A post about bedding (finally!) ~ Spundown Easy Wash Anti-Allergy Bedding

When you have children (or a partner with Meningitis) you ask a lot from your washing machine, especially when they're tiny or ill. I've had to remove more bodily fluids from bedding than I'd ever like to remember, and it usually means a trip to a launderette or an hour spent leaning over the bath trying to stay at least a little bit dry while you attempt to clean something taller than you are. Then you have to work out how to get it downstairs without dripping 18 pints of water on the way, and if your bathroom doesn't have a large window overlooking the lawn that's not an easy task. What we really need is a duvet you can put in an ordinary washing machine at home and then tumble dry, with matching pillows which are also designed to be washed and rewashed - too good to be true?

I really was delighted to get asked if I wanted to review some of the range of Spundown Bedding from The Fine Bedding Company,  which is designed with washing in mind. It's made from polyester which is specially prepared to give a really light and thin duvet with the same heat retaining properties as a standard duvet. Because it has so little volume it fits easily in a standard washing machine, and can be washed at 60 degrees to kill off all the dust mites and remove allergens like pollen. There's no way I'm reviewing something that makes a claim like that without actually testing it properly....

When the bedding arrived I was really impressed, I've put a coffee mug in the photo so that you can see how little the duvet box was.

We put it on our bed and I was really pleased just how thin and lightweight the duvet was. Our old duvet was the same 4.5 tog, but about 3 times the thickness and weight, and definitely not as soft! The peachskin cover on the duvet is lovely, it's almost a shame to cover it, but you can still notice the difference through the cover (or maybe that's just my imagination).
 

The pillows are lovely and plump with a nice thick cotton cover. 

We had the duvet and pillows on our bed for 10 days before I gave in and washed it. I was enjoying my new bedding so much I really was worried it wouldn't be the same afterwards....

I have a 7kg washing machine, which is a bit bigger than average, but not massive, and it fitted in very easily indeed. Good as my word I washed it at 60 degrees and then, on the hottest day of the year, I tumble dried it.

wet

Dry

There is absolutely no discernible difference. It looks and feels exactly the same as it did before I washed it. 

The pillows worried me more, I've washed pillows plenty of times and it generally goes horribly wrong. I can't say I've ever been happy with the outcome. They generally end up metamorphosising into a whole new shape of pyramid pillow with an extra twisty bit and some special big lumps that never go away, or the cover disintegrates into fluff. Neither happened.

Pillow 1: Lumpy Pyramid/Pillow 2: Spundown/Pillow 3: Cotton Wool

Not yet washed/Washed

After a simple shake the pillow really was no different from the unwashed one. After 3 more night's use (as this post was delayed) both pillows look and feel the same. You can't tell which has been washed and which hasn't, I'm really impressed. They're as plump as each other and neither have any uncomfortable lumps or bumps.

I'm really delighted with this bedding. It washes and dries every bit as well as it promises it will. It's lovely bedding anyway and it's been brilliant for my partner now that he has to have a couple of weeks bedrest because his skin is sensitive and it's light and easy to move about or fold out of the way. I know I can wash it every few days without having to write it off or put up with something vaguely resembling a pillow, and he'll be resting and recuperating in a clean and hygienic environment that is pleasant to be in. I'd recommend it to anyone, and I really do think it's very reasonably priced at £18 for a pillow and duvets starting at £45 for a double. They're excellent quality and brilliant for anyone with allergies. I've noticed a definite difference in my hayfever - 2 weeks ago I was waking up with  bunged runny nose and now I really am not. 

Updated 16/04/16 - the Spundown duvet is every bit as good as the day we got it. I still love the amazingly light weight - and it fits in a carrier bag to go on holiday!! I definitely recommend this product. 

Updated 11/06/17 - My thoughts from last year still stand. A fabulous duvet. Colette from Going On An Adventure has recently reviewed and you can find her video here. 

I was sent a duvet and 2 pillows to review