Down pillows have different washing instructions than “regular” pillows. The instructions are always listed on the laundry label that you find on the side of the pillow. In this article you will discover the best way to wash a down pillow without the down clumping. Do you use a flannel? Then it’s only necessary to wash your pillow once every 2 to 3 years.
Wash your feather pillow
.Feathers are meant to protect a duck’s back from water. When you start washing a feather pillow, there is a good chance that it will start to smell enormously. It is very difficult to get it dry. It is therefore wise to take a feather pillow to a dry cleaner who is experienced in washing feather pillows.
- Don’t wash feather pillows yourself, take them to a specialized dry cleaner.
Down pillows in 8 steps washing & drying
Before washing, read the instructions on the care label. Wash at a minimum of 30 degrees and a maximum of 60 degrees. Wash two pillows at a time to keep your washing machine stable.
Washing
- Remove the flannel from the pillow, if necessary, and set the temperature indicated on the wash label.
- Use gentle soap without additives. A special down wash is the best option.
- Set the highest possible spin speed so the pillow can dry more easily.
- An extra rinse cycle will ensure that all the soap is rinsed out of the pillow. Set it and turn the washer on.
Drying
- Set the dryer to a low temperature to avoid shrinking the stuffing as much as possible.
- Lay two or three tennis balls in the dryer as well (possibly in a clean sock). These will ensure that the pillow is well fluffed up during the drying process and therefore reduce the drying time.
- Set the longest possible drying time. Patience is a virtue in this case.
- Whip the pillow well and feel if it is really completely dry. It is wise to run the drying program several times as the cushion may still be damp inside.
- Note! If you don’t dry the pillow long enough it will go moldy and stinky. That smell is difficult to get rid of afterwards. Rather dry a little too long than too short.
- Do not use bleach or fabric softener. This can reduce the resilience of the filling.
After washing and drying, the pillow smells wonderfully fresh again and is still dust mite free. This washing method is usable for both goose and duck down pillows.
7 tips for maintaining your pillow
.- Has your pillow become flat? Then put it in the dryer on the lowest setting for 15 to 20 minutes with two tennis balls to dry out the moisture that is in the pillow. Adding two tennis balls to your dryer will add some extra volume.
- Buy a pillow flannel to protect your down pillow from moisture and dirt. It will also make washing your pillow less necessary.
- Air your pillow regularly to keep it fresh and voluminous.
- It is best not to shower right before bedtime. Moisture is the biggest enemy of down, and it is therefore not recommended to go to sleep with wet hair.
- Gently pat the pillow after getting up, so that the pillow weer restored to its original condition and can be aired during the day.
- Oils on the pillow shorten the life of the pillow. Therefore, it is not helpful to apply creams just before going to bed.
- Wash your pillowcase and flannel weekly.
Pillow & comforter dry cleaning
You probably know of a local dry cleaner in your neighborhood, but there are also several large dry cleaners in the Netherlands, which e.g. will pick up the products at your home. Below we have listed the best dry cleaners of the Netherlands in a table.
| Name | Privilege | Number of locations |
|---|---|---|
| AH Laundry Service | Easy to drop off before or after shopping. | 150 |
| Collection Dry Cleaning | Collection of your pillow or comforter. | 1 (Amsterdam) |
| Emte Laundry Service | Easy to drop off. | >100 |
| MrTimeSaver | Comes to pick up your laundry at your home | 8 (mainly around The Hague) |
Note: It is important, especially if you have an allergy, that the pillow is washed at 60 degrees (or higher). Only at 60 degrees the dust mites are combated, so if you wash your pillow at a lower temperature we cannot guarantee that no dust mites will crawl into the pillow.
Questions about washing a pillow can be asked below.
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