How to wash a down pillow in a washing machine or by hand at home

Down filling for pillows has remained popular for a long time. This product is characterized by lightness, elasticity, softness, and air tightness.

But down pillows need cleaning at least once a year. Otherwise, there is a high probability of ticks multiplying.

Read the article on how to wash a down pillow at home.

Features of washing down

Cleaning of down products in dry cleaning is carried out using special equipment that performs several operations: cleaning, sifting and processing of the filler for the purpose of disinfection.

Advice! For self-washing at home, you must use covers made of thick cotton fabric with ties or hand-sewn pillowcases that prevent fluff from getting into the drum of the washing machine.

Otherwise, most of the fluff will be washed away by the flow of water, which will lead to clogging of household appliances or the drain hole. This article will tell you how to properly wash a feather pillow in a washing machine and by hand.

Do you wash down pillows by hand or in the washing machine?

By handIn the machine

Preparatory stage for separate washing

First, you will need to sew several bags in which the fluff will be washed in parts. It would be good if such covers were made of thin chintz, teak, or cotton fabric.

For reference, the dimensions can be taken as standard 50*70 or 70*70. On average, to wash the down filling of one pillow, you will need 4-5 of these bags. Or you can have an even smaller size of 20*20 cm and wash a small amount of fluff in them.

If you don't have time to sew, you can take a few old pillowcases from these materials. It is important not to take with defects (holes and tears) and give preference to medium-density fabrics.

Preparing for washing

Washing a down pillow requires special preparation. To do this, you need to perform several steps:

To get rid of dust - the product must be thoroughly knocked out or vacuumed in high power mode. Otherwise, a significant part of the dust will remain in the form of streaks on the case.
Remove the filling from the diaper and place it in several prepared bags. At the same time, it is not recommended to stuff them too tightly: the cleaning composition should easily penetrate deep into each of them.
Tie the bags as tightly as possible so that they cannot open during the washing process.

Important! A small down pillow can be washed entirely, but in this case it is necessary to wear an additional pillowcase.

Along with the pillow, you need to put special balls equipped with small spikes or tennis balls into the drum of the washing machine. When the drum rotates, these products will have an additional impact on the fluff, preventing it from clumping.

Before washing, it is recommended to soak the pillow in detergent and leave for 4 hours. You can also prepare a solution yourself for this purpose by mixing 4 tsp. ammonia, 1 cap of detergent and 5 liters of water.

Artificial down

Artificial down is a soft, weightless, non-woven synthetic material reminiscent of the down of waterfowl. Fibers of artificial raw materials have a structure, texture and properties similar to natural fluff. However, due to its unique structure and special interweaving of threads, it even surpasses its natural counterpart in some qualities.

Pillows with artificial down are hypoallergenic, breathable, elastic and affordable. To clean such products, it is necessary to follow a number of rules and recommendations.

Preparation for the procedure includes the same manipulations as in the case of products made from natural fluff. Artificial litter can be easily cleaned both manually and in an automatic machine.

To get the maximum result from washing, you must:

properly prepare the fluff for loading into the drum of the washing machine;
use high quality detergent;
set the washing settings appropriate for this type of filler.

Important! The recommended frequency of washing pillows with artificial down is at least once a year.

swansdown

You can only wash one pillow in a washing machine per cycle. It can be placed in a drum in a pillowcase, but it is best to put the fluff into bags.

Next, you should prepare for washing, following 3 basic rules:

Select the appropriate washing mode. To clean a pillow with swan down, the best option would be “Down things” or “Delicate”. The water temperature should not exceed +30°C. It is recommended to set an additional rinse mode.
Set the optimal spin speed - the drum should not rotate faster than 400 rpm. More intensive washing will cause serious damage to the filling.
To wash swan down, you must use high-quality detergents. Gels are ideal for this purpose - they dissolve well in cold water and are easily washed out of the filler. You can also purchase special capsules for washing such products.

Important! It is advisable to wash large pillows in 2 stages.

According to some housewives, hand washing is more effective and prevents the filler from clumping. This procedure can be done as follows:

Fluff the pillow, thereby getting rid of dust.
Remove the fluff from the pillowcase and place it in a bowl of cool water (up to 30 °C).
Leave for 3-4 hours, stirring the fluff periodically.
After the allotted time has passed, add detergent to the water.
During the washing process, squeeze out the fluff using a colander and rinse, periodically changing the water.

At the last stage, divide the washed fluff into several parts and place it on old pillowcases. After this, take it out into the fresh air in direct sunlight or place it near a window in a well-ventilated area.

Important! Drying down requires constant (every 30 minutes) shaking and turning, this will prevent the formation of lumps.

It is unacceptable to dry down items near heating devices, on radiators or with a hair dryer. Otherwise, the filler will lose its original properties.

Natural fluff

Washing products with natural down requires the same technology and algorithm as with synthetic material.
First of all, you need to decide how the pillows will be cleaned - yourself at home or in a professional dry cleaner. In the first case, the procedure will require a lot of effort and will take approximately 2-3 days.

Find out how to properly wash an orthopedic pillow in a washing machine and by hand.

Washing in an automatic washing machine

It is believed that the best way to wash down pillows is to use the partial cleaning method. But modern washing machines with gentle washing modes do an excellent job of this task.

How to wash step by step:

Before washing, the pillows must be thoroughly removed from dust. This will help get rid of excess dirt and “break up” the feather clumps, which will allow them to be washed better.
Feather pillows cannot be washed “as is”. You need to sew an additional bedstead (bag) slightly larger than the pillow. It will protect the drum from fluff if the main one breaks.
Place the pillow in the pillowcase and sew it up. Send the product into the drum of the machine along with tennis balls or special laundry balls with small spikes. It will prevent fluff from clumping.
Pour washing powder into the compartment. A small amount, it is better to take 3/4 of the volume for normal washing. But it is better to use liquid products. They wash out well and penetrate the down fibers. No need to add conditioner.
Select the wash mode “hand” or “delicate”, or if available, “Down blanket”. The optimal temperature is 30-40 °C. Spin speed – no more than 400. Use “extra rinse”.

If the pillow has served for more than one year and has never been washed, it is better to contact a dry cleaner. Old fluff may simply not withstand getting wet and collapse.

If the pillow is large, then you should wash the down and pillowcase separately . The same method is also suitable for small items, because it promotes even better washing of the filler.

Selecting a detergent

The correct choice of detergent for washing down pillows determines the final result of this event. It is not recommended to use conventional washing powders due to the difficulties encountered in the process of rinsing them out of the filler.

Advice! It is best to use liquid powder, but in the absence of such an opportunity, it is permissible to pour 30 g of ordinary powder into the washing machine dispenser.

The ideal product for washing down pillows is a gel that does not spoil the structure of the feather fibers and effectively removes all dirt. Thanks to it, down retains breathability and lipid molecules.

Useful tips

If you do not have a suitable mesh for washing pillows, you can make the covers yourself. However, gauze is not suitable for such purposes, since feathers and fluff will get tangled in its fibers. It is better to take old tulle for this. When sewing, you need to choose the width of the cover so that it matches the width of the bedstead. But the length of the bag should be twice as long. This will help you complete the task more effectively. After all, a rectangular cover is easier to lay out to dry. This allows you to be more careful with the filler. It is recommended to sew the covers so that they do not come undone during the washing process.

How to machine wash?

When washing down pillows in an automatic machine, you need to follow simple rules and sequence of actions. Despite the apparent complexity at first glance, this procedure does not require significant effort.

Mode selection

It is recommended to wash the product using the following mode: “Delicate”, “Manual”, “Wool” or “Down items”.

Temperature selection

The water temperature for washing natural down pillows should not exceed 30 °C.

This article will tell you how to properly wash bamboo pillows in a washing machine and by hand.

Pillow cleaning services

Since washing feather pillows in a washing machine is a troublesome process, many housewives prefer the services of professionals. This is a quick but somewhat expensive procedure. Completely gets rid of debris and microflora, but fat and stubborn dirt remain in the feathers.

After processing, 20-30% of the filler is lost - feather fragments settle to the bottom of the unit. This is trash. Please take into account possible shrinkage when ordering services. Most likely, to get two soft, fluffy pillows, you will need to clean three. Or buy additional feathers directly during cleaning.

Dry cleaning with quartz

Cleaning feather pillows with quartz is a very convenient service. Now in every city there are small establishments the size of a shopping kiosk. They rip up and disinfect pillows right in front of you. I had to turn to such services too. Here's how it goes.

The operator rips open the corner of your napkin. He pours feathers into the car compartment.
If there are not enough feathers, he will offer to make one pillow out of two, two out of three. In a word, he will give reasonable advice.
Then the compartment is hermetically sealed and the installation is started.
The air flow will “sweep” the feathers. And disinfect quartz.
The process takes several minutes. After which the unit blows the feathers into the prepared cover.
You can bring your own bedding, or you can buy a new one right away. Moreover, there is an assortment of napkins of different sizes and colors, which is very convenient.
The napkin is sewn up using a sewing machine. Beat.
You receive a fluffy pillow in a clean pillowcase.
An experienced operator will tell you how long your pillows will last.

By the way, after dry cleaning feather pillows, you can personally see the usefulness of the process: unappetizing sediment will remain at the bottom of the installation - all kinds of debris, feather fragments, dust, etc.

Dry cleaning

Preparation for the process is similar to the previous one.
The feathers are then steamed at 120℃.
Then dry with warm air and remove dust.

Hand wash

To avoid deformation of the product during hand washing, as well as to prevent the diaper from changing color and the filling sticking together, you must adhere to the following algorithm:

Fill a large reservoir with water: a bathtub/basin.
Dissolve a small amount of washing powder or soap shavings.
Carefully open the pillowcase and remove the fluff from it.
Place the fluff in the tank (it should float in a dense layer on the surface).
Leave the filler in this position for 1.5-2 hours.
Then rinse in small portions in a colander under running water.
Replace the water and detergent in the reservoir, add fluff there and wash by hand.
Repeat the procedure twice.

Important! Hand washing of natural down is done with beating movements.

Manual method of washing a down pillow

Sequencing:

Washing can be done both in the bathtub and in the basin. One of these tanks should be filled with water, the temperature of which should vary around 40°C.
The next step is to dilute the detergent, preferably gel-based and fragrance-free. It is possible to use liquid powder or shampoo. By the way, there will be soap shavings mixed in hot water in advance. The finished solution should be poured into a filled basin or bath. It must be thoroughly mixed to form a liquid of uniform consistency further. You should not get too carried away with adding detergent, as problems may arise with washing the fluff.
The stuffing should be placed in the prepared vessel. The fluffs should be separated from each other so as to occupy the entire provided volume of the container. The down should be left for a maximum of two hours to allow it to become completely wet.
Then you need to collect it using a colander. Rinse thoroughly with clean warm water in several stages.
Repeat the procedure for better results. To do this, you need to re-prepare everything required.
After soaking, extracting and rinsing the fluff, it must be placed on the prepared canvas. Then leave the water to drain. Then you need to transfer the filler to a clean, dry cloth, leaving it to dry later.

Proper drying

Proper drying increases the life of the product. If this procedure is carried out incorrectly, using heaters, the structure of the fluff will become fragile and brittle. This will render the pillow unusable in a short time.

On open air

If the fluff was washed in special bags, then after finishing the procedure it is recommended to wrap each of them in natural fabric to get rid of moisture. Open drying involves performing several actions:

Spread several layers of paper on a flat surface.
Place cotton fabric on top.
Place a small portion of fluff on the fabric, after beating it.
Cover the lint with gauze to prevent it from spreading throughout the room.
Turn over hourly to avoid lumps.

Thus, dry all the fluff extracted from the pillowcase in portions. Typically, drying takes about two days (depending on the time of year and weather). The sun's rays do not harm natural down. On the contrary, ultraviolet radiation eliminates bacteria and saprophytic dust mites.

Battery

The use of radiators for drying fluff is strictly unacceptable.

Using special devices

In addition to batteries, you should avoid drying down with a hairdryer. The filler should dry naturally. To speed up this process, you can resort to several methods:

On a clothesline , place high-quality wrung down fluff in two pillowcases made of thin, breathable material. Hang them, stretching them between the ropes, without sewing them up, with the hole facing up (it should remain wide open). Periodically shake and tuck the feathers from below. Using this method, air will enter the filler and moisture will evaporate.
On a clothes dryer , place the covers with feathers on top of this device and set it in a warm place for several days. At the same time, periodically turn over and shake the covers with down.
In a dryer - this equipment will allow you to dry as quickly as possible. Place the fluff directly in small covers into the drying drum. Place tennis balls here too. Start the dryer.

Attention! Down that has not dried within 2-3 days may begin to rot. To prevent this, it is recommended to rinse again.

Procedure:

Remove the fluff from the pillowcase or bags.
Rinse in water with diluted detergent.
Hold under running water.
Place on a surface in a room with good air circulation.
If possible, the down can be kept in the oven at temperatures up to 80 °C. After drying, transfer it to a dry and ironed bedsheet.

Disinfection of the filler

Sebum, dust, microflora and mites densely “inhabit” the pillow. Ensure yourself a healthy sleep by getting rid of uninvited guests. The filler is disinfected in the following ways:

Ferry. This is discussed above.
Drying in the sun.
Withstanding in the cold.
Using chlorine bleach. You need to soak feather bags in it before washing.
Add 3-4 drops of lavender, cypress, and tea tree oils to the laundry detergent. Their scent repels dust mites.
After pre-soaking the feathers in the following composition: 10 liters of water, 100 ml of ammonia 10%, 1 tsp. boric acid, 500 g of soap. After an hour, put the feathers in the wash.

Steam treatment

Processing a pillow with down filling is the simplest process. If you do not have such equipment at home, you can use an iron with a vertical steam function as a replacement.

Steam cleaning is carried out in stages:

Hang the pillow upright and leave for 30 minutes.
Treat each side of the product with steam.
Repeat treatment 1-2 times.
Straighten the fluff thoroughly with your hands.
Place the product on a horizontal surface to dry.

Steam cleaning does not allow you to get the same result as both washing options (hand and washing machine). However, steam rids the fluff of unpleasant odors and mites, and also gives freshness to the bedding.

Important! After treatment with a steam cleaner, the pillow dries completely in just a few hours.

Do you steam down your down pillows?

Not really

Daily care

To keep your pillows looking fresh and tidy between washes, you should pay attention to regular care.

Every morning after sleep, shake with your hands and do not make the bed immediately, but let it air out.
The pillowcase will get less dirty if you use 2 pillowcases instead of one.
Every time you change the linen, you need to knock out the dust from the pillow with a clapper.
Ventilate the products every 2-3 months. Take it outside and leave it for a couple of hours in a shady but well-ventilated place or in the cold.
If the pillow is not used constantly, it is better to store it in a fabric cover.

Timely cleaning will help keep down bedding in excellent condition for the entire shelf life. Fresh, soft, airy pillows also help maintain good facial skin and improve sleep.

photo: depositphotos.com/paulmhill

How to care?

Proper care of it will help extend the life of your pillow. To do this, it is recommended to adhere to a number of rules:

Every morning, fluff the down product, transferring it in your hands. This technique helps fill the fluff with air. Thanks to this, the pillow retains its elasticity and its original shape for a long time.
Take the product out into the fresh air for ventilation at least once every 2 months. Carrying out this activity in winter will get rid of a large number of different microorganisms.
Every week, fluff the pillow with a firecracker.
Do not store in damp areas, and do not store in plastic bags or tightly closed containers. For storage, it is recommended to use covers made of fabric that provide free access of air to the filler.
To prevent contamination of the pillowcase, wear an additional one under the main pillowcase - made of thin, breathable material, for example, chintz. When washing bed linen, change both at once.
Vacuum the pillow 1-2 times a month.
Do not lie down on a pillow with wet hair.
To disinfect, soak down bags in chlorine bleach before washing.

If you follow all the rules and recommendations, cleaning a down pillow can be successfully done at home. The main thing is to ensure high-quality ventilation so that the product can dry completely.

Find out how to properly wash a synthetic padding pillow in a washing machine and by hand. You can learn about washing holofiber pillows here.

How to dry feather pillows correctly

It is not enough to simply wash a feather pillow at home; it also needs to be dried properly. If you approach the drying process inattentively, the results will be disastrous - the pillow may acquire an unpleasant odor, become a breeding ground for microorganisms, and lose its comfortable shape and structure.

When drying feather products, adhere to the following rules.

After washing, the down must be dried completely so that not even the slightest trace of moisture remains. If you wash the stuffing at home and then push even slightly damp fluff back into the cover, the product will inevitably develop fungus and mold, an unpleasant odor will appear, and sleeping on such a pillow will simply become unpleasant and dangerous.
It is necessary to dry the fluff naturally. You cannot place them on a hot radiator or use a powerful hair dryer - intense heat will damage the feathers, make them more fragile and disrupt their unique hygroscopic properties.
Down filling must be dried in a thin layer, first of all, this will significantly speed up the process and also help maintain the light and airy structure of the filler, which is responsible for increased sleep comfort.

Attention! The best time to wash your pillow at home is in the summer, when you can dry the stuffing in the fresh air at the ideal temperature and humidity level. If you need to wash the product in winter, clean, damp fluff can be laid out near the battery, the main thing is not to place it directly on the radiator.

Typically, drying a feather pillow is carried out as follows:

the washed down is laid out on a dry, flat surface in a thin layer and placed in a bright but well-ventilated place without direct sunlight;
It is advisable to place paper or thin cloth under the feathers - they will absorb excess moisture and make drying faster;
if drying is carried out at home, then the surface with feathers need not be covered with anything, but if the feathers are dried on the balcony or in the yard, they must be covered with gauze on top so that the light feathers do not fly away.

Drying the filler may take approximately 1-2 days at warm air temperatures and low humidity.

You can also hang washed feather stuffing directly in the covers to dry, or move the feathers into a mesh. But it is not recommended to use this method unnecessarily - feathers in a single lump always dry more slowly, and there remains a possibility that some moisture will remain in them. During the drying process, feathers must be stirred regularly if they are laid out open, or the bags must be shaken.

To quickly dry feathers, you can use a hair dryer, but its use should not exceed 15 minutes. In addition, the mode must be set so that the air flow is warm, but not hot.

After the feathers have dried completely, they will need to be pushed into the washed cover of the product and tightly sew up the previously torn edge. After this, you need to lightly beat the pillow with your hands to give it a comfortable shape and fluff the feathers inside.

Know-how from users

To ensure that washing pillows is successful and the products are not damaged, you should pay attention to the following tips from experienced users:

There is no need to wash feather or down pillows every season; it is enough to air them. If washing is needed, it is better to plan it for late spring or summer. In fall and winter, feathers will take weeks to dry.
The down in the pillow is the same down as in a winter jacket. Therefore, when washing in an automatic machine, do not forget to put several tennis balls into the drum.
After washing, it is recommended to stuff the dried feather into two feather pads, then it will not get dirty so quickly. And if you are not too lazy to rub the first pillowcase with soap on the reverse side, then the feather will not absorb the smell of sweat and dust for a long time.

If the washing was unsuccessful and the feathers acquired an unpleasant odor, then it is better to throw away such a product and buy a new one, filled with holofiber or silicone.