I used to have a love/hate relationship with duvet covers– I loved them for their versatility but LOATHED putting the cover over the actual duvet. That is until I discovered the trick that allowed me to put a duvet cover onto a duvet in UNDER TWO MINUTES BY MYSELF. That’s right– no roping in my husband to help, no climbing inside, no midnight struggles as I fought to put a new cover on a duvet that had been puked on. (TMI?)
I’m a bona fide member of the duvet cover fan club. They’re inexpensive, easy to clean, and come in tons of gorgeous color and patterns. With two kids, a cat, and a revolving guest room door I’m always switching out my covers. However my husband always gave me the side-eye when it came time to put the covers on the actual duvets. It was a two-person project, and one of those two people happened to be super grumpy about it. (DUDE.)
To demonstrate just how simple it is to put a duvet cover on a duvet, I made a video showing the steps. You could probably cover it way faster that I can demonstrate since you probably won’t be talking to yourself the whole time. Or maybe you will be, I won’t judge. Regardless, seriously, it only takes a minute to do and here’s how you do it:
For an additional visual aid, see photos below. No comments on my wrinkly duvet, mkay? I’m no Martha.
How to Cover a Duvet the EASY Way in Under Two Minutes
Step One: Lay the duvet cover INSIDE OUT on the bed with the opening of the cover at the bottom.
Step Two: Lay the duvet over it.
Step Three: Starting from the closed side, roll the duvet and cover together towards the bottom.
Step Four: Once rolled, reach inside the hole and grab the ENTIRE END of the duvet and pull through. Repeat on the other side.
Step Five: Unroll. Shake it out. Tweak it. Don’t Twerk it, though. Not as cool.
Step Six: Enjoy the extra 8 minutes or so that you just found by mastering this trick. Revel in your brilliance. Pretend you’re still struggling with the duvet and pour yourself a glass of wine while your husband stays far away lest he get roped in to helping you. Take a nap instead. He doesn’t need to know. 🙂
There you have it– my double secret duvet trick. Do you know any other timesaving household tips to share? Tell me all about it! I can use all the life hacks that I can get.
{How to Cover a Duvet the Easy Way is linking up with: The Mommy Club | Home Stories A to Z |Inspire Me Monday | Not Just a Housewife | SNAP! Show + Tell | Work It Wednesday | Link Party Palooza | Serenity Now | Strut Your Stuff Saturday | Inspire Me Please | The Party Bunch | Monday Funday}
Barb @ A Life in Balance says
You are beyond awesome! Now how to get those duvets to stay put inside the cover. Some of my covers have handy ties inside the corner. Others don’t. I guess I should try sewing some in place. 🙂
Anny says
One way is to have a strip of fabric diagonal in the corners of comforter. Then in the corners of the duvet, you sew strips of velcro attached at one end of velcro. Wrap strips of velcro around fabric on comforter and there you have it. 🙂
Heather says
This is amazing! I am going to try this – hope I don’t screw it up!
Anna [Directions Not Included] says
Great tip! Duvet duty falls on the hubby since this shorty hates fighting with a king-size duvet. This might solve that! But don’t tell my hubby, okay? 😉
Carrie Higgins says
Ha! Anna, you’ll TOTALLY love this trick. Just do it in secret and act like it took you half an hour. 🙂
nn says
MUCH better than the way I do this!! Thanks for great tip!!
kristin says
OK I think I need to watch the video cuz I”m confused and this has to be one of the most awesome tips ever!!! Thanks for sharing.
XO
Kristin
Daune | Cottage in the Oaks says
Carrie…..awesome tip! I will definitely be using it. ha! We always end up with a wonky duvet on top of the bed. It was great seeing you and spending a bit of time with you at Haven. Hope you have a wonderful rest of the summer! Blessings….. xoxoxoxo
Brooke @ Putter Home says
Great tip! I just shove the ends into the bottom of the duvet. Then I grab each stuffed end while standing on the bed and shake it out with a death grip on the bottom 2 corners. Works every time and it’s kinda fun to bounce on the bed!
Carrie Higgins says
Well that’s one way to do it, haha! I’m such a weakling, don’t know if that would work for me, but so glad it works for you!
Milly says
Oh, that’s how I do it too but I’m definitely going to try this tip.
karen says
Love the video being a visual learner myself. I think you just “uncovered” one of the greatest mysteries to the universe of homemaking! I almost want to go rip off my duvets and put them on again just to try this. Genius!!!! Sharing on my FB page tonight. You will save so many people’s sanity!
Carrie Higgins says
Go rip off those covers, girl! Haha! So glad you liked the video. I wanted to show just how easy it was even for a shorty like me. 🙂
Robin Adler says
Thank you for sharing this video. I really needed to learn an easier way and now I got it.
Cidney Bennett says
Oh my gosh! That is so easy!!! Thanks for showing us!!! Cute cover too! Where did you get it?
Carrie Higgins says
Thanks Cidney! It saves so much time, hope it works for you too. The cover came from Urban Outfitters if you can believe it!
Jan says
Or, start with an inside-out cover, put your hands inside the bag all the way to the corners, grab the corresponding corners of the duvet and flick the whole thing through. Practice on a single first then graduate to a double.
Dre says
Thats how I do it! I stand on the bed and let the cover just fall over the comforter. Give it a shake, button up all done.
Tina says
Hi Carrie. This is so genius! We have a huge duvet, and my husband is never at home, when I need to change the cover. Until now I always did it the way Jan describes it above. But in this size, it was always a struggle. I have to try your method out immediately tomorrow morning. Thank you very much! Tina
Carrie Higgins says
As you said, I’ve found this is especially helpful for the larger sized duvets; let me know if it worked for you!!
Kate says
Lady you deserve a medal for this (amongst your general awesomeness). We just tried this and amid some laughter fits it was done so quick and super easy once you trust the instructions 🙂 thank you!
Carrie Higgins says
HAHA! So glad it worked for you. Wish I had a video of YOU trying to get it done, sounds like it was fun! 🙂
RaspberryT says
This totally worked! Hahahahahaha It’s Awesome! Thank You for sharing your brilliant idea with the world. You just saved me a lot of stress, time, a work out and headache!
Carrie Higgins says
YAY!!! I’m so glad!!! At first it seems like it’s extra complicated but then when you do it and it’s not a full-body workout it feels worth the extra step. 🙂
Ashley M says
So smart!!! I don’t know where you came up with this, and I don’t care! Love it and you for sharing!!
mommaofthreeblog.blogspot.com
Wendy McLean says
I can’t wait to try this! I ways dread changing duvet covers. Thanks for this great tutorial!
Samantha says
Thank you so much for this tip! I just tried it with a king duvet and it worked amazingly! Usually i have to wrestle with it forever and then it still doesn’t fit right, but with this tip is took all of 5 minutes my first time trying and it fits perfectly! Thank you!!! This is life changing lol
Carrie Higgins says
I’m so glad!! At first it feels like too many steps but when you do it, it’s so easy breezy. I’m thrilled it worked for you!
Angelina Cacioppo says
This was so helpful! I just bought a duvet and duvet cover and used this video to help me put them together… it really does take no time at all! Thanks so much!
Carrie Higgins says
I’m so glad to hear that! Enjoy your new duvet… especially since hopefully it was a breeze to cover. 😉
Amber says
Oh my goodness you’re amazing!!! What a great trick!
Btw …. Where did you get your cover? I love it!
Yvonne says
I didn’t believe this would work but. It really did! I got stuck where you said to pull everything through. . Didn’t compute!
When I got everything rolled up I looked at the roll and just grabbed one side of the open duvet cover and started pushing! Wala! Light bulb went off. Thanks for the great tip.
Carrie Higgins says
That’s the trickiest part to explain. I’m SO GLAD you figured it out! Takes a bit of finesse to get it through but once you do it feels great. So glad it worked for you!
Cindy Baker says
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for this tip! I finally tried it with my king-size duvet and cover, and it totally worked! It’s amazing! And I can do it by myself! Thanks again!
Haley says
Random question (great video ps, I HATE changing the cover on my duvet, but not anymore !) Where did you get your cover? I love it ! It’s exactly what I’ve been looking for my room and can’t find one the right colors/style, etc. Thank you !
Carrie Higgins says
I got it at Urban Outfitters a few years ago. I don’t think they have it online anymore, but they often have surprisingly pretty duvets!
Angela says
You are a genius.
Jan says
I add ties to the middle of each side of my duvet cover to help keep it in place and make it look neater. I just cut some ties from a package of twill tape and sew it at the middle of each duvet cover and sew a loop of tape to the middle of my duvet to tie it to; I stitch across the twill tape several times to make sure it doesn’t come undone.
Carrie Higgins says
great idea!
Brianna says
I came across this post back in the spring just after it got too hot for the comforter. We live in southern Az, so I’ve been waiting ( very impatiently) for it to cool off enough to use the duvet again. I just tried this, by myself, and it was SO easy. It took longer than 2 minutes but that’s what happens with a Cal King bed. Thank you for posting this! My hubby will be very thankful that he won’t have to help me wrestle with the duvet and cover anymore! Lol!
Carrie Higgins says
Oh I’m so glad! Darn those Cal Kings, haha! It’ll get faster as you do it each time. Thanks for sharing, so glad it worked and that we’re not the only ones cold enough to pull out our duvets here in PA. 😉
Sarah says
I pinned this forever ago and just got around to doing it today. I finally conquered the duvet! I avoid putting it on the bed because it’s such a pain! Sadly it’s my husband’s preferred bedding so I only pull it out if I’m feeling like being an extra kind wife. Well, my wifey game was just stepped up! Thank you!!!
Carrie Higgins says
I’m so glad it worked for you!! It’s a game-changer, right? You win the good wife award, ha!
Belle says
Here’s how I make Duvet Covers that are much less expensive and can match anything. I have a queen sized bed. I buy 2 king sized flat bedsheets (when they are on sale) in colors to match my bedroom. They don’t have to match. Then I sew them together (right sides together, of course) across the top and down each side. You can add the ties to hold the duvet (see above hints) while you are sewing the seams which will make the ties attachment stronger as they will be sewn into the seams. Leave the bottom open (I do) or you could be fancy and put buttonholes and buttons on the bottom.
Carrie Higgins says
What a great idea!
Tammy says
Thank you thank you thank you! This is a life saver! Way faster and no frustration.
Patti Giese says
Carrie, this is so helpful! Thank you!
Lynn says
Hii Carrie,
Do you struggle slipping your pillow cases over your pillows? I discovered the fastest and most simple way. Turn the pillow case inside out, slip both hands down into each sewen corner. Hold a corners together of the pillow and case in each hand and pull the pillow as the case is turned right-side out. You might want to include a demo for your site. It works some-what as your demo for the duvet cover for a duvet.
Veronica L. says
WOW, you may have just saved my marriage. I love five covers for the ease of cleaning but the husband and I usually end up arguing every Sunday night when it comes time to put the cover back on because it’s so annoying. He ends up irritating me an I just tell him to leave it alone an then struggle for 20 minutes on my own. I’ll have to give this a shot next weekend!!!
Carrie Higgins says
I should call this trick the ‘Marriage Saver’. My husband used to give me the biggest side-eye each time I pulled out the clean duvet. 😉 So glad you find it helpful too. Good luck!
Lois cox says
this is an amazing trick! I never thought there was an easier way to do the sheets. You are a life saviour! I really love your duvet where did you get it from?!
Carrie Higgins says
Hi, I got the duvet cover from Urban Outfitters. Sadly, it’s no longer in stock but they do have some cool choices. 🙂
Corinne says
I am very impressed. Absolutely fabulous. Thank you!
Kelly Henkler says
I just got my first duvet cover for Christmas and my mom (Diane Henkler from inmyownstyle) said to watch your video, now I’ll never have to deal with the struggle! 🙂 thanks!
Carrie Higgins says
Kelly!! Your mom is amazing, I love her and she’s so proud of her daughters. 🙂 I hope this video helps, I’m only 5′ 4″ so I used to struggle so much with my duvet until I figured this out!
Flora says
I would like to cover a comforter, will this work to do so?
Carrie Higgins says
definitely!!
Antonia Diacci says
Thank you, that was awesome!!! X
ValerieAnne Gorman says
What a clever girl! I have given up on duvet covers because of the effort involved in putting them on so I shall definitely try your method. Having said that, why can’t they manufacture them with poppers on three sides or a zip that goes round three sides?
Hillarie says
Impressive!!
Carol says
But, how do you keep it where it’s supposed be inside?? From Martha I learned; at each corner inside the cover and each corner of the duvet sew ribbon or seam binding, then tie each corner together, they stay there until you untie them to wash the cover. Then start all over again.
jimmy says
This is brilliant. I’m going to get my down comforter and duvet covers out of storage and try it. Thanks.
By the way, I love the headboard.
Nancy O'Connell says
This is GENIUS!! Thank you!
I was confused at first though. I had always referred to the duvet as the giant pillow case/cover for a quilt – usually a down quilt. o looked up ‘duvet’ and learned that it’s French for quilt – usually down. So, I learned TWO new things today!
Merci Beaucoup,
Nancy
Frances says
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! It’s all I can say. I love duvets for all the reasons you said. But what a pain to put them back on!!! Not anymore! Thank you. Keep the tips coming.
Jessica Stone says
Wow! This is genius! How did you come up with the trick? Yes, I am a big fan of duvet and yes I agree with you with all the trouble putting the duvet cover! But this, this is brilliant! It can be a solo task now, wow! Thank you for sharing this with us! I supposed to find this earlier but I still glad that I did!
Carriw says
I seriously could cry with the amount you have increased my quality of life!! I said out loud “is this real life?!” As I completed the trick. Thank you for your genius!
Jenifer Vasquez says
We have used duvets for years and I feel really difficult to cover this but this blog teaches me an easier way to cover duvet. Thanks for sharing.