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A fluffy, soft duvet insert feels like sleeping under a cloud—it instantly makes your bedtime cozier. But lots of people notice theirs gets lumpy and stiff after washing, which ruins that nice, cared-for feel. The good news? Lumpy duvets aren’t permanent. With the right tricks, you can make your duvet insert fluffy again. This article breaks down 3 easy fixes for the problem, plus special care tips for —so you can keep your fluffy duvet in great shape.
Before we get to the solutions, let’s quickly talk about why your duvet insert gets lumpy after washing. Whether it’s the regular style or the organic cotton one, the filling inside gets pushed together by water and the spin cycle. If you don’t dry or air it out the right way, those clumps stay stuck—and your duvet loses its puff. No worries, though—these three tips will fix it fast.
Hack 1: Toss in Tennis Balls When Drying—Shake Out Clumps
This is the quickest way to get your duvet insert fluffy again. The idea is simple: tennis balls bounce around in the dryer, hitting the duvet and breaking up clumps. Before you start, check the care tag on your duvet insert to make sure it’s safe for machine drying.
Here’s how to do it: Give the washed duvet insert a gentle shake to loosen it up, then put it in the dryer. Add 2 or 3 clean tennis balls—if you don’t have tennis balls, wrap ping-pong balls in clean socks (that works too!). Use the low-heat, gentle cycle. Dry time depends on how wet the duvet is, but it usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. As the dryer spins, the tennis balls will bump the duvet, spreading out the filling so it’s fluffy all over. Pro tip: Don’t dry the duvet with heavy clothes—they’ll squish it and ruin the results.
Hack 2: Gently Pat It by Hand—Reset the Filling
If you don’t have a dryer, patting the duvet by hand is easy and works great—especially when you’re air-drying it. After washing your Apsmile duvet insert, gently squeeze out extra water (don’t wring it! Wringing will make the filling clump worse). Then lay it flat on a clean drying rack or a smooth surface.
Wait until the duvet is slightly dry—sort of damp but not soaking. Then start patting it. Cup your hands slightly (like you’re holding a small ball) and pat from the edges toward the center, moving in a circle. Be gentle but firm—too much force will shift the filling. Patting loosens the clumps so the filling spreads out again. Do this every 1 to 2 hours until the duvet is completely dry, and you’ll notice a big difference in how fluffy it is.
Hack 3: Air It Out—Let Fresh Air Fluff It Up
Air-drying is a natural way to get your duvet insert fluffy again—and it’s perfect for the organic cotton version, which is sensitive to heat. Pick a sunny day with good wind, but find a spot that’s not in direct, harsh sunlight. Hang the washed duvet insert up or lay it flat to dry. If you hang it, use a wide drying rack—narrow racks can stretch the duvet and make it lopsided. If you lay it flat, put a clean sheet or waterproof mat underneath to keep it clean.
While it’s drying, flip the duvet over every so often to make sure both sides dry evenly. Pair this with the hand-patting trick from Hack 2, and the fresh air will work its way into the filling, making it soft and puffy. On a breezy day, the duvet should dry in 1 to 2 days. If it’s cloudy or humid, leave it out longer—or use a fan to blow air on it. Don’t let it stay damp too long, though—that can cause mildew.
Special Note: How to Care for Apsmile Organic Cotton Duvet Insert
The Apsmile Organic Cotton Duvet Insert is soft on skin and better for the planet—but it needs a little extra care. The biggest rule? Avoid harsh sun and high heat. This is key to keeping it fluffy after washing.
Organic cotton fibers shrink and get brittle when they’re too hot. If you hang your Apsmile Organic Cotton Duvet Insert in direct, hot sunlight, it might fade, and the filling will lose its bounce—making it stiff and lumpy. Always dry it in a shady, windy spot, or use a shade cloth if you’re outside. When washing it, use mild detergent (no bleach or fabric softener with fluorescent agents). Keep the water temperature below 30°C (86°F) and use the gentle cycle—this keeps the organic cotton fibers strong and soft.
A fluffy Apsmile duvet insert makes bedtime way better—but bad post-wash care can ruin that comfort. Just remember these three hacks: “tennis balls in the dryer, gentle hand-patting, air it out.” Add in the special care tips for the organic cotton version, and you’ll never have to deal with a lumpy duvet again. Your Apsmile duvet will stay cloud-soft and ready for a great night’s sleep, every time.
