How to Clean and Care for Feather Bed Pillows

1. Load the Washer Correctly

   If you're 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, add a foam-filled pillow or extra towels.

   If washing in a top-load, high-efficiency washer or a front load washer, add a couple of white towels to help balance the load.

2. Choose the Right Detergent

   Set the water temperature to cold water, and use the gentle cycle. Add only 1–2 teaspoons of a high-efficiency, low-suds detergent. Suds are bad for feathers if they're not completely rinsed away.

   Warning

   Do not use fabric softener on feather or down pillows, because it can coat the down and reduce the amount of fluff in the pillow.

3. Add a Second Rinse Cycle

   Set the washer for an extra rinse cycle to get rid of any residual detergent in the feathers.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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. Make sure they're thoroughly dry before placing them back on the bed.

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 are more resilient to compacting. The higher the down fill number, the better the quality. The highest down fill rating is 900.

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 the finest down. Due to the size of 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. The feathers add bulk and stabilize the down.

Storing Feather Bed Pillows

Feather bed pillows need to breathe. Protect them from dirt and dust by storing them in pillow covers instead of plastic bags or bins. Keep them in a cool, dry spot such as a linen closet.

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 1 cup powdered laundry detergent, 1/2 cup borax, and four cups 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.