At least once a year to keep them soft and clean wash your feather pillows. When you wash your clothes, you can get rid of any dust mites and bacteria there. It will also aid in the removal of dust, filth, sweat, and oils from your clothing.
When you clean feather bed pillows, it can be challenging. This is because feather pillow filling is very delicate. When wet, it tends to clump together and become hard to move.
So, you can’t just throw them in the washer with any old detergent. Instead, you have to wash your feather or down pillows in a certain way to keep them from getting lumps or going flat.
However, you can’t avoid washing your pillows because they’ll get dirty, smelly, and sweaty if you don’t do it. Below, we’ll tell you how to wash a feather pillow to make it look new again.
How to Wash a Feather Pillow
What You’ll Need:
- Equipment and Tools
- Washing Machine
- Dryer
- Dryer balls, Tennis balls, or a pair of clean Canvas Shoes for the Dryer
- To balance the laundry, add an extra cushion or white towels (optional)
Materials:
- Detergent with high efficiency and low suds
Instructions:
1. Correctly Load the Washer
To keep the agitator balanced in a conventional top-load washer, place two cushions on either side of the agitator. Make up for it with a foam-filled pillow or some additional towels if you don’t have two feather pillows on hand.
Add a few white towels to balance the load, whether using a high-efficiency top-load washer or a front-load washer.
2. Select the Appropriate Detergent
Use the delicate cycle with the water in the chilly setting. You should use only 1–2 teaspoons of a detergent that is high-efficiency and low in suds. If the suds are not entirely removed from the feathers, there is a risk of feather damage.
Warning: You should avoid using a fabric conditioner on a feather or down pillows since it might coat them in a thick layer and impair their fluffiness.
3. Include a Second Rinse Cycle
Run the washing for an additional rinse cycle to remove any remaining detergent from the feathers.
4. Pillows should be Fluffed
As soon as you remove the pillows from the laundry, fluff them. After that, use a medium heat setting on your dryer to finish drying them.
5. Include Dryer Balls
To assist break up feather clumps throughout the drying process, use wool dryer balls, clean tennis balls, or even a clean canvas tennis shoe.
6. Fluff the Pillows Until Dry
Every 15 minutes, take the pillows out of the dryer and fluff them by hand. The amount of time it takes for the pillows to dry varies depending on their size. Dry them well before returning them to the bed.
Also Read: 10 Best Memory Foam Pillow of 2022
Drying the Pillows
1. Using a Towel, Squish the Water out of the Pillows
Press the pillow firmly between two towels. The towels can absorb extra water. Take another pillow and do the same thing. Avoid wringing or tossing the pillows in any way.
2. The Feather Pillows Can be Dried in the Dryer
Low or no heat can be used for delicate cycles. While low heat will hasten the drying process, the feathers inside the pillows may be damaged. No-heat or air-only cycles may take longer (and two to three cycles), but they are the safest for the feathers.
- Between cycles, make sure to fluff the pillow. Take it out of the dryer, and then beat it with a broom handle. Breaking up any lumps inside the cushion will also benefit from this.
- Consider utilizing the air-only setting after the cycle if you use a low-heat setting. Doing this can prevent the pillows from getting too hot and ruining themselves.
3. Fill the Dryer with Dryer Balls to Keep the Pillows Fluffy
If you do not have dryer balls, you could use some clean tennis/canvas shoes instead; be careful to place them inside a clean pillowcase beforehand. You can pack an old pair of socks with a tennis ball as an alternative. This will help maintain the cushion fluffy as it is drying.
4. Once you’ve Taken it out of the Dryer, Fluff it up
Even with dryer balls, there might be some clumps inside the cushion. Shake the pillow vigorously for a few minutes while holding it by the two corners. The other side requires the same procedure as the first.
5. Once the Pillows are Dry, Cover them with Clean Pillowcases
Don’t use pillows if they are still wet. Doing so can lead to decay and mildew.
Also Read: How to Wash a Pillow in 3 Steps and Guide
Treating Yellowing, Odors, and Mildew
1. To Whiten Yellowed Pillows.
Mix 1 cup (240 milliliters) hydrogen peroxide with 1⁄2 cup (120 milliliters) white vinegar. Activate the “soak” mode in the washing machine. Fill the drum halfway with hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar. The detergent can be added once the soak cycle is complete.
2. To Get Rid of Odors.
Use 1/4 to 1/2 cup (45 to 90 grams) of baking soda. Assuming you have a front-loading washer, use 1/4 cup (45 grams) and assumably 1/2 cup (90 grams) of liquid detergent. Add it to your detergent right away.
3. To Get Rid of Mold and Mildew.
Use 1/2 to 1 cup (120 to 240 milliliters) of white vinegar. Please place it in the detergent reservoir. Remove unpleasant smells with white vinegar.
4. Try putting a few drops of essential oil into the rising cycle.
This will leave a delicate aroma on the pillow. Try lavender, rosemary, or vanilla for a calming effect.
5. Protective Pillowcases are Bright.
These pillowcases are used to add extra cushion to your pillow. Cover them with a cotton pillowcase. In addition to preventing stains, using a pillow protector will keep your pillow cleaner for longer.
6. Expose Musty Pillows to the Sun to Dry them out.
Leave your pillow out in the sun for a few hours if it still smells musty. Sunlight, heat, and fresh air can destroy bacteria that generate odors. Your pillow may even smell better as a result of this.
Also Read: How to Use a Boppy Pillow (16 Ways & Guide)
How to Care for Feather Bed Pillows
How often do wash down and feather pillows?
While pillowcases absorb most of the sweat and oil we produce while we sleep, our pillows also become greasy over time. Wash your down and feather pillows every six months to keep them fresh and dander-free.
Washing your pillows every three months could be a good idea if you sweat a lot at night or frequently sleep with products on your face and hair.
How often should you replace your pillows?
Pillows made of down or feathers can last five to ten years if washed once a year. A decent basic rule to follow is folding your pillow in half. If it springs back, you’re golden. If it stays folded, it’s time to go pillow buying.
Obtaining the most of your down and feather pillows requires giving them the TLC they need to stay bouncy and supportive year after year. Use one of these safe, natural cleaners to get excellent results.
Bottom Line
Feather pillows aren’t as easy to clean as a fabric or fiberfill pillow due to their feather filling. It would help if you did several things to ensure that your clothes were clean and fresh. It’s possible to keep your pillows clean, fluffy, and clump-free if you follow the appropriate procedures.
If you’re looking for a sumptuous pillow that’s also stylish, consider a feather and down alternative. If you want your bedding to endure as long as possible, you must give it the proper care and attention.
You’ll enjoy a luxurious night’s sleep for years to come, even if you have to follow strict washing and drying recommendations, as these goods can be easily maintained in the privacy of your own home.