Can I machine wash a dry clean only king-size comforter?

Kathy
by Kathy

What would happen if I machine wash a king-size comforter that says dry clean only?

  8 answers
  • Johanna McCoon Johanna McCoon on Nov 11, 2018

    If you washed it in a mild soap like wool lite and warm water and genital and dry it on cool I don't thing anything would happen to it

  • Oliva Oliva on Nov 11, 2018

    You risk shrinkage.

  • KD KD on Nov 11, 2018

    Most items that say dry clean only can really be washed. However if the material is flimsy or has loads of decorations on it I would hesitate washing it. I have several comforters that say dry clean only but here is what I have done and quite successfully. Put the comforter in an oversized washing machine. Add a detergent that is gentle. Set water temp to cold and delicate. Wash. When cycle is over the comforter will still be quite wet. Run the rinse and spin cycle again. When the cycle is complete you can put it in the dryer on the lowest temperature possible. Let the dryer run for about 20 minutes. Check the bedspread. Take it out of the dryer and reposition it in the dryer. Repeat until it is dry or you can hang it on a line outside, weather permitting of course. I have washed several down comforters, feather pillows and a wool coat this way will no ill effects. If there is leather on any item take it to the dry cleaners. Also they sell dry cleaning chemical in stores that you can do yourself at home. Hope this helps!

  • Julie Paulson Julie Paulson on Nov 11, 2018

    I have washed dry clean only comforters and had them turn out ok. The key is what they are made of (polyester ones do best; cotton/linen can shrink and look awful). The key is having a washer and dryer large enough to accommodate the huge size of the comforter you are trying to wash. I would take it to a laundromat that has the huge front load machines, wash it on a cold cycle, and dry it on low with some tennis balls or something similar tossed in to help fluff it back up. While still damp I would take it home and drape it over chairs or something to finish air drying. This is what I have done with the queen size dry clean only comforter I have, and it has held up well through several washing. Do check on the fiber content. That will help tell you which process to really use. Good luck!

  • Carla Carla on Nov 11, 2018

    You might regret it later! If the colors run or fade, or you lose the crisp or shine, you’ll hate your decision!

    Is your washer/dryer large enough?

    I would suck it up and take it to the cleaners!

  • Dfm Dfm on Nov 11, 2018

    check for color fastness, some dyes needs to be set or they color the inside of the dryer. you can get a dry clean product that is activated by the heat of the dryer. its more like a dryer sheet, check laundry isle at wally world, or the worlds largest on line store

  • Lynn Sorrell Lynn Sorrell on Nov 11, 2018

    Take a good book & comforter to local laundromat put it in lrgest washer(5-6 loads)use Woolite,cold water wash,extra rinse(no fabric softener),delicate cycle. If it's feather or down filled put in dryer lowest setting and patiently wait til it's dry-removing every 10-20 mins(maybe less depending on how hot it is) to fluff it up,shake it out repositioning it alot so it dries evenly. Sometimes they are dry clean because of material cover is made from if so should not put in dryer.Dry just minimally in laundromat dryer on low then take home & let air dry if you don't have clothes line to hang it on use your dining/kitchen chairs spread out back to back to make lrg. rack for it (protecting them from water with garbage bags over them) you'll need to flip it over repeatedly to dry evenly & if you need to fluff it up you can go back & use laundromat dryer on low setting.Never use fabric softeners on any feather or down items it puts coating on them they won't dry right or get fluffy actually same with many fabrics (towels washcloths) use white vinegar as fabric softener. If you like your stuff scented put pure essential oil on woolie dryer ball.

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Nov 11, 2018

    Hi Kathy! In my experience either the fabric or filling may have a problem with being washed. I personally don't like the chemicals used for dry cleaning , so I wash everything. If you want to risk it, you can wash on the gentle cycle in a front load washer (no agitator). I wouldn't dry it completely in a dryer, but, spread it out to dry if possible.