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There is nothing better than a warm and cozy down comforter on a cold winter’s night.except maybe waking up all snuggled up and toasty warm inside it.

If you've ever owned one, you know exactly why this type of bedding is highly prized. Down comforters are softer, lighter and warmer than other materials which makes for a better nights rest.

Higher end down comforters are filled with the soft and quill "less" feathers of the underbelly of a duck or goose. This is why they are so light and fluffy.

For the most part, down comforters are a nice addition to your bedding and require very little maintenance. In fact, unless your comforter becomes soiled, stained, or develops an odor, the manufacturer recommends only cleaning when absolutely necessary or every 3-5 years.

The manufacturer also recommends using a dry-cleaner as your best option for cleaning. While you should definitely avoid excessive laundering of your comforter, you can launder your down comforter yourself with a little preparation and care.

If you choose to wash your comforter yourself, just follow these simple steps to clean it:

Before Cleaning

Take care of these points before you wash your comforter. It will take a little extra time, but the steps are necessary to ensure that using the washing machine isn't a mistake, and you get the stains out right the first time.

Repair any Tears or Rips

Closely examine your comforter for any tears or rips in the seams. You will need to sew these up with a fine needle and be sure to use small stitches. If you don’t, the comforter could become further damaged when washed, the down will come out of open or torn seams and the "feathers will fly".

It sounds funny to say, but if the down feathers come out, the comforter has sustained some serious damage... not to mention the mess! So don't skip this step and inspect your seams carefully before washing.

Pre-treat all Fabric Stains

Pre-treat any stains on the comforter to have the best chance of stain removal.

White fabric can treated with a little hydrogen peroxide solution. Lift the fabric away from the feathers and dab on the area. Do not saturate. When the stain has faded, you can go ahead and wash it. Always check the area before drying to make sure the stain is completely gone.

Colored fabric can use Oxyclean or another "oxygenated" laundry product. Again, make a solution and pull the material away from the feathered down. Apply lightly and dab onto the area. You may have to wait a few minutes for the stain to lift. Repeat until the stain is gone.

Any blood or biological material such as sweat or perspiration that has discolored the fabric should be rinsed completely in cold water to remove the stain. If the blood is fresh, cold water with a small dab of laundry soap worked into the fabric will remove the stain completely.

Grease or oil stains will need to be pretreated with mild soap or the regular laundry detergent you will be using to wash the down comforter. Pour a small amount on the stain and let it sit full strength for about 30 minutes so the soap will start to dissolve the grease prior to washing.