Opening up a brand new Urban Outfitters duvet can be an exciting experience. The funky prints and designs make your bed look uber cool. But after a few weeks of use, your duvet cover might not look or smell as fresh as it once did. Washing it regularly is key to keeping it looking stylish for longer.
But before tossing your UO duvet cover in the wash, there are some things you should know. The material, washing instructions, and cleaning method can impact how it holds up over time.
Follow this guide to learn the smartest way to clean your Urban Outfitters bedding. We’ll go over when and why you should wash it, the best practices for machine and hand washing, and tips to extend its life.
How to Wash Urban Outfitters Duvet Cover
Ready to refresh your favourite duvet? Let’s dive in.
Machine Washing Your Urban Outfitters Duvet Cover
Machine washing is usually the easiest and most effective way to clean your UO duvet cover. But to avoid damage, follow these key steps:
1. Check the Label
Care instructions are on the sewn-in tag. Follow them closely. UO duvets are typically machine washable but may have specific directions like cold water or gentle cycle.
If the tag says “dry clean only,” take it to the pros. Machine washing may ruin certain fabrics or prints.
2. Wash Separately
Launder your duvet cover alone or with like colours. Wash whites separately. This prevents dye transfer onto lighter fabrics.
Also, wash it separately from rougher items that could snag delicate materials. Don’t overload the drum.
3. Pretreat Stains
Check for oil, food, makeup or sweat stains. Lightly pretreating helps lift those out before washing. Avoid harsh chemicals that may bleach colour.
4. Use a Gentle Wash Cycle
The agitation of a normal cycle can damage prints and fabrics. Select a gentle/delicate cycle. Some machines have speciality cycles for oversized items like duvets.
5. Skip the Bleach
Never add bleach to your UO cover. It will strip the vibrant dyes. For whitening, use an oxygenated bleach that’s safe for colours. Or try bluing agents that brighten whites.
6. Wash in Cold Water
Hot water can degrade elastic, shrink fabrics, and cause fading. Use the coldest setting safe for dirt removal. Lukewarm if needed for heavy soil.
7. Limit Detergent
Excess detergent residue can shorten fabric life. Stick to the recommended amount, using a gentle liquid formula. Skip fabric softener, as it coats fibres.
8. Air Dry
Tumbling and high heat ruin prints and textures. Lay your duvet cover flat to air dry, or put in the dryer on air fluff with no heat.
Following these steps keeps your Urban Outfitters duvet cover looking stylish wash after wash. Check it over before using to ensure no damage.
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Hand Washing Your Duvet Cover
For delicates and special care items, hand washing is best. Follow these steps to manually clean your UO duvet cover:
1. Check Instructions
See if the label recommends hand washing. It’s ideal for delicate prints and fabrics susceptible to machine damage.
2. Fill Your Bathtub
For washing large duvet covers, use your tub filled with lukewarm water. Avoid hot, as that can bleed dyes.
3. Add a Mild Detergent
Squirt a gentle, bleach-free liquid detergent into water. Don’t overdo it. Too many suds make rinsing hard.
4. Soak the Cover
Gently place the duvet cover in the tub. Push down so it’s fully submerged and let soak 10-15 minutes. This loosens soil.
5. Hand Wash
Drain the dirty water. Then gently press and massage detergent over stains and soiled sections. Take care with delicate areas.
6. Rinse Twice
Drain soapy water and refill the tub with clean water. Lift and submerge again, pressing out suds. Repeat once more to remove all detergent.
7. Drain and Press Out Water
Lift out the cover and let excess water drain off. Lay flat and gently roll or press to remove moisture before hanging up.
8. Air Dry
Lay totally flat or hang on a clothesline to air dry. Avoid direct sun to prevent fading.
With some elbow grease, you can get your duvet looking like new again.
5 Handy Tips for Better Duvet Cover Washing
Follow these pro tips when cleaning your Urban Outfitters bedding for optimal results:
- Zip up the cover and tie ribbons to prevent interior entanglement during washing.
- Check zippers before drying to ensure they’re totally closed. Heat can damage teeth.
- For tough odor removal, add a half-cup of baking soda to the wash. Its deodorizing powers refresh fabrics.
- Vinegar in the rinse cycle helps soften, brighten, and further eliminate smells. Use a half-cup of white vinegar.
- For added softness without residue, add a few drops of hair condition in the rinse. Just a small amount oils fibers.
How Often Should You Wash Your Duvet Cover?
Urban Outfitters recommends washing duvet covers every 2-3 weeks for best results. But how often you should clean depends on several factors:
- How Many People Sleep In Bed – More people means more body oils, sweat and germs deposited on the duvet. Wash solo sleepers’ covers every 3-4 weeks. Wash bedding for two weekly.
- Pets Sleeping In Bed – Fido and Felix spread allergen-causing dander, dirt and hair. Weekly washing is best if pets snuggle up.
- Frequency of Bedsheet Washes – Change sheets 1-2 times per week? Wash the duvet cover on the same schedule. Less often? Wash duvet more frequently.
- Workout Schedule – Active people sweat more in bed. Increase washing if you notice more odours.
- Seasons and Environment – Spring pollen or winter dry heat can increase dust and irritants in bedding. Adjust wash frequency as needed.
- Visible Soiling – Don’t wait if you see stains, grime buildup or smells. Wash ASAP, using spot cleaning for problem areas.
Get into a regular duvet washing cadence based on these factors. Aim for 2-4 weeks. You’ll sleep cleaner and breathe easier.
Avoid These Mistakes When Washing Your Duvet Cover
Steer clear of these errors to keep your UO duvet cover looking stylish for longer:
- Machine drying, as heat ruins prints and causes shrinkage. Always air dry duvet covers.
- Using bleach or other harsh chemicals that strip colour and damage fibres.
- Washing with abrasive fabrics like denim that can snag the material.
- Overloading the machine drum, which prevents proper cleaning and agitation.
- Forgetting to pretreat stains, which sets them permanently if not addressed pre-wash.
- Washing in hot water, which degrades elastic and causes dye bleeding. Stick to cold.
Follow the care instructions, special handling guidelines, and washing best practices outlined here for a fresh, damage-free duvet cover for years of stylish sleep.
Conclusion
Urban Outfitters duvet covers deserve special care to keep them looking cool and boho chic for longer. By understanding when and why to wash them, following fabric care instructions, and using the right techniques, you can keep your bedding fresh and vibrant.
Machine wash in cold water on a gentle cycle once every 2-4 weeks. Or HAND wash in the tub using mild detergent and air dry for delicate materials. Either method eliminates odours, allergens, bacteria, and grime when done properly.
With the tips provided in this guide, you can refresh your favourite UO duvet cover and enjoy that stylish, of-the-moment look for many nights to come. So show your cover some love with regular washing. You’ll be happy you did the next time you crawl under its softness.
FAQs
How do you wash an Urban Outfitters duvet cover in a washing machine?
Check the sewn-in tag and follow the instructions closely. Typically they recommend washing alone in cold water on a gentle cycle. Pretreat stains, use minimal detergent, and air dry completely flat to avoid damage to prints and fabrics. Never machine dry.
Can you put an Urban Outfitters duvet cover in the dryer?
No, heat from machine drying can ruin prints and cause shrinkage. Always air dry your UO duvet flat, either laying down or hanging up.
What’s the best way to wash an Urban Outfitters duvet cover by hand?
Fill your bathtub with lukewarm water and a small amount of mild liquid detergent. Submerge the entire cover and let soak 10-15 minutes before gently hand washing stained areas. Rinse twice in clean water to remove all soap. Press out excess water and lay flat or hang to air dry.
How do you get stains out of an Urban Outfitters duvet cover?
Check the label to see which stain removal methods are safe for the fabric. For most covers, spot treat with a gentle pretreat spray before washing. Soaking in oxy-powered detergent also helps lift out many stains. Avoid harsh chemicals that may bleach or discolor.
Should you wash a new Urban Outfitters duvet cover before use?
Yes, wash a new UO duvet cover before putting it on your bed. The manufacturing process can leave behind chemical residue that should be removed. Washing before use helps soften fibres and remove excess dye as well.
How can you prevent an Urban Outfitters duvet cover from fading?
Wash in cold water and air dry to prevent heat damage. Skip bleach and other harsh chemicals. Watch for abrasive fabrics that might rub the printed design. Limit direct sun exposure. Also, wash regularly before soils set and stain.
Why does my Urban Outfitters duvet cover pill?
Pilling happens as fibers break and tangle into little balls on the surface. Friction from washing and drying can cause it. Using a lint brush or fabric shaver removes pills. Wash and dry carefully per instructions to minimize it.
How do you get wrinkles out of an Urban Outfitters duvet cover?
If air drying leaves wrinkles, place in the dryer on air fluff for 5-10 minutes to relax fibres. Or use a steaming method: hang in bathroom during shower, lightly steam iron over towel, or use a handheld steamer.
