Changing Bedding: 3 Methods to Do It Quickly

Freshly washed bedding smells wonderful – but for many, getting it on the bed is a bit of a struggle: You end up half-buried in the duvet cover, the corners are crooked, and in the end, you’re left sweating in front of a bed that still looks wrinkled. Yet, with the right technique, putting on a duvet cover can be done in just a few minutes. We’ll show you three tried-and-tested methods, explain what to look for with different qualities, and give you tips on how to keep the result smooth.

Before you start: the right preparation

Two small steps can save you a lot of time later. First: Take the linen out of the washing machine or dryer as quickly as possible and give it a good shake – this will remove the biggest wrinkles on its own. For advice on the best way to dry your linen, read our post Drying Bedding: Dryer or Clothesline?.

Second: Check that the cover and duvet really match. A duvet cover that’s too large will always wrinkle; one that’s too small will pull tight and be difficult to close. We explain the standard sizes in German-speaking countries in Duvet Cover Sizes Explained.

Method 1: The burrito method (the fastest)

This technique may feel unusual the first time, but it’s hard to beat once you’ve tried it:

1. Lay the duvet cover flat on the bed inside out, with the opening facing the foot of the bed.
2. Place the duvet on top, aligning it with the cover.
3. Roll both up tightly from the head of the bed, like a burrito.
4. At the foot of the bed, pull the opening of the cover over both ends of the roll.
5. Unroll it again – the cover will turn right-side out as you do, and the duvet will already be inside.
6. Give it a good shake, close the fastening, and you’re done.

The great advantage: You never have to crawl inside the cover, and the duvet automatically ends up in the right corners.

Method 2: The corner trick

The classic method – ideal if there are two of you or if you’re putting on a very bulky winter duvet. Turn the cover inside out, reach inside and grab the two top corners, then hold the corresponding corners of the duvet. Hold both firmly and shake the cover down over the duvet with strong movements. Important: Make sure you’ve gripped the top corners correctly before shaking – if you grab it in the middle, you’ll distort the cover.

Method 3: The shake method

For lightweight summer duvets, the simplest method is often enough: Leave the cover right-side out, push the folded duvet into the opening until the corners are in place, then grab the cover at the two top corners and shake the duvet until it unfolds. This works surprisingly quickly with lightweight qualities such as seersucker or TENCEL.

Why quality makes a difference

Not all bedding behaves the same when you put it on. Flannel, weighing around 160 g/m², is fluffy and textured – the fabric “grips” the duvet, making it easier to align but a little bulkier to roll up. Smooth qualities such as sateen made from combed cotton, on the other hand, glide easily over the duvet: The burrito method is particularly convenient here because nothing gets snagged.

One often underestimated detail is the fastening. A high-quality zipper that’s long enough – like the ones used on our sateen duvet sets – can be closed in seconds and reliably keeps the duvet in place. Find out more in Duvet Covers with Zippers. You can find an overview of all qualities in our bedding collection.

How to keep the bed smooth afterwards

Once you’ve put on the cover, straighten it at all four corners and smooth it with your flat hand from the centre outwards. This is usually more than enough for smooth qualities – wrinkles will fall out overnight under their own weight. If you hang bedding up slightly damp and take it down in time, you’ll almost always save yourself the need to iron; we explain this in detail in Washing and Caring for Bedding Properly.

Frequently asked questions

How can I put on a duvet cover by myself without getting tangled up?
Use the burrito method: Lay the cover inside out on the bed, place the duvet on top, roll both up together, pull the opening over the roll and unroll it again. You’ll remain completely outside the cover.

Why does my duvet keep slipping inside the cover?
Usually, the cover and duvet don’t match exactly, or the corners weren’t properly aligned when you put it on. Check the dimensions and make sure you push the duvet corners all the way into the corners of the cover. Ties or corner loops can also help.

Do I need to wash new bedding before putting it on for the first time?
Yes, we recommend it – this way the linen will be hygienically fresh and feel softer straight away. We explain the reasons in Washing New Bedding Before Use.

With a little practice, putting on a duvet cover won’t take more than three minutes – and the result will look like you’ve just made the bed. If you also choose a quality that feels good and stays beautiful for a long time, a tedious chore can quickly become a little feel-good ritual.