Can you wash feather pillows in a washing machine

What is the Difference Between Down Pillows & Feather Pillows?

Before you can properly care for your bedroom pillows or luxury decorative pillows, it is important to know a little about the material they are made from. Although the terms down pillows and feathers are often used interchangeably, and there are some similarities, there are some differences between the two types of pillows that should be noted. For instance, both types of filling often use the same feathers, but the shape and feel of down clusters is very different compared to those of feathers.

• What is a Down Pillow? - Down is a soft grouping of fibers made from goose feathers that come from the undercoating of the bird. These down clusters have insulating qualities due to the design of the feathers and the soft fibers that traps air for a fluffy fill.
• What is a Feather Pillow? - The filling of feather pillows comes from the wing and back feathers of geese. These feathers are flatter and heavier than down, and also provide a soft and fluffy filling for pillows. Feathers tend to lose their shape a bit faster than down.​

How to Clean Down Pillows

Down products respond well to cleaning, which is great news for fans of the luxury pillows made from it. They are so easy to clean and care for, which adds to the many reasons we love down bedding so much. This natural pillow filling is not only great for the plush, soft support it offers, but for its super easy maintenance.

The best and easiest thing to know when learning how to clean down pillows is that they were made to be cleaned right in your washing machine, making it so easy and quick to do.

How to Wash Down Pillows & Feather Pillows

Can you wash a down pillow? The luxury bedding experts at Peacock Alley hear that question a lot. And the answer is - yes! Washing your luxury pillows actually reinvigorates them and can restore them to their original fluffiness. Since most down and feather pillows will fit in a standard home washing machine, taking care of them is a breeze. Here’s how:

• Remove Covers – Before washing your down pillows, be sure to remove any pillow cases or coverings they may have.
• Inspect Pillow – Check your feather pillows for any obvious rips or tears that may allow feather filling to escape during the wash cycle. Repair them with a needle and thread before washing.
• Balance Things Out – When washing down pillows, it is important to wash two pillows at the same time, as this will help balance the washer tub and allow better performance. Be sure to load pillows vertically so that they are not bothered by the agitator in the washer. Front-loading washing machines with no agitators work best, but any washer can be used as long as the pillows fit properly.
• Gentle Works Best – Choose a low-sudsing laundry detergent when washing down pillows to avoid soap residue and to avoid having the feathers clump together. Also, make it a point to use less detergent than you normally would and set your washing machine to the delicate cycle to take care of the feather filling.
• Water Temperature – While hot water works best to kill any dust mites that might be living inside your down pillows, it may also damage the feathers. If this is a concern, use warm or cool water when washing down pillows instead.
• Rinse and Repeat – It is a good idea to use an extra rinse and spin cycle when washing down pillows. This will get rid of any excess moisture and soap residue on the feather filling.

Can You Dry a Feather or Down Pillow in the Dryer?

Yes! The ever-so-easy to care for feather or goose down pillows can be put in the dryer and will turn out beautifully with a few easy tips.

• Remove the excess water from the down pillows by placing the pillow between two towels and pressing down on it. This will force out the water in the pillow, which will be soaked up by the towels. Be careful not to twist or wring the pillows, as this may damage the down feathers.
• Place the feather pillows in the dryer, using a delicate cycle like the low-heat or no-heat setting. While the no-heat setting may take several cycles to get the job done, it is the safest way to dry feather pillows. If you choose the low heat setting for quicker drying, be careful, as even this seeming harmless setting may cause damage to the feather filling.
• Check the pillows often and take them out of the dryer to fluff them between cycles. Beating the pillows will help to break up any down clumps inside and allow for better drying.
• The use of dryer balls when washing down pillows is a great idea. It will help keep the pillows fluffy.
• Once dry, fluff the feather pillows and massage any clumps to remove them. Holding the down pillow by its corners and shaking it also helps remove feather clumps.

How to Freshen A Down Pillow

Between washings, it is a good idea to freshen down and feather pillows. Simply put your down pillows in the dryer with a damp washcloth, three dryer balls, and your favorite fabric softener sheet. Tumble dry on low heat for 15-20 minutes for fluffy and refreshed pillows for your bedroom.  

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How to wash a down pillow: complete instructions

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Cleaning carpets made of natural and synthetic fibers of the highest quality and most pleasant. New types of natural and artificial fillers appear, but the down of waterfowl (ducks, eiders, geese) is in great demand among lovers of home textiles made from natural materials. Periodically, they need to be washed or dry-cleaned by professionals.

Many housewives are ready to tinker, spend time and energy to restore cleanliness to their favorite bedding. If you also want to know how to wash a down pillow, we offer you a publication prepared by our experts.

Do you want to calculate the cost of cleaning pillows? 30% discount for you now!

Can down pillows be washed? Chicken down is used less often due to its greater hygroscopicity:

• it quickly becomes damp, including from sweat;
• does not tolerate wet cleaning;
• is more likely to be invaded by pathogenic bacteria.

We should also mention the pillows with swan down. This is how manufacturers call the artificial filler made of microfiber with silicone - hypoallergenic, fluffy, delicate, odorless. It is used in the production of children's bedding. Such pillows are chosen by people with allergies to natural fluff, wool. They are fluffy, voluminous, soft, keep their shape well. Home washing of downy swan pillows is easier than with natural filler.

Features of washing down

It is better to dry-clean down products. There are special units for screening, cleaning, disinfection of the filler. Amateur hand and machine washing of down from pillows is carried out in covers (bags) made of thick cotton fabric with ties. Otherwise, half of the fluff will be carried away by the current of water, clogging the drain of the bathtub or washing machine.

Preparing for washing

Washing a down pillow, like other things with filling, begins with dedusting. This is not a waste of time, as it may seem. When you start to knock it out in the yard, you will be convinced of this. And, if you vacuum with a powerful vacuum cleaner, you will also see how much dirt was in it.

IMPORTANT: The less dust left in the pillow before washing, the cleaner it will be in the end.

Then the filler must be removed from the bedclothes and put into several bags. Tie them tightly so that during washing they do not open and fluff does not get into the drum of the machine or the basin. Bags should not be stuffed too tightly. It is necessary that the washing solution easily penetrates deep into the filler.

Washing pillows with artificial down

Everyone dreams of a healthy sleep, without allergies to dust, infections, insomnia. It is guaranteed by clean down pillows - they need washing at least once a year or as needed. Signs that things need a deep cleaning:

• dirty breastplate;
• lumpy filler;
• bad smell.

On the example of swan down

Down pillows can be washed at home by hand or in a machine.

Follow the simple rules for automatic washing:

• Wash one pillow per cycle. It can be put into the drum right in the pillowcase, if it is strong, new, you want to keep it. The second option is to lay out the fluff in bags, prepare a new pillowcase.

IMPORTANT: when washing in a pillowcase, it will have to be torn open at the end to get the fluff and dry it in a thin layer. The dry filler is returned to the breastplate, whipped by hand, and the hole is sewn up.

• Water temperature 30-40 degrees, delicate wash with spin at minimum speed.
• Double rinse required.
• The washing powder is not suitable, it will not be possible to rinse it out of the filler. It is better if the down pillows are washed with shampoo or textile gel.

Now more about hand washing:

• The bedclothes are torn open, the filler is removed. Despite the advice of some publications to wash it directly in the basin, our experts recommend putting the down in well-tied bags. Otherwise, you can’t do without the services of plumbing and cleaning the drain of the bathtub.
• Packed down is soaked for 1-2 hours in a tissue gel solution, then the dirty water is drained and rinsed.

IMPORTANT : Do not use detergents with bleach or aggressive ingredients. It is good if there is an antistatic agent in the composition of the detergent.

• Pour a new soapy solution, wash the filler, rinse repeatedly, wring out, let the moisture drain into the bath.
• Untie the bags, take out the fluff, lay out on a clean cloth, dry under natural conditions until completely dry. Swan down dries much faster than natural down.

Washing a pillow with natural down

The technology and sequence of operations is the same as with swan (synthetic) down. Decide which technology is closer to you in order to tidy up your down pillows - washing or professional dry cleaning. At home, it’s not easy to put such things in order with your own hands, you have to tinker. The whole process, from removing dust to stuffing a new pillowcase with clean fluff, will take 2-3 days.

How to wash the pillow

Wash it by hand or machine. The down pillow is washed in a delicate liquid detergent (gel). Washing powder should be discarded. It will take a lot of time, effort, water to wash it out of the fluff.

In the washing machine

Manufacturers of down filled home textiles allow machine washing.

Can down pillows be machine washed?

Washing down pillows is carried out in a strong pillowcase or with packing of the filler in several tightly tied fabric bags. This prevents clogging of the machine and minimizes pad volume loss.

How to wash pillows in the washing machine?

Delicate mode, temperature 30-40 degrees, liquid neutral detergent without bleach, spin at minimum speed, enhanced rinse - compliance with these conditions will preserve the quality of natural down filling.

Hand wash

The down pillow can also be washed by hand:

• in textile gel solution;
• in tight canvas bags tightly tied together to keep fluff out of the water;
• without twisting and hard action.

IMPORTANT: each pillow should be washed separately. A large amount of filler at the same time is difficult to rinse, dry well.

Drying the down pillow properly so that you don't throw it away later

How long the item will last depends on drying. If you dry the fluff incorrectly using heating devices, it will become brittle and brittle. Accordingly, the pillow will become unusable very quickly.

Outdoors

1. Spread polyethylene in the yard or balcony with open windows and an old clean sheet on top.
2. Spread the damp down in an even thin layer, sort out all the clumps by hand, remove the debris.
3. Cover with gauze, fasten it so that a gust of wind does not blow away the fluff.
4. Periodically remove the gauze, stir up the filling, turn over.

Drying usually takes 1-2 days depending on the season and weather. The sun's rays will not damage natural fluff. On the contrary, ultraviolet light will cleanse it of saprophyte mites and bacteria.

Battery

Do not use radiators to dry down.

With special tools

Avoid blow-drying. Let it dry naturally.

How to care for your down pillow

Proper regular care will keep your bedding in good condition for a long time. Change pillowcases every week. Take pillows (for sleeping and decorative) to the sun, air them every month. Dry clean or wash at least once a year.

Beat frequently, vacuum, clean the cover with tea tree oil, for example, or lemon juice water solution. All this will make the pillows cleaner, and your sleep healthier, more comfortable, more enjoyable.

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How to wash down pillows in a washing machine

Today, housewives charge an automatic machine to wash literally everything: linen, hats, toys, shoes. Are washers really so omnipotent that you can entrust them with the care of anything? We will figure out whether it is allowed to wash down pillows in the washing machine. How to clean such products so as not to disturb their shape and properties.

Let's prepare the pillow filling

In fact, it's easy to do the right cleaning at home. If the down pillow is small and will fit into the drum, you can wash it in the machine in its entirety by pulling on an additional pillowcase. In the case when the product is too large, you will have to cut the material, get the filler and “scroll” it in two or three passes.

So, first you need to cut the pillowcase and place the down-feather in a dry basin. Next, you need to take fabric bags, ordinary pillowcases will do. Put the filler in them and sew up the homemade pillowcases well. Be sure to check the tightness of the seam, it must be strong so that the bag does not tear and the fluff does not fill the drum of the washing machine, otherwise this will lead to sad consequences.

The less stuffing in the homemade bag, the better the down will be cleaned.

Next, each of the “new” pillows is washed, it is better to throw 2-3 bags into the machine at once. It is recommended to put special balls or tennis balls into the drum, which in the process will “beat” the filler. No need to tamp the fluff - the looser it is before cleaning, the better.

Washing process

The down pillow can be washed in an automatic washing machine. To avoid an incident, it is important to follow the recommendations for caring for feather products. These are the following rules:

• it is better to put 3-5 special balls in the drum to the pillow or bags with filler;
• , it is imperative to use dry powder. Liquid detergent compositions contribute to the adhesion of the pillow filler;
• pour half the amount of detergent into the dispenser than you use for a normal cycle;
• with regards to programs, “Down”, “Hand Wash” or delicate mode are best suited;
• Water should not be heated above 40°C, ideally no more than 30°C;
• be sure to set the double rinse mode;
• if it is possible to adjust the spin speed in the program, reduce it to 400 revolutions, if not, select the “No spin” function.

By following the recommendations, you will ensure the correct washing. It is better to load more than one product into the drum, but 2-3 small pads or homemade bags. This will help evenly distribute the load on the fluff, which means it will prevent clumping of the filler.

Dehumidifying the pillow

Proper washing is half the battle, it is equally important to properly dry the filler. The down pillow will take about two days to dry if the weather is good. This process also has its own nuances. It is important to follow these guidelines:

• Dry your pillows in a well ventilated area with plenty of sunlight. This will prevent the formation of mold;
• small cushions or filler bags can be hung on a clothesline;
• shake the pillows by hand every 4-5 hours to prevent the filling from clumping. If the fluff dries separately from the pillowcase, you need to mix it periodically;
• when drying, you can cover the filler with gauze so that it is not blown around the room by the wind;
• In winter, it is recommended to keep the dried pillow outside for several hours. Frosty air will not only refresh the product, but also kill germs;
• is allowed to dry the feather pillow on batteries. The main thing is not to forget to “beat” it so that the filler does not cake.

If the down does not dry out within two days, it may begin to rot.

Therefore, if the weather has turned bad and there is no place to dry the filler, it is better to wash the pillow again after two days. After drying, you need to transfer the fluff to a clean pillowcase and flash it with a double line.

What will we wash with?

It is very important to choose a good quality detergent to ensure proper washing. As already mentioned, it is better to give preference to dry washing powders. Gels can stick the filler together, which is highly undesirable.

The basic requirements for detergent are standard. The powder must be completely soluble in cold water, rinse well from the fibers of the fabric, and not contain aggressive components. When washing down pillows at home, you can use any good product.

1. BioMio BIO-WHITE organic powder with cotton extract. It is hypoallergenic, biodegradable and easily removes dirt. Suitable for washing baby clothes, bedding, clothes for people with sensitive skin. Contains no phosphates. The granules dissolve quickly even in cool water and are completely rinsed out of the material.
2. Burti Hygiene Plus Disinfectant Powder. Helps eliminate up to 99% of harmful microorganisms and prevent their spread in the material, which is especially important when washing bedding. Can also be used for machine cleaning. Hypoallergenic, does not irritate sensitive skin. Gives to linen light, unostentatious, fresh aroma.
3. Japanese washing powder Lion Top Phosphorus-free. Ideal for cleaning both synthetic and natural materials. The high efficiency of the product is achieved due to plant components and enzymes in the composition. Thanks to a special formula, it works productively in cold water.

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