Washing Faux Down Pillows

Washing Faux Down Pillows Artificial swan down is often used as a pillow filling. It's breathable, hypoallergenic, affordable, and resilient, making it a near-perfect bedding filler. How should you properly care for this type of pillow? Can you machine wash the bedding? Let's learn how to wash artificial down pillows and how to properly dry swan down-filled pillows.

Prepare your pillow properly

It is important to properly prepare a product with filling for the upcoming wash. Manufacturers typically allow down pillows to be washed both in a washing machine and by hand. You can clarify this point by studying the information on the label when purchasing bedding.

Prepare a down pillow for washing as follows:

Beat the item outside or on the balcony. This is necessary to remove dust and leather particles;
Buy special washable pillowcases. If this isn't possible, have a few old pillowcases handy;
Remove the filling from the pillow. Experts recommend washing the item in sections, not as a whole. This will significantly improve the cleaning quality.
divide the filling into equal parts;
place the fluff in special bags or prepared pillowcases;
Zip up the covers or tie the pillowcases tightly to prevent the down from escaping during the cycle.

You can't wash swan fluff without a cover - the fluff will not only be damaged, but will also clog the drainage system of the washing machine.

If you don't have time to "gut" a pillow, you can wash it whole. However, this will result in poor cleaning results. Also, stains from incompletely rinsed detergent may remain on the pillow.

Let's use a typewriter

Some people think it's much easier to buy new pillows after a few months of use than to wash the old ones. They also mistakenly believe that the filling will inevitably clump up after getting wet and lose its properties. This isn't true.

Caring for down pillows isn't as difficult as it might initially seem. Artificial swan down is perfectly machine-cleanable. To ensure the procedure goes as planned, follow these steps:

prepare the “stuffing” for loading into the machine;
use a quality detergent;
set appropriate washing settings.

When deciding to machine wash swan down pillows, it is important to follow three basic rules.

Choose a suitable washing program. The "Delicates" or "Down" cycles are ideal for cleaning a swan-filled pillow. The water temperature should be cool, no higher than 30°C (86°F) – the temperature should be adjusted accordingly. It's recommended to add an extra rinse cycle.
Set the optimal spin speed. It's important that the drum spins no faster than 400 rpm. A more intense spin will damage the filler.
Use a high-quality detergent. Gels are preferable – they dissolve better in cool water and are easier to rinse out of the filling. Special capsules for washing down pillows are available in stores, and you can buy one in this form.

Of course, specialized detergents are more expensive than regular washing powder, but they can ensure superior washing results. They're also cheaper than buying new pillows, so it's not worth skimping on.

Remove the filling, divide it into portions, and place it in the covers, then in the washing machine. If the pillow is large, it's recommended to wash it in two stages. Don't overfill the drum; it's better to run two cycles, but with a half-load.

We wash it in the traditional way

Many housewives prefer to wash their pillows by hand. They believe that this method allows the filling to be washed better and prevents clumps. So, if you don't trust an automatic washing machine, you can use this method.

What recommendations do experts give in this case? The pillow and swan filling are washed separately. Therefore, the preparatory steps will be similar:

beat the pillow to get rid of dust;
rip open the cover and remove the filling.

Next, place the filling in a basin and soak it in cool water (no hotter than 30°C). Leave the down filling in this state for at least 3 hours. Stir the contents periodically. we extract artificial fluff

After three hours, add detergent to the water. The down is washed in the soapy solution, then wrung out (a regular colander will help facilitate wringing). Next, rinse, changing the water several times.

Washed faux down is separated into portions and placed into old pillowcases. It's best to have a small amount of filling in each pillowcase—this will speed up the drying process. Place the bags on the balcony, in direct sunlight. During the drying process, shake and turn the pillowcases every half hour. Pay special attention to fluffing the down. This will prevent it from clumping.

Removing moisture from the pillow

Properly drying a swan down pillow is equally important. This process also has its own nuances. If you make mistakes, you could end up with a flattened pillow with terrible stains. So what recommendations should you follow?

Drying should take place outdoors in direct sunlight. It's also acceptable to spread the litter out indoors in a well-ventilated room.
To speed up drying, you should divide the filler into small parts and place it in separate bags.
Be sure to turn the bags containing the swan feather filler over every half hour and shake them up. Shaking will prevent the feathers from clumping.

Do not dry down pillows on radiators or near heaters, or with a hair dryer, as this will cause the filling to lose its properties.

The pillowcase can be washed like a regular pillowcase. The washing cycle will depend on the material. You can dry it in any conventional way—hang it on a radiator or on the balcony.

If dried correctly, the swan down will retain its properties and remain soft, springy, and airy. Once you've checked that the filling is completely dry, you can assemble the pillow. Stuff the pillowcase with feathers and sew it shut.