Care

Most wool duvets are kept clean by airing, spot cleaning and a washable cover rather than by a washing machine.

What replaces washing?

A washable duvet cover, regular airing and spot cleaning, none of which felts the batting.

Piglet in Bed tells owners not to put its wool bedding in the washing machine, and to hang it in the sun at the start of each season instead (Piglet in Bed). Holy Lamb Organics suggests unmaking the bed in the morning so the night's moisture can leave, and sunning wool bedding a few times a year (Holy Lamb Organics). The cover is the layer you wash often.

How do you deal with a spill?

Blot it with cool water and a little wool wash, never rub or wring it, and let it dry fully before the cover goes back on.

Holy Lamb's care page says to press the wet area between towels, not to rub, wring or machine dry it, and to line dry it in the sun or somewhere warm (Holy Lamb Organics).

When can a wool duvet go in a machine?

Only when its label names a washable fill, and then on the cycle that label gives.

Even washable wool needs a gentle hand. Woolroom's washable range calls for a wool or delicate cycle, wool detergent, a slow spin and line drying, with no tumble drying (Woolroom). For untreated wool, Holy Lamb allows only a cold soak and spin, never the wash cycle itself, because even delicate settings agitate the wool (Holy Lamb Organics). Our guide to washable wool comforters explains what the washable treatment is.

How should a wool duvet be stored?

Clean, dry and loosely folded in a breathable cotton bag, somewhere cool, and never vacuum packed.

Woolroom says its washable comforter is not suitable for vacuum storage (Woolroom), and Holy Lamb advises keeping wool bedding in a cool, dry place when it is not in use (Holy Lamb Organics). Air it for an afternoon before it goes back on the bed.