Washing and Maintenance of Down

But remember: ALWAYS TUMBLE DRY duvets and pillows after washing. Dry them at 60-80°C / 140-170F and regularly take out the duvet and shake it thoroughly to break up down lumps. To avoid odor problems, let the drying continue until the duvet is completely dry. You can also improve the drying process by using our woolen dryer balls.

Do not wash your duvet and pillow too often. Smaller stains can often be removed with a firmly wrung sponge and a bit of mild detergent. Excessive washing may cause a reduction of the carrying capacity of the down filling. For you to benefit from your duvet for many years, we have a few pieces of advice, which will ensure that the duvet stays nice and clean:

- When you get up in the morning, you should turn your duvet over in order to let it release the moisture that it has absorbed during the night.

- Also, shake your duvet well when you make your bed. This keeps it full, light and airy.

- You should air your duvet and pillow as often as possible. Always do so in the case and never in direct sunlight. Avoid vacuum cleaning and beating. You may use a soft brush, and if necessary all Ringsted Dun's duvets and pillows can be washed in the washing machine.

If you follow these instructions and take good care of your duvet, you can be sure to sleep well for many years to come.

Down Duvets and Allergies

Scientists have worked extensively to pinpoint the problems of the various types of allergy, and one thing that seems to be certain is that this research will continue. They have managed to identify many of the substances that almost certainly have a negative effect on us in terms of allergy. One of these substances, or animals, is the house dust mite, or rather its droppings.

Natural fill quilts and pillows limit the survival chances of the house dust mite considerably. All feather and down are washed, heat-treated and de-dusted to ensure that all allergenic bio-organisms are rendered harmless. In addition, it is almost impossible for the house dust mite to penetrate the tight-weave shells.

The house dust mite lives in luxury when the temperature is about 80-100 F (30-37C), the humidity is high and the conditions are fairly stable. What the house dust mite does not like is light and a change in the environment. Normally, house dust mites are abundant in bedding because all conditions are met: warmth, darkness, moisture and stability.

However, we can do something about that: down comforters and pillows with natural fillings and tight-weave quality shells ensure a rapid escape of warmth and moisture (perspiration) from the body while one sleeps. Fluffing and turning the quilt and not covering it with a bedspread almost certainly guarantees that the house dust mites move next door. If, on top of that, the quilt is also aired regularly, there will be barely any house dust mites.

If you are allergic to house dust mites, Ringsted Dun recommends that you wash your quilts two or three times a year and your pillows four to six times a year to be on the safe side.