# Comforter says "Dry clean only" BS? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 9, 2009, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comforter-says-dry-clean-only-bs/509481 "2009-09-09T21:46:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comforter-says-dry-clean-only-bs/509481/21 "2009-09-11T02:47:37Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > This is why I recommended looking for the ones with buttons or ties. > Still. . .every week? Srsly??😛 What, didn’t they use a top-sheet or what? If there’s a top sheet between me and my duvet cover, why the _hell_ would I think it needs to be washed every single week? 😕 They were either neat freaks, or they had longhaired cats or dogs which were allowed to lounge on the bed. Even shorthaired cats can shed an amazing amount, and the one medium hair cat that we had could really cover all available surfaces with her soft, silky fur. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comforter-says-dry-clean-only-bs/509481/22 "2009-09-11T03:34:58Z")
Our two cats are currently sleeping on my bed - on my washable bed cover, that’s on it just because of them. My shorthaired cat sheds enough each week to make a whole new cat, so everywhere they sleep gets a washable cover. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 8:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comforter-says-dry-clean-only-bs/509481/23 "2009-09-11T08:09:10Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > Once I even accidentally got a pair of wool slacks in with my other clothes. It didn’t hurt them but it took the structure out of them and was an effort to iron back to their original selves. Wow, you lucked out. I’ve only owned one wool sweater that I liked (lamb’s wool, so it wasn’t itchy) and while home for the weekend from college, I decided to wash it. For god only knows what reason, my dad, who never does anything with laundry, decided to be helpful and put things in the dryer before I got to the machine. The sweater would have fit a four-year-old when it came out ☹ This thread is interesting. I never gave any thought to the possiblity that a comforter might be dry-clean only, but I’ll keep the advice here in mind the next time I need to replace one. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comforter-says-dry-clean-only-bs/509481/24 "2009-09-12T03:37:25Z")
> [@SHAKES](#): > > Face: 65% polyester, 35% cotton > Back: 100% polyester > > Thanks for the suggestions so far guys. What’s the stuffing/batting made of? A polyester/cotton blend of that sort should be able to survive regular washing and drying, although too high a dryer setting might melt the polyester, so use some caution with that, if you choose to try it. You will be taking some risk, of course, by running it through regular wash. It is up to you whether or not you wish to try that. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comforter-says-dry-clean-only-bs/509481/25 "2009-09-12T03:53:58Z")
Regular polyester/cotton blends of clothing do OK in the dryer, but if I put in a comforter, I would not set it on high heat, better to run it a couple of cycles on warm. And open the door and shift it so the wet parts get exposed. Beware though that if it’s big and puffedy, it may come out of all this much flatter and thinner. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comforter-says-dry-clean-only-bs/509481/26 "2009-09-12T05:39:17Z")
See here [Can I machine wash a dry clean only comforter?](http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/decor/msg0600135132684.html) and here [http://www.amitymama.com/vb/household-faq/124839-can-you-wash-down-comforter.html](http://www.amitymama.com/vb/household-faq/124839-can-you-wash-down-comforter.html) ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comforter-says-dry-clean-only-bs/509481/27 "2009-09-12T07:49:43Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > There _might_ be problems with the filling shifting and bunching if you wash it; a larger machine such as the laundromat, and/or tossing a few tennis balls into the dryer with it, might help that. That is correct. If you have a top load washer that uses a rotating paddle (virtually all of them) then you risk bunching up the center filling material. It’s not coming un-bunched in the dryer. The filling has basically been torn internally from the stitching. It won’t be completely ruined but you’re not going to be very happy with it. If you have a newer front loader the paddles on the sides are rounded and probably won’t snag it. If you don’t have a front loader go to a Laundromat that does. ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comforter-says-dry-clean-only-bs/509481/28 "2009-09-12T12:01:06Z")
I wash all my duvets by sticking them in the bathtub with some wool wash detergent and tromping them around like a vat of grapes. More work than sticking them in a washing machine … but then you also don’t have to run around looking for a laundromat with a big machine for it. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2009, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comforter-says-dry-clean-only-bs/509481/29 "2009-09-17T18:10:14Z")
> [@Brainiac](#): > > The truth about dry cleaners is that they water wash almost everything except coats and silk shirts. Nobody seems to be commenting on this. Is it true? Is it a bit misleading (as a “water wash” is still less destructive than a washing machine?) Oh, and I’m surprised no one else has mentioned Dryell, or however you spell that. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2009, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comforter-says-dry-clean-only-bs/509481/30 "2009-09-17T18:24:49Z")
> [@Fuzzy\_Dunlop](#): > > That means it’s… dirty! Great Mitch Hedberg reference! ---
**Author:** ![lazybratsche](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ba8739/32.png) [@lazybratsche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lazybratsche)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2016, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comforter-says-dry-clean-only-bs/509481/32 "2016-09-24T13:31:06Z")
Spam reported. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2016, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comforter-says-dry-clean-only-bs/509481/33 "2016-09-24T13:50:18Z")
I know that this is a spam-necromanced thread, but > [@](#): > > Quoth **Cat Whisperer** : > > While we’re talking about comforters, one of the best things I’ve ever done with a washable comforter was sew all the layers together in many spots throughout the comforter. That way with repeated washings, all the stuffing has stayed in place and hasn’t all migrated to the edges. In other words, you turned your comforter into a quilt. The process of stitching together all of the layers is precisely what “quilting” is. ---
**Author:** ![Whatever4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@Whatever4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whatever4)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2016, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comforter-says-dry-clean-only-bs/509481/34 "2016-09-25T06:00:59Z")
I washed many pounds of wool and mohair and angora rabbit fur using this method and never ended up with a felted mess: Fill washer with cold water. Add detergent, liquid is best. Very carefully stuff the item into the washer. Close lid and play on The Dope for a while. Gently smoosh the item up and down a few times. DO NOT AGITATE. Spin out water. Spin out again. Repeat for rinsing. Lay it flat to dry. Or use dryer set on low heat with some tennis balls or a clean sneaker in it to break up the stuffing. For wool sweaters or slacks, put them in a lingerie bag first ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2016, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comforter-says-dry-clean-only-bs/509481/35 "2016-09-25T10:46:19Z")
Try looking for a discount dry cleaner. The cheap-o chain I use cleans comforters for $19.99. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comforter-says-dry-clean-only-bs/509481.md?page=1)