How Often Should You Wash Down Bed Pillows?
Down feather bed pillows require special care when cleaning in order to maintain their fluffiness, keep them usable and ensure they are in good condition for years to come. Washing any material too often can damage the material and this is especially true with any bedding that is made with down feathers. Does this Spark an idea?
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Time Frame
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Down feather pillows should only be washed one or two times a year for the best results. This time frame allows for body oils and dirt to be removed from the pillow as well as allows the pillow to be fluffed up. Washing these pillows more than twice a year can cause damage to them and shorten the lifespan of the pillows.
An ideal cleaning schedule to follow for down bedding products is to wash them once in the fall and once in the spring.
Cleaning Procedure
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When washing a down pillow, the pillow should be placed in a washing machine alone with no other items. Front loading washing machines are recommended because top loading machines with their agitators can cause additional damage to pillows that already have rips or tears in them. Cold water and a mild detergent should be used to wash the down pillow. The washing machine should be set to the "gentle" or "delicate" wash cycle.
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Drying
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Down pillows should be dried completely before putting pillow cases back onto them. Squeeze out excess water before drying the pillows. You can dry the pillows in a large dryer at a low to medium heat setting for at least one full cycle. Remove the pillows from the dryer and shake them around to move the filling around and check for damp areas. If the pillow is still wet, run the dryer on low for another cycle until dry. You can also dry the pillows by hanging them outdoors, but make sure to shake them a few times during the drying period or the filling will bunch up on one side.
Considerations
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Consider using industrial sized front loading washing machines at a commercial laundry to wash down feather bedding such as pillows and comforters. These washers are large enough to handle multiple pillows and safe due to their lack of agitators.
Also consider placing a tennis ball or two into the dryer when using a dryer for the pillows. This can aid in restoring fluffiness and softness in the pillow. Using a large industrial dryer at a commercial laundry will allow you to dry more pillows at once.
Warnings
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Washing your down pillows more than once or twice a year will shorten their lifespan, cause tears and rips, and wear out the pillow itself. Also do not run dryers on hot. Instead run them on low to medium heat for two cycles, stopping the cycles throughout to shake out the pillows. High heat can damage the outside of the pillow material.
Do not use dry cleaning services to clean down pillows because the chemicals used during dry cleaning may damage the pillows.
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