How to wash feather pillows in a washing machine? How to wash a feather pillow at home - stages of hand and machine washing Washing feather pillows in a washing machine

Feather pillows need to be cleaned as they become dirty and lose their softness over time. Products made from natural down need to be washed several times a year; this can be done either manually or using an automatic washing machine. Thorough cleaning helps eliminate bad smell, as well as get rid of bacteria that develop in the filler and can cause various diseases and allergic reactions.

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  Ways to clean feather pillows at home

  Cleaning a pillow at home is not that difficult. It is necessary to wash and dry products made from natural filler in a certain order.

  Preparing a feather pillow for washing consists of the following steps:

  • It is necessary to purchase or sew a case into which the pen will be poured.
  • The pillow should be knocked out to get rid of accumulated dust.
  • Open one side of the quilt, carefully remove the feather and place it in the prepared case.
  • The free edges of the covers should be sewn tightly.

  Machine washable

  It is not advisable to use it to wash a pillow in an automatic machine. washing powder, since it is difficult to rinse out and may remain in the filler. It is best to wash with special gel-like products for natural fibers. They cope with dirt, do not disturb the structure of the pen and maintain its breathability.

  Machine washing feather pillows involves several steps:

  1. 1. Natural filler or the entire pillow is placed in a special case and placed in the drum of an automatic washing machine.
  2. 2. Detergent is poured into the compartment intended for it.
  3. 3. Before you start washing, special soft plastic balls are placed in the drum. They are necessary to prevent the feather filling from clumping into one lump.
  4. 4. The product must be washed at a temperature of no more than 30 degrees; on the machine, you must select the “Down blanket” mode; if it is not available, then you should select the “Delicate wash” mode.
  5. 5. For spinning, you should select no more than 400 revolutions, if there is no minimum spin in washing machine-automatic, then it should be turned off.
  6. 6. The product made from natural filler should be rinsed several times; to do this, turn on the additional rinse mode on the automatic washing machine.
  7. 7. After finishing washing, the product must be removed from the washing machine, placed on a dry towel, rolled up and wrung out by hand.

  

  Steaming

  This method does not require replacing the napper; it allows you to clean the napper base from stains, and the natural filler from dust, destroy bacteria and rid the product of unpleasant odor.

  Steaming is carried out as follows:

  • The pillow is hung with clothespins.
  • The steamer is used to spray steam onto the product from all sides.
  • For better cleansing after some time the procedure is repeated.
  • When the pillow is dry, you need to shake it and straighten the fluff with your hands.

  

  Hand wash

  Hand wash is a rather labor-intensive process, but it will avoid damage to the filler. Hand washing is done as follows:

  1. 1. Water is poured into a bathtub or into a large container; its temperature should be 30 degrees.
  2. 2. Add washing gel or shavings to the water laundry soap.
  3. 3. The filler is removed from the diaper and soaked in the liquid for three hours. The feathers should float freely to prevent them from sticking together.
  4. 4. After the time has passed, the filler is removed using a colander, washed under the tap and transferred to another container.
  5. 5. Before draining the water, it is necessary to cover the drain hole with a mesh to avoid clogging.
  6. 6. Then you need to fill the container with the filler with water, dilute the detergent in it and rub the feathers with your hands.
  7. 7. After hand washing, use a colander to collect the feathers and rinse clean water and squeeze lightly.

  Drying feather pillows

  Improper drying of feather products can lead to unpleasant odors and bacterial growth. To prevent this from happening, you must follow some rules:

  • It is advisable that the feathers have time to dry in two days, so it is necessary to wash feather pillows in the summer.
  • It is best to dry washed items on fresh air(in the courtyard of a private house or on the balcony).
  • In winter, pillows made from natural filling should be dried close to the heater.

A fresh, perfectly clean pillow is the key to a full, healthy sleep, bringing real relaxation and restorative strength. Today there is no shortage of bedding - there are huge amount pillows for every taste, orthopedic shape, with various synthetic fillers. But still, one of the most popular options is the classic feather pillow - convenient, comfortable, safe for health and durable. But you should remember that it requires special care, especially if it has not been cleaned for more than 4 years.

Natural down is able to perfectly transmit dust, which settles inside the product and can cause numerous allergic reactions. Dust is an ideal breeding ground for various pathogens and mites. In order to protect yourself and your loved ones, simply clean and wash your bedding regularly.

Is it washable?

The fastest and easiest way to clean up your feather accessories is to have them professionally dry cleaned. But the most important disadvantage this option is its high cost - the procedure will be quite expensive, since in its process the filler is also processed using ultraviolet radiation, removing dirty, stuck together feathers. The cost of such a service is quite high, but for a year after dry cleaning you don’t have to worry about washing.

You can wash the product yourself, remembering a few simple rules. As the experience of many housewives shows, this can be done with equal success both in summer and in winter. Summer time is preferable if you live in a private house and have the opportunity to spread the fluff outdoors. Otherwise, it is better to clean it in winter - freezing the fluff allows you to effectively get rid of small mites and other pathogens that could have grown in the pillow.

At home

The pillows can be washed either by hand or in a machine.

Important! Remember the basic rule of cleaning yourself - the product is washed only in parts in disassembled form.

How to solve the problem at home in winter?

• The first thing you need to do is prepare the product and the pen. The pillow can only be washed unassembled - this means that before cleaning it needs to be ripped apart and all the stuffing poured into other pillowcases, purchased or sewn yourself from the cheapest fabric. Natural chintz or gauze are perfect.
• Please note that the fluff from a large pillow will have to be poured into 5-6 bags; for a small product, 3 bags will be enough.
  

  Important! You should not try to scatter the filler into the bags as tightly as possible - the less fluff there is in the bag, the better it stretches and rinses.

• The bags need to be tightly tied with a ribbon or simply sewn up, after which you can proceed directly to washing. The bags are washed in a deep basin - The water temperature level should be no more than 30-40 degrees. Products can be soaked in warm water for one to two hours.
• Liquid or laundry soap, or liquid washing powder concentrate is added to the water - these are the products that are considered optimal for washing at home. After the first stage, the water is drained, the fluff is lightly wrung out so that excess moisture escapes. You need to pour the next portion of water with detergent into the basin, and the wash is repeated. As a rule, in order to completely clean the packing from dust and dirt, it will need to be washed at least 4-5 times, regularly changing the water and powder.

Please pay special attention the fact that with all the diligence and maximum caution, it will not be possible to avoid the loss of fluff. In most cases, about 30-40% of the fluff is lost. In addition, be prepared for the fact that fluff will fly throughout the apartment during washing and drying - keep a vacuum cleaner nearby.

Drying

Proper drying is no less important than the washing process. After this, the bags with feathers need to be lightly wrung out and dried. You can dry the filler on the balcony, on a radiator or on other horizontal surfaces. Whip the fluff regularly and carefully break up any lumps.

Important! Feathers must be constantly turned over and shaken during drying so that they can dry completely. The drying process should not last more than 2 days, otherwise an unpleasant smell of dampness and mustiness cannot be avoided. In order to speed up the drying process, it is better to place large terry towels under the pillows - thanks to this, excess moisture will quickly be absorbed.

After the feathers are completely dry, they can be put back into the pillowcase. You can wash the pillow not only by hand, but also in the machine. ?

• Feather products can be washed only in warm water, the temperature of which does not exceed 30-40 degrees. The delicate wash mode is considered ideal. Many modern washing machines are equipped with a special feather washing function.
• To wash pillows in a machine, you can only use liquid laundry detergent., baby or laundry soap, crushed into small pieces. Today there are special gentle products for wool and down products on sale. You should absolutely not use conventional powders or bleaches, which can have a detrimental, aggressive effect on the structure of the fluff.
• As in the case of hand washing, the pillow can also be washed disassembled - spread the old pillowcase on one side and pour the stuffing into several special bags or other pillowcases.
  

  Important! If, in the case of hand washing, bags with feather filling can be simply tied with a ribbon or lace, then in the case of a machine, the bags will have to be sewn tightly. Even the tightest knots will not be able to withstand intensive washing.

• When washing in a machine, be sure to set the double rinse mode, and, on the contrary, reduce the spin intensity to a minimum.
• The rest of the washing principles are the same as in manual mode– bags with feathers are thoroughly washed, rinsed and dried.

Many housewives agree that hand washing is still preferable for down pillows. Even the utmost care cannot guarantee that small feathers will not get into the filter and other parts of the washing machine, leading to its malfunction.

Before you start washing, there are a few things to remember: important rules. This will help you get the highest quality results.

1. When washing feathers either by hand or by machine, it is strictly forbidden to wring them too hard - this can break them and disrupt their structure. Many housewives advise using a very non-standard device for spinning in the form of an old kitchen colander - thanks to this, excess moisture will completely drain, and the structure of the filler will not be disturbed.
2. When washing, it is best not to use special softening fabric softeners. Such products have a rather strong odor that will remain on the pillow for a long time and can cause various sleep disturbances or headaches.
3. You can pour a few tablespoons of vinegar into the water - it will help the feathers straighten out and not get into lumps. In addition, acetic acid will provide additional antibacterial treatment and significantly delay the penetration of various pathogens inside.

Video

Useful video tips will help you avoid many common mistakes and give yourself and your loved ones a strong, healthy and pleasant sleep.

Almost every home has feather pillows. It is quite possible that they have already been replaced with new ones, with synthetic fillers, but this does not make them any less comfortable. Few of them modern options will be able to compare in softness and comfort with the centuries-tested feather filling. It is important to know how to wash feather pillows and what needs to be done to ensure that the filling does not lose its qualities..

the fact is that feather filler requires much more attention to itself to maintain purity than its synthetic counterparts. Dust mites reproduce well in feathers, and they easily absorb dust and moisture without being too quick to release it outside.

Caring for feather pillows

According to the rules of hygiene and common sense, feather pillows should be washed at least 3-4 times a year to ensure cleanliness and avoid the development of various sleep problems in a person.

And yet, much more often you can find situations where pillows are not washed for years, as a result of which they turn into a wild breeding ground for mites, fill with sweat and salts, and lose their properties and shape. Bamboo filler is much more hygienic in this regard, but it was discussed in another article.

First, let’s decide whether it’s possible to wash feather pillows that have never been cleaned before? Frankly speaking, instead of looking for ways self-cleaning, it is better to look for a laundry or dry cleaning service that deals with down products. Only for this they must have the appropriate equipment.

They take the fluff out of the confidant, sort it, sift it, and blow it to remove all foreign matter. Afterwards, it is disinfected using ultraviolet light, eliminating ticks and their eggs. The feathers are straightened and washed using a variety of delicate detergents and dried just as effectively under constant air currents, giving them the proper volume. Cleaned feathers are again stuffed inside the pre-washed confidant and the hole is sewn up, after which the client is given a perfectly clean, soft and elastic pillow.

On your own, at home, you can only keep the pillow in a clean condition by cleaning it from the moment of purchase or thoroughly washing it at the dry cleaner every 3-4 months. How to wash feather pillows will be discussed further.

Do-it-yourself cleaning

It is necessary to determine in advance, if possible, what kind of filling the pillow has, whether it is feathers and down of waterfowl (goose, duck, etc.), or whether it is chicken down, which is quite common, although this does not make it more practical than we would like. In the second case, washing at home will most likely end in failure; it is better to limit yourself to dry cleaning using a vacuum cleaner, without removing the fluff from the confidant. Only washing feather pillows with waterfowl down is allowed.

Briefly about the procedure:

1. The casing is ripped open;
2. The fluff is distributed into prepared bags;
3. The fluff can be washed by hand or in a washing machine;
4. The casing is washed separately;
5. Dries with constant redistribution and shaking;
6. The fluff is stuffed into the casing and firmly sutured.

Now in more detail on point 3: how to wash a feather from a pillow so as not to spoil anything.

To begin with, let's define why are bags needed?. They allow you to distribute the feathers into groups, facilitating their washing and subsequent drying, because in one pile these processes will significantly worsen. Bags are best made from old pillowcases or other thin, but durable fabric. Ideally, they are equal in width to the pillow and one and a half to two times longer, so that the feathers in them can be freely distributed without shrinking.

Let us now determine the conditions for washing that are suitable for both manual and automatic washing in a washing machine:

• Water temperature 30-40 oC
• Only liquid detergents for delicate washing or soap solution
• No bleaches or chemically harsh cleaners
• Pre-soak for about half an hour

Drying will be discussed below; this is the most important part.

Hand wash

Bags of feathers are dipped into a prepared soap solution with laundry soap. You should give them some time to settle, about half an hour. After this, with gentle rocking and squeezing, we actually get rid of most of the dirt.

After the down has been washed, it should be rinsed thoroughly. If you do not wash out all the soap solution, then no matter how hard you try to dry it, the feathers will stick together into clumps or lose their volume. Rinse three to four times, constantly changing the water. To spin, it is easier to roll the bags into rolls, thereby squeezing out the remaining water without particularly spoiling the shape of the pen.

Machine washable

Of more interest is the question of how to wash a pillow in a machine. The bags are placed in the drum, but not tightly; if they together fill the entire space, then it is better to divide them into two portions equally. To prevent the feathers from sticking together in lumps in the drum during washing, you should place 4-5 tennis balls. They will constantly break up lumps and distribute fluff evenly.

A delicate washing mode is selected at a temperature of 40 degrees and with a spin speed of 600-800 rpm. The task is to set the most gentle washing mode and the highest possible rinse mode. Some washing machines have the ability to set double or triple rinse. This should not be neglected. Pour liquid detergent into the appropriate compartment.

Before you trust the machine, it is advisable to check what is in the storage compartment. detergents There was no build-up of powder or bleach residue, which happens often. Especially if you regularly use only one or two modes.

After the machine has finished washing the feathers from the pillow and has wrung them out as much as possible, you can proceed to drying.

Drying feathers

It is better to dry feathers in a well-ventilated place under direct sunlight. A balcony or veranda will do. You can distribute the bags outside, but only in clearly calm weather without wind. The best solution floor dryers will be used; in the absence of such, highly absorbent towels or other ribbed lattice surface should be used.

Feathers, after being washed, will dry for 1-3 days, the sooner this happens the better. After all, humidity may cause a musty smell or mold to appear. However, heating devices should not be used. The drying temperature should be no higher than 40 degrees.

Regularly, about 3-5 times a day, it is necessary to beat the bags, redistribute the fluff in them and break up lumps and seals. After the feathers are completely dry, you can begin stuffing the pre-washed casing. If the old one is too shabby or can no longer be washed completely, then it is better to sew a new one. This completes the washing of the pillows. You can enjoy a comfortable and incredibly cool sleep on a clean, soft and pleasantly smelling pillow. The feeling from this is simply indescribable.

Washing Feather Pillows: A How-to Guide

Feather pillows are not a relic of the past. They are still popular, even against the backdrop of a wide variety of bedding from modern materials. Down and feathers are natural fillers that have unique thermal insulation properties. At proper care pillows last a very long time and give their owners comfort while sleeping.

It would be a misconception to think that simply changing your pillowcases in a timely manner is enough to keep your pillow clean. Dust, sweat and other contaminants penetrate through the fabric of the pillowcase and pillowcase. As a result, feathers and down become a favorable environment for the proliferation of dust mites and molds, the waste products of which can cause severe allergic reactions, which is especially important for people with bronchial asthma. Unlike synthetic fillers, microfauna colonization in feather pillows occurs intensively and quickly.

Pillows should be washed at least once a year. The reason for more frequent washing is the appearance of a persistent characteristic odor.

Previously, it was customary to clean pillows in winter in severe frosts and in summer in dry, hot weather. The optimal conditions for the life of dust mites are: high humidity and temperature 18-25 ℃, and under the influence of high or low temperatures they die. However, now not everyone has the opportunity to lay out pillows outside for several days.

It is known that it is undesirable to wash products made from down, for example, down jackets at home, since the filler can become clumps and lose its properties. beneficial properties. Therefore, the question of how to wash a feather pillow can be perplexing.

Of course, the easiest way is to take the pillow to the dry cleaner. As a result of processing, feathers and down are not only cleaned, but also acquire additional volume.

You can also wash your feather pillow at home to restore its cleanliness and fluffiness. This can be done either manually or using an automatic washing machine.

Hand wash

To wash a feather pillow at home, you need to prepare:

• a piece of gauze several meters long;
• detergent for washing down or wool products;
• fabric softener or essential oil.

Washing a pillow involves cleaning its filling from accumulated dirt. It is unlikely that you will be able to wash a feather pillow properly without ripping out the pillowcase. By washing the entire pillow, you will not only not clean the down and feathers, but you also risk spoiling them - after such a wash, the filling may form clumps or rot. Therefore, even if you are afraid that fluff and feathers will scatter throughout the apartment, feel free to proceed with the procedure.

To clean as carefully as possible, before you start ripping open the bed sheets, lay a sheet on the floor and perform all manipulations only on it. There should be no drafts in the room, as well as objects that would be difficult to clean from settled feathers. In any case, the fluff will scatter throughout the room, so you should have a vacuum cleaner at hand with which you can quickly collect it, preventing it from spreading throughout the apartment.

So, the pillow is ripped open, and its contents lie on the spread sheet. What's next? There are two options. You can immediately start washing the filler or first place it in small portions in gauze bags. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages. Sewing gauze bags will require some time and effort, but it will make washing much easier. In the second case, no additional preparation is required, but the process itself will be more complicated (you need to filter the water with the filler through a sieve, and also constantly ensure that the drains do not become clogged).

To wash the filling using gauze, you need to fold the fabric several times and sew bags from it. For washing one middle pillow you will need three bags, if the pillow is very large - four or even five. It should be remembered that the fewer feathers there are in one bag, the easier it is to thoroughly clean the filler. After filling, the bags are sewn up. The seam should not be too sparse, since the contents may break through it. You can, of course, tie the edges, but then you will have to constantly monitor the safety of the knot.

Dilute a small amount of feather or wool detergent in warm water and wash the bags in it, trying to thoroughly grind the filler inside. Then the bags are rinsed in clean water, changing it up to five times. During the last rinse, add a little conditioner or a few drops to the water. essential oil. It is better to choose light and unobtrusive scents. Too intense or pungent odors, which subsequently end up with the feather in your pillow, can cause headache or interfere with sleep.

If you decide to start washing without using gauze, the sequence of actions should be the same. The filler is carefully transferred into a basin with warm water, in which the detergent is dissolved. Immerse the feather in water carefully so that it does not fly apart. You can leave the filler soaked for several hours, this is enough for the dirt to dissolve. Then the water with the filler is carefully filtered through a sieve and washed running water. Conditioner or essential oil is also added during the final rinse.

You need to wring out the filler as carefully as possible, because even a damp feather takes a very long time to dry, and a poorly wringed one can also stick together. The bag can be laid out on a towel and then twisted, thereby gently squeezing out excess water.

So, obviously, washing a pillow by hand at home is not that difficult, but a washing machine can make the task even easier.

Machine washable

To wash a feather pillow in the washing machine, you must use special bags. In addition, the density and strength of the seams of such a bag must be monitored especially carefully, since feathers that escape can clog the drain. The likelihood that the bag in the drum will break is quite high, which is why few people risk washing pillows at home.

The bags should be small in volume, and it is advisable to place several towels, as well as special balls, into the drum at the same time. This technique will prevent fluff and feathers from falling off in the machine.

When machine washing a pillow, it is advisable to place several towels and special balls in the drum.

For washing it is necessary to use delicate mode, such as "wool", with a temperature of 30 ℃ and maximum number rinsing. For spin It is better to choose average indicators - if you rotate quickly, the bags with filler may burst.

Wool or feather detergent is added to the powder compartment, and conditioner is used for rinsing.

Drying

It is very important not only to properly wash your feather pillow, but also to dry it. If you do this poorly, you can ruin the filler completely and irrevocably (for example, if mold forms on the feathers in a humid environment).

Bags with washed filling are hung to dry, beating occasionally (you can use a regular beater for these purposes). You can also place the filling in a clean pillowcase made of thin fabric, such as chintz.

It is best to dry your pillows outdoors. Therefore, it is preferable to clean them in the summer and hang the bags with filler on open balcony, but not under straight lines sun rays, but in shade or partial shade. If you washed a pillow in winter, it is also recommended to hang it out in the cold for a while to further disinfect it.

Products must be dried at a temperature so that they are completely dry within two days. If it dries for longer, the filler may begin to rot.

Drying can also be done indoors by choosing a dry and warm place without a draft, for example, near a radiator. Down or feather can be laid out on a flat horizontal surface. To dry the feathers quickly and efficiently, you need to turn them over from time to time. To prevent the filler from scattering, it should be covered on top with gauze or a thin cloth.

After drying, the filler is placed in a clean diaper and carefully sewn up. Then put on a pillowcase and enjoy sleeping on a clean and fresh pillow.

Video on the topic of the article

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Svetlana 02/26/2018 04:37

Along with the use of synthetic fillers, pillows continue to be traditionally stuffed with bird feathers. This excellent heat-insulating and moisture-proof material is shared with humans by waterfowl representatives of the bird world - swans, ducks, geese, eiders. To increase the softness of sleeping accessories and reduce their weight, manufacturers use a down-feather combination.

Such pillows have a lot of practical advantages: hygroscopicity, breathability, shape stability and pleasant elasticity, which for many is a prerequisite for a comfortable sleep.

Let's talk about how to wash a down and feather pillow at home and what processing methods are guaranteed to restore freshness to the product and help maintain its original softness.

Means

Despite huge assortment drugs household chemicals, not every detergent is suitable for cleaning feather and down pillows. So, it is advisable to immediately stop using washing powders, even well-known brands, because It is quite problematic to rinse the powder granules from the down and feather filling efficiently.

Second negative point concerns the free-flowing consistency of powdered products, which negatively affects useful qualities natural materials. But when there is nothing else at hand, the use of the powder should be strictly dosed, no more than 50 g per machine load.

For the care of down and feather fillings, gentle biological products in the form of gels are recommended. They are usually used to wash delicate fabrics and natural fiber items. And this is exactly what you need for washing feather and down pillows.

Which drugs deserve attention:

• Specialized concentrate "Unipuh." It contains no phosphates, aggressive bleaches or chlorine. It does a good job of removing a wide variety of contaminants, while maintaining the integrity of the filler structure, lipid coating and the breathability of pillows. Treatment with Unipooh reduces feather fragility and prevents the filling from rolling off. They are good for cleaning down jackets and down bedding.
• Delicate biological agent BioMio– environmentally friendly and odorless. Ideal for gentle and high-quality cleaning of products made from natural materials.
• Biogels for washing children's clothes - high-quality products that, thanks to the gel formula, can be rinsed out of the structure of natural fibers without problems. They have hypoallergenic properties and easily cope with stubborn stains.

There is no doubt about the benefits of laundry soap with high content alkalis and fatty acids in a volume of at least 72%. Let us once again list the main advantages of a product that is well known to everyone:

• It has an antibacterial effect, which is an additional advantage in the fight against dust mites.
• It has a completely environmentally friendly composition without the slightest hint of synthetic additives.
• Hypoallergenic – eliminates the risk of developing or exacerbating allergies.

Method of application: the block is crushed with a grater and a working solution is prepared from the resulting shavings. Minus: after washing, things have to be rinsed thoroughly.

In addition to liquid detergent or soap, it is recommended to use a mixture of one or more aromatic oils to neutralize the peculiar smell of bird feathers.

Methods

To properly wash a down and feather pillow at home, this is done by machine and manually, it is important to properly prepare for processing.

You should know that, no matter what method is used, only the filling needs to be cleaned. And since such products are not completely washed, you will need covers where the filler will be placed in parts to avoid its loss.

Chintz is suitable for sewing fabric cases, although other loose cotton fabric can be used. Gauze, by the way, is absolutely not suitable option: the fragile single-layer material will quickly break through the sharp tips of the feathers, and the two-layer gauze shell will instantly become clogged with fluff. In both cases, the volume of packing will sharply decrease, which is unacceptable.

The width of the cases must match the width of the sleeping accessory, while having twice the width longer length. With bags of this size it is convenient to carry out any manipulations when washing, and drying the contents will take much less time.

You can use a couple of old pillowcases as cases. Optimal solution for reusable washing - diapers with zippers.

To prepare a down product for cleaning by any method, proceed as follows:

• First, the dust accumulated inside is removed using a carpet beater (cracker).
• Carefully rip the napkin from one edge.
• Using caution, transfer the filling into the cases. A damp cotton sheet will limit the unhindered spread of weightless fluff around the room when it is removed from the bedsheet. Besides, natural fibers cotton have antistatic properties, which also makes it easier to work with light feathers.
• The cases are tied well, and if you are not too lazy, then secure the ripped edge with threads or fasten the zipper.

It is advisable to immediately clean the gutted napkin. Don't forget to get rid of any lint left inside before washing.

Hand wash

The process of washing bedding accessories manually includes three procedures:

• prolonged soaking;
• the washing itself;
• repeated rinsing.

Warm water is poured into a large container or bathtub, optimal temperature from 30 to 40°C.

Hot water provokes the appearance of an unpleasant odor, which will subsequently be impossible to get rid of.

Soaking covers with down and feather filling for two hours is enough for it to soak thoroughly and even the deepest dirt begins to come out. Washing may have some nuances, which directly depends on the degree of wear of the pillow.

Cleaning a new pillow

Recently purchased pillows have very fresh filling, so the feather fans are securely held on the rods, that is, you don’t have to worry about the safety of the filling during wet processing.

Procedure:

• the product is soaked in any of the previously listed detergents;
• the breastplate is freed from feathers;
• Place the filling in parts in a colander, rinse and squeeze;
• sort through the wet down and feather mass to remove remaining specks;
• the feathers are transferred back to the colander and the rinsing procedure is repeated;
• dilute a few drops of aroma oil in a container of a suitable size and lower the feathers into it.

Thanks to this procedure, the filler will acquire a pleasant smell and will be disinfected once again. The best effect is provided by natural aromatic oils of orange, pine, and cypress. Synthetic fragrances can cause itchy skin or migraines. After the aroma bath, all that remains is to dry the feathers, which will be discussed later.

Cleaning an old pillow

Here you will need to act with caution to avoid damage to the repeatedly used packing. In this case, cleaning products and aromatic oils are used in a similar way. To eliminate old feather smells and improve their condition When soaking, ammonia is added to the water. If ammonia is not available, you can use vinegar at the rate of 15 ml of essence per 5 liters of working soap solution.

Unlike new stuffing, old stuffing is carefully washed directly in the fabric cases.

Washing machine

Bedding Feather can be washed at home using an automatic washing machine. In order to improve the quality of washing, do not neglect the capabilities of special soft plastic balls for cleaning feather fillings. Their principle of operation is extremely simple: when the drum splashes water and turns the contents along with the balls, they hit the products many times and “knock out” deeply embedded dirt. One more useful feature balls - prevent feathers from matting in clumps.

An alternative to a plastic ball is a tennis ball, which will provide a similar effect when washing feather stuffing.

General rules machine washable means:

• The use of reliable covers made of dense material that can withstand repeated rotations of the drum and water pressure. There will be no problems with the compact new accessory, even if you wash it entirely along with the padding. Whereas the strength of a worn diaper is questionable, which means there is a high probability of its damage during the washing process, and this can lead to a malfunction of the washing machine.
• Uniform load distribution inside the drum. An uneven load when loading one case will cause strong vibration. For this reason, you need to add a towel or a couple of pillowcases, then the balance will be restored.
• The right choice washing mode: creation optimal conditions machine washing involves using the following programs: “Delicate wash”, “Hand wash”, ideally – “Washing a duvet/down jacket”. Any of these modes is characterized by a combination of a temperature of 30°C and a double intensive rinse with a spin on low power up to 400-500 rpm.

Sequence of work when washing by machine:

• cases with padding are placed in the drum;
• the encapsulated gel is added directly to the drum, and the concentrate is filled into a compartment specially designed for liquid products, after which the balls are added;
• At the end of washing, the cases are removed and laid out on a flat surface to dry.

How to dry?

To begin with, let's give a few practical recommendations general plan for drying down and feather accessories for sleep:

• When squeezing the feather mass, it is necessary to remove moisture efficiently. Wet feathers are of interest to pathogens and molds. A product with a characteristic unpleasant odor, which will already be a clear sign of mold damage, will only have to be disposed of.
• It is advisable to carry out wet cleaning of down and feather accessories in the summer. In hot weather, the products will dry out maximum speed. Therefore, drying will only take a day or two. The faster the moisture evaporates, the lower the likelihood of fungus developing.
• A prerequisite for high-quality down drying is good air circulation, so cases with padding are placed in sufficiently ventilated places.

Let's look at the three most common and most convenient ways drying the down and feather filling.

Outdoors

Drying feather contents outdoors can be done not only in the warm season, but also in the winter season. The advantage of summer drying is possibility of treating feathers with ultraviolet light- weapons mass destruction pathogenic viruses and bacteria. A similar effect can be achieved by “freezing” the filling in winter, since the effect of frosty air is just as destructive for all harmful microorganisms.

How to dry properly:

• the filled cases are gently wrung out using a terry towel;
• then knead the matted clumps of feathers with your hands;
• hanging the cases on the street.

If the filling is dried in the summer, then it is periodically shaken, kneading by hand. IN winter period The covers are first brought into a warm place, allowing the frozen moisture to thaw, and only then the contents are straightened out.

Battery

If it's too cold outside, you can use heating radiators to dry the washed feather stuffing. To prevent down and feathers from drying out, they are distributed into several cases, filling 50%, systematically whisking and kneading the lumps, not forgetting to turn the cases over often.

Using special devices

Nowadays, only the lazy do not have a convenient floor clothes dryer. This very useful thing is useful for drying cases filled with feathers and down. To speed up drying, it is placed in close proximity to heating radiators.

Another modern household assistant is the dryer. This is an ideal solution to the issue of drying washed bedding accessories. According to the instructions, such a unit provides them complete drying for four hours at a given temperature conditions 30 degrees. If you place several balls in the dryer, you will also get rid of clumps. Owners of automatic machines equipped with a dryer should also use miracle balls, which will ensure that the down filling is evenly whipped.

Whatever method is used, the final stage of pillow processing is filling the washed and ironed pillowcase with dried filling. The cut edge is sewn together.

Rules of care

With proper and timely maintenance, the down and feather pillow will last much longer.

What is needed for this:

• Shake the pillows daily to reduce the filling from caking. It is advisable to do this in the morning so that the product has time to restore its original shape before evening.
• Ventilate bedding in the fresh air monthly. You already know about the beneficial effects of ultraviolet radiation and frosty air. Moreover, this great way refresh your pillow and make it a pleasure to sleep on. High humidity conditions in the apartment are a reason for more frequent drying.
• Long-term storage down and feather pillows involves the use of thick fabric cases. Minus plastic bags– insufficient ventilation, which may cause the product to “suffocate.”