Ever pulled your doona cover off and wondered if the doona itself is really clean? Knowing how to clean a doona is simpler than you think and is the key to a truly hygienic bed. The secret isn't complicated: check the care label, use a large-capacity machine on a gentle cycle, and ensure it's 100% dry before it goes back on your bed. This guide breaks down the process into easy, actionable steps.
Following this routine is your best defence against dust mites, mould, and clumping, keeping your favourite doona feeling fresh and inviting for years.
Why a Clean Doona Is Your Secret to Better Sleep
There's nothing like sinking into a freshly made bed. While we're diligent about washing sheets and pillowcases, the doona itself is often neglected. Over time, it can become a hotspot for allergens we'd rather not sleep with.
Night after night, your doona absorbs sweat, body oils, and dead skin cells. This warm, cosy environment is the perfect breeding ground for dust mites. In fact, research from Ohio State University confirms that the average used mattress can house anywhere from 100,000 to 10 million dust mites, and your doona is no different.
Health and Comfort on the Line
This build-up doesn't just impact hygiene; it directly affects your sleep. When a doona's filling gets clogged, it loses its loftiness and can't regulate temperature effectively. This means you might find yourself tossing and turning, feeling too hot or too cold.
Keeping your doona clean is a huge step towards creating a healthier sleep space. Here’s why it matters:
- Fewer Allergens: A thorough wash removes dust mites, pet dander, and pollen, helping you breathe easier.
- Better Airflow: Clean fibres allow for better air circulation. Understanding why breathable fabrics improve sleep quality is a game-changer for comfortable rest.
- Longer Lifespan: Proper cleaning prevents the filling from degrading, preserving your doona’s comfort for years.
How Often Should You Wash Your Doona?
The ideal doona washing schedule isn't one-size-fits-all—it depends on your lifestyle. A good rule of thumb is to wash it every six months, but certain factors might mean you need to do it more often.
Regular cleaning is about more than just looks. Over time, build-up breaks down the delicate filling, making it less breathable. A consistent cleaning habit is one of the simplest things you can do for a better night's sleep.
Finding Your Cleaning Rhythm
To figure out your perfect schedule, consider your daily life. You'll likely want to wash it more than twice a year in these common scenarios:
- If you have allergies: Washing your doona every two to three months is a game-changer. It clears out dust mites and other triggers before they build up.
- If pets share the bed: To keep pet dander, hair, and odours at bay, aim to wash your doona every couple of months.
- If you skip the top sheet: Without a top sheet as a barrier, your doona gets more direct contact, so washing it every three months is a good idea.
A great trick is to link your doona wash to the seasons. Many people find washing it at the start of summer and winter is an easy rhythm to remember. It’s also a perfect task to add to your seasonal declutter; you can find helpful tips on decluttering during spring cleaning to make a day of it.
Why You Shouldn't Wait a Year
Washing a doona can feel like a big chore, but the downsides of putting it off are significant. An unwashed doona can be home to more than 20,000 dust mites—a huge trigger for people with asthma and eczema.
For high-quality bedding, like our Sienna Living bamboo quilts, regular cleaning is essential. It’s the key to preserving the premium materials and ensuring they last.
A Complete Approach to Bed Hygiene
Of course, your doona is just one part of a clean bed. For a truly hygienic sleep space, you need to think about everything else. This means washing your sheets, doona cover, and pillowcases weekly.
This weekly wash is your first line of defence, preventing daily sweat and oils from reaching your doona and pillows. If this has you rethinking your routine, our guide on how often you should change your pillows is a great next read.
Washing Your Doona at Home: A Step-by-Step Guide
Washing a doona at home can feel risky. Will it come out fluffy and clean or lumpy and damp? With the right approach, it's a completely manageable task.
The most important step is to read the care label. That tiny tag has specific instructions from the manufacturer to protect the fabric and filling. Before washing, give your doona a quick inspection for any small tears or weak seams. A few stitches now can prevent a machine full of escaped filling later.
For small, isolated stains, it’s best to pre-treat them. A gentle, wool-safe stain remover applied directly can work wonders. Just dab it on, let it sit for a few minutes, and you're ready to wash.
Choosing the Right Machine and Settings
This is where things often go wrong. Your standard 7–8 kg home washing machine is likely too small for a queen or king-sized doona. Cramming it in prevents a proper clean and can damage both your doona and the machine.
A trip to the laundromat for a large-capacity, front-loading machine is usually your best bet. These commercial machines have the space for the doona to tumble freely, ensuring a deep, even clean.
Once you have the right machine, the settings are crucial.
- Detergent: Use a mild, liquid detergent. Powder can leave a chalky residue.
- Water Temperature: Select a gentle, warm-water cycle. Hot water can cause some fillings, like down, to shrink.
- Cycle: Always choose the delicate or gentle cycle to minimise stress on the seams.
Here’s a practical tip: add a couple of wool dryer balls. They bounce around during the wash, helping to prevent the filling from clumping together.
Quick Guide for Different Doona Types
To make it even easier, here’s a quick-reference table. Always double-check the care label, but this is a great starting point.
| Doona Fill Type | Recommended Machine Cycle | Ideal Water Temperature | Detergent Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synthetic/Microfibre | Gentle or Normal | Warm (around 40-60°C) | Mild liquid or powder |
| Down & Feather | Delicate/Gentle | Cool to Warm (max 30-40°C) | Down-specific or mild liquid |
| Wool | Wool or Delicate | Cool (max 30°C) | Wool-specific liquid (Woolmark-approved) |
| Bamboo | Delicate/Gentle | Cool (max 30°C) | Mild, eco-friendly liquid |
| Cotton | Gentle or Normal | Warm (up to 40°C) | Standard mild liquid |
Special Care for Natural Fills
Natural fills like feather and down need extra care. An aggressive wash can strip the feathers of their natural oils, making them brittle. Use a minimal amount of a gentle, down-specific detergent and run an extra rinse cycle to ensure all soap is gone.
For more detailed advice, our essential guide on how to wash and care for down quilts has you covered. Professionals often follow an ultimate vacation rental cleaning checklist to ensure meticulous care—a standard worth aiming for at home.
Real-world example: My friend tried washing her king-sized feather doona in her 8kg top-loader. It was so crammed it barely moved and came out with soapy, dirty patches. A trip to the laundromat with a 15kg front-loader was a game-changer. It came out perfectly clean, proving the right machine is critical.
The Secret to a Fluffy Finish: Getting the Drying Right
You’ve washed your doona, but the job is only half done. How you dry it is just as crucial for restoring that cloud-like texture. Rushing this step can lead to clumpy filling, a damp smell, and even mildew. The golden rule is simple: it must be 100% dry before it goes back in its cover.
This decision tree gives you a quick visual on your cleaning options.
As the chart shows, it all starts with having access to a machine that’s big enough for the job.
Machine Drying for Speed and Fluff
A large-capacity tumble dryer is the most efficient method, especially for feather and down doonas.
- Go Low and Slow: Always use a low-heat or air-dry setting. High heat can damage delicate fibres.
- Add Dryer Balls: Toss in wool dryer balls or clean tennis balls to break up wet clumps and speed up drying.
- Be Patient: A large doona takes time. Stop the dryer every 30 minutes to pull the doona out and give it a good shake. This redistributes the filling and helps you check for damp spots.
This stop-and-shake routine is essential to prevent the edges from over-drying while the centre stays damp.
Using Air Drying Effectively
No dryer? No problem. Air-drying is a great energy-efficient option. Drape the doona over a clean clothesline or across a couple of drying racks in a sunny, breezy spot. Spreading it out as much as possible allows air to circulate freely.
Practical Tip: A friend who lives in an apartment air-dries his queen bamboo doona by laying it over two drying racks on his balcony. He rotates it every hour, and the combination of sun and breeze gets it completely dry in an afternoon.
The Final Feel Test
Whichever method you use, this final check is vital. Don't just trust the feel of the outer fabric. Squeeze different sections between your fingers, feeling deep into the filling for any cool or damp spots. Even a little moisture can lead to musty smells.
Once you’re sure it’s bone dry, give it one last powerful shake to fluff everything up. This logic applies to other bulky bedding too. For more advice, learn how to wash a pillow and keep your entire sleep setup fresh.
Knowing When to Call the Professionals
Knowing how to clean a doona is great, but sometimes, handing it over to a professional is the smartest move. If your doona's care label says ‘Dry Clean Only’, this is non-negotiable. This label is common on items made from delicate materials like silk or high-loft wool that can be ruined by water.
When to Outsource Your Doona Cleaning
Here are a few other times when professional cleaning is the best choice:
- Your Machine Is Too Small: Trying to stuff a large doona into a standard washer is a recipe for a poor clean and potential damage to your machine.
- You Have Major Stains: Professionals have specialised solvents that can tackle stubborn stains like wine or built-up body oils without harming the fill.
- You Want a Guaranteed Result: Sometimes you just want peace of mind. A professional clean ensures a deep, hygienic result, restoring loft and freshness.
- To Protect Your Warranty: For high-quality doonas, following the care instructions is crucial to keep your warranty intact.
The Cost vs. The Benefit
Professional cleaning is more affordable than you might think and certainly cheaper than replacing a ruined doona. According to The Laundry Lady, a national service, cleaning a queen or king doona costs around $41.25. When you weigh that against the cost of a new premium quilt, it's a small price to pay for extending the life of your bedding. You can see a full breakdown of professional doona cleaning costs.
When choosing a cleaner, look for a reputable business with experience handling quilts. Ask about their process, especially for delicate fills, to ensure your doona is in safe hands.
Keeping Your Doona Fresh Between Washes
You don't need to wash your doona constantly. A few simple habits can keep your bedding feeling fresh, extending the time between deep cleans. The easiest trick? Don't make your bed immediately. Pull the doona back for at least an hour to let your mattress air out and allow moisture to evaporate.
Smart Daily and Weekly Habits
A good routine is your best defence. A doona cover is a must-have—think of it as a shield. Wash it weekly with your sheets to catch most of the sweat and skin cells before they reach the doona.
For spills, act fast. Blot the spot immediately, then spot-clean with mild detergent on a damp cloth. For more stubborn marks, our guide on how to clean bed stains has detailed solutions.
The Power of Airing and Storage
On a dry, sunny day, hang your doona outside for a few hours. Fresh air removes stale odours, and the sun’s UV rays act as a natural sanitiser. Research has shown that regularly airing bedding can significantly lower moisture levels, making it a less inviting environment for dust mites.
When storing your doona, avoid plastic vacuum bags that trap moisture. Instead, use a breathable cotton storage bag to allow air circulation, keeping your doona dry and fresh for next season.
Your Doona Care Questions Answered
Even with a guide, a few questions always pop up. Let's tackle the most common ones.
Can I wash a "Dry Clean Only" doona at home?
It’s tempting, but it’s best not to. That tag is a warning that water and machine agitation can permanently damage materials like silk or high-loft wool. Trying to wash it at home often leads to shrinkage, clumping, and a ruined doona, while also voiding your warranty.
How do I remove stubborn yellow stains?
Yellow stains are usually caused by sweat and body oils. You can often treat them with a simple paste of bicarbonate of soda and water. Apply the paste to the stain and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Gently brush it off before washing. Always test any cleaning solution on a small, hidden spot first.
My doona is lumpy after washing. What now?
A lumpy doona means the filling is still damp. The fix is more time in the dryer. Put it back in a large-capacity dryer on a low or no-heat setting. Add a few wool dryer balls to help break up the clumps. Tumble it in 20-30 minute bursts, shaking it out between cycles and manually separating any lumps. Ensure it's 100% dry before putting it back on your bed.
Ready to experience the ultimate in comfort and hygiene? The luxurious, breathable materials in Sienna Living doonas are designed for easy care and a perfect night's sleep. Explore our collection today and transform your bed into a restorative sanctuary.