How to Put On a Duvet Cover: The Easy Roll Method

Putting a razai or comforter inside a duvet cover can feel like a wrestling match: you climb halfway in, the corners never line up, and ten minutes later it is still lumpy. It does not have to be that way. Once you learn the roll method, dressing a duvet cover takes under two minutes. Here is exactly how to put on a duvet cover, step by step, plus a simpler backup method and tips to keep it from bunching.

What you need first

A duvet cover is an outer case that slips over your duvet or comforter, the way a pillow cover slips over a pillow. To dress one you need two things: the insert (your duvet, comforter, or razai) and a duvet cover set with a closure at one end. Most good covers also have inner corner ties, which are the secret to a lump-free finish. If you are unsure what goes inside, our guide to the difference between a duvet, comforter and quilt clears it up.

The roll method, step by step

Also called the burrito method, this is the fastest and neatest way. Do it on top of your bed so you have room to work.

• 1.Turn the duvet cover completely inside out.
• 2.Lay it flat on the bed with the open end at the foot of the bed.
• 3.Place your duvet on top, lining up all four corners neatly with the cover.
• 4.Tie the inner corner ties to the loops on your duvet, at least the top two corners, so it cannot shift.
• 5.Starting from the closed head end, roll the duvet and cover together tightly, like a burrito, down towards the open end.
• 6.Reach into the opening and fold the cover back over each end of the roll, so the cover is now right-side out around it.
• 7.Fasten the buttons or zip, then unroll. Give it a firm shake and the duvet drops neatly into place.

The simple reach-through method

If you prefer the classic approach, turn the cover inside out, reach in through the opening and grab the two far corners from the inside. With a corner in each hand, take hold of the matching two corners of the duvet, then shake the cover down over the duvet so it turns right-side out around it. Fasten the closure and straighten. It works well for a single or double size, but the roll method is easier for a heavy king or super king.

Tips to keep it from bunching

• Always tie the corners. This one step is what stops the duvet sliding into a heap at the foot of the bed.
• Match the sizes. A cover that is too big lets the duvet swim inside. Buy the cover to match your duvet, not your mattress.
• Shake and smooth. A firm shake after buttoning settles the fill evenly across the whole cover.
• Wash it right. Keep the cover soft and easy to handle by following our duvet cover care guide.

A few common questions

What goes inside a duvet cover?

A duvet, comforter, or razai goes inside the duvet cover, which acts as a washable outer case. The cover protects the insert and is far easier to wash than the duvet itself. See the benefits of a duvet cover set for more.

Why does my duvet keep sliding around inside?

Almost always because the corners were not tied, or the cover is a size too large. Tie the inner corner ties to the duvet loops and make sure the cover matches the duvet size.

Is the roll method really faster?

Yes, especially for larger sizes. Because you never climb inside the cover, there is no fighting with lumps. Most people get a king done in under two minutes once they have tried it once.

How often should I change the cover?

Wash and change your duvet cover every one to two weeks, like your sheets. That is the whole point of a cover: it saves you from washing the bulky duvet every time.