Washing Feather Pillows: 7 Steps to Prevent Clumping

Wonderfully cuddly, soft, and warm: feather and down pillows are very popular in Germany. Sleeping without a pillow is unimaginable for most people, and a good pillow, like the mattress and down duvet, is part of the basic bed equipment. However, feather pillows must be washed regularly, as irritants and secretions accumulate inside over time. Here you will learn step-by-step how to clean a feather pillow effectively and gently.

 

Everything you need to know about washing feather pillows

Sweat, dust, saliva, skin flakes, and fungi: feather pillows are in contact with the head and face for several hours, allowing all sorts of secretions to penetrate through the cover into the interior of the pillow. This provides the perfect basis for the development of mites and promotes the settlement of bacteria. A feather pillow that has not been cleaned for a long time can lead to allergies, skin irritation, and acne.

There are companies that offer professional cleaning of down and feather pillows. But if you want to save money, you can also wash your feather pillow at home in the washing machine. If you follow our instructions, no clumps will form inside, and you will quickly have a clean pillow for a healthy sleep.

 

How often do feather pillows need to be washed?

Since pillows are used intensively, they need to be cleaned more often than a down duvet. While down and feathers are a natural material and have a certain self-cleaning property, you should still wash a feather pillow once a year. After all, people spend about a third of the day with their heads on it.

However, washing too frequently is also not advisable. If the pillow does not show heavy soiling or unpleasant odors, you can instead regularly shake out and air the down and feather pillows. Since down and feathers are very sensitive, regular cleaning harms them, and the material begins to clump.

 

Before washing

Before you start cleaning the pillow, there are a few things you need to consider to ensure that washing the feather pillow is successful and the pillow is not damaged.

• You can generally wash a down and feather pillow in the washing machine, provided it fits in the machine and is not too heavy. Check the capacity of your washing machine.
• Thoroughly inspect the feather pillow for holes and tears. Check the seams and make sure no feathers are protruding. If the feather pillow is damaged, the feathers may come out during washing. Therefore, any damage must be repaired beforehand.
• Before washing, check the care label of the pillow. Is it suitable for the washing machine? If yes, you can start washing the feather pillow.

Step-by-step guide to proper washing

If the washing machine is large enough and the washing instructions allow it, you can start cleaning your feather pillows. It is ideal if you also have a tumble dryer, as drying without a machine is much more laborious. Here are our tips and tricks for proper cleaning:

1. If the feather pillow is heavily soiled, pre-treatment is advisable. You can use special stain removers for this and spray the affected areas.
2. For washing, it is best to put the pillow in a large laundry bag or a pillowcase. If down and feathers get into the machine during the wash cycle, serious damage can occur. Then place the pillow in the washing machine.
3. For washing the feather pillow, you should use a delicate detergent or a special down detergent. Completely avoid fabric softener, as it can damage the filling of the pillow.
4. Set the correct program. A gentle cycle or easy-care wash cycle at a washing temperature of 30 or a maximum of 40 degrees is suitable for washing feather pillows. The spin speed should be as low as possible at 400 or 600 revolutions.
5. To ensure that all detergent residues are completely removed after washing, use a second rinse cycle. This will prevent the feathers from clumping together.

After washing: How to dry the feather pillow

A tumble dryer is ideal for drying washed pillows. At a low temperature, you can gently dry the feather pillow and then air it outside to ensure no residual moisture remains in the pillow. If the pillow is not dried properly, it can lead to mold and odors. At the same time, if the heat is too high, the feathers can become brittle.

• Dry the feather pillow in the tumble dryer on a gentle cycle at a low temperature.
• Fluff the pillow by hand. If it is not completely dry, put it back in the dryer for a short period. Repeat the process until the feather pillow is dry.
• Place the pillow on a clothes rack in the fresh air in the shade to cool down and allow any potential residual moisture to escape.
• The feather pillow should not be hung to dry in rain or humid air, as moisture would otherwise penetrate the feathers.

After washing: How long does a feather pillow last?

After washing your feather pillow, you can relax. Your feather pillow is fresh again, and you have removed the skin flakes and dirt that promote mites and can cause allergies. However, even high-quality pillows do not last forever; even if you wash them once a year, it makes sense to invest in new feather pillows every 2 years or to have the old pillow professionally reconditioned and refilled. This is not only more hygienic but also makes sense from an ergonomic perspective. Older pillows lose their supportive power and cannot optimally support the spine. In our online shop, you will find a range of high-quality feather pillows that will offer you the greatest possible sleeping comfort.