Duvets and pillows are often the most difficult items to clean at home, but there's a simple method that's better than using the washing machine08:35, 05 Jul 2026Duvets and pillows are arguably the trickiest household items to launder, often putting people off attempting to cram them into the washing machine. Nevertheless, with spring cleaning season in full flow, now is the ideal time to tackle the job - and there is an alternative approach to freshening up your bedding.‌Steven Szary, of My Luxury Sleep Shop, suggests that rather than battling with waterlogged duvets and pillows, you simply let the sun do the hard work.‌Steven advised: "Leave your duvet out for several hours (four to five is about right) and it's best to do it in the late afternoon or early evening when the sun isn't too harsh. A little bit of sun is good, though, as it helps to kill unwanted bacteria and germs."‌Harnessing sunlight's natural disinfecting qualities is an efficient yet simple means of ridding your quilt and pillows of bacteria and dust mites.A build-up of sweat, body oils and dust can all become trapped within your bedding, making it essential to air it out regularly to ward off potential mould growth, reports the Express.‌Hanging the duvet out allows greater airflow and warmth to penetrate the fabric, banishing stale odours and breathing new life into its filling, ultimately boosting your sleeping comfort. When it comes to properly airing your duvet, timing and weather conditions are vital.Before giving your duvet a solar refresh, choose a sunny, breezy day following a spell of dry weather, Steven urged. He observed: "If it's cloudy or has rained recently, the air will be more humid and will not be as effective for airing out your bedding."Having spotted the ideal conditions, take your duvet outside during the late afternoon. The gentler sunshine at this hour will help safeguard the fabric and prevent your duvet and pillows from becoming stiff.‌Before hanging everything up, give your duvet and pillows a gentle shake. Once your duvet is firmly in place, lightly beat the fabric.This will help release the duvet fibres and prevent the inner filling from bunching together.Ideally, your duvet should be suspended on a clothesline. However, if one isn't to hand, you can also spread it over a drying rack, fence or any clean surface, as long as it can be adequately secured.Article continues belowAs for your pillows, these can be positioned on an airer outside or on a clean, flat surface.Simply leave both items out in the sunshine for four to five hours. After this period, your bedding will be thoroughly refreshed and sanitised, leaving you ready to enjoy a far more restful night's sleep.