or is DP regarding duvets?

[Notagainmun]

Twice a year I change duvets, 4.5 tog for Summer and 10.5 for Winter. We have one double and two king size beds in total. At this time of year I wash the lighter ones before storing but I buy inexpensive 10.5s and bin them rather than try to wash and dry them as I believe it would probably cost more.

DH doesn't think they need to be washed or binned for several years (MIL never did). I think that all the sweat, drool and other bodily fluids makes them rank. I also wash the feather pillows one a year (summer) and change mattress covers and pillow protectors four times a year and he doesn't see the need to wash the pillows - ever!

Completely agree MrsTerrorPratchet. It's advice like Wrapped that makes this world a shit place to live in sometimes. Care about yourself and no-one else and that's ok.

There's a lot to be said for airing stuff out IME, making sure it has a full day of being aired whenever you change it (take cover off first thing, and don't put new one on until bedtime. Preferably with the window open or hang it outside (not that I can do the latter as no garden). That should keep it fresher longer presumably?

With pillows, I use those quilted pillow protectors under the pillowcase - they were from primark too actually and they're great as they're quite thick.

"I admit I won't use a launderette for anything. The thought of putting my clothes in a machine which has had other people's clothes and bedding sloshing around in it makes me feel quite sick."

Really!!!

I have heard it all now.

Don't throw them away.Buy decent ones and just drop them off at a laundrette that does Duvet washes. 2 days £15 and a nice fresh duvet

Our super king size duvet was £600, I'm not replacing that every 6 months! I spend £20 getting it dry cleaned

My quilt doesn't fit in my washing machine and the local launderette ain't local (over 0.5 mile away and I don't drive

Surely that is local even if you don't drive. I would definitely walk to and use a laundrette if it was that distance away.

Hmmm not sure seems wasteful and surely pillow protectors protect the pillows. Surely just buy decent ones that you would rather wash than throw?

My duvets state that they can't be dry cleaned - something to do with the fluids being retained by the feathers and making them more flammable?

YABU, btw.

We now use two single duvets in separate single covers on our bed. They are easy to wash and we both get a better night's sleep as we aren't disturbed by the other one pulling the duvet when turning over.

Lagoona blue: wool filled duvet? Where? I want!

I admit I won't use a launderette for anything. The thought of putting my clothes in a machine which has had other people's clothes and bedding sloshing around in it makes me feel quite sick.

Someone else I can only assume never stays in a hotel.

over 0.5 mile away and I don't drive
Assuming you are able bodied then 0.5 of a mile is no distance at all even carrying a duvet.

Feather duvets want washing, not dry cleaning. We have a guest duvet which DH and I use for a day or so while ours gets washed and dried. Same method also used to deal with the convergence of beanbags and elderly incontinent cat.

At not being able to sleep under something that had been to a laundrette. Try telling that to the previous generation when it was not the norm to have a washing machine. Not to mention how do you ever sleep anywhere other than in your own bed in that case .

wool filled duvet? Where? I want!

www.johnlewis.com/devon-duvets-wool-duvets-lightweight-300g/p119480

We have just bought a silk filled duvet, it is really nice! It's supposed to be more breathable than feather, and I'm really liking it so far. It's only 9 tog so I'll put in a throw or something if it gets really cold.

OP yabu for throwing away a duvet every year, that's mad. We are quite slack about washing ours though so maybe I'm not one to ask. I'll get my summer duvet cleaned this year though, is it true that you can't dry clean a feather and down duvet?

Actually I'm with you OP, if a duvet of mine gets a bit grim I throw it out. I can't fit a king size duvet in my washing machine, cost of a new cheap duvet is not much more than what the launderette charge me. Costs about £12 here for a wash and dry, and the machine won't hold more than the duvet, also it's about 10 miles to the launderette so I can't even leave it to wash and then go home/do other things. It means I have to sit there waiting for hours.

I've just found this, which is useful for me but almost none of you unless there is a UK equivalent! www.quiltpillowfactory.com.au/Product-Care/Cleaning-and-Rejuvenation/Cleaning-and-Rejuvenation.asp

I have been well and truly scolded. I should have said I put them in the recycle bin for my SIL to use for her dogs. She has three dalmatians.

I like the idea of using two 4.5 togs on each bed for the colder months. The dogs will have to put up with it in the future, I am sure they won't mind.

Feather pillows are washed during spells of hot weather and shaken often to avoid the wet dog smell.

I still have the quilt I got for my 13th Birthday and I was 47 last week.

I wash it every now and then but certainly not 4 times a year.

OP YANBU not to want to wash cheap duvets. It probably isn't worth it (but I don't understand why you don't buy good quality ones). But YABU to throw them away. There are lots of dogs' home who would be glad of them, and won't mind if they aren't perfectly clean.

pipbin I can't remember the last time I stayed in a hotel, no.

My DP exudes a weird kind of filth that penetrates sheets. His side of the sheet goes grey after about 2 days while my side stays white. He washes every day!

He once had a pillow for 2 months and even through the pillow case that was changed weekly the actual pillow went a gross brown colour. I gave it to the cat as a bed and replaced our pillows. The cat was so offended she took a shit on it!

Wool duvets!

www.soakandsleep.com/pure-wool-duvet.html

Thursday - I think it was £25 to have the duvet cleaned. When I said dry-cleaning I mean that I take it to the dry cleaners - it is entirely possible that they wash it rather than dry clean. Either way, I only do it per duvet once a year. (I now realise I have never taken the children's duvets in because I don't change theirs from winter to summer…. Do clean sheets weekly make that okay??? )

YABU!

So after six months max use, they go to the dogs?! Madness!

I only ever wash duvets if they have had vomit, poo or wee on them.

Maybe you just need to wash yourselves more if they are so filthy you bin them that often!

Duvets don't need washing every 6 months unless you have some kind of rancid sweating disorder.