How to Clean Goose Down Pillows

Clean your goose down pillow to ensure many restful nights.

Goose down pillows are a simple and basic way to invest in a good night's rest. The down is the soft inner plumage of geese and is without pointy quills. In addition to being made of natural materials, goose down pillows are also resilient and will last for years when given the proper care. Because goose down pillows are often an expensive investment, it is necessary to clean them correctly and with care to ensure that they stay in top condition.

Things You'll Need

• Mild detergent
• Tennis balls
• Sock

Instructions

1. Check the fabric of the pillow to ensure that there are no tears, rips or deterioration from body oils. Set your washing machine to the gentle cycle and warm water. Set the machine to "extra-rinse" if your machine has the option. Add 1/2 cup of a mild detergent.

2. Start the machine and allow it to run for 30 seconds to start combining the detergent and water. Stop the machine and place one to two goose down pillows into the water. Two pillows are best, as it will help to balance the machine, but the number of pillows you fit into your machine depends on the size of the machine. Push the pillows down into the water. Squeeze out any excess air so that the pillows stay in the water and do not float to the top.

3. Allow the down pillows to soak for two hours. At the end of that time, again squeeze the air from the pillows if necessary. Start the machine to complete the wash cycle. If your machine does not have an extra-rinse cycle, set it manually to rinse a second time to ensure that all of the detergent has been removed from the down.

4. Place the pillows into the dryer. Put one or two tennis balls into a clean sock. Put the balls into the dryer to help fluff and separate the goose down as it dries. Set the dryer to the medium heat setting and turn it on. Check the pillows as they dry to prevent the goose down from becoming overly hot and burning. Take the pillows out every 20 minutes to fluff, which also prevents overheating.

5. Remove the pillows from the dryer after they have thoroughly dried. Goose down pillows may take two hours or longer to dry completely. Avoid removing the pillows too soon to prevent mildew.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a commercial washer and dryer to clean your down pillows if you do not have large-capacity machines.

• Wash goose down pillows twice a year.

References

• Down Factory: Care of Down Items
• Plumeria Bay: Down Comforter and Pillow Care
• Down Bedding Delights: Instructions for Cleaning Down Pillows