How to Wash Feather Pillows

Co-authored by Safir Ali

Last Updated: August 9, 2024 Approved

Feather pillows can be soft and luxurious, but you need to take good care of them by washing them at least once a year. Washing will help kill any dust mites and bacteria. It will also clean off dust, dirt, sweat, and oils. This article will show you how to properly wash a feather pillow.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Washing the Pillows

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If the pillow is inside a pillow protector (a zippered, padded pillowcase), take it out of that as well.
Be sure to check along the seams. If there are any rips or tears, you will need to sew them back up.

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Put two pillows into the washing machine. This will help things balanced inside the washer. ^{[1]
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Research source} If you are unable to fit the pillows in the drum, squeeze them first to get the air out. ^{[2]
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Research source} Try not to use a top-loading washer, as the agitator may damage the pillows. If you do not have a front-loading washer, consider visiting a Laundromat; they should have one available that you can use. ^{[3]
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- If you must use a top-loading washing machine, put the pillows in vertically instead of horizontally. That way, they won't get tangled in the agitator. ^{[4]
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^{[5]
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Research source} Use less detergent than you normally would. This will prevent any buildup or residue. Also, try to use liquid detergent instead of powder one. Powder detergent is more likely to cause buildup and residue. ^{[6]
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Research source} This can lead to skin irritations and allergies. Pillows are bulky, so they do not rinse out well. The less soap you use, the less you will have to rinse them.
If you can, try to use hot water. This will help kill any dust mites that might be living inside your pillow. ^{[7]
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Research source} Keep in mind, however, that hot water may also damage the feathers. If you are worried about this, use warm or cool water instead. ^{[8]
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This will help get any soap residue out. The extra spin cycle will help get rid of any excess moisture.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Drying the pillows

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Place the pillow between two towels, and press down on it. The towels will help soak up any extra water. Repeat this step for the other pillow. Do not wring or twist the pillows. ^{[9]
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2
Put the feather pillows into the dryer. Use a delicate cycle, with either a low-heat or no-heat setting. Using low-heat will help the pillows dry faster, but it may damage the feathers inside. Using the no-heat or air-only cycle may take longer (and two to three cycles), but it will be the safest for the feathers. ^{[10]
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- Be sure to fluff the pillow between cycles. Do this by taking it out of the dryer and beating it. This will also help break up any clumps inside the pillow.
- If you are using a low-heat setting, consider using the air-only setting towards the end of the cycle. This will help keep the pillows from overheating and getting ruined.
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Add some dryer balls into the dryer to keep the pillows fluffy. If you do not have any dryer balls, you can use some clean tennis/canvas shoes instead; be sure to put them inside a clean pillowcase first, however. You can also stuff a tennis balls into a clean sock. This will help keep the pillow fluffy as it is drying. ^{[11]
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- You can also add a thick towel into the dryer. This will help soak up any water that might be left in the pillow. ^{[13]
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Even with dryer balls, there may still be some clumps inside the pillow. Hold the pillow by two corners and shake it up and down for a few minutes. Repeat this step for the other side.
Do not use your pillows if they are still damp. Doing so can lead to rot and mildew.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Treating Yellowing, Odors, and Mildew

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Set the washing machine to a "soak" cycle. Add the hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar directly into the drum. Once the soak cycle has finished, add the detergent. ^{[14]
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2
Use ¼ to ½ cup (45 to 90 grams) of baking soda to get rid of smells. ^{[15]
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Research source} Use ¼ cup (45 grams) if you have a front-loading washer, and ½ cup (90 grams) if you have a top-loading one. Add it directly to your detergent.
- Baking soda may also help get rid of stains.
^{[16]
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Research source} Add it into the detergent compartment. White vinegar may also help get rid of smells. ^{[17]
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Expert Source

Safir Ali
Professional Dry Cleaner

Expert Interview. 15 September 2020.}
This will give the pillow a nice, subtle scent. Try something soothing, such as lavender, rosemary, or vanilla. ^{[18]
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These are padded pillowcases that you put over the pillow. You can then put a fabric pillowcase over these. Pillow protectors will help keep the pillow clean longer, and keep it from getting stained.
^{[19]
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Research source} If your pillow still smells musty, leave it out in the sun for a few hours. The sunlight, heat, and fresh air will help kill any odor-causing bacteria. It may also make your pillow smell fresher.

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Question

How can I get my pillows white again?

Safir Ali
Professional Dry Cleaner
Safir Ali is the Co-Founder and CEO of Hamper Dry Cleaning and Laundry, a startup in Houston, Texas reinventing the laundry industry. With over six years of experience launching and operating Hamper, Safir specializes in innovative ways to simplify dry cleaning using the experience from his family's business. Safir holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from Texas A&M University. Hamper offers 24/7 on-demand dry cleaning and laundry through delivery and kiosk services. Hamper has been featured on the Houston Rockets, Station Houston, the Houston Business Journal, BBVA, Yahoo Finance, and Innovation Map.

Safir Ali

Professional Dry Cleaner

Expert Answer

You can spot treat the stains using a solution of white vinegar and water. After you lift up most of the stains, just wash it as you normally would.

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Question

My feather pillows have tons of feathers that stick out, causing the pillows to be very uncomfortable. Will washing them improve this or are they just cheap and need to be discarded?

Community Answer

It's unlikely that washing the pillows will help with this problem, but adding a high-quality pillow protector would likely help keep the feathers in.

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Question

How do I in plump feathers in a washed small feather pillow?

Community Answer

You can try using a tennis ball in the air dry setting in the dryer.

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Tips

Wash your pillows at least twice a year. ^{[20]
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Research source} It would be better to wash them three to four times a year, however.

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If your pillows still smell musty after you have washed them, lay them outside in the sun for at least two hours. This will help get rid of any bad smells.

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Always use a delicate or gentle washing cycle. Other cycles can cause the feathers to clump.

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Warnings

Do not use your freshly washed feather pillows until they are completely dry. If you use them too soon, they will start to smell bad. They may also become lumpy.

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Helpful 47 Not Helpful 12
Most feather pillows can be washed at home, but it is always a good idea to read the how-to-wash tag attached to your pillow, just in case it contains something that shouldn't be washed (such as silk).

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Never wash feather pillows in their pillowcases. They will not get washed all the way.

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Do not use bleach or fabric softeners on feather pillows. They can damage the feathers.

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Things You'll Need

Feather pillows
Washing machine
Laundry detergent
Tennis balls or tennis shoes (optional)

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Expert Source

Safir Ali
Professional Dry Cleaner

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How to Wash Feather Pillows

Steps

Washing the Pillows

Drying the pillows

Treating Yellowing, Odors, and Mildew

Expert Q&A

Tips

Warnings

Things You'll Need

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