Just a few decades ago, no one had heard of such an item as an “anti-stress pillow.” Nowadays, few cars do not have such a comfortable accessory.
The bolsters are convenient to use on long trips, placed under the neck, while sleeping, or as a distraction for little travelers. As a result, they often become dirty with a variety of types of contaminants - from saliva or sweat to stubborn stains.
What is anti-stress?
Anti-stress toys and pillows calm the nerves. Due to a combination of certain characteristics, namely colorfulness, high-quality coating and ball filler, this effect is achieved.
Anti-stress toys massage the nerve endings on the fingers and palms and develop fine motor skills in children. Pillows help you fall asleep faster and relieve insomnia. Many people use them instead of standard pillows.
A special difference is the hypoallergenic material. They do not cause allergic reactions and are absolutely safe for children and even newborns.
By pressing the squish (as anti-stress toys are called in Japan), it changes its shape and then returns. They have a sweetish odor that acts as a sedative. You can drip lavender or peppermint oil onto your squish yourself for better and quicker stress relief.
Anti-stress toys
The toy creates incredibly pleasant tactile sensations. Creates a massage effect, makes you smile and rejoice, throw away all the bad things and think about the right actions.
What is an anti-stress pillow
Special small balls are used to fill the pillow. It is these balls that are responsible for obtaining the anti-stress effect. The most common material used to create balls is polystyrene. Production involves applying heat to pentane, which causes gas to appear and the fractions to swell and become the desired pellets.
The material is highly hygienic, reliable, and serves as protection against the appearance of field ticks. It does not have a negative effect on the body, this allows it to be purchased for children and elderly people, it is not allergenic.
It has the ability to withstand various influences for a long time without losing color brightness, so the product is durable. Many people who use a pillow to sleep note the calmness, relaxation and strength of such rest.
Silicone balls are also used to fill pillows; they have hygienic properties, softness and comfort. Is it possible to wash anti-stress pillows with silicone balls? The answer is yes, washing will not cause any problems. Although this is often not allowed, the material counteracts microflora, preventing field mites from accumulating.
You can find pillows with foam balls inside, their main advantage is a pronounced massage effect, they retain heat, however, you can hear a slight rustling when moving.
Washing rules
Pillows and toys should be washed when they become dirty. With active use, clean at least once a month, or more often.
Stains should be removed immediately after they appear; there is no need to wait until the next day of washing, so you won’t have to later look for how to remove old stains so as not to damage the material.
Be sure to read the label on the anti-stress pillow. Some cannot be washed. They are cleaned using dry methods. For example, use soda or salt. Sprinkle the mixture onto the squish, leave for 30 minutes, then shake off.
Some pillows cannot be washed
The second method of dry cleaning is to place the toy in a bag, add starch, tie it and shake for 10-15 minutes. Remove any remaining product with a dry cloth.
ARTICLE FOR YOU
How to properly wash a wedding dress: in the washing machine and by hand
Anti-stress toys will stay new longer if washed properly. This is easy to do, following the rules of hand and machine washing.
How to prepare pillows for washing
Preliminary preparation is necessary for high-quality cleaning of the product.
2 important preparatory steps:
- clean surface contamination;
- sew up the holes if the pillow rips.
Choose how it is more convenient for you to wash the anti-stress pillow: the whole thing or the filling and cover separately. After the procedure is completed, the product is reassembled.
Only hand wash after removing the filling. Otherwise, the pillow will quickly deteriorate.
Handwash
With frequent use, anti-stress products become dirty. They can and should be washed. This can be done in several ways - manually or in a washing machine. In the first case, the pillow will last longer and the fabric will not tear so quickly.
Action algorithm:
- Inspect the pillow for integrity. Ripped seams, sew up holes. If water gets inside, the filler may come out.
- Then remove stains using industrial or home methods. Laundry soap, ammonia, salt removes any dirt well, removes grease, glycerin and gasoline ink.
- Pour water into the container at a temperature of 30°C. The container is filled halfway.
- Pour in a washing gel that does not contain chlorine or bleach. Toys are made bright, these substances will negatively affect the color and stains will appear.
- Immerse in a container with a soap solution. Leave for 15 minutes. Add a few drops of ammonia. The colorful color of the anti-stress pillow/toy will be preserved.
- Do not rub with brushes, hands or on things. Wrinkle gently, as when used to relieve stress. Use gentle pressing movements to remove contaminants.
- Drain the used liquid and add clean water. Rinse until the water is no longer soapy. Pillows are harder to remove soap from.
Sent out to dry. Washing will take a little time. In the worst case, you will have to spend an hour on the procedure if the pillow is very dirty and stained.
How to wash a pillow by hand
Explore the filler
As an anti-stress component in such products, in addition to polystyrene balls, the inside may also include:
- Buckwheat husk.
- Flaxseeds.
- Bamboo fiber.
If polystyrene easily tolerates contact with moisture and practically does not absorb it, then the natural components will be spoiled. Therefore, first you need to determine whether the products with the existing filler can be completely washed.
Buckwheat hulls, bamboo fiber and flax seeds should be removed. Wash only the surface cover itself. There are no such requirements for pillows with polystyrene. But there are others. They are not allowed:
- Boil or wash in very hot water.
- Use bleaches, especially those containing chlorine. This component will not only ruin the color of the item, but also damage the fibers. As a result, the pillow can become seriously deformed.
- Lay out to dry on the radiator.
Now you can consider various options for cleaning toys with polystyrene fillings.
Washing in a washing machine
Washing in an automatic machine is not prohibited. You will need to follow some simple rules so that the item does not get damaged.
Anti-stress pillows and toys with buckwheat husks, stuffed with fragrant soothing herbs or sawdust, must be ripped open before being placed in the machine.
This filler is sifted separately. Dust is removed. And the case can be sent to modern technology. This rule should also be observed when washing products by hand.
ARTICLE FOR YOU
How to wash pillows: in the washing machine and by hand, bleach, dry
If there is no time to remove the filler, dry cleaning is carried out. If they come into contact with water, flax seeds and buckwheat hulls will deteriorate.
How to wash dirt in an automatic washing machine:
- Repair damage (holes, ripped seams).
- Wash stains before putting them in the machine. Any baby powder or dishwashing detergent will do. Rub the product with the product and leave for 30 minutes.
- Place anti-stress toys in a clothing case or pillowcase, which should be tied tightly with a cord. The pillow is also washed in the cover.
- Washing mode: “delicate”, “hand”, “wash blanket and pillows”, “silk”, “wool”.
- Temperature: 40°C. It is not recommended to set higher values. The toys have a bright color that gradually fades in hot water. In addition, low-quality material can fade, but such incidents do not happen in cold water.
- Disable spin. If the washing machine manufacturers have not provided this function, set it to minimum speed (no more than 400 is acceptable). The last option is to monitor the washing process and turn off the machine before starting the spin cycle. After a couple of minutes, a click will follow, indicating the end of the cycle and the ability to get things out.
- Set the extra rinse function.
- Turn off drying. When drying in a washing machine, the product becomes deformed. Polystyrene balls do not absorb moisture, so they do not need such a procedure.
- The gel is poured into the detergent compartment or into the drum. This action does not affect the cleaning efficiency. The main thing is to pour less than is done with the usual program.
Machine washable
You can add conditioner to keep the fabric soft. Drying follows.
When washing several items at the same time, check them for shedding. Squish is lightly moistened with water and rubbed with a cloth. If there is no reaction, you can wash both products at the same time.
The pillows are placed into the drum of the machine one at a time. They are bulkier and absorb water strongly.
What features does automatic washing have?
Washing will be successful if you use manual or delicate mode.
Use detergents offered by trusted manufacturers. Gel powders for wool or fine fabrics will do the job best. When setting the mode, choose no more than 600 revolutions, then the sleep accessory will not be damaged. Automatic washing algorithm:
- remove all stains before washing in the machine;
- place the product in a washing bag or pillowcase, then place it in the drum;
- select a temperature mode with water heating 30 degrees and spin 600 rpm;
- repeat rinsing twice.
A big mistake would be to turn on the automatic drying program. Your sleep accessory can be damaged if you choose the wrong program. Dry your pillow naturally.
Detergents
Anti-stress products are washed with gel products. The powder is difficult to wash out, as evidenced by white stains that are difficult to remove even after several rinses.
ARTICLE FOR YOU
How to wash socks: in the washing machine and by hand
Gels are purchased as usual for white or colored delicate fabrics. Products for colored products retain their bright color longer and do not allow it to fade or fade quickly.
It removes dirt well from PRO service Color, Frosch, Ariel Concentrated Color and others.
Detergents
What's hidden inside?
Anti-stress pillow toys are most often filled with synthetic polystyrene foam granules. This material is lightweight, resistant to wetness, inexpensive, durable and not prone to the accumulation of dust and mites. It is suitable for allergy sufferers and safe for small children - soft anti-stress toys are often bought for children to develop motor skills. They can also be filled with natural materials - for example,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upload
. It is worth noting that such a product will be more expensive than its synthetic counterpart and noticeably heavier - you should not rush.
Sleeping on such a product is very useful and pleasant. The filler granules are evenly distributed under the weight of any part of the human body, taking the shape needed at the moment.
Bleaching things
Squish manufacturers do not recommend the use of any whitening products. Anti-stress toys are colorful; it is bright colors that promote the development of imagination and have a beneficial effect on the psyche of adults and children.
If the product still needs to be bleached, approach the process carefully. The filler is first removed. Only the fabric is bleached. This can be done with store-bought or homemade products.
Vanish is diluted in water at a temperature of 30°C. Fabric without filler is soaked in the solution for 30 minutes. Change the water, rinse.
Hydrogen peroxide is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:2. Soak the toy for 15 minutes.
How to use
The main purpose of using a pillow is to get good rest, relax arm muscles, and relieve nervous tension. Mushrooms should be used in such a way as to reduce muscle turgor. To get the anti-stress effect you need:
- Hugging a pillow can help relieve nervous tension;
- squeezing in the hands results in a massage;
- lie on the pillow with your back so that the muscles relax;
- place it under your neck so that it is convenient and comfortable.
If you perform all these steps in order, you can relieve stress, relax and have a good rest. Sleeping every day on an anti-stress pillow promotes good rest, relieves muscle pain, and improves performance.
To obtain a more pronounced effect, you can perform the following steps step by step:
- hold the product in your hands, feeling how calm comes;
- rub between fingers;
- crush it with force so that negative emotions come out;
- squeeze the muffin until the negativity goes away;
- lie down on a pillow;
- move the product under your neck or back so that the muscles also relax.
If you take a similar rest every day, then nervous tension will act less, and your resistance to stress will increase.
Drying
Drying of anti-stress products is carried out naturally. Products with polystyrene balls dry quickly because the filler does not absorb moisture.
Drying pillows after washing
Rules:
- Do not dry on a radiator, near heating appliances, or hang over a gas or stove;
- lay flat on a horizontal surface;
- dry away from ultraviolet radiation, bright fabric will fade faster;
- To remove excess moisture, the cover is placed on a terry towel; the water will be absorbed faster and the product will dry faster.
The shape and appearance of the product depends on the correct drying.
How to wash an anti-stress pillow with balls inside?
Be careful when washing the filling as it may lose its shape if not properly cared for.
Use a thick pillowcase or bag to prevent litter balls from clogging the machine filter. Then you can wash the accessory without harming the equipment.
If you use bamboo filling or polystyrene balls, you can safely start cleaning. Just pay attention to the presence of slits in the pillow so that the balls do not fall out.
When an accessory is filled with buckwheat or flax filler, the housewife faces a more difficult task. You need to unfasten the clasp, pour the “filling” into the jar, and you can start washing.
Useful tips
Delicate washing does not require much effort. But here there are nuances that it is advisable to take into account:
- To ensure that the filler does not get into the drum of the machine during washing, all the holes on the pillow are first sewn up and the reliability of the seams is checked;
- Before the main wash, remove all visible dirt from the cover with dishwashing detergent (apply it to the stain with a sponge), after 10 minutes rinse and put it in the machine or wash it by hand;
- anti-stress balls are placed in a basin with soapy water, kept there for 5-10 minutes, shaking occasionally, and rinsed;
- If after washing the balls in the case are knocked down, you can return them to their place with a rolling pin or a carpet cracker;
- the fiber filler is removed from the bedspread after drying and combed with a wooden comb;
- To ensure that the pillows are thoroughly cleaned, they are washed separately in the machine.
Filler that has become unusable can be replaced. It is sold in bedding stores.
