The market offers a lot of pillow options, differing in cost, shape, and fillings. The best option for sleep and relaxation would be holofiber pillows, which, in comparison with their “brothers” made from other materials, have a number of advantages, including:
- hypoallergenic. People prone to allergies do not have to worry about their quality of sleep and health. The artificial material, which is holofiber, does not cause allergic reactions: nasal congestion, sneezing, lacrimation. Good hypoallergenic performance is achieved due to a special production technology - the absence of adhesive compositions in the weaving of fibers;
- little weight. A holofiber pillow can be taken on a trip - due to its light weight it is convenient for travel;
- Long service life provided proper care is taken. The product can last at least 5-7 years while maintaining its shape, softness, and elasticity.
Holofiber is the only material that does not harbor dust mites, fungi and pathogens.
How often do holofiber pillows need to be washed?
The structure of holofiber is soft and porous. The point is that there remains an air gap between the fibers connected by a non-woven method.
Holofiber has properties such as hypoallergenicity and breathability. It does not absorb moisture and the risk of unpleasant odor is minimal. Unlike natural fillers, it does not harbor pathogenic fungi and bacteria. Thanks to this, pillows with polyester are washed no more than 1-2 times a year.
There are recommendations to wash holofiber more often, for example, once a month, but this is not particularly necessary. If you frequently wash the material, it will quickly lose its positive qualities.
Advice If you want to freshen up your pillow a little, it is better to ventilate it: place it in the open air and strictly in a horizontal position. You should not hang holofiber, this can lead to deformation.
How to fluff a feather pillow
A feather pillow has many advantages, however, the naturalness of the composition can lead to harmful microorganisms accumulating and multiplying inside the filler. Therefore, it should be whisked as often as possible as this prevents caking and clumps. If the feathers are very tangled and compressed, they emit an odor, and even washing does not return them to normal, then such a pillow should be replaced. In this case, beating is already powerless.
Machine washable
It is intensive washing in the drum that leads to damage to the filling: its structure clumps, and sleeping on such a pillow will become extremely uncomfortable. If you choose a washing machine, then set it to delicate modes and minimum speed.
Rules for machine washing holofiber:
- Contact with water should be quick. You should not choose modes for several hours. The optimal mode would be delicate or manual mode for 10-30 minutes.
- To smooth out the mechanical impact on the material, add a couple of towels to the pillow.
- Spinning, even the most delicate, and additional rinsing are not recommended.
- Washing temperature - up to 30, maximum 40 degrees. The hotter the water, the more aggressive the effect on the holofiber fibers.
- To prevent washing from affecting the quality of your sleep, do not use scented powders or conditioners.
- The priority is washing gels that rinse well. Regular powders will leave unsightly streaks on the case.
- The use of chlorine bleaches is prohibited.
After the first wash cycle, you will understand how to handle the pillow and what actions to avoid.
Advice If the pillow has not been washed for several years, then it makes sense to remove the holofiber and wash it in parts. For this you will need small pillowcases or durable bags.
Filler recovery
If the pillow was washed and dried incorrectly, the filling may bunch up unevenly. In order to correct the situation, you need to try to put the packing in order.
The holofiber “balls” should be removed. A deep basin is suitable for this. If the bedside table does not have a zipper, you will have to rip the fabric at the seam to get out the contents.
You can disassemble the filler in one of the following ways:
- With your hands.
- Acting as a slicker brush, which is used to groom animals.
- Combining both previous methods.
All three options are labor-intensive, requiring accuracy and a lot of time . Despite all the thoroughness of the restoration work, the pillow will not become the same as before.
The maximum that can be achieved is to give the item a look that will allow it to be used for its intended purpose for a short time.
If the filling is seriously damaged, it can be replaced with a new one, leaving the same bedstead. Or you will have to replace the entire pillow.
Wash by hand
If you wash pillows with holofiber by hand, they will retain their original qualities for a long time. The procedure will not take much time, because the filler is resistant to long soaking and aggressive friction.
If the drum load is small, then a blanket or large pillow with holofiber can only be washed by hand.
How to properly wash synthetic filler by hand:
- The water temperature is comfortable, slightly warm. Thoroughly dissolve the washing gel in it. You can replace the powder with unscented shampoo. After drying, the item should not have a strong smell. Bad detergents are not completely washed out, subsequently causing discomfort to a person: headaches, itchy skin, insomnia.
- Soak the product in the basin for 20-30 minutes, no longer. If the blanket is too large, then prepare the solution directly in the bath.
- After soaking, squeeze the pillow with your palms without twisting.
- This is followed by rinsing: dip the material in cool water and gently knead.
- Rinse until all the soapy water is gone.
Tip: To wash stubborn stains or when you need to bleach the diaper, try removing it from the filling and washing it separately. If this is not possible, wet the cover and rub it well with laundry soap, and then send the pillow to soak.
The difference between machine and hand washing
Hand washing is preferable for pillows filled with holofiber. Washing by hand is considered delicate and prevents excessive creasing of the filler, increasing service life. Despite the fact that manufacturers guarantee that the elasticity of the material will be restored by 80-90% after creasing, in practice this is far from the case. It is better to spend more time, but keep the product in its original form after drying.
Some models of modern washing machines have a mode for washing bedding (pillows, blankets, blankets), which provides the most gentle care for the product.
If possible, it is better to buy a pillow with a removable cover. Holofiber fibers do not crumble, it is not difficult to remove them from the cotton “shell,” and only the cover can be washed at the optimal temperature for the type of fabric.
The most important thing when washing pillows:
- Use only liquid detergents for soaking and care, no bleaching compounds.
- Even the minimum spin mode in a washing machine is unacceptable.
- If possible, it is better to remove the filling from the cover, which is washed in a mode in accordance with the type of fabric. While the cover is being washed, the filling is laid out in a ventilated room - this will remove foreign odors from it and refresh it.
- Maximum temperature is 30 degrees Celsius. It is advisable to measure the water with a thermometer or elbow - if the temperature feels hot, it means the readings are above 37C.
- Optimal care – in summer, drying is quick and hassle-free. In winter, organizing drying will be more difficult.
To extend the service life, it is recommended to leave the sleep attribute for ventilation during the warm season. You can carry out this manipulation on the balcony, providing access to fresh air into the room, or you can take it outside and place it in a ventilated place, avoiding excessive direct sunlight. It is recommended to dry the pillow twice during the season - at the end of spring and beginning of autumn.
Drying pillows with holofiber
Never dry holofiber in the drum of a washing machine. The process should happen naturally. Drying with an iron and hairdryer, or placement on a heating radiator is excluded.
After washing, gently wring out the material with your hands, without twisting it, but only pressing with your palms and allowing the moisture to drain freely. For comfort, press the pillow against the wall of the bathtub or other vertical object.
After spinning as delicately as possible, the product should be moved to a well-ventilated area and placed horizontally on a dryer or some object. If you hang a pillow on clothespins, the wet contents will slide down and become deformed under their own weight.
Tip To speed up drying, place a terry towel under the product. This fabric has the best absorbent properties. Turn the pillow over periodically - once every 2 hours.
What is another name for holofiber?
Just above we indicated what kind of material is used to create holofiber - it is polyester. Chemists also call it polyester. It is characterized by the absence of any formaldehyde and other harmful substances, and therefore is considered by experts to be reliable and safe.
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How to fluff holofiber in a pillow and restore its appearance
During the drying process, the pillow must be turned over and gently kneaded while it is still damp. If the filler still falls off after washing and drying, then try restoring it using this method:
- Remove the breastplate.
- Beat and straighten any lumps of filler with your hands.
- Help yourself with a small comb or brush. Slicker combs for pets are suitable; their teeth will straighten out lumps to their original fluffy state.
- This procedure is carried out only after the pillow is completely dry.
Tip When choosing a pillow with holofiber, give preference to samples with a removable cover.
Proper drying and ironing
The washed and wrung out item can be hung to dry on a trempel, or in the usual way, on a clothesline.
Using a radiator or electric radiator for drying is strictly prohibited , as this can lead to damage to clothing.
It is better to dry down jackets and jackets made of membrane fabric by laying them out on a special clothes dryer - this will prevent deformation of the product.
The room in which the item is dried must be well ventilated . Otherwise, it may acquire an unpleasant odor, which will require repeated washing to eliminate.
If clothes after washing look very wrinkled and require ironing, you should carefully iron them with an iron, turning on the steam mode. The choice of ironing temperature depends on the material from which the jacket is made.
Common mistakes when cleaning and washing pillows
Popular mistakes housewives make when caring for holofiber:
- The main mistake is incorrect position when drying. Holofiber should dry lying down.
- High washing and drying temperatures. Holofiber cannot be ironed.
- Negligence in caring for the filler, i.e. intensive spinning in the drum, twisting during hand washing.
- Using a steamer - do not expose the holofiber to heat.
- Attempts to bleach the napkin using aggressive means. If you have a stain, it would be wiser to rip up the seam and remove the filler than to wash everything together and ruin the product.
Additional care measures
In order for a holofiber pillow to serve for a long time, it is necessary to carry out additional care of the product. This will also replace regular washing.
- It is recommended to take the product out into the fresh air for several hours to ventilate it. This is done in dry weather.
- Using dry cleaning. Service specialists use the correct compositions of specialized products for cleaning.
If, if you do not follow the recommendations for washing a holofiber pillow, the product becomes unusable, you can try to restore it using a massage hair brush by combing out the material.
How to care
Holofiber products can last up to 10 years.
To avoid shortening your service life, follow these tips:
- Buy a few bed sheets and pillowcases so you can replace them often. This way you reduce the number of times you wash the filler itself.
- Do not overuse washing.
- Wash holofiber in the summer to make the drying process faster. Place the product on the balcony under a draft.
- Avoid folding pillows in half, rolling them, or storing them in vacuum bags to prevent fibers from pilling.
- If the stains are complex: stains of tea, coffee, juice, etc., then go to dry cleaning or rip out the diaper and restore with delicate stain removers.
- Periodically turn the sleeping pillow over so that the load on the filler is even. If pressure is placed on one area, it will settle over time.
- Just in case, read the manufacturer's recommendations on the label.
- Buy quality products: cheap analogues will deteriorate even with the most delicate care.
Once or twice a year, any housewife can take the time to delicately wash pillows and blankets with holofiber. There is no point in taking risks and washing such things on standard washing machine modes. Take a comprehensive approach to caring for bedding so that the purchase is worth it and the products last longer.
Beating with a hanger
Surprisingly, with the help of hangers you can not only store things, but also beat up the padding polyester if it has rolled into lumps after washing.
What do we have to do:
- Turn the jacket inside out.
- Then place it on a flat, elastic surface. This could be a sofa or a bed.
- Take a hanger (hangers) and actively pat all problem areas, including sleeves.
- Turn the item over to the other side, and then beat it well again.
Attention: there should be no sharp corners on the hanger, otherwise you may damage the fabric.
Pros:
- There are hangers in every home (you don’t need to buy anything special);
- guaranteed results in 15-20 minutes.
Minuses:
- may take a long time in the case of a long winter coat;
- Vigorous hand movements are tiring.
Life hack: the hanger can be replaced with a carpet beater, a rolling pin, or a massage comb with plastic tips on the teeth.
The method is very effective and fast. Suitable when you don't have a washing machine.
Popular methods that don't work
There are many websites on the Internet that recommend using a vacuum cleaner or hair dryer to get rid of lumps. We tested both of these options and can say with confidence that they are ineffective in the case of padding polyester. Previously, we conducted a similar experiment with a down jacket and there these methods worked a little better.
Using a vacuum cleaner
The method is to use a bag and a vacuum cleaner with reverse mode. The jacket is placed in a bag and the air is pumped out of it. Then switch the vacuum cleaner to reverse mode and fill the bag with air again. This is repeated several times.
This method works for clothes made from natural down, but not padding polyester. Artificial filler has a different structure and crumples into denser fragments.
Using a hair dryer
Another ineffective way is to use a hair dryer. This procedure is done with a slightly damp jacket. You need to turn on the hair dryer at medium power and supply cold air. While blowing through the filler, you must simultaneously level and smooth it with your hands. In this way, the clothes should be processed on both sides.
It is difficult to call this method effective. For the most part, you will still have to work with your hands; the air stream will only dry the jacket and that's it.
How can you restore material if it has been damaged as a result of improper machine washing?
If you had to wash an item filled with holofiber in violation of the recommendations, most likely it will be severely deformed and will not bring as much pleasure during use as before.
Before throwing away a damaged item, you should try to restore its functionality:
- We will need a new flat-based massage brush, a spacious basin and a brush for combing out pet fluff.
- Place the damaged holofiber in a basin and, if possible, straighten out the lumps with your hands. The material is not volatile, so you don’t have to worry about it spreading throughout the room like fluff.
- We take a little filler, place it on the teeth of a massage brush and begin combing it out with a lint brush. Thus, you need to work through all the material, achieving the desired texture.
Ideally, the manipulation should be repeated more than once, taking short breaks between approaches. Then the raw material will definitely have time to dry thoroughly and its texture will be as close as possible to the original.
It is worth considering that even such painstaking work does not guarantee the desired result. But it will definitely not be possible to completely restore the softness and lightness of the filler.
In this case, you can purchase a new household appliance or simply replace the holofiber in it. Spoiled raw materials will serve perfectly as a filler for pet bedding, ottomans, decorative pillows and pincushions.