How to Wash Your Down Pillows

Use a little extra care when washing your down pillows.

Down or feather pillows are wonderful to sleep on -- soft and comforting and luxurious. But sometimes they get dirty. It is possible to wash down and feather pillows. It's not recommended to wash them more than once or twice a year, though, as each washing will break down the filling.

Things You'll Need

• Laundry detergent
• White vinegar

Instructions

1. Check the pillow cover for rips or tears that would allow feathers or down to escape in the washer or dryer. Stitch or patch any tears.

2. Place the pillows in the washer. Use the gentle cycle and warm water. If you're using a top load washer, wash two pillows at the same time to avoid unbalanced loads. If you only have one pillow, you can also wash a few other items to balance the load. Feather pillows also float, so it's necessary sometimes with a top load washer to presoak the pillows to make sure they will stay submerged, otherwise only half the pillow may get clean.

3. Add a small amount of gentle soap, preferably one made specifically for down products.

4. Run the rinse cycle twice to remove all the soap. You can add 1/4 cup of vinegar to the final rinse to remove any remaining residue. Soap left behind will keep the feathers from fluffing back up, decreasing what's called the "loft" of the feathers.

5. Dry the pillows on medium heat. Add three or four clean tennis balls, which keep the wet feathers from sticking together and help fluff the pillows. Periodically take the pillows out and give them a vigorous shake as well. It takes a long time to dry feather or down pillows, up to two or more hours. But it's crucial they be thoroughly dry or they will mildew and take on a sour smell.

Tips & Warnings

• Always use a pillow protector and pillow case to keep your pillow cleaner longer. They protect the actual pillow from skin oils, hair products and perspiration, decreasing the need for washing.

• Never use bleach on feather pillows. It will break down the feathers and make the pillow flat and not fluffy.

• Never use fabric softener. The coating it leaves will also keep the feathers from achieving the loft they need to be fluffy.

References

• Pacific Coast Feather Company: Care Instructions
• Pacific Pillows: Down Pillow Care