How to Clean and Care for Feather Bed Pillows

How to Wash 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 fiber-filled pillow or white 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. Add the Detergent

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

   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. Run a Second Rinse Cycle

   After the washer is finished, run an extra rinse cycle to get rid of any residual detergent in the feathers.

4. Fluff the Pillows

   Once the second rinse cycle is complete, remove the pillows from the washer and fluff them while they're still wet. Then, place them in the dryer set on medium heat.

5. Add Dryer Balls

   Add wool dryer balls, clean tennis balls, or even a pair of clean canvas tennis shoes to the dryer with your pillows to help break up clumps of feathers during the drying cycle. Start the dryer.

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.
   

   Tip

   To double-check that the pillow is bone dry, squeeze it all over for any clumps that are still trapping moisture. Residual moisture can lead to fungal growth.

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 4 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 it as normal.

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.

How Often to Wash Feather Bed Pillows

It's your preference as to whether you want to wash new pillows before you use them. Then, it's perfectly fine to clean feather bed pillows weekly or monthly if you prefer, especially during hot and humid seasons. It's recommended to wash them at least every six months.

It's also ideal to invest in waterproof, allergen-blocking pillow protectors, as they will allow you to wash your pillows less and thus extend their lifespan. Laundering down pillows correctly involves a lot of hand-fluffing and working out clumps, which means room for human error. The more often you wash them, the more risk there is for leaving moist clumps behind and growing mold in your expensive pillows.

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 feather 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.