How to Clean a Feather Mattress in a Washing Machine
It's generally recommended that down bedding, such as feather mattresses (featherbeds) and comforters, be taken to a professional dry cleaner to avoid irreversibly damaging the bedding. However, down items can be cleaned in a washing machine in your home or at a laundromat if you want to avoid the cost associated with professional services. Self-laundering your feather mattress requires considerable more care and additional considerations. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Front-loading washing machine
- Large-capacity dryer
- Gentle detergent
- New tennis ball or new canvas sneaker
Instructions
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Use a large front-loading washer and large dryer to machine wash and dry your feather mattress. Good Housekeeping's Kathleen Huddy warns that top-loading machines, which have center agitators, will damage your feather mattress. If you don't have access to a front-loading washing machine or large dryer, locate a laundromat that does.
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Machine wash your feather mattress in warm water on the gentle cycle using a gentle detergent. Harsh detergents can cause the down in your feather mattress to disintegrate and leave the fabric cover brittle. Never use bleach.
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Tumble dry the feather mattress on the lowest heating setting in a large-capacity dryer. Huddy advises putting a new tennis ball or new canvas sneaker in the dryer to fluff the down as it dries.
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Take care of residual wrinkles on the mattress' ticking by gently steaming them out. Never use an iron on your feather mattress.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure that your feather mattress is completely dry before you put it back on your bed; residual dampness can cause the downy fill to mildew.
Your feather mattress' ticking is most likely 100 percent cotton and may shrink during a DIY laundering process.
