You have a down comforter that has been serving you well, and now it's in need of a good washing. So, how want to know whether you can machine wash the comforter yourself at home or whether you should have it dry cleaned.

First, to answer that question, you'll need to find out what is recommended on the care label, if it hasn't been removed at some point. (If you're like me, I wouldn't have a clue what the label said. I always remove labels - they bother me when they show.) The manufacturer is knowledgeable about its products and will usually recommend dry cleaning if they feel the down or the cover will be harmed by machine washing. In that case, it is usually better to follow the manufacturer's recommendation and opt for dry cleaning. You can still choose to machine wash, but if you do, just proceed with extra care.

Most down comforters can be machine washed. There are several considerations to keep in mind that do not typically apply to most laundry items:

1. When machine washed, down comforters, pillows, etc. should be treated the same way you would treat delicates or hand-washable items. Use a gentle laundry detergent, such as Woolite, to prevent stripping the oils in the down. Most laundry detergents are too harsh and can contribute to weakening the structure of the down.
2. The size of most down comforters (even pillows) requires a larger washer and dryer capacity than most of us have at home. The bulk of the comforter will cause many home washer tubs to become off balance during the spin cycle, which will result in an awful racket and possibly the washer 'walking' across the floor of the laundry area.
3. Also, the agitating arm in most household washers can cause significant damage to the cover of the comforter. To prevent the possibility of ripping the cover - and having a washer full of feathers, to boot - it is best to wash the comforter in a extra-large capacity front loading washer. This kind of washer is designed without an agitating arm. While some of us own these, they are usually found at a laundromat. If you have kids, you can make this an interesting outing for the family.
   
4. Wash the comforter on the gentle cycle.
   
5. Rinse twice, taking the comforter out of the dryer in between rinse cycles and refolding it. This ensures that all the laundry detergent is removed from the cover.
   
6. Wash your down comforters once a year at most. To keep them clean in between washings, cover them with duvet covers made of tightly woven material, and wash the duvet covers as often as needed.

1. Dry the comforter in a extra-large capacity dryer on the lowest temperature setting possible. This will take 2-3 hours, but you want to make certain that the down is completely dry, to prevent mold growth. Added benefit: Your bedroom will not smell like wet poultry. 
2. Add two tennis balls to the dryer to fluff the down as it dries.  Our goal is to avoid the down 'bunching' and settling in odd patterns.
   
3. Take the comforter out several times during the drying process and turn or fold it differently.  Again, this helps ensure even drying / fluffing of the feathers and prevents bunching.
   
4. If there is any dampness left AT ALL, lay the comforter out in the sun on a sunny day so that the air can circulate on all sides. This is better done during spring or summer, when the temperature is nice and there is a good  breeze.

There are a couple of other considerations worth mentioning that will affect many of us - those with children and/or allergies:

1. If you have children who use down comforters in your home, it is a good idea to protect your investment from all kinds of accidents by purchasing a waterproof comforter/duvet cover. The Bedwetting Store sells these items for around $60 - $110, depending on whether you choose the fitted or zippered model.
2. Allergy sufferers who enjoy their down comforters may also benefit from covers designed to protect from dust mites and other allergens. Achoo Allergy & Air Products sells these items for $60 - $140, depending on the material used and warranty period - anywhere from 3 years to a lifetime, and Allergy Be Gone sells the Pristine line of comforter covers for $60-$170.

Disclosure: I am not an affiliate of any of the sources recommended above. They offer excellent products which will provide a benefit to my readers, which is the sole reason they are included in this article.