Gently and gently, or how to wash a down pillow at home

Down pillow filler has remained popular for a long time. This product is characterized by lightness, elasticity, softness, airtightness.

But down pillows need to be cleaned at least once a year. Otherwise, there is a high probability of mites breeding.

Read about how to wash a down pillow at home in the article.

Is it possible to use an automatic washing machine?

Washing a down pillow in an automatic machine has some nuances. Before starting the process, you should prepare for it:

1. Buy or sew special pillowcases yourself so that the fluff does not crawl into the washing machine drum. You can use regular pillowcases by carefully closing them, not allowing them to open during the wash process.
2. Beat the product well before cleaning. During washing, only a small part of the dust will go away, the rest will remain stains on the cover.
3. Sort the filler into covers in small portions. This makes it easier to wash and dry the fluff.
4. The small down pillow can be washed in its entirety, with an additional pillowcase.

Special balls with small spikes must be added to the washing machine along with the pillow.

Soak filler in detergent for 4 hours before washing... You can prepare a special solution of ammonia 3% and liquid washing powder: take one cap of detergent and 4 tsp for 5 liters of water. ammonia. Then take out and pack into bags in which washing will be carried out.

Washing features

Features of machine wash:

• set the delicate mode on the washing machine;
• temperature is not higher than 40 degrees;
• spinning should not exceed 400 revolutions;
• do not use a brightly scented detergent;
• after the end of the main wash, use the additional rinse mode.

While cleaning the down pillow in the machine use a gel or liquid detergent... It is characterized by a low dissolution temperature, which is important for delicate washing.

Choose a low-foaming detergent.This will facilitate the rinsing process, eliminating the possibility that some of the powder will remain in the filler. Do not use bleach or softener.

We erase by hand

So that during hand washing there is no deformation of the shape of the pillow, adhesion of the filler, change in the color of the pillow, it is important to adhere to the following simple rules:

• pour warm water into a bath or a large basin, dissolve a little washing powder, you can use soap shavings;
• neatly open the pillowcase, gradually spreading the fluff into the container, which should eventually float on the surface in a dense layer;
• do not fill the basin close to the filler, it does not come off and stick together;
• leave the fluff for 1.5 hours;
• put it in small portions in a colander, rinse thoroughly under running water;
• put the filler in fresh water with detergent, wash with hands;
• repeat the procedure twice.

The most difficult process with the manual method is rinsingwhich is produced in a large volume of water. This is necessary to remove any residual detergent.

If the pillow had an unpleasant odor, then a solution of gel-like powder, baby soap can be prepared for soaking. Wash the pillowcase separately from the filler.

It is possible to clean the product without first removing the lint... This procedure also takes place with the help of soaking, washing, rinsing thoroughly, but it requires more mechanical costs.

Steam treatment

The least time-consuming process is the treatment of the down pillow with a steam cleaner. If this equipment is not available at home, then it can be replaced with an iron with a vertical steaming function.

Steam cleaning takes place in several stages:

1. Hang the product upright. Let it hang for about 30 minutes.
2. Steam the pillow on each side.
3. Repeat the procedure.
4. Carefully spread the fluff out with your hands.
5. Lay to dry on a horizontal surface.

Steam cleaning does not work like a full wash, but it does remove mites from fluff, unpleasant smell, refreshes the napernik. After cleaning with a steam cleaner, the product dries up within a few hours.

Drying the product

Drying down pillows is considered an important step to avoid some errors:

• the formation of decay;
• the appearance of mold;
• churning filler.

Down pillow it is forbidden to dry in the washing machine.

Open

If during washing the filler was taken out of the pillowcase, then each downy bag should be wrapped in a natural cloth, leaving it for a few minutes to absorb excess moisture.

Open drying of down is done in the following way:

• spread the paper on the table in several layers;
• lay a cotton cloth on top;
• spread a little pre-whipped down on the fabric;
• cover with gauze on top to prevent fluff from spreading throughout the room;
• stir the fluff every hour to avoid clumping.

Then fill a new or washed old pillow case with the dried down, tightly sewing its edges with a double stitch.

In the bedside

If the pillow was completely washed, then it should be dried naturally in diffused sunlight and well-blown area. Intense heat is harmful to the product.

If not dry

If in 2-3 days the down pillow has not dried out, then the filler begins to rot, and mustiness appears.

Repeated rinsing saves the situation:

• take out the fluff from the pillow;
• rinse it in water and detergent;
• rinse under running water;
• spread the fluff horizontally in a well-ventilated area;
• you can dry the fluff in the oven at a temperature not higher than 80 degrees;
• Transfer the dry filler to a carefully dried and ironed napert.

General recommendations

The following guidelines will help you extend the life of your down product:

1. Beat the pillow in the morning by moving it in your hands. This process allows the down to fill with air. The pillow retains its initial shape and elasticity for a long time.
2. Ventilate the pillow outdoors every two months. If you carry out this procedure during the winter months, you can get rid of many microorganisms.
3. Whisk with a cracker weekly.
4. Do not store the product in plastic bags or in a damp place. For these purposes, use fabric covers that allow the filler to "breathe".
5. To avoid contamination of the pillowcase, put on an additional one made of chintz under the main pillowcase.
6. Vacuum the product periodically, at least once a month.

Conclusion

Cleaning a down pillow at home can be done in an automatic machine and manually.

During hand wash, soak fluff for 2 hours, wash with whisking movements... You can use a steam cleaner for cleaning.

For the final result, drying the down pillow, which is done in an open, well-ventilated area, is equally important. To speed up drying, to prevent mold formation, you can use additional sources of ventilation.

And if you are interested in the rules for washing pillows with other fillers, take a look at this section.