How To Clean Feather And Down Pillows? Guide To Pillows Care

A feather or down pillow is in every home. And sometimes, pillows are passed down from generation to generation. However, pillows accumulate sweat and dust daily and can have germs or mites. It leads to ill health, disturbed sleep, there may be allergic reactions.

Over time, the appearance of such products significantly deteriorated; the filling was knocked down, and the pillow was almost flat. People should change feather pillows once in 3 years to avoid such situations. And it would be best to clean feather and down pillows at least once every six months.

In this article, I will try to help you with the question of how to wash feather pillows at home. I will give you some valuable tips that you can cope with. Happy cleaning!

Feather & Down Pillows: What Is The Difference?

Before you start washing feather and down pillows, you need to know the difference between the two types of pillows.

The main difference is in the composition of the filler. Pillows with down filling are more expensive and of higher quality. They have good insulating properties due to the natural fluffiness of down. Such products “breathe,” which is very important for people who sweat at night.

Feather pillows are suitable for those who want a firm pillow that doesn’t change shape over time. Pillows with feather filling are also quite good. But they are less fluffy than down-filled pillows and quickly lose their shape.

Now that you know the differences between feather and down pillows, let’s move on to cleaning them.

How To Wash A Feather Pillow In The Washing Machine?

I understand that it is not always possible to take feather pillows to the dry cleaner for washing. But that’s not a problem. Following our tips, you can quickly return your pillow to its former freshness. To do this, you need:

Choose A Laundry Detergent

Note that the powder should have a minimal odor, and no rinse aid should be added.

Products with solid perfume can cause allergies and headaches. Then the quality of sleep will be poor, and you will not be able to rest.

There are many unique products for washing jackets or down jackets that you can buy at the store. These laundry detergents will work perfectly. Or, you can use baby laundry detergent to clean down and feather pillows.

Check The Seams On The Pillow

They must be strong, so the filler does not fall out during washing and not get into the washing machine’s drum. It can cause damage to the washing machine.

If the feather pillow is small, it can be washed whole in an automatic washing machine. If the pillow is large and will not fit in the washing machine, you need to cut the seam and divide the contents into small bags prepared in advance.

Putting large tennis balls or small rubber balls in the drum would be best. It will help you keep the pillow’s shape better and eliminate lumps.

Select The Erase Mode

You do not need to select high temperatures. “Hand wash” or “delicate” will be good. And some automatic machines have a special erase mode “down blanket”; washing down and feather pillows will be ideal.

Do not forget to include an extra rinse to wash out the remaining powder. It is not desirable to put a great spin; 400 will be enough.

When the washing machine has a drying function, it should use. It dramatically speeds up the drying process, especially in the winter. 

When you dry pillows in the fresh air, shake periodically so that the down and feathers take on their original appearance.

If you washed in separate bags, all the contents should be poured back into a clean pillowcase and sewn up. The stitches should be even and frequent so that nothing spills out.

How To Wash Feather And Down Pillows By Hands?

You can also clean feather and down pillows without a washing machine. To do this, also divide the pillow’s contents into small portions so that it is easier to wash. You must put the bags with down and feathers in warm water with laundry detergent. The water should not be hot. It is possible to use a basin or directly in the bathtub. It is necessary to soak your pillow for 2-3 hours. 

After soaking, wash and rinse thoroughly under running water.

You can use room radiators to dry them, but it is best to dry them outdoors.

Washing feather and down pillows are good in the summer, in sunny and windless weather. And so that the feathers and fluff do not scatter, you can cover them with gauze or other thin natural cloth.

In the meantime, you need to wash the pillowcase. You can wash it with any laundry. But you should not add rinse aid either.

If the pillowcase is in frayed condition, it is better to replace it with a new one.

After drying the feathers and fluff, you should put everything in the pillowcase and close with a straight stitch to prevent the filler from falling out.

How To Clean A Feather Pillow Without Washing?

If you have a steam iron at home, you can use it to do a mini-cleaning. To do this, carefully go over the entire surface of the cushion on both sides. Steam the product well. This way, you can destroy some of the dust and germs. The main thing here is to dry thoroughly so there are no unpleasant odors.

How Long Do Feather And Down Pillows Last?

Even though there is now a vast selection of pillows with different fillings, many prefer feather and down pillows.

Such products require delicate and frequent care because they absorb moisture, odors, and dust. Over time, germs can accumulate there.

And yet these pillows remain a favorite among buyers. 

For your pillow to last as long as possible, you need to adhere to some care rules:

1. Do not store such things where there is high humidity;
2. Fluff up feathers and down in a good way every day;
3. Periodically cleaning with a standard vacuum cleaner;
4. Vacuuming every two months outdoors;
5. Wash once every six months;
6. Do professional bactericidal cleaning to get rid of germs.

Do you like our tips? Check out even more of my home cleaning and maintenance tips; you will find many things to do. I also have many DIY ways to make your life easier while renovating or decorating your home. I’m sure you’ll find something of interest to you! 

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