Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning
• What you need

Feather pillows are very soft and luxurious but also require proper maintenance. You need to wash your pillow at least once a year to kill dust mites and bacteria, and clean away dust, sweat, and oil that accumulates in your pillow. This article will show you how to wash feather pillows properly.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Wash pillows

1. 

   Pour low-foam soap into the detergent drawer. Use a lower amount of detergent than you normally wash clothes to prevent any residue from sticking. Also, use liquid soap instead of powder. Detergent is easier to leave behind soapy residue. This can lead to skin itching and allergies. Pillows will not be drained well due to their bulky size, so the less soap you use, the less frequent rinsing will be.

2. 

   
   
   Use a towel to squeeze water out of the pillow. Place a pillow between the two towels and press it down. The towel will absorb the remaining water in the pillow. Continue this step with the other pillow. Do not squeeze or twist the pillow.

3. 

   Put a few balls in the dryer to loosen the feathers in the pillow. If you don't have a tumble dryer, replace it with a few tennis balls or clean canvas shoes; But remember to put in a clean pillowcase first. You can also put a tennis ball in a clean sock. This will cause the feathers inside the pillow to become loose when dried.
   • You can also add a thick towel to the dryer. The towel will suck up any remaining water in the pillow.

4. 

   
   
   Cover your pillowcase once it's dry. Do not use pillows while it is still damp to avoid rot and mold. advertisement

Part 3 of 3: Treating pillows that stain, smell and mold

1. 

   Add 1 cup (240 ml) of hydrogen peroxide and ½ cup (120 ml) of white vinegar to laundry detergent to bleach yellow pillows. Use the "soak" wash mode. Pour hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar directly into the washing bucket. When the soaking is finished, you can add detergent.

2. 

   
   
   Use ¼ to ½ cup (45 - 90 g) baking soda to deodorize. Use ¼ cup (45 g) of baking soda if you are using a front load washing machine, and ½ cup (90 g) if using a top load washer. Add directly to laundry detergent.
   • Baking soda can also help remove stains.

3. 

   Use ½ - 1 cup (120 - 240 ml) of white vinegar to get rid of mold. Pour white vinegar into the detergent drawer. White vinegar also has a deodorizing effect.

4. 

   Try adding a few drops of essential oil to the rinse cycle. The essential oil will help the pillow emit a pleasant, mild fragrance. Try essential oils with a mild scent like lavender, rosemary or vanilla.

5. 

   Consider using a pillowcase. These pillow covers are quilted and are used to wrap the inside of the pillow. After placing the pillowcase in the protective case, you can insert the fabric pillow cover outside. A protective cover will keep the gut of the pillow clean for longer and prevent yellowing.

6. 

   Hang musty pillows in the sun. If your pillow still smells musty, leave it out in the sun for a few hours. Sunlight, heat, and fresh air will kill any odor-causing bacteria. Pillows will also smell better when exposed to the sun. advertisement

Advice

• If your pillow still smells musty after washing it, leave it in the sun for at least 2 hours. This will help remove unpleasant odors.
• Always use the light wash cycle. Other washing cycles can cause feathers to clump.
• Wash pillows at least twice a year. If you want better, wash 3-4 times a year.
• If you don't have a front load washing machine, try bringing your pillow to the laundromat.

Warning

• Do not use a freshly washed feather pillow when it is not completely dry. If you use it too soon, the pillow will start to smell, and it may be lumpy.
• Most feather pillows can be washed at home, but it is best to read the washing instructions attached to the pillow in case there are non-washable materials in the pillow (such as silk).
• Do not use bleach or fabric softener when washing feather pillows. These products can damage feathers.
• Do not leave the entire pillow case when washing the feather pillows, as this will not be clean.

What you need

• Feather pillow
• Washing machine
• Laundry soap
• Tennis ball or canvas shoes (optional)