Quote:
Originally Posted by Briana Dawson  Comforters should not be washed in a machine - if you are referring to feather down comforters. They should be dry cleaned to prevent your feathers from clumping.
Yes, they can be washed in a machine, but should be over dried then because feathers stay damp and ultimately they are never the same again after each wet wash. |
Strictly speaking you shouldn't take your natural feather comforters to the dry cleaners either unless they are one of the few who use processes specific for down. The chemical will penetrate the feather shafts and you will never get them out. If you're sensitive to chemicals, you'll notice it real quick.
The best course for down is to first keep it in a duvet - a cover over the the comforter and wash surface dirt off of that. To refresh down, pick a dry sunny day and hang it out to sun for several hours.... or if you're really stuck, tumble dry on low heat for a bit. All this goes for down jackets, sleeping bags, etc.
High-quality down, handled properly (for example not compressed and left that way) should last you 10-20 years.