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The Spruce / Michele Lee
If you prefer feather and down bed pillows instead of polyester or foam, they can be washed at home to keep them smelling fresh and clean. If you wash them at least annually, your expensive pillows can last for a long time.
Before you begin the washing process, take a few minutes to examine the cover of the pillow. The fabric covering of the pillow should be tightly woven to keep filling contained during washing and any worn or ripped seams or other areas should be immediately mended. If you don't patch up problems, you'll end up with a washing machine drum full of feathers.
How to Wash Feather Bed Pillows | |
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Detergent | High-efficiency (HE) |
Water Temperature | Cold |
Cycle Type | Gentle |
Drying Cycle Type | Medium |
Special Treatments | Dry with dryer balls |
Iron Settings | Do not iron |
Project Metrics
It's possible to wash down and feather pillows by hand, but it's much easier and faster to clean them in a washing machine. Be mindful to avoid excessive wringing and twisting your pillow throughout the cleaning process as it can smash the filling and cause clumping.
Working time: 15 Minutes
Total time: 2 Hours
Skill level: Beginner
What You'll Need
Supplies
- High-efficiency (HE) low-suds detergent
Tools
- Washing machine
- Dryer
- Dryer balls
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The Spruce / Michele Lee
Instructions
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Load the Washer Correctly
If you are using a standard top load washer, always load two pillows—one on each side of the agitator—to maintain balance. If you don't have two feather pillows, load in a foam-filled pillow or extra towels.
If washing in a top-load high-efficiency or a front load washer, add a couple of white towels to help balance the load.
The Spruce / Michele Lee
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Choose an HE Low-Sudsing Detergent
Set the water temperature to cold water and use the gentle cycle. Add only one or two teaspoons of an HE low-sudsing detergent. Suds are bad for feathers if they are not completely rinsed away. Do not use fabric softener, which can coat the down and reduce the amount of fluff in the pillow.
The Spruce / Michele Lee
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Add a Second Rinse Cycle
Set the washer for an extra rinse cycle to get rid of any residual detergent in the feathers.
The Spruce / Michele Lee
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Fluff the Pillows
Fluff the pillows as you remove them from the washer and while they're still wet. Then place them in the dryer on medium heat.
The Spruce / Michele Lee
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Add Dryer Balls
Add wool dryer balls, clean tennis balls, or even a pair of clean canvas tennis shoes to help break up clumps of feathers during the drying cycle.
The Spruce / Michele Lee
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Continue to Fluff the Pillows Until Dry
Stop the dryer every 15 minutes and re-fluff the pillows by hand. Drying time will vary depending on the size of the pillows.
The Spruce / Michele Lee
What Are the Differences in Feather Bed Pillows?
Feather and down pillows are expensive. Read the label to determine whether the pillow is filled with down clusters, feathers, or a blend. Clothing and household goods in the United States that contain down are regulated by the Federal Trade Commission. A product labeled "100 percent down" must contain only down feathers. Products labeled as "down" can contain a mixture of down, feathers, and other fibers.
Pillows with down clusters are the most expensive but will have a longer life. Down clusters are easier to clean than the feather/down combinations and more resilient to compacting. The highest down fill rating is 900. The higher the down fill number, the better the quality.
There are several types and varying quality levels of down. There are three most common offerings.
Goose Down
Geese have the largest down clusters, with the Hungarian goose producing what is most widely considered to be the finest down. Due to the size of the goose down, the larger clusters offer more loft and insulating qualities.
Duck Down
Because ducks are smaller, their down is smaller and more coarse than that of a goose. However, eiderdown from the eider duck is larger and considered to be of good quality.
Feather and Down Combinations
Because down can compact with use and age, many pillows and heavy usage items are filled with a combination of down and feathers like the ones offered by FluffCo. The feathers add bulk and stabilize the down.
Treating Stains on Feather Bed Pillows
A down pillow should always have a zip-up cover and pillowcase on it to help protect the pillow from stains. However, pillows are prone to turning yellow due to a buildup of body oil, sweat, and dust.
To lighten the yellow stains, mix a solution of one cup of powdered laundry detergent, 1/2 cup borax, and four cups of boiling water.
Put the pillow in the washing machine, add the hot water solution, and let the pillow soak for 30 minutes. Flip the pillow over halfway through, and then wash and dry as directed.
Tips for Washing Feather Bed Pillows
- Wash feather pillows on a low-humidity, sunny day for quicker drying. Do not air-dry feather pillows outside on a humid day.
- Always use a washable pillow cover to keep the pillow as clean as possible. Change and wash pillowcases and pillow covers at least weekly.
- Keep feather pillows as dry as possible. Never sleep on a feather pillow with wet hair.
- To freshen feather pillows, place them in a tumble dryer on low heat or the air cycle for 10 minutes.
- Always store feather pillows in a pillowcase to repel dust in a cool, air-conditioned space.
- Less-expensive all-feather pillows will last longer if taken to a dry cleaner. Feathers do not fluff as well as down clusters, and washing can trap moisture and leave permanent damage to the feathers.