Good sleep is impossible without a pillow. But how can you sleep if it is dirty and dusty? Washing it without thinking in a machine is not the best solution, as the fluff will clump into a single lump! You can read all the secrets on how to wash a down pillow in this article.
How to wash a feather pillow at home
Before you start washing, you need to consider what feathers are used as filler. If these are chicken feathers, then it is better not to wash them at home, but to take them to a specialized salon or dry cleaner, focusing on dry cleaning without using steam. If the pillows are filled with goose or duck feathers, you can wash them yourself.
Handwash
Any complex liquid detergent or washing gel from the store is suitable for this procedure (for example: Ariel, Laska, Persil, Losk, BiMax and others). It would be a good idea to add a stain remover and/or conditioner (Vernel, Vanish, etc.). Or you can wash it the old-fashioned way - with a solution of laundry soap and ammonia in a ratio of two teaspoons per 100 g of grated piece of soap.
The pillow must be washed in the following order:
- rip open the pillow, place the feathers piece by piece in bags in the prepared solution, having previously tied them tightly;
- after immersing the entire filler in the liquid, stir it and leave it to soak for four to six hours;
- when time has passed, remove the filler from the solution and rinse with cold, clean water;
- to dry feathers, you need to lay them out on a flat surface in a ventilated room, covered with gauze, and then wait a few days (stirring occasionally) until they dry;
- sew the dry filler into a new napkin.
Is it possible to wash a feather pillow in a washing machine?
Pillows with feather filling can be easily washed in an automatic washing machine, the main thing is that the feathers are inside the pillowcase, or packaged in special covers, so that the filling does not scatter throughout the washing machine and spoil it, clogging up everything possible.
How to wash feather pillows in the washing machine
If the feather pillow fits entirely into the drum, then it can be washed without removing the filling. It is optimal to wash two at once, but at the same time there should be at least 1/3 of empty space in the drum. Otherwise, you will have to rip the product apart, take out the filler and place it in separate fabric bags. It is recommended to beat out the pillow before washing.
When washing, it is recommended to adhere to the following recommendations:
- use detergents for washing delicate fabrics without conditioner and fabric softener;
- the water temperature when washing and rinsing should not exceed 40 degrees;
- the number of rinses should not exceed three, and the number of drum revolutions should not exceed 500;
- after rinsing, leave what was washed in the washing machine for 30 - 40 minutes to remove excess moisture from the glass;
- If you put 2-3 tennis balls (or rubber balls of a similar size) in the drum, then during washing they will break up the collected feathers and release stuck dirt and dust lumps.
What mode should I use to wash a feather pillow?
You need to wash your feather pillow in the “Delicate Wash” mode to prevent it from deteriorating, or use the “Duvet” mode, if available in the washing machine.
Preparation
To wash a pen in an automatic washing machine you will need a special case, or better yet several. Sew 4-5 rectangles of thick natural fabric, preferably cotton, onto one pillow. The sizes of the covers correspond to the napkin. Make sure there are no holes in the fabric.
Knock out the pillow and place the fluff in the covers:
- We remove the pen from its case, opening one edge. We knock out the napkin on the balcony or in the yard - where the dust won’t bother anyone.
- Next, carefully pour the down and feathers into covers for washing. Fill each one halfway so that everything can be stretched and rinsed.
- To prevent feathers from spilling directly into the drum or basin, we tightly sew up the slits in the cover. It is better to do this on a sewing machine, so the case will be much stronger.
- We also wash the napkin, but separately. Better yet, replace it with a fresh one.
How to dry a feather pillow after washing
After excess moisture has been removed from the glass cushion, you need to remove it and place it on a flat surface, periodically turning it over to the other side to dry evenly. Or pick it up on a clothesline using clothespins and wait a day until it dries, periodically turning it over and fluffing it so that the feathers are fluffy. Washing in a washing machine on automatic mode is better because after it the feathers dry out faster than when washing them manually.
How to dry pillow feathers
If the feathers were washed separately in fabric bags, then the procedure is similar to that applied to drying the pillow, but it will take much less time: 12 - 14 hours, after which the dry filling can be sewn into a new pillowcase.
Can feather pillows be taken out in the cold?
Yes, it is recommended to take them out into the cold to prevent the appearance of dust mites. Six to eight hours in the cold in winter is enough to freeze out most of the microorganisms and insects inside. Also, during this time, the pillow must be fluffed regularly so that cold air penetrates into the very center of the filler, where parasites can gather.
But it is not recommended to dry a wet product in the cold. It is better to plan washing for the warm season and dry the pillow in the sun.
Secrets of successful drying
You and I understand that before returning feathers and down to the pillowcase, the filler must be thoroughly dried. Check out these helpful tips:
Drying should also be done according to all the rules.
- Lay out the feathers or their cases on absorbent paper. As a last resort, on a newspaper (there is a possibility that printing ink will print on a light nib). Change the paper as it becomes damp.
- It is better to dry on the sunny side of the room, close to heating devices. If the fluff is in a case, then you can place it to dry on a window, balcony - where there is a good draft.
- Don't forget to shake, beat, and turn over properly.
- Drying in total lasts about a week - before this time has passed, there is no point in returning the still wet filler to the bedsheet.
Dry cleaning will benefit the filler
Feather pillow cleaning, restoration
In addition, by washing the pillow, you can clean and renew it, which will save time on drying the wet filling. It is recommended to carry out cleaning once every six months.
Where can you clean feather pillows?
You can clean them at home, or take them to specialized salons or dry cleaners, where they can be treated with special products and refilled.
How to clean feather pillows in specialized salons
Specialized salons or dry cleaners may use the following cleaning methods:
- Chemical. During dry cleaning, the filling is removed from the pillow and treated in a solvent that removes dust mites, dirt, dust and removes odors. After this, the feathers are dried and ventilated from the solution, which can damage the feathers in some cases.
- Dry cleaning. With this method, the filler is cleaned using a strong air flow.
- Using ultraviolet light. When using UV, all living organisms, as well as waste products, are guaranteed to be destroyed.
After cleaning, the filling is sewn into new pillowcases and the result is a clean and soft pillow.
How much does it cost to clean a feather pillow?
The cost of cleaning feather pillows in specialized salons, on average in Russia, costs from 250 to 400 rubles per unit. The price may vary depending on the type of cleaning, region of residence and the company itself that carries out this procedure.
How to clean feather pillows at home
To clean your feather pillows at home, you can vacuum them. This will help remove dust mite dust from the surface and a little from the filler, but everything inside will remain virtually unchanged. It is advisable to knock out the pillow first, which will help clean it of dust from the inside, but this will not remove it completely. At home, this can only be done by washing in a washing machine or by hand, or professional cleaning in a salon.
Selecting a detergent
Special products for cleaning products based on feather and down insulation are presented in a large assortment on the modern market of cleaning and detergents. Liquid detergents based on lanolin are best for washing feather pillow fillings. This innovative component will provide the most gentle and delicate washing of the pen, while perfectly preserving its structure. When washing, you should avoid cleaning products with a strong strong odor, as the filler will absorb this odor and create inconvenience when using the pillow in the future.
Important! To wash down feather pillows, it is advisable not to use granular detergents; microparticles of such detergents are very difficult to wash out of the feather structure.
How to care for feather pillows
In order for a feather pillow to last well, it is necessary to properly care for it. You should adhere to the following recommendations:
- Whisk every morning until it is soft and fluffy;
- ventilate regularly;
- wash it two to three times a year, as feathers absorb sweat and other secretions well, which is why it starts to smell bad;
- The lifespan is five to six years, after which you need to buy a new one or take it for restoration.
How to remove odor from a feather pillow
To remove the smell, try airing (frying) it in the sun, washing it or taking it to the dry cleaner.
Since feathers are a natural filler, it absorbs organic waste well; for people with excessive sweating, it is better to buy products with synthetic or bamboo fillers.
The smell of a new feather pillow
If an unpleasant odor comes from new feather pillows, then there are several options to remedy the situation:
- If the receipts are intact, return them to the store.
- You can try to ventilate the product.
- Wash.
Feathers are coming out of my pillow, what should I do?
When the pillowcase becomes thin, feathers begin to emerge from the pillow. In this case, you need to replace the napkin, or put a new one on top of the old one.
To care for your feather pillow, contact specialized salons, or do it yourself. Washing, cleaning, restoration - all this will help extend its life and avoid unpleasant odors or the development of allergies to dust mites, dust or the feathers themselves, which is important. Proper care is the key to life for any thing.
Traditional methods
Instead of industrial powders and gels, many housewives choose grandma's products. They are cheaper and less likely to cause allergies.
Soaking with lemon juice
Squeeze the juice out of 5-6 lemons, removing the seeds. Dilute everything with 3 liters of water. You can wash it with or without the cover. Pour the warm solution over the feathers and leave for a couple of hours.
This soaking will whiten and refresh the feathers, destroy harmful microorganisms and leave a subtle natural aroma.
Dry cleaning with baking soda and tea tree essential oil
Soda is a well-known household bleach and “killer” of harmful microorganisms. Tea tree oil makes an excellent company with soda: it has disinfectant properties.
To make your feather and quill smell pleasant, shine white and be completely safe, clean them using this popular method:
- Mix 100 g of baking soda and 10-12 drops of tea tree oil. Distribute the dry mixture over the bottom of the bowl.
- Place the pillow there, wipe with powder on all sides.
- Let sit for 40-60 minutes.
- Vacuum the cover thoroughly.
- This cleaning will help postpone washing in water for a couple of months.
