Quick answer: Most razais filled with cotton shouldn't be washed whole, because the filling clumps and takes days to dry. Use a washable cover, wash the cover every one to two weeks, and air the razai in direct sun for a few hours regularly. Polyester-filled quilts, dohars and most blankets can be washed at home: soak in cool water with a liquid detergent, press gently, rinse well and dry flat or over two lines in the sun. Store only when fully dry, in a cotton bag, with neem leaves.
The razai is the heart of an Indian winter. It's also the one thing in the house we wash least. It goes into a trunk or the loft in March, comes out in November smelling of storage, and spends the season absorbing sweat, dust and the occasional cup of chai. Here's how to keep razais, quilts, dohars and blankets clean and fresh, without ruining the filling.
What is your razai filled with?
| Type | Can you wash it at home? | Best care |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional cotton razai (Jaipuri, hand-filled) | Not whole | Washable cover, sun airing, professional cleaning or re-carding (dhunai) every few years |
| Polyester or microfibre quilt | Yes | Hand or machine wash cool, dry fully |
| Dohar and summer quilts | Yes | Machine wash gentle |
| Mink and fleece blankets | Yes | Cool wash, no heat, air dry |
| Woollen blankets | Carefully | Cool hand wash, dry flat, see our woollens guide |
| Silk or velvet razai | No | Dry clean |
Always check the label if there is one.
Mentioned in this guide
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How to clean a cotton razai without washing it
- Use a cover. A washable cotton razai cover (khol) protects it from sweat and dirt. Wash the cover, not the razai.
- Sun it regularly. Lay it out in direct sun for 3 to 4 hours on a clear day, turning it halfway. Sunlight dries trapped moisture and freshens it.
- Beat out the dust. While it's out in the sun, gently beat it with a stick or hand to loosen dust from the filling.
- Spot-clean spills. Dab with a damp cloth and a drop of liquid detergent, then rinse with a clean damp cloth and dry in the sun. Don't soak the area.
- Get it re-carded every two to three years. A local dhunai-wala opens the razai, fluffs and cleans the cotton, and restitches it.
How to wash a quilt or blanket at home
- Shake it out outdoors to remove loose dust and hair.
- Treat stains first. Rub a little liquid detergent into marks and leave for 15 minutes.
- Soak in a tub or bucket of cool water with about two capfuls of liquid detergent for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Press, don't scrub. Press it down and squeeze gently, or tread on it lightly with clean feet, the traditional way.
- Rinse twice in clean water until no foam is left. Detergent left in a thick quilt makes it stiff and can irritate skin.
- Remove the water. Press it out gently. Don't wring, which breaks the filling into lumps.
- Dry spread out. Hang it over two parallel lines or a terrace railing so the weight is spread, in direct sun. Turn it and shake it every couple of hours to break up clumps.
Machine washing a quilt or blanket
- Check that it fits comfortably. A quilt crammed into a drum won't get clean and can damage the machine. Most single quilts and blankets fit in a 7 kg or larger front loader.
- Use the Bulky, Bedding or Delicates cycle with cool water.
- Use a small dose of liquid detergent. Too much won't rinse out of a thick quilt.
- Add an extra rinse.
- Use a low to medium spin, then finish drying outside.
How to dry a quilt in winter
Drying is the hardest part in foggy weather. Wash quilts on a forecast sunny day and start in the morning. Dry over two lines with air moving underneath, turn often, and bring it in before evening dew. If it isn't fully dry by evening, spread it indoors near a fan overnight and put it back in the sun the next day. Never use or store a quilt that feels even slightly cool or damp inside, because it will smell musty and can grow mould. Our guide to drying clothes in winter has more tips.
How often to clean bedding in winter
| Item | How often |
|---|---|
| Razai and quilt covers | Every 1 to 2 weeks |
| Bedsheets and pillow covers | Weekly |
| Airing razais and quilts in the sun | Every 2 weeks, or after anyone has been ill |
| Washable quilts and blankets | Once or twice a season |
| Cotton razai re-carding | Every 2 to 3 years |
How to remove the musty smell from a stored razai
Sun it for a full day, turning it halfway. Sprinkle baking soda lightly over the surface, leave it for an hour in the sun, then shake and beat it off outdoors. Repeat the next day if needed. If the smell is strong, the filling may have absorbed damp. Wash it if it's washable, or take a cotton razai for re-carding.
How to store razais and blankets at the end of winter
- Wash covers and washable blankets before storing.
- Sun everything for a full day so it's completely dry.
- Store in breathable cotton bags or wrapped in old cotton sheets, not airtight plastic, which traps moisture.
- Add neem leaves, cloves or camphor in a cloth pouch to deter insects.
- Store off the floor and away from outside walls, where damp collects in the monsoon.
Mistakes to avoid
- Washing a cotton razai whole. The cotton clumps and may never dry fully.
- Hot water on fleece and mink blankets. It can mat the fibres.
- Too much detergent. It stays trapped in thick fabric.
- Storing damp. The main cause of next year's musty smell.
- Vacuum-sealing cotton razais for months. It flattens the filling.
What we use
Our Plant Based Laundry Liquid dissolves easily in cool water and rinses out well, which matters in thick bedding. It's gentle on skin, free from harsh toxins, parabens and synthetic VOCs, 100% biodegradable and independently lab tested, with a calming lavender and geranium fragrance. See our sensitive skin range and the complete winter cleaning guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wash a cotton razai at home?
It's best not to wash a cotton-filled razai whole, because the cotton clumps and takes days to dry. Use a washable cover, air it in the sun, and have it re-carded every few years.
How do I wash a razai in a washing machine?
Only polyester or microfibre-filled quilts that fit easily in the drum. Use the bulky or bedding cycle, cool water, a small dose of liquid detergent, an extra rinse and low spin, then dry in the sun.
How often should I wash my blanket?
Wash razai and blanket covers every one to two weeks. Washable blankets once or twice a season, and after anyone has been ill.
How do I get rid of the smell from a razai?
Sun it for a full day, sprinkle baking soda, leave for an hour and shake it off. Repeat if needed.
How do I dry a quilt in winter without sun?
Spread it over two lines or a rack near a fan, turn it every few hours, and finish in the sun the next clear day. Don't use or store it until fully dry.
How should I store razais for summer?
Sun them fully dry, wrap in cotton bags or sheets, add neem leaves or cloves, and store off the floor away from damp walls.
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