean, frequently putting off homeowners from attempting to squeeze them into the washing machine. Nevertheless, given it’s spring cleaning season, now’s the ideal time to tackle this chore, and there’s an alternative approach for refreshing your bedding.
Steven Szary, of My Luxury Sleep Shop, suggests that rather than battling with waterlogged duvets and pillows, you simply allow the sun to do the job. Steven explained: “Leave your duvet out for several hours (four to five is about right) and it’s best to do it in the late afternoon or early evening when the sun isn’t too harsh.
“A little bit of sun is good, though, as it helps to kill unwanted bacteria and germs.”
Utilising the power of sunlight’s natural disinfecting qualities is an efficient yet simple way to eliminate bacteria and dust mites from your quilt and pillows, reports the Express.
A build-up of perspiration, body oils, and dust can all become trapped within your bedding, so airing it out is essential to prevent any potential mould development.
The process of hanging the duvet allows more air and warmth to reach the fabric, removing stale smells and revitalising your duvet’s filling, thus improving sleep comfort.
Regarding properly airing out your duvet, timing and conditions are crucial.
Before declaring your duvet ready for a solar refresh, choose a bright, breezy day that comes after a dry period, Steven emphasised.
He highlighted: “If it’s cloudy or has rained recently, the air will be more humid and will not be as effective for airing out your bedding.”
Once you’ve got the perfect weather, take your duvet outside in the late afternoon.
The softer sun at this time of day will help protect the fabric and prevent your duvet and pillows from becoming rigid.
Before hanging up, give your duvet and pillows a gentle shake. Once your duvet is securely hung, lightly beat the fabric.
This will help to loosen the duvet fibres and prevent the inner fluff from clumping together.
Ideally, you should hang your duvet on a clothesline.
However, if you don’t have one, you can also place it on a drying rack, fence or any clean surface, as long as it can be properly secured.
When it comes to your pillows, these can be placed on an airer outside or on a clean surface.
Then, simply leave them both out in the sun for four to five hours.
After this period, your bedding will be refreshed and sanitised, ready for you to enjoy a more comfortable night’s sleep.