How to Fill a Duvet Cover

The process of getting a comforter or duvet insert inside a duvet cover isn’t hard if you take the right steps to get there. If you’ve always had trouble getting your duvet inserts inside their covers, take a minute to study this process before you try again. Filling one of Pottery Barn’s duvet covers is easy once you know what to do, and you’ll be thrilled with how crisp and clean your results are.

To fill your duvet, you’ll need a duvet cover, a duvet insert such as a down or down-alternative comforter and, optionally, an iron and a spray bottle with lavender water. 

The first step is to make sure that your duvet insert is the same size as your duvet cover. Trying to stuff an oversized comforter into a duvet cover results in an uneven, lumpy fill that won’t look smooth and flat on your bed. It also makes it a lot harder to get the cover on. On the other hand, an insert that’s too small slips and slides around inside the cover and the corner ties pull in, leading to concave corners that aren’t as neat as they should be. For example, if you buy a king-size duvet cover, make sure you match it with a king-size insert.

Freshly launder your duvet cover before putting the insert inside. When it comes out of the wash, unbutton the duvet cover. Then, either shake it out or iron the cover according to its care directions in order to get the cover nice and crisp. Make sure you’re following the seams of the duvet cover as you iron. Having crisp edges and corners makes it easier to fill the duvet because it creates natural pockets for the insert’s sides and corners to fit into.

Make sure to watch out for the buttons on the bottom of the duvet cover while you’re ironing. This is why it’s a good idea to unbutton the duvet before you iron – it lets you know where the buttons are so you can avoid them as you press. You don’t want to melt any plastic pieces, or it could ruin your duvet.

After you’ve ironed the duvet, turn it inside out by sticking your hands through the unbuttoned bottom and grabbing the top two corners. Next, flip the duvet cover inside out and lay it on a flat surface. Your bed is actually a great place to do this because it’s clean and just the right size for your duvet, but a large table or even a clean patch of floor works just as well. Smooth and pull the duvet cover so it lays flat with all corners and edges crisp and neat. Orient the cover so the corner ties are within easy reach and face upwards.

Lay the duvet insert evenly on top of the cover. If your insert has corner tabs, tie the cover’s corner ties to the tabs and knot securely. Make sure the duvet insert lines up evenly with all the edges and corners of the cover. Pick the duvet insert and cover up together, holding with one hand along the top seam to keep them together. Reach another hand inside the open bottom of the cover and grab at one of the top corners, making sure to grasp both the insert and the cover. Flip the cover right-side in, shaking or rolling the cover down over the insert, which should now be tucked away inside the cover.

Lay the filled duvet on the flat surface again, button up the base, grab the top two corners and shake to evenly distribute the cover. If necessary, unbutton the base again and use your hands to smooth out and properly distribute the duvet insert.

Lay the duvet cover on your bed. You can choose to have the buttons toward the head or foot of the bed, but most people choose to have the buttons toward the foot of the bed for comfort. As a finishing touch, take a small spray bottle filled with water and a few drops of lavender essential oil and spritz down your duvet to release some wrinkles and give it a relaxing scent.