With spring just around the corner, now is the perfect time to refresh your bedding. When it comes to taking care of down pillows, cleaning them once in a while is crucial to maintaining their freshness and fluff. Let’s dive deep into this comprehensive guide on how to wash your pillows to ensure they stay plush and comfortable during balmy nights so you can enjoy a restful sleep quality.
How to Machine Wash Pillows?
- Pre-Wash Inspection: Before you begin to clean your pillows, it’s important to check for any tears or damaged seams, as it can cause down feather filling leaks while washing. Sew them properly, or if the tear is large, place it in a clean pillow cover and stitch completely.
- Checking the Care Label: The washing instructions on the care label are ideal to follow on how to maintain your bedding product, ensuring it stays fresh for years to come.
- Choosing the Right Detergent: Go for gentle, non-abrasive laundry detergent for washing pillows. A mild liquid detergent is an ideal choice, as it rinses better than powder and is less likely to leave soap residue.
- Balance the Washer: It is recommended to wash your pillows in a pair, if possible, or if you only have a single pillow to wash, consider adding a couple of towels to keep the load balanced. This will prevent imbalance, which can damage both the washing machine and pillows.
- Water Temperature: While warm water is acceptable for washing your pillows, choosing to use cold water is generally the safest option. It helps prevent the filling from clumping and ensures the integrity of feathers, helping to maintain their loft and comfort.
- Avoid Fabric Softeners: Even though fabric softeners add fragrance and softness to your bedding, they can coat and clump your pillow’s down, reducing its loft. Over time, it also decreases the quality of down and feather, degrading their fluffiness and insulation properties. You can, however, add vinegar, an easy, cost-efficient solution, during the extra rinse cycle if your pillows need some refreshment, as it removes residual detergent and natural skin oils, leaving them clean and fluffy.
- Washing Machine Settings: For even cleaning in top-load washing machines, wash your bed linen on a gentle cycle in cool water and opt for an extra rinse cycle to clear out any soapy residue.
- Hand-Washing Alternative: When hand washing your feather bed pillows, simply soak them in lukewarm water with some mild detergent or gentle soap and lightly squeeze your pillows to remove dirt and suds. Rinse thoroughly before wringing out any excess water.
Drying Your Down Feather Pillows
- Machine Drying: Drying out your feather down-filled pillows is equally important as washing them. Opt for a low heat setting. Throw in a couple of wool dryer balls, clean towels, or clean tennis balls in your front-loading washer to break any clumps of down and to help keep the pillows fluffy during the drying process.
- Air Drying: It is an excellent option, especially on breezy spring days or hot summer afternoons. However, keep the feather goose down pillows out of direct sunlight, as it might damage the natural fill. Dry them in a well-ventilated area. Fluffing the pillows periodically while they dry is essential to restore the original loft.
Post-Wash Care
It is essential to store your pillows well after washing and drying, as any residual moisture can lead to fungal growth.
- Storage: Store the pillows in breathable bags to ensure airflow, avoiding the mustiness that comes with storing in plastic storage options.
- Rotate: Periodically or seasonally rotating your pillows works wonders in promoting their longevity.
- Air It Out: Airing your machine washable pillows every few weeks will help to remove any moisture buildup and prevent mildew growth caused by sweat or body oils.
How Often Should I Machine Wash Pillows?
Ideally, your frequency for washing the pillows clean should be once every 6 months. Frequent washing can cause clumps and degrade the fill quality of the natural materials. However, regularly fluff it to maintain and restore the loft. To extend the lifespan and keep your pillows fresh, it is best to invest in quality pillow protectors or decorative pillow covers.
Final Words
Washing feather-down pillows might initially seem intimidating, but with proper care and by following the pillow care instructions, the process is straightforward and deeply rewarding. By treating your pillows with the attention they deserve, you prepare yourself for a comfortable, quality sleep through the brighter seasons.