Caring For Your Down Pillows
Nothing compares to the delicious luxury of lying your head on down pillows. With proper care, a down pillow can provide years of indulgent sleep cradling comfort.
Use a Pillow Liner
All down pillows need a 100% cotton zip pillow liner to protect the ticking. This liner is in addition to a pillow case. This will protect your pillow from head oils and humidity. It will also help contain the small down fluffs from working their way out of the pillow while maintaining the pillow's shape. A daily fluffing is the next step in caring for your feather pillows. This prevents the feathers from clumping and provides air circulation, preventing dust from getting into the pillow.
Twice a year, it's time to air out those pillows. Hang them on a clothes line to swing in the breeze for a day or find another airy location near a window or in a sun room. Do not hang them in the bathroom; there will be too much moisture.
Deep Clean Annually
An annual deep clean is the final step to keep your feather pillows fresh. Read the manufacturers instructions on the label to determine allowable methods. Some will be limited to dry cleaning only. Before laundering, check pillow carefully for any small slits or holes to avoid a feathery mess surprise in your washing machine. Repair as needed.
If you decide to wash your pillows there are two methods:
- Wash with a front loading wash machine. Top loaders are too harsh on these types of pillow. The best front loaders to use are the large industrial types found at the laundry mat. These large loaders put minimal pressure on the pillow providing ample space to do a thorough job of cleaning without squashing or flattening the pillow. Use the delicate setting with a mild detergent.
When drying, use the lowest warm setting possible. Toss a few clean, dry towels in with the pillow to accelerate drying times. Clean tennis balls tossed into the dryer will also help the pillow stay fluffy while drying. Insure pillows are completely dry before returning them to your bed.
- Hand wash your down pillows. Using a large utility sink or even the bath tub would be fine. Gently hand manipulate the pillow for 10 minutes. Once washed, do not wring out! Squeeze the pillow just enough to remove most of the water, then place in dryer, set on the lowest warm setting. Add the dry towels and tennis balls.
Do not be alarmed if you smell an odor from your wet pillows. This is a normal characteristic of all down products and will disappear when completely dry. It will take approximately 2 to 3 hours for your pillow to be completely dry, to be put back in the pillow case.
