Duvets and pillows seem to be the hardest laundry items to clean, often deterring owners from attempting to shove them into the wash. However, given it’s spring cleaning season, now’s the perfect time to tackle this task, and there’s an alternative method for freshening up your bedding.

Steven Szary, of My Luxury Sleep Shop, recommends that instead of wrestling with waterlogged duvets and pillows, you simply let the sun do the work. Steven advised: “Leave your duvet out for several hours (four to five is about right) and it’s best to do it in the late afternoon or early evening when the sun isn't too harsh. A little bit of sun is good, though, as it helps to kill unwanted bacteria and germs.”

Harnessing the power of sunlight's natural disinfecting properties is an effective yet straightforward way to banish bacteria and dust mites from your quilt and pillows

An accumulation of sweat, body oils, and dust can all get nestled within your bedding, so airing it out is vital to ward off any potential mould growth.

The act of hanging the duvet encourages more air and warmth to penetrate the fabric, eliminating stale odours and rejuvenating your duvet's stuffing, thereby enhancing sleep comfort.

When it comes to airing out your duvet properly, timing and conditions are key. Before declaring your duvet ready for a solar cleanse, opt for a sunny, airy day that follows a dry spell, insisted Steven.

He pointed out: “If it’s cloudy or has rained recently, the air will be more humid and will not be as effective for airing out your bedding.”

Once you’ve got the perfect weather, take your duvet outside in the late afternoon. The softer sun at this time of day will help protect the fabric and prevent your duvet and pillows from becoming rigid.

Before hanging up, give your duvet and pillows a gentle shake. Once your duvet is securely hung, lightly beat the fabric. This will help to loosen the duvet fibres and prevent the inner fluff from clumping together.

Ideally, you should hang your duvet on a clothesline. However, if you don’t have one, you can also place it on a drying rack, fence or any clean surface, as long as it can be properly secured.

When it comes to your pillows, these can be placed on an airer outside or on a clean surface.

Then, simply leave them both out in the sun for four to five hours. After this period, your bedding will be refreshed and sanitised, ready for you to enjoy a more comfortable night's sleep.