How to Wash a Featherbed
Feather beds are wonderfully soft and warm and can contribute to a good night's sleep in many ways. For all their great qualities, however, the downside to feather beds is that they can be difficult to clean. Most manufacturers recommend that feather beds be dry-cleaned. When you can't dryclean your feather bed, there is a way to safely wash it yourself. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Place the feather bed in a commercial, or oversize washing machine. The feather bed should fit comfortably in the machine, and not be compacted. If it is compacted, it will not get completely clean.
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Set the machine to use cold water.
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Add detergent, using about 1 1/2 times the amount recommended for a standard size washing machine. Usually this will be 1 1/2 cap-fulls of laundry detergent.
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Run the complete wash cycle on the regular setting.
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Place the feather bed in the dryer when the wash cycle is complete.
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Add the tennis balls to the dryer, with one on each side of the feather bed. The balls will bounce around once the dryer is started, keeping the feathers from clumping up.
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Set the dryer to the regular dry cycle and start the dryer.
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Wait for the feather bed to cool down. It will be difficult to tell if the feather bed is completely dry, while still warm from the dryer.
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Feel the feather bed for any dampness. If there is any dampness at all, return it to the dryer for an additional or partial cycle. It is likely that your feather bed will need at least 3 drying cycles to be completely dry.
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Hang the feather bed in the sun for 2 or 3 hours. Hanging it in the sun helps kill any bacteria or mites that the washing and drying process did not. It will also help give the feather bed a fresher smell and help the feathers fluff back up.
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Tips & Warnings
If your feather bed is not all white, use bleach-free detergent.
Avoid using powdered laundry detergent, as the granules sometimes don't dissolve completely. Don't return a damp feather bed to your bed. Mildew could grow if the bed is not thoroughly dry.
