Disposing of an old duvet: general waste, textile recycling, or recycling?

Even the best duvet doesn't last forever, and eventually, it's time to say goodbye to your once-cuddly duvet. Whether it's because it's too old or because you want to switch to a different duvet size, before you can enjoy your new bedding, you first need to dispose of the old duvet. But how do you get rid of such large textiles? In this article, you'll learn how to properly dispose of down duvets and featherbeds.

 

When should you dispose of your old duvet?

High-quality duvets made of down or feathers can last up to 30 years with proper care. So, when is it time to dispose of old duvets? There are various reasons why households part with their bedding:

Duvet dirty or broken: If the duvet cover has too many damages like tears and holes, down or feathers will escape, rendering the down duvet useless. Even with very heavy soiling that can no longer be removed by cleaning, the duvet is no longer usable. Over years of use, skin flakes and dust also get inside, promoting dust mites. Here, decide according to the BAD rule: You should dispose of broken, aged, and dirty featherbeds and down duvets.

Down is old or damaged: Down that has been in use for many years can break down. It can break, get dirty, or clump heavily. The filling volume decreases, and the duvet no longer warms efficiently. Here, you can consider whether professional cleaning and refilling of the down is an option for you. This can be worthwhile for very expensive and high-quality down duvets, for example. A comparison between the effort of refilling and buying new must always be made here.

Larger/new duvet is needed: If you want a larger duvet or wish to share a large down duvet with your partner, the old model must go. Many people also want a new duvet if they prefer a warmer or cooler one. Here, you can consider whether you might want to keep the old bedding for guests. In special storage bags, you can vacuum out the air and store them in the closet to save space.

Incorrect disposal of down duvets and featherbeds

Many people believe that they can dispose of their old bed linen and bedding in the yellow bin. However, this is wrong. Pillows, duvets, and other textiles do not belong in this waste. The yellow bin is only for sales and light packaging (plastics, composites, and metals). Below, we show you various ways to properly dispose of or donate your old duvets:

 

Used clothing container

If the duvet is still in reasonably good condition, you can dispose of it in a used clothing container. You don't need to wash the down duvet or featherbed beforehand. All textiles are thoroughly cleaned after sorting. Not only duvets, but also pillows and bed linen can be disposed of here.

 

Donation options for old down duvets and featherbeds

If the duvet is still in good condition, there may be an opportunity for reuse. For example, if you have a dog, it might appreciate a soft blanket in its bed. Here are some ways you can donate undamaged duvets:

• Some animal welfare organizations and animal shelters sometimes accept duvets for their animals. Ask first before heading there with the duvet.
• Giving away via classified ad portals: You should only use this option if the duvet has not been too badly damaged, is clean, and has not been used for too many years. In various classified ad portals, you can list your old duvet in the "for free" category and thus pass it on to another person.
• Aid organizations often accept clothing donations and, among other things, down duvets and featherbeds. Here too, the duvet should definitely still be in good condition. You can inquire about addresses and telephone numbers of social institutions near you at your local municipality.

Bulky waste

If you are in the process of clearing out several old pieces of furniture and items, you can put old textiles such as duvets and pillows that are too large for residual waste out with the bulky waste. Depending on the city or municipality, you can even request bulky waste collection once or twice a year free of charge.

 

Recycling center

Since duvets usually don't fit into the residual waste bin, you can drop them off at your local recycling center. Usually, dropping them off is even free of charge.

 

Compost

Down and feathers are natural products and can therefore be composted. Separate the filling material from the fabric. You can reuse the fabric (e.g., as cleaning rags) or dispose of it in the residual waste; the rest turns into compost for the garden.

 

Upcycling

Even if old featherbeds and down duvets are no longer usable as bedding, you can reuse components for other purposes. If you enjoy sewing and crafting, you can keep the filling material for this. For example, you can sew a pillow cover or stuffed animal and fill it with the old down or feathers.

 

Residual waste

Smaller textiles and bed linen can also be disposed of in the residual waste bin. However, most residual waste bins in private households are too small for down duvets and featherbeds. If you have enough space in your household waste, you can dispose of the old duvet this way. For many people, this is the simplest method of disposal. However, it must be emphasized that this option is the most environmentally harmful, as no components of the old duvet are recycled or reused.

 

How to extend the lifespan of your duvets

While there are many ways to dispose of an old duvet, ideally, high-quality down and feather duvets last for decades and don't need to be disposed of at all. The best way to care for such a duvet is to shake it regularly. This fluffs up and airs the fine down and feathers. Small clumps are loosened, and further clumping is prevented. Every three to four years, you should wash and clean the duvet. You can do this at home or take the down duvet to a specialized company.

If you are looking for high-quality bedding that will provide optimal comfort and accompany you for many years, you will find suitable items with an unbeatable price-performance ratio at our specialized company.