Most of us sleep under the same doona every night for months. And although you wash your sheets and use a cover, dirt, grime, and bacteria will build up over time.
If it’s time to give your doona a wash but it doesn’t fit in the washing machine, don’t fret!
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Head to a laundromat — most have large-capacity machines made for bulky bedding
- Strip soak it in the bath — hot water, ¼ cup of washing soda, soak for at least three hours
- Let it drip overnight on a bucket before hanging — it can remove up to 10kg of water
- Dry in the sun, and you’re done
- Wash every 6–12 months — and always check the care label first
What is the best way to clean a doona?
The best way to clean a doona depends on its care instructions and material. Some doonas are machine-washable, while others require dry cleaning.
For machine-washable doonas, use a large-capacity washing machine and follow the care label instructions carefully. Dry-clean-only doonas should be taken to a professional dry cleaner to ensure they are properly cleaned without damage.
How to wash your doona
Nicole Gibson, laundry Queen at Söka Australia, says when your machine-washable doona doesn’t fit in the washing machine, you have three alternatives.
1. Take it to a laundry mat and use a bigger machine
Yes, you can wash a doona at a laundromat if they have a large-capacity washing machine suitable for your doona. Make sure to follow the same washing guidelines you would at home, or as directed on the doona’s care label.
2. Borrow a friend’s washing machine
Follow the care instructions. Use a mild detergent, and wash on a gentle cycle with cold or lukewarm water.
3. Strip soak it in the bath
If you’ve never heard of strip soaking, read on, and we’ll show you how to do it.
What is strip washing?
Laundry stripping is a soaking method that deep cleans your laundry. It removes built-up residue from detergent, hard water, body oils and fabric softener.
How to strip soak your doona in the bath
Nicole recommends filling up a bath with hot water and soaking your doona for at least three hours before hanging it in the sun to dry.
How to deep clean a doona
Here are Nicole’s step-by-step instructions for deep cleaning a doona in the bath (strip soaking).
What you’ll need:
- ¼ cup washing soda
- Bath
- Hot water
- Bucket
Instructions:
- Fill up your bath with hot water.
- Add your doona and ¼ cup of washing soda.
- Agitate your doona every hour using a wooden spoon (or whenever you remember)
- Once you’ve finished soaking your doona, pull out the plug and let as much water as possible drip down the drain.
- Next, grab a sturdy bucket, place the doona on top, leave it overnight, and let the drips fall into the bucket. (Nicole says this extra step can remove an additional 10 kilos of water.)
- The following day, hang the doona in the sun to dry.
And there you have it, you have a deep-cleaned doona!
How to wash a feather doona
Washing a feather doona requires some care to ensure it remains clean and fluffy. But the good news is, in most cases, your feather doona can be washed the same way as any other machine-washable doona. Just make sure you check the care label and washing instructions. Follow the instructions above for washing a doona in the washing machine and for strip soaking a doona by hand.
How often should you wash your doona?
How often you wash your doona is a personal choice. But generally, washing it every 6 to 12 months is a reasonable guideline for maintaining cleanliness.
That said, if the doona becomes visibly dirty or starts to smell, it should be washed sooner. Using a doona cover can help prolong the time between washes.
When to replace your doona
It’s time to replace your feather doona once the filling has collapsed and it has lost its spring. Here are our suggestions on the best quilts to buy for under $99.
What is the difference between a quilt and a doona?
There is no difference between a quilt and a doona. In Australia, a quilt, duvet and doona are weighted blankets that provide a top layer to the bed.
Why do Australians call it a doona?
It is believed that the term doona comes from the Danish word ‘dyne’, meaning down feathers. It dates back to the 1980s, when the Aussie slang term was coined for quilts, and it’s been around ever since.
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