Comforters can harbor allergens like dust mites which could prevent you from getting a good night's sleep. Clean your comforter 2 or 3 times a year to keep bedding fresh.
If you have any spills or other dirt visible, you may want to dry clean your comforter sooner, but every 4 to 6 months is usually sufficient. This may change if you have pets sleeping with you or have particularly sensitive skin.
Scrunching up your comforter into a domestic machine can result in uneven distribution of detergent, or could possibly damage your washer and dryer. It is better to leave cleaning your comforters to the professionals at Farragut Cleaners.