The first thing you will want to do is check the care instructions label found on the comforter down alternative. There are different fabrics that may require different methods of cleaning. If the label says dry clean only, you will want to stick with that instruction. Washing is typically not as gentle as dry cleaning.

For laundering, place your lightweight down alternative comforter in the washer. Spread it around evenly to prevent the washer from "jumping" during the spin cycle. If it is too bulky to fit in your washer at home, take your super over-sized down alternative comforter to your local laundromat and put it in a front loading commercial size washer. If you prefer, you could fill your bathtub and wash it by hand. After draining the wash water, rinse a couple times to be sure all the soap is rinsed out.

For machine washing, select the water temperature to warm/cold and the gentle cycle. Because it is fluffy, use less soap than you would for a regular load of clothes, about 1/3 of what you normally use. Choose a detergent with low suds as excess suds cuts down on effective cleaning power. DO NOT BLEACH or use detergent with bleach in it. Avoid fabric softeners as well, as they can damage the fill material. To help in the washing process, you can put clean, white tennis balls or down fluffer rings in with the comforter when you wash it.

A normal tendency is to add extra soap for a soiled comforter, like the white lightweight down alternative comforter. It is highly recommended not to do this for four very important reasons:

1. As stated earlier excess suds actually cuts down on cleaning power as it softens the buffer effect and cuts back on the friction needed to clean the down alternative comforter.

2. Many people have water softeners and for that reason all by itself, it is not necessary to use even the normal recommended amount of soap. If you have a water softener, you will want to cut back at least a third on a regular wash and cut back more for a down alternative comforter. If too much soap is used, you will not be able to get it all rinsed out.

3. If the soap is not entirely rinsed out, your soft plush down alternative comforter will not be soft. Instead of a soft and cozy comforter, you will notice it feels stiff to the touch.

4. If the soap in not entirely rinsed out, this will actually damage your down alternative comforter and greatly reduce its useable life. It will wear out much more quickly.

If it's sunny out, you can lay it out flat or hang it up to dry. Fluff it and flip it over every half hour or so. It takes a long time to dry, possibly up to 12 hours. If you see clumps when you hold it up to the sun, it's not completely dry. If you dry it in the dryer, set it on air dry. Again, it takes a long time. You can use the tennis balls or down fluffer rings in the dryer to help fluff it while drying.

Be sure your down alternative comforter is completely dry before you store it to avoid mold or mildew.