The picture of a tub or bucket tells you whether or not the article can be washed. The number in the tub is the maximum water temperature. A hand in the tub means the item must be hand-washed only. [3] X Research source A square with a circle inside it represents the dryer. Dots inside this symbol corresponds to the temperature of the dryer. Fewer dots means lower temperatures, and more dots or bigger dots mean higher heat may be used. An “X” through the square means you must line dry the item. [4] X Research source

Your bathtub is a great option for pre-soaking your duvet. Ensure that your tub is clean and fill it with water and a small amount of borax or other pre-soaking treatment. Let the duvet soak for an hour.

Center agitators can pull threads on your duvet or even tear it, so be sure you choose a large front loading washer for your duvet. [6] X Research source

For a natural option, add a half cup of baking soda along with your detergent of choice at the beginning of the wash cycle and a half cup of white vinegar at the beginning of the first rinse cycle. This combination will freshen and soften your duvet. [7] X Research source

If you have a stain such as blood or ink that requires bleach, be sure to check your duvet’s label to ensure that bleach is appropriate prior to using it on your duvet. Otherwise, your duvet could end up with patchy discoloration.

Periodically throughout the drying process, remove your duvet and hand-fluff it. This prevents the filling from matting and will also tell you how dry the duvet is.

If you cannot hang your duvet outdoors to dry, try hanging it indoors across the backs of kitchen chairs so it can air out. An oscillating indoor fan pointed toward the duvet will be helpful, too, along with rotating it every few hours. [13] X Research source

If you don’t have an outdoor space to freshen your duvet, consider putting it in an XL capacity dryer for 10 minutes along with a freshly scented dryer sheet. Doing this a few times per year will also help ward off musty smells and help keep your duvet smelling fresh.