Feather pillows can be soft and gorgeous, but you need to wash them at least once a year. Washing allows you to eliminate dust mites and bacteria. It will also help you remove dust, dirt, sweat and oil from your hair. This article will tell you how to proceed properly.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Wash the Pillows
Step 1. Remove the pillowcase
If the pillow also has a pillow cover (an additional padded pillowcase closed with a zipper), remove that as well.
Step 2. Check for tears or holes
Be sure to check along the seams as well. In the presence of torn or torn parts, it will obviously be necessary to mend.
Step 3. Put two pillows in the washing machine to balance the load
If you have a hard time getting them inside, first squeeze them out of the air. Try not to use a top-loading washing machine with a central agitator, otherwise you risk damaging them. If you don't have a front loading washing machine, consider doing it in a laundromat, where you can find some available.
If you have to use a washing machine that loads from the top, slide the cushions vertically to prevent them from getting caught in the agitator
Step 4. Pour low-sudsing detergent into the detergent compartment
Use less than usual to avoid build-up or leftovers. Another thing, prefer a liquid detergent to a powder one; the latter are more likely to leave residues. This can cause skin irritation and allergies. Pillows are bulky, so they don't rinse well. The less detergent you use, the more practical and faster the rinse will be.
Step 5. Set up a gentle wash cycle
If possible, try to use warm water to get rid of the dust mites that lurk in the pillow. However, keep in mind that it could damage the feathers. If this worries you, use lukewarm or cold ones instead.
Step 6. Try doing another rinse cycle and another spin
The extra rinse cycle will help eliminate detergent residues. The additional spin will allow you to remove excess water.
Part 2 of 3: Dry the Pillows
Step 1. Remove the water from the pillows with a towel
Place a pillow between two towels and press on it. The towel will absorb excess water. Repeat this step with the other pillow. Don't twist.
Step 2. Put the pillows in the dryer
Set a gentle cycle - the blast of air should be warm or cold. If the temperature is lukewarm, the pillows should dry sooner, but it is possible that the feathers will be damaged. Blowing cold or room temperature air may take a longer wait (two to three cycles), but it is the safest method.
- In between cycles, remove the cushions from the tumble dryer and fluff them. This movement will also help you to split feathers that may have clumped together.
- If you set a warm drying temperature, towards the end of the cycle you could change it and use only the cold or room temperature air jet. This prevents the pillows from overheating and spoiling.
Step 3. Try using dryer balls to keep pillows soft
If you don't have them, you can use clean tennis or canvas shoes instead. Either way, put them in a pillowcase first. You can also slip a tennis ball into a clean sock. This trick allows you to keep the pillows soft while drying.
You can also put a heavy towel on it - it will help absorb the water that remains in the pillows
Step 4. Once the pillow is removed from the tumble dryer, fluff it
Even when using the dryer balls, there may still be piles of feathers in the pillow. Grab it from two corners and shake it from top to bottom for a few minutes. Repeat the same process on the other side.
Step 5. When the pillows are completely dry, cover them with clean pillowcases
Do not use them if they are wet, or they will rot and mold.
Part 3 of 3: Treating Wear Stains, Bad Smells and Mold
Step 1. Use 250ml of hydrogen peroxide and 120ml of white vinegar to whiten the yellowed pillows
Set the soaking cycle. Pour the hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar directly into the basket. After the soaking cycle, add the detergent.
Step 2. Use 50-100g of baking soda to get rid of bad odors
If you have a front-loading washing machine, use 50g of baking soda; 100 g for a top-loading one. Add it directly to the detergent.
Baking soda also helps remove stains
Step 3. Use 120-250ml of white vinegar to get rid of mold
Pour it directly into the detergent compartment. This product also helps to remove bad odors.
Step 4. During the rinse cycle, you may want to add a few drops of essential oil
The cushions will thus have a pleasant and delicate smell. Use a relaxing one, such as lavender, rosemary, or vanilla.
Step 5. Try using pillow covers
They are padded pillowcases that are used to cover the cushions. You can then cover them with a fabric pillowcase. Pillow covers keep them clean longer and prevent them from staining.
Step 6. Expose musty-smelling pillows to the sun
If you haven't solved this problem with washing, try leaving them out for several hours on a sunny day. Sunlight, heat, and fresh air will help eliminate odor-causing bacteria. The pillow will also have a fresher smell.
Advice
- If your cushions still smell moldy after washing, leave them in the sun for at least two hours. The sun's rays will help eliminate bad smells.
- When washing feather pillows, always remember to set a gentle cycle. Other programs can cause feathers to pile up.
- Try to wash your pillows at least twice a year; however, the ideal would be to do it three to four times a year.
- If you don't have a front-loading washing machine, try taking the pillows to the laundry room.
Warnings
- When washing feather pillows, do not use bleach or fabric softener. They can harm them.
- Do not use the pillows until they have dried completely. If not, they will start to smell bad and may even have feathers piled up in some places.
- Never wash the pillows in the pillow cases, otherwise the washing will not be thorough.
- Most feather pillows are washable at home, but you should always read the washing instructions label: they may have parts that should not be washed in water (such as silk).
