Feather pillows are prized for being natural, soft and durable. Such products have thermoregulating properties and perfectly retain their shape, unlike some analogues with synthetic fillers.
Feather pillows are still no less popular than padding polyester and bamboo products
In order for the pillow to please its owners for a long time and provide comfort, it is necessary to regularly clean it of accumulated dirt. You can take the accessories to the dry cleaner, but it is much cheaper to clean feather pillows at home. Later in the article we will tell you how to do this correctly.
Can feather pillows be washed?
Before you understand how to wash feather pillows, determine the composition of the material. There are two types of natural fillers: manufacturers indicate them on the labels.
The first one is a chicken feather. This filler absorbs moisture well and takes a long time to dry, crumbling after drying. Therefore, you cannot wash them by hand or in a machine: they can be cleaned dry using professional equipment. In order not to spoil the material, take the pillow with such filling to the dry cleaner: professionals will select a safe cleaning method.
The second type is the feathers of geese, swans and other waterfowl. This material will withstand washing if you follow the recommendations.
How to keep your pillow clean and fresh for a long time
It is necessary to follow several recommendations to ensure that the pillows remain clean for as long as possible after washing. Everything is quite simple, but there are no trifles here, each aspect is important in its own way:
- In the morning, after waking up, you need to beat the product so that the feather and fluff inside do not cake and remain airy.
- The product should be ventilated at least 1-2 times a month to remove excess moisture.
- You should wash your pillows at least twice a year to keep them in perfect condition.
- In summer, you can take the pillow out into the sun to thoroughly fry it on all sides. This is an excellent preventative against dust mites.
- Winter is also a great time. You can freeze out all the parasites by hanging the product in the cold for 6-8 hours. In this case, you need to periodically beat the surface so that the frosty air penetrates as deeply as possible.
Advice! If you can’t wash your pillow, you should freshen it up using a steamer or a steam iron. You need to hang the product and carefully treat each area several times with steam. This not only refreshes the litter, but also destroys most parasites.
How to wash feather pillows
Household chemical stores sell detergents for down jackets and pillows. These are mainly gels and liquid products. Pillows are washed at a low temperature, so the powder granules do not dissolve in cold water, get stuck in the filling, and are difficult to rinse out.
Liquid laundry detergents.
Heitmann gel is perfect for washing feather pillows. Lanolin in the product restores the protective shell of the material, making it soft and airtight. Another option is Nikwax Down Wash, which also prevents lint from sticking together when wet. The cost of funds is from 500 to 1,500 rubles.
Shampoo.
Dirt from the hair penetrates onto the pillowcase and pillow, so regular shampoo is suitable for hand washing. It is diluted in a basin and the pillow is left in it for half an hour, then rinsed thoroughly twice.
Food acids.
You can also use vinegar or citric acid for washing. They remove grease stains and dirt without harming the pen. But vinegar leaves an unpleasant odor, so the pillow will have to be ventilated. Lemon has no smell, but for it to work effectively, dissolve it in hot water.
Folk remedies for cleaning pillows
If you don’t want to spend money on professional chemicals, but washing with regular shampoo doesn’t seem effective, use popular advice. For example, a mixture of baking soda and tea tree oil is suitable. Tea tree oil has an antifungal and bactericidal effect. Its mixture with soda is more effective than soap and other liquid cleaning products. Mix 100 g of soda with 12 drops of oil in a basin until a wet powder forms. Rub the mixture onto the pillow and leave for 60 minutes. Then shake and vacuum.
Pillow care
The service life of this product can be extended by following a few simple tips:
- After sleep, fluff up the pillow, returning it to its previous shape;
- Once or twice a month, clean the product from dust. You can simply shake it, knock it out or vacuum it;
- At the same frequency, it is taken out into the air. Leave it in the sun or frost for a while, the ticks will die. This is especially recommended if the house is humid;
- If you don't plan to use the pillow for a while, it's best to put it in its cover. Natural fabric is suitable, but not polyethylene.
Monitor the use of your feather pillow, then it will last longer. If you wash the feather in a timely manner, it will remain soft and elastic for a long time.
Handwash
Washing rules.
The water should be cool - up to 30–40°C; high temperatures will ruin the feather. In this case, the filler is washed in parts or the feathers are completely removed from the pillowcase and soaked in water. You won’t be able to wash the entire pillow by hand: the dense filling will only get wet and clump into clumps. It is almost impossible to dry the pillow well - the feathers will begin to rot and a musty smell will appear. Before washing, you need to knock out the dust from the pillow.
First way.
Add a special lint and feather detergent or shampoo to the water. Stir the solution and pour the pillow filling into it. Choose a larger basin so that the feathers float freely and do not stick together. Leave for 3 hours. Then place the filling in a colander and rinse under running water. After this, rinse in a bowl of clean water.
When you rinse your pillow, add a couple drops of peppermint essential oil to add freshness. If there is a musty smell, a solution of table vinegar will help: a tablespoon per 5 liters of water.
To dry, spread the filler on a clean, dry cloth, periodically separating the stuck together feathers.
Second way.
This washing method is easier, but it does not clean feathers as well. Divide the filling into several parts and pour into pillowcases. Wash them in a basin with detergent and leave to soak for several hours. Then rinse the feathers well and wring them out. You can dry the filling directly in pillowcases, but you need to shake it periodically to prevent lumps from forming. You can take out the feathers and lay them out on a horizontal surface.
Preparation
Pillows with thick fabric pillowcases are pre-soaked with powder for an hour. This allows the detergent to penetrate into the filler and saturate it well. This rule applies to small pillows that fit completely into the washing machine without any problems.
Large, densely stuffed pillows are ripped out. The filler is laid out in 2 or 3 woven bags and sewn up. In this case, wash the napkin first, then the feather.
If the pillowcase is worn out, do not wash such a pillow without protection. It is covered with new thick fabric or an unnecessary pillowcase is put on, which you don’t mind using as a cover for washing.
Washing in a washing machine
Washing rules.
You can wash the entire pillow in a washing machine, but it is advisable to use special balls or regular tennis balls to prevent the filling from sticking together. Throw several towels into the washing machine: they will evenly distribute the load on the drum.
Mode.
It is ideal when the machine has a mode for washing down and feathers. But this is rare, so if there is no such thing, set it to delicate.
Temperature.
Hot water will damage the filler, so the temperature should be the same as when washing by hand. The maximum value is 40°C.
Spin.
It is better to turn off the spin mode so as not to break the feathers, and put the pillow in the bathroom to drain excess water, and then gently squeeze out the excess moisture with your hands. But if you are not confident in your abilities and need an automatic spin, set the maximum speed to 400 rpm.
Replacing napkins
Washing is a great reason to update your feather pillow covers. The cleaned and dried filler is poured into new prepared covers. The feather is compacted well: the product should be dense. It will settle a little during use.
For the bedstead, choose a special dense fabric - calico, satin, teak . It is first ironed with an iron.
Filling the covers with down is carried out on a pre-spread fabric to make the scattered down easier to collect.
If the old bedsteads are still suitable for use, they are washed. Heavily soiled covers are pre-soaked in water with washing powder. Stains are treated with laundry soap or bleach.
Place the napkins in the drum of the washing machine and turn on any delicate cycle. Afterwards, it is important to dry the cover thoroughly. It is ironed before filling.
Once the pillow is formed, the napkin is sewn up. They do it efficiently and carefully - feathers should not fly all over the bedroom. Place a clean pillowcase over the cover.
Errors when washing
Most often housewives make the following mistakes:
- Add too much detergent. Household chemicals are quite aggressive, so they can ruin the structure of feathers. Add as much liquid as indicated in the instructions. If you use folk remedies, also adhere to the recommended dosages.
- Wash in hot water. Temperatures above 40°C will hopelessly damage the filler. Please take this into account when washing by hand or by machine.
- They don't rinse well. Feathers absorb detergent well, so you need to wash it at least twice. Otherwise, after drying, they will lose their softness and lumps will appear.
Drying tips
Place the feathers on a dry cloth near the radiator or radiator, but not on the heating devices themselves. Cover with gauze to prevent them from flying around. Leave for 2-3 days. Stir the feathers occasionally: this way they will not stick together and will be more airy.
Another method is blow drying. Maintain a distance of 20–30 cm from the feathers. Dry continuously for up to 10 minutes. After some time, repeat the procedure. But even after this method, you should leave the filler to dry naturally for several hours before returning it to the pillow.
Steam cleaning
A very convenient device for cleaning a down pillow is a steam generator. It will refresh and disinfect the filler and bedstead. Steam will allow you to wash items with feathers less often and extend their service life.
How to steam a down pillow:
- Place the item vertically, hanging it on clothespins.
- Use a steamer around the entire perimeter.
- Repeat on both sides.
- Leave to dry for 20-30 minutes.
- If the feather is old, then it is better to move it into a fine mesh case and steam it without a bedding. This way disinfection will be better.
- When the pen is dry, put the washed cover on it. Ready!
Advice A regular iron with steam holes will also help to process the product. But in this case, it is recommended to divide the feather into small portions in mesh bags.
