How to change a duvet cover

Changing a duvet cover should be a simple task, but it can be surprisingly tricky. Knowing which edge of the duvet should go into which end of the cover, getting the corners to match up, and not getting too hot and bothered in the process are all challenges we face each time we launder our bedding!

If you’ve got children helping you out you just know they’ll end up inside the duvet cover, uttering a frantic “Help! I can’t get out!” In fact, we know a few adults have found themselves in this situation too.

But, there are easy ways of putting on a duvet cover. Here are two options to save you the sweat and confusion you might otherwise find yourself dealing with.

Before you go any further you need to work out which are the top and bottom edges of your duvet and which edges are the sides. It’s easy enough with a single duvet, but if you’re making up a bed that’s double, king sized, super king sized or even emperor, you might need a bit more help.

If you’re making up your bed with a Soak&Sleep duvet, you’ll find the care labels are on the side edges. If using a different brand duvet, you’ll need to check with the manufacturer. Alternatively, lay your duvet out on your bed to identify the top/bottom and side edges and then discreetly mark the top edge using a stitch or a light pen mark.

Lay your duvet on your bed, with the long edges running lengthwise down your bed, this is an easy way to figure out which way the lines should be pointing. If your duvet has a label on it from the manufacturer, make sure this is at the head of the bed (where your pillows go). This will mean once your duvet cover is on, the label will be away from your face.

You have two options here. The traditional ‘shake it out’ method and the clever ‘swiss roll’ method, also known as the ‘burrito’ method.

Unless you’re making up a single bed or cot bed, both of these options are easier if you have a willing assistant. But they also work out fine if you’re doing them on your own.

• Turn your duvet cover inside out and spread it over your duvet, with the open end at the foot of the bed. It doesn’t need to be perfectly flat, but you need to be able to see all of the corners. 
• Next, put your hands inside the duvet cover and reach right to the far corners of the cover. Grab hold of the two corners - the right corner with the right hand and the left corner with the left hand.
• Now with your hands and arms covered by the duvet cover, grab hold of the corners of the duvet, which is in front of you (at the bottom of the bed), and lift the duvet off the bed.
• Shake the duvet cover over the duvet - the cover will turn the right way round on the duvet as you shake it. Be sure to hold onto the corners tightly, so they stay in the right place. You may need to shake the duvet strongly, and also stand on the edge of the bed to get the cover to fall all the way to the bottom of the duvet, particularly if you have a king-size bed. 
• Once you have shaken most of the duvet into the cover, lay it flat again on your bed with the opening at the bottom of the bed. Now you can fasten the closures, poppers, or ties. You may need to shake your duvet a second time holding the end with the closures so that it is evenly spread over your bed. 

• If you have any stubborn bumps, an extra shake from one of the sides usually helps smooth things out.
  Bonus! This method is great for lofty duvets such as microfibre or feather and down because of the way it helps plump up the fill.

   

  This clip is a great example of how to put a duvet cover onto a duvet using the traditional method.

• Turn your duvet cover inside out and lay it flat on your bed.
• Lay your duvet cover directly over the top of your duvet cover with the top/bottom edges and side edges matching the duvet cover beneath.
• Starting from the end furthest from the duvet cover opening, roll your duvet and duvet cover together as if you’re rolling a giant, fluffy swiss roll.
• Roll your duvet and duvet cover up completely.
• Using the duvet cover opening, turn your duvet swiss roll into itself so that the duvet cover is now the right way round. Fasten up your buttons or ties.
• Now you’ll be able to unroll your duvet, smoothing out any bumps or creases as you do so.

Bonus! This method is great if you have a heavier duvet that would be difficult to shake out. 

This clip is a great example of how to use the swiss roll method to put your duvet on your duvet cover.

These simple process should make changing your bedding a much easier task. Duvet covers, pillowcases, and sheets should be washed weekly, and duvets themselves (and pillows) should be washed every few months or at least twice a year to avoid allergens like dust mites building up. 

Ready to try out these tips? Let us know how you get on or tell us if you have a foolproof method of your own. To read more about how to keep your duvet cover in place once you've dressed the bed head here.  

View our full range of duvet covers here.