Written by Lisa Bowman, Content Writer
Is your comforter looking as flat as a pancake? There’s nothing worse than slipping into bed after a long day and being met with a limp comforter that’s a shadow of its former self. The best comforters can be a wonderful, cozy addition to your bedding ensemble, but they do require a bit of effort on your part to keep them looking and feeling fresh.
Whether you’ve purchased a new comforter that’s looking a little limp, or the one you’ve had for years is feeling rather sad, we’ll teach you how to re-fluff like a pro, so you’ll be sleeping under a cloud again in no time.
Re-Fluff a Comforter
There’s no need to struggle with a flat comforter. Here are four simple ways to breathe life back into it, so you can concentrate on more important things, like sleeping.
1. Daily Shake Out
A daily shake-out will make a world of difference when it comes to keeping your comforter as fluffy as the day you bought it. Why? Over time, filling can start to clump up inside the comforter, especially after a few washes. A simple way of avoiding this is by shaking the comforter every morning while you’re making your bed.
Grab the comforter firmly by two corners and vigorously shake it a few times. The wave-like motion you create will help the filling to separate and become more evenly dispersed.
2. Unclump the Filling
You know how good a massage feels when your back is full of knots? Your comforter can benefit from the same experience.
Lay your comforter flat on the bed and smooth it out so you can easily spot where the lumpy bits are – this is where the filling has clumped together. Use your fingers, palms, or the heel of your hand to massage out these lumps, separating the filling. Make your way around the comforter until it looks even.
Giving it a good shake at the end of this process doesn’t hurt either.
3. Dry with Tennis Balls
Another great way of fluffing up your comforter is by popping it in the dryer with clean tennis balls. The spinning motion and balls will help remove clumps.
It’s best to use a large, commercial dryer – even if you can stuff your comforter in your home dryer, be aware that it will expand once the cycle starts. Grab three to four tennis balls (depending on the size of your comforter) and pop each one in a clean, white sock, which will prevent colors from transferring onto your comforter.
Check the care label to see what dryer setting to use, as certain fillings don’t tolerate heat. Then, run a full cycle with both the comforter and balls in the machine.
4. Line Dry Your Comforter
If you have a washing line, hanging your comforter out on a breezy day can be an easy way to re-fluff it. Leave the comforter out for at least a few hours. The air flowing through it will help to remove clumps, as well as odors to freshen everything up. A bonus is that the sun’s UV rays can help sanitize your comforter, though this isn’t a substitute for regular washing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make my comforter fluffy again?
Has your comforter gone limp? Not to worry, there are several things you can do to bring back the fluff factor.
A daily shake of the comforter will help to disperse the filling, and you can use your fingers or the palms of your hands to massage out any stubborn clumps.
Putting the comforter in a commercial dryer with three to four tennis balls (placed in individual clean, white socks) is another great way of removing clumps. Be sure to check the care label first to know which heat setting you should use.
Lastly, hanging the comforter out on the washing line on a dry, breezy day is another simple way of redistributing filling – the air and sun will also help freshen up the comforter until its next wash.
Do you need to fluff a down comforter?
Don’t be disappointed if you’ve purchased a down comforter and it looks a little flat after taking it out of the packaging. Down is super airy, so it’s normal for it to flatten after being compressed in a bag or box. Your new comforter should fluff up naturally over the first few days, though you can give it a helping hand by shaking and/or massaging it, drying it with some tennis balls, or hanging it on a clothesline outside.
How long does it take a comforter to fluff up?
A new comforter may look flat after being compressed in its packaging. Once out of the bag or box, it should begin to expand within a few hours, though it may take two to three days to reach its full potential. To keep it looking good as new, shake it out each day to redisperse the filling.
How do you clean and fluff a comforter?
Many comforters are machine-washable, although you should always check the care label as some may require dry cleaning. Depending on the size of your comforter, you may need to use a commercial washer.
- It’s a good idea to spot-clean the comforter first to get a headstart on any stubborn stains – use a stain remover or try soaking the stain.
- Before putting it in the washer, look at the care label, which should tell you the type of detergent and water temperature to use. However, a general rule of thumb is to use mild detergent and cool or warm water. If the washer has a ‘bulky’ setting, go ahead and use that, as this will ensure the item is cleaned thoroughly. You may want to run it through a couple of extra rinse cycles to get rid of any residue, especially if you have a down comforter.
- If the comforter can be dried in a machine, it will likely require low or no heat, but again, this should be on the care label. Removing the comforter and shaking it every 20 to 30 minutes or so can help prevent clumping and allow the filling to dry evenly. You can also add a few clean tennis balls placed in clean, white socks to the dryer, which will help to disperse the filling. It might take more than one cycle to dry, but you should remove the comforter from the machine just before it’s completely dry, to prevent any heat damage.
- Shake it out, then hang it on the washing line or over a drying rack for a few hours, and make sure it’s completely dry before using.
- Give it a good final shake before laying it on your bed and massaging out any clumpy bits.
What makes the fluffiest comforter?
The fluffiest comforters are filled with down, which is the soft plumage located under the outer feathers of ducks or geese. Down is essentially fluffy, wispy feathers that don’t have a scratchy quill, making it a good choice for bedding.
Remember that the higher the fill power, the fluffier and warmer the comforter will be. Down alternative comforters are also available for people with allergies or those who prefer not to use animal products; these are made with synthetic versions of down, though they may not feel as fluffy as the real deal.
Lisa Bowman
Content Writer
About Author
Lisa is a content writer for Sleep Advisor, which combines two of her greatest passions – writing and sleeping. She can also be found writing about fitness, sustainability, and vegan food.
Combination Sleeper