How do I wash my pillow? Feather and down pillows wash. Cleaning of pillows with synthetic (holofiber, synthetic winterizer) and organic fillers (bamboo, ponytail, buckwheat husks). Some people think that the pillow does not require washing: it is enough just to change the pillowcase on time. But no matter how often the pillowcases are changed, over time, dust collects inside the pillow, the fabric gets dirty, acquires a yellowish tint and an unpleasant odor. It is simply impossible to sleep well on such a pillow. Therefore, they need periodic cleaning and proper care. Let us examine all the subtleties of the process of washing a pillow at home.
Types of pillow fillers
Before washing, you should determine the filler, since there are a large number of all kinds of pillows on the market. One of three fillers can be inside the pillow, which require a different approach when washing at home:
- Natural substances (feather, down).
- Synthetic fibers (holofiber, synthetic winterizer).
- Organic material (bamboo, ponytail, buckwheat husks, dry herbs and other cereals).
How to wash a pillow with natural filler?
Pillows with natural fillings (feather and down) are the most common and frequently used. Their main problem is a filler made of organic materials, which decompose over time. Therefore, these pillows need to be especially looked after.
Hand wash feather and down pillows
- Soak the pillow for 2 hours in warm soapy water with 2 tsp. ammonia (it "kills" microbes).
- If you use powder, then take phosphate-free, since toxic phosphates are poorly rinsed out and remain inside the product forever.
- Rinse the pillow thoroughly.
- Squeeze it out and dry it. To do this, beat it and turn it over so that all the lumps break.
- When it's dry, open the bags and transfer the feathers to a new, clean pillowcase.
Washing down and feather pillows
- Check the seams of the pillowcase, because if they come apart, the washing machine filter will get clogged with fluff.
- Place the pillow in the drum with special balls (for example, tennis balls). They will not allow the fluff to fall off and crumple.
- Select the delicate mode, 40 degrees, remove the "spin" mode and set an additional rinse. If the machine has a hot steam drying function, turn it on.
- Pour a special soap or down care product into the powder compartment. Do not use conditioner, it crushes the fluff, which will make the pillow beat badly.
- Dry the pillow in a centrifuge after washing. To make it fuller, take it out between cycles and whisk it well.
Drying feather and down pillows
- Flatten the covers with down, spread the pillow on a sheet or towel and roll it up to squeeze out the remaining water.
- Dry the fluff in covers on a sunny balcony or radiator with heating, shaking and whipping occasionally.
- The filler dries for about two days.
- When the filler dries out, transfer it to a clean, new liner made of heavy coarse calico.
Tips for caring for feather and down pillows
- Shake and beat the pillow every morning to keep it soft and airy.
- Ventilate it regularly in the fresh air.
- Down and feathers actively absorb odors and grease, so wash your pillow several times a year.
- Down and feathers start to decompose after 5 years.
If you are not yet ready for such feats at home, then take the pillows stuffed with feathers and down to the laundry. There it will be cleaned with special equipment, with cleaning agents and disinfected by irradiating with ultraviolet light.
How to wash a pillow with synthetic fibers?
Pillows filled with synthetic fibers (holofiber, synthetic winterizer) are the easiest to care for. But before you start washing such a product, you should first test the suitability of the product for further use.
Test for the suitability of further use of the pillow
- Place your pillow on a countertop.
- Place any object on it (box or book).
- Remove this item after 15–20 seconds.
- If the indentation disappears immediately, it means that the pillow will last a long time and can be washed.
- If the dent remains or it returned to its original shape for a long time, then there is no point in washing the pillow. It is more expedient to replace it with a new one.
Washing in the washing machine pillows with holofiber and padding polyester
- Remove the pillowcase from the pillow.
- Place the pillow in the washing machine drum along with the tennis balls. They will not let the filler go astray.
- Program the machine for the "synthetic" or "gentle" mode, extra rinse and extra spin.
- For the holofiber, set the temperature to 70 degrees, for the padding polyester - 40 degrees.
- Pour any detergent, liquid soap, or laundry gel into the powder container.
- After washing, wring out the pillow with your hands, but do not twist it.
- Wrap it in an absorbent natural cloth for 20 minutes to remove excess moisture.
- Dry the garments horizontally in a well-ventilated area with a high temperature (not on a radiator or on the balcony on top of clotheslines in direct sunlight).
- If you washed the pillow without balls and the filler is lost, then break it with your hands after washing.
How do I wash my organic pillow?
Pillows with organic fillers (ponytail, buckwheat husks, dry herbs and other cereals) are not allowed to be washed. At the end of their service life, replace them with new ones. During the operation of such pillows, it is important to take proper care of them.
- For prophylaxis purposes, periodically vacuum them through the pillowcase.
- Sift buckwheat husks and other cereals regularly through a colander.
- Dry your pillow in direct sunlight.
Of all the varieties of organic pillows, cleaning can only be applied to bamboo fiber.
Washing bamboo pillows
Bamboo fiber is somewhat reminiscent of cashmere, silk, soft cotton. Such polushki are not particularly demanding to use. Each garment has a label indicating the recommended washing modes from the manufacturer. Usually this:
- Temperature: 30-40 degrees.
- Washing mode in the washing machine: manual, delicate.
- Powder: for delicate fabrics.
- Spin: not specified.
- Forbidden: use bleaches, dry cleaners, iron, store in a humid environment and in a compressed form.
In addition to this, it is important to know:
- Hygiene bamboo pillows twice a year.
- Whisk them regularly and ventilate them periodically.
- Dry on a flat surface with a wire mesh base. In a suspended state, the fibrous material will be compressed and lose its properties.
- Use a liquid detergent.
- Do not use bleaching agents or excessive chemicals. They can only be used to remove heavy dirt.
- Bamboo pillows have the advantage of being water-repellent.
