When the weather starts to cool down, a down comforter is an indispensable luxury. Down comforters are ultra-soft, squishy blankets that can make even the chilliest night a lot more bearable. But because they are such a useful item, owning a down comforter can be a pretty pricey investment. This makes caring for your comforter all the more important so that you can maintain it for lasting use.

Fortunately, maintaining a down comforter is relatively easy as long as you have the right care routine. To learn the basics of washing, storing, fluffing and more, take a look at this cheat sheet for how to properly care for your down comforter.

Washing a Down Comforter

Ensuring your down comforter is clean is the first step in caring for it. That means taking heed to washing it according to the manufacturer’s care label. Certain manufacturers recommend dry cleaning the product to ensure a thorough cleanse without causing damage. But if your instructions say to machine wash your comforter, be sure to use a gentle cycle to avoid scratching or puncturing the fabric.

Select a mild, non-bleach laundry detergent for a safe and gentle clean. And forgo the fabric softeners, as adding them could compromise the natural down feathers.

Be sure to thoroughly dry your comforter on either a low setting using larger drying balls, or air dry it until it becomes fully dry. Down takes quite a long time to dry, so always plan to have extra bedding available in case your comforter isn’t dry when you need it.

Pro Tip: Try placing a couple of cotton tennis balls in the washing machine with your down comforter to help keep the down evenly distributed and prevent clumping.

Maintaining the Fill Power

The term “fill power” refers to how many cubic inches are packed into an ounce. The higher the number of cubic inches, the more loft, warmth, and general quality of your down. Down comforters that have a higher fill power are able to maintain their natural buoyancy for a thicker, more insulated blanket.

To protect the fill power of your down, refrain from excessive washing. Overwashing can strip your down of its natural oils, which can flatten it over time.

Daily Fluffing

Part of caring for your comforter includes daily fluffing. In order to keep it nice and squishy, you have to fluff it out every week. You can do this in a number of ways including massaging it, shaking it out, or using a special fluffing tool called a bed rake.

Air Circulation

To ensure your comforter maintains its fullness, it needs proper air circulation. To do this, refrain from making the bed first thing in the morning. Instead, let it air out first, allowing any existing moisture to dissipate from the cover. After this is done, you can make the bed as usual.

Stain Pre-treatment and Spot Cleaning

Accidents happen, and when they do, you should take immediate action to prevent further damage to your down comforter. If you spot a stain on your comforter, use a quality enzyme cleaner designed to treat delicate fabrics. Then, use water to gently rinse the cleaner before allowing it to dry fully.

Off-Season Storage Tips

Down comforters are fantastic during the cooler months. But when the weather heats up, they can be swapped out for lighter bedding. Down comforters should be kept inside a  fabric or cedar-lined bin or chest in an area away from direct sunlight and humidity.

Before you put it away, lay it flat to prevent clumping and disfiguration. Then, gently go over the shell cover with a lint remover brush to boost its freshness. You can also protect the fabric by placing acid-free tissue paper between the folds of your comforter so that air can flow freely about it.