Duvets and pillows are among the most difficult household items to launder, often discouraging people from attempting to cram them into a washing machine. However, with spring cleaning season underway, now is the ideal time to tackle the job — and there is an alternative approach that requires no machine at all.
Sunlight as a Natural Disinfectant
Steven Szary, of My Luxury Sleep Shop, suggests that instead of battling with waterlogged duvets and pillows, you simply let the sun do the hard work. He advised: "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."
Harnessing sunlight's natural disinfecting qualities is an efficient yet simple way to rid your quilt and pillows of bacteria and dust mites. A build-up of sweat, body oils, and dust can become trapped within your bedding, making it essential to air it out regularly to ward off potential mould growth, according to the Express.
How to Air Your Duvet Properly
Hanging the duvet outside allows greater airflow and warmth to penetrate the fabric, banishing stale odours and breathing new life into its filling, ultimately boosting sleeping comfort. Timing and weather conditions are vital for properly airing your duvet. Before giving it a solar refresh, choose a sunny, breezy day following a spell of dry weather, Steven urged. He observed: "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."
Having spotted the ideal conditions, take your duvet outside during the late afternoon. The gentler sunshine at that hour helps safeguard the fabric and prevents the duvet and pillows from becoming stiff. Before hanging everything up, give your duvet and pillows a gentle shake. Once the duvet is firmly in place, lightly beat the fabric to help release the fibres and prevent the inner filling from bunching together.
Best Practices for Hanging
Ideally, your duvet should be suspended on a clothesline. However, if one isn't available, you can spread it over a drying rack, fence, or any clean surface, as long as it can be adequately secured. As for pillows, they can be positioned on an airer outside or on a clean, flat surface. Simply leave both items out in the sunshine for four to five hours. After this period, your bedding will be thoroughly refreshed and sanitised, ready for a far more restful night's sleep.
