How to Clean a Feather Mattress
Feather mattresses and other pieces of down bedding should be taken to a dry cleaner if they become severely stained or soiled. You can provide regular cleanings yourself, however, and save a lot of money in the process. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Front-loading washer
- Large-capacity dryer
- Gentle detergent
- New canvas sneaker or new tennis balls
Instructions
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Examine the mattress's fabric cover, or ticking. If it's make of 100 percent cotton, it can be washed and dried. If it's made of another fabric, such as wool or silk, avoid home laundering.
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Place the mattress in a front-loading washer. Top-loading washers have an agitator that can damage the mattress.
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Pour 1/2 cap of a mild detergent into the washer. The detergent should be formulated to clean delicate fabrics and hand-washables. Never use bleach.
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Set the washing machine on "delicate" and start the cycle.
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Place the mattress in a large-capacity dryer and set the machine on the lowest heat setting. Toss in a clean canvas sneaker or a couple of new tennis balls to help the mattress fluff as it dries. Dry the mattress for 60 minutes.
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Feel the mattress to make sure it is completely dry when the dryer cycle is done. Down bedding takes longer to dry than an ordinary load of laundry; if the mattress is still damp, it can lead to mildew and cause the down to disintegrate.
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Tips & Warnings
Feather mattresses can also be spot-cleaned.
Insert your feather mattress in a cotton cover to protect against stains and spills.
If you don't have a front-loading washer or a spacious dryer, take your feather mattress to a laundromat equipped with these machines.
The cotton cover of your feather mattress can shrink during the drying process.
Never iron down bedding. If the fabric cover has wrinkles, gently steam them out.
