How to Wash a Feather Pillow

Feather pillows are soft and luxurious, but also require proper maintenance. You need to wash your pillows at least once a year to kill dust mites and bacteria, and to remove dirt, sweat, and oil build-up in the pillow. This article will show you how to properly wash a feather pillow.

Table of Contents

Wash pillow

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Remove the pillow core from the shell. If the pillow has a protective cover (the pillowcase is quilted and has a zipper), you’ll need to remove it as well.

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Check the pillow for torn or chipped threads. Be sure to look closely at the seams. If there is any tearing or chipping of the thread, you will need to stitch it up.

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Put two pillows in the washing machine. Two pillows will balance the inside of the washing machine. ^{[1] X Research Source} If the pillow doesn’t fit in the drum, you can squeeze the pillow to push the air out. ^{[2] X Research Source} Avoid using top loaders, as the platters will damage the pillows. If you don’t have a front-loading machine, you can take it to a laundromat; There will be a suitable washing machine for you to use. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

If you must use a top-loading machine, you should place the pillow in the tub vertically instead of horizontally. That way, the pillow won’t get twisted in the tub. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

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Pour low-foam soap into the soap dispenser. ^{[5] X Source of Study} Use less soap than usual for washing clothes to prevent soap scum from building up. In addition, you should also use liquid soap instead of powder. Detergents are more likely to leave soap scum. ^{[6] X Research Source} This can lead to skin itching and allergies. Pillows won’t be flushed thoroughly due to their bulky size, so the less soap you use, the less rinses you’ll need.

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Use the gentle cycle on the washing machine. If possible, use hot water. Hot water will kill dust mites that may be living inside the pillow. ^{[7] X Research Source} However, you should keep in mind that hot water can also damage feathers. If unsure, use warm or cool water instead of hot water. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

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Consider using multiple rinses and squeezes out. The multiple rinse mode will help clean up soap residue, and the spin cycle will squeeze out as much water as possible.

Dry the pillow

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Use a towel to squeeze the water out of the pillow. Place the pillow between two towels and press down. The towel will absorb the remaining water in the pillow. Repeat this step with the other pillow. Do not wring or twist the pillow. ^{[9] X Research Source}

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Put the feather pillow in the dryer. Use gentle drying with low heat or no heat. A low-heat drying setting will help the pillow dry faster, but it can also damage the feathers in the pillow. The non-heat or wind mode will take longer to dry the pillow (2-3 cycles), but is the safest way to dry a feather pillow. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Remember to inflate the pillow between drying cycles. You can inflate the pillow by taking the pillow out of the dryer and patting it. This step also helps you get rid of any clumps inside the pillow.
If drying on low heat, you should switch to wind mode at the end of the drying cycle. This way the pillow will not overheat and damage. ^{[11] X Research Source}

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Put a few drying balls in the dryer to loosen the feathers in the pillow. If you don’t have a tumble dryer, you can substitute a few tennis balls or clean canvas shoes; but remember to put in a clean pillowcase first. You can also put a tennis ball in a clean sock. Thus, the feathers inside the pillow will loosen when drying. ^{[12] X Research Sources}^{[13] X Research Sources}

You can also add a thick towel to the dryer. The towel will absorb the remaining water in the pillow. ^{[14] X Research Source}

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Inflate the pillow after taking it out of the dryer. Even if dried with a blow dryer, feather pillows may still have lumpy parts inside. Hold the corners of the pillow and shake it up and down for a few minutes. Repeat this on the other end.

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Re-wrap the pillowcase after the pillow has dried. Do not use the pillow while it is still damp to avoid rot and mildew.

Treat yellow, smelly and moldy pillows

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Add 1 cup (240 ml) of hydrogen peroxide and ½ cup (120 ml) of white vinegar to bleach to bleach yellowed pillows. Use the “soak” wash. Pour hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar directly into the drum. When the soaking cycle is over, you can add laundry soap. ^{[15] X Research Source}

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Use ¼ to ½ cup (45 – 90 g) of baking soda to remove odors. ^{[16] X Source of Study} Use ¼ cup (45 g) of baking soda if you are using a front load washing machine, and ½ cup (90 g) if using a top load washing machine. Add directly to laundry soap. ^{[17] X Research Source}

Baking soda can also help remove stains.

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Use ½ – 1 cup (120 – 240 ml) of white vinegar to remove mold. ^{[18] X Research Source} Pour white vinegar into the soap dispenser. White vinegar also has a deodorizing effect.

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Try adding a few drops of essential oil to the rinse cycle. Essential oils will help the pillow radiate a pleasant scent. Try using an essential oil with a mild scent like lavender, rosemary, or vanilla. ^{[19] X Research Source}

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Consider using a pillowcase. These pillowcases are quilted and used to cover the outside of the pillowcase. After inserting the pillow core into the protective cover, you can insert the fabric pillowcase outside. The protective cover will keep the pillowcase clean for longer and prevent yellowing.

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Expose the pillow that has a musty smell to the sun. ^{[20] X Research Source} If the pillow still smells musty, leave it out in the sun for a few hours. Sunlight, heat and fresh air will kill any odor-causing bacteria. Pillows will also smell better when exposed to the sun.

Advice

If the pillow still smells musty after washing, let it dry in the sun for at least 2 hours. This will help get rid of unpleasant odors.
Always use a gentle wash. Other washing modes may cause feathers to clump.
Wash pillows at least twice a year. ^{[21] X Research Source} If you want even better, you should wash it 3-4 times a year.
If you don’t have a front-loading washing machine, try taking your pillows to a laundromat.

Warning

Do not use freshly washed feather pillows until the pillow is completely dry. If you use it too soon, the pillow will start to smell, and moreover, it may even clump.
Most down pillows are washable at home, but it’s a good idea to read the washing instructions attached to the pillow just in case there are non-washable materials (such as silk).
Do not use bleach or fabric softener when washing feather pillows. These products can damage feathers.
Do not leave the pillowcase whole when washing the feather pillow, as this will not clean the pillow.

Things you need

Feather pillow
Washing machine
Laundry soap
Tennis ball or canvas shoes (optional)

Steps