Can you dry a feather pillow in the dryer?

Most expensive tumble dryers feature a pillow drying program. This program's primary purpose is to evenly and gently dry pillows, down comforters, sleeping bags, and other items. Items dried using this program retain their softness and volume, while also lasting a very long time. However, not every budget tumble dryer has such a program. A pressing question for these types of machines is: can feather pillows be tumble dried, and if so, how do you do it properly?

A suitable drying program is needed

Machines with a drying function are simple. However, with budget tumble dryers, things aren't so straightforward. While you can theoretically place a pillow in one, no one can guarantee you'll get the desired result.

Different manufacturers have different names for the pillow drying mode. For example, Miele dryers call it "Pillows." Beko dryers call this function "Gentle." In addition to pillows, this program dries delicate items, as well as various hand-washable items (such as delicate blouses, underwear, pajamas, sundresses, and shirts). Consequently, this program is also ideal for drying feather pillows, duvets, down jackets, and so on.

Bosch tumble dryers have a special "Down Jackets" program. It allows you to thoroughly dry bulky items, blankets, and warm outerwear. When drying large quantities of items, it is important to monitor the machine's maximum load capacity to avoid damaging its internal components.

LG dryers are equipped with a "Down" program. This program is also suitable for drying bulky items, ensuring your pillows stay soft and fluffy. LG dryer instructions state that when drying bulky items, they dry unevenly. To resolve this, it's recommended to stop the dryer mid-cycle, fluff, and flip the items.

Undoubtedly, many more examples of dryers from various brands could be cited. However, this won't affect the overall understanding of the essence. Each dryer's manual contains a comprehensive guide to its use, as well as explanations of certain nuances.

How to prepare a pillow for drying?

You can achieve the desired results from washing with proper preparation. It's worth noting that items with feather fillings are very difficult to wash properly. To be on the safe side, some housewives use a tumble dryer to thoroughly shake out the filling and disperse any accumulated dust mites. While this is certainly a good idea, it won't produce the pleasant scent of your washed items.

If you decide to wash a feather pillow, make sure to wring it out thoroughly. The instructions clearly state that you shouldn't add wet linens to the pillow, as this will affect the final drying process and prevent the items from drying properly.

Important! Avoid using dry detergent, as it doesn't dissolve well in water and can remain in the laundry. A better solution is to use laundry gel, which dissolves easily and won't leave residue after rinsing.

How to ensure that the pillow dries evenly and completely?

1. After the machine has finished washing, you need to remove the pillow and shake it well so that the filling is evenly distributed.
2. Place the pillow in the dryer, selecting the appropriate setting.
3. Halfway through the cycle, stop the machine, take out the pillow, fluff it up well, turn it over to the other side and resume drying.

For bulky items, this process should be repeated several times. Afterward, check to see if everything is evenly dry. If damp filling is detected, repeat the drying process. These tips also apply to various blankets, sleeping bags, and warm outerwear.

   

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