How to wash your doona for a fresh, luxurious sleep
Most of us have a cleaning routine. We clean the kitchen bench every night, wash the sheets and doona cover weekly, and regularly wash and dry clean our clothes.
How often do you include cleaning your doona in your routine?
According to the University of Western Australia’s Centre for Sleep Science, we spend one-third of our lives sleeping. [1] It’s important that our bedding – including our cosy doona – is clean, soft, and fresh.
In this guide from LookSmart Alterations, let’s look into why you should clean your doona at least twice a year and the best way to do it. We’ve also included five expert tips for an added touch of luxury.
The health benefits of a clean doona
A clean doona is essential for your peace of mind and helps you and your family avoid a number of hidden health risks.
If anyone in your home suffers from allergies or is prone to developing them, dust mites can burrow into your doona and cause serious health issues, including wheezing, asthma, or skin rashes. [2]
Washing your doona regularly in quality laundry detergent will kill dust mites and wash away the allergen they produce, helping to keep allergies at bay.
A clean doona (and bed sheets) can also help improve your skin. An unclean doona might be the cause of unwanted acne or skin rashes. [3] Something as simple as washing your doona can help give your skin a new lease on life.
How to wash a doona
Washing a doona at home is a straightforward process if you follow these simple steps.
Step 1: Check the care label
Each doona comes with a how-to guide in the form of a care label. Look along the edges of your doona to find yours. When you discover what your doona is made from, you’ll be able to determine the best way to clean it.
Here are some common materials and suggestions for washing doonas.
Cotton
Wash on a gentle cycle in warm or cold water with a mild laundry detergent. Avoid washing in hot water, as it will shrink the fabric.
Wool
Hand washing in a bathtub with a wool-friendly detergent using cold water will prevent shrinking and felting. Most wool doonas are not machine-friendly unless specifically stated on the care label.
Feathers and down
Machine wash only in a front-loading washing machine in a cold or warm wash with gentle detergent. Do not use fabric softeners.
Polyester
Machine wash on a warm, gentle cycle. Synthetic fibres, like polyester, are particularly forgiving and quick-drying compared to doonas with natural fillings.
Dry clean only
If your care label prescribes dry cleaning only, you’ll want to abide by this to prevent shrinking or destroying the structural integrity of your doona.
Other reasons to dry clean your doona include:
- If it’s made of silk or cashmere;
- If you don’t have the time or resources
- to handwash a wool doona;
- If you have a heavily filled doona that won’t fit comfortably in your washer.
Step 2: Choose the right washing method
The size of your washing machine will determine whether or not you can clean your doona at home. If your washer is too small for your doona size, you’ll risk crowding the doona, which can lead to the flooding of your machine or your doona not being washed properly.
Here’s a helpful guide to what size washer you need for each doona size.
| Single (140×210 cm) | 7kgs |
| Double (180×210 cm) | 8-9kgs |
| Queen (210×210 cm) | 9-10kgs |
| King (240×210 cm) | 10-12kgs |
| Super King (270×240 cm) | 12+ (commercial-sized washer) |
If your doona is made from delicate materials like wool, linen, or bamboo, handwashing will be the best way to clean it without causing any damage.
Sometimes it’s best to leave the cleaning to the experts. If you have any questions or concerns, speak with the experts at your nearest LookSmart store.
Whether you’re dealing with delicate fibres (like wool, silk, or cashmere), you don’t have time to wash and dry it at home, or you’re unsure if your washing machine is big enough for the doona, leave it in our capable hands. Getting a professional clean guarantees you’ll have a fresh, cosy doona ready to slip into at the end of the day.
Step 3: Drying your doona for best results
Most people want to know if you should line dry or machine dry a doona. Here’s what we recommend for maximum cleanliness and fluffiness.
Line drying
Line drying is best for doonas with natural fibres, such as wool, silk, bamboo, and down. You’ll want to lay it over your clothesline in direct sunlight, flipping it every few hours to make sure it dries completely.
In colder months, airflow should still dry your doona. If it’s raining, bring your doona inside and place it on a drying rack near (but not too close to) a heat source. Running a dehumidifier will help it to dry.
Machine drying
Machine drying is safe for synthetic doonas, and some doonas are made from cotton or down. You’ll want to run the dryer on low heat for up to three hours, checking on it every 30 minutes.
Refer to the care instructions before you machine dry your doona to be sure. For some fabrics, a machine dry will prevent mildew and keep your doona fluffy.
Dryer balls make drying a doona much easier as they prevent clumping and help promote airflow, which speeds up the drying process.
How to store your doona properly
When your doona isn’t on a bed, you’ll want to keep it somewhere it can stay fresh. If you want to store it in a bag, use a cotton one so airflow can still circulate.
You’ll also want to store your doona somewhere cool and dry. This is often in a linen cupboard, but it could also be under a bed in a bag or at the top of your wardrobe. Cedar blocks are a great way to keep your doona smelling crisp and prevent any potential pests like moths.
Keeping your doona fresh between washes
Even if you’re storing your doona in a bag made of breathable material, it’s still advisable to periodically air out your doona. Putting your doona outside in the sun at least twice a year will help keep it clean and fresh.
Five tips to make your doona even cosier
Everyone loves the feeling of freshly washed sheets. To have an even better experience with your freshly washed doona, here are our five favourite tips to add a touch of luxury.
1. Use a high-end laundry detergent like a mild, fragrance-free wool wash or a silk-safe formula.
2. Choose detergent with a hint of lavender for relaxation or eucalyptus for antibacterial properties to add a sophisticated, spa-like feel.
3. Add a few drops of lavender, chamomile, or sandalwood essential oil to the rinse cycle while washing or to your dryer balls to give your doona a divine smell.
4. If your doona isn’t dirty but needs a little freshening up, use a steamer to kill bacteria and remove odour between washes.
5. Lightly mist your doona with a crisp fabric spray before making the bed.
Summing up
If you take care of your doona, it will keep you cosy for years to come. The lifetime of your doona depends on how well you care for it. With proper maintenance, a high-quality doona is a great investment that can last 10 years or longer.
When you wash your doona according to its material and care instructions, you’ll keep it clean and fresh, cultivating a luxurious environment for rest and relaxation. You’ll also be able to avoid common pitfalls like ruining the structure of your doona, breaking down the fibres or causing mildew.
For doonas that require professional dry cleaning, you can trust the experts at LookSmart. Our expert team knows how to clean your doona with care and precision, preserving its quality.
FAQs
How often should you clean your doona?
At least twice a year. However, if you live in a hot climate, sweat a lot, or are prone to allergies, you should consider washing it every three to four months.
How do I wash my pillows?
Here’s some good news: You can follow these same steps to wash your pillows, too. Pillows are also at risk of harbouring dust mites and mildew, so remember to change them out and wash them every three to four months.
Should I use fabric softener on my doona?
It’s best not to use fabric softeners on your doona. They typically won’t have much of an effect on it, and fabric softeners can leave a residue that collects dust and dirt. Overall, it’s not worth using fabric softener when you clean your doona.
Sources:
[1] University of Western Australia: Centre for Sleep Science. Sourced February 2025.
[2] National Asthma Council Australia: Dust mites trigger my asthma and allergies. Sourced 2025.
[3] WebMD: Health Hazards When You Don’t Wash Your Sheets. Sourced August 2023.
