Quick tips for washing pillows in the washing machine: down, synthetic, bamboo, orthopedic

In the age of advanced technology, people wash less and less by hand. The machines carefully clean wool, feathers and down, silk and many other delicate materials. Washing pillows in the washing machine is a pleasure. If you follow the manufacturer's recommendations and general rules, the product will not be deformed, and after 15 minutes - 1.5 hours it will become clean without any effort from the owner.

General washing rules

The first and most important rule is to study the label on the product. Usually the manufacturer indicates whether and how the pillow can be machine washed.

The label on the left is machine washable, the label on the right is prohibited. Use the following as a hint:

The following rules apply to preparing a product for washing:

1. Inspection of the confidant. The fabric should not have holes or other damage. You need to be especially careful when washing feather pillows. In the washing machine, the pillowcase may come apart, and small feathers will get stuck where they are not needed.
2. Pre-washing.Stubborn stains and heavy dirt are removed in advance. The machine will not clean them, since gentle programs are chosen for washing pillows.
3. Using liquid detergents and extra rinsing. Powder can make the filler rough. It does not rinse well and does not work at low temperatures.

An extra rinse is necessary to remove all chemicals from the detergent. It is important. The pillow is in contact with the face, and the person inhales everything that is in it.

Choosing a detergent

Pillows are washed exclusively with liquid products - machine washable gels.

You can use any gel that works at a temperature of 30-40 degrees. For delicate fillers, detergents for wool and silk are used. Popular brands:

• Vanish;
• Frosch;
• Ariel;
• Persil;
• Meine Liebe.

It is advisable to choose a gel without bleach and stain remover in the composition. As a last resort, they must be oxygen. The content of chlorine in the detergent is unacceptable!

Advice. To improve the quality of washing, it is recommended to use a water softener (Calgon or other).

Features of washing depending on the filler

The main thing in a pillow is the filler. Its quality and condition directly affects human sleep and health. Washing under no circumstances should damage the integrity, shape and structure of the filler. Otherwise, the product will have to be thrown away.

If there is no label with washing recommendations on the product, you need to rely on general recommendations.

Different fillers have their own characteristics. Some of them do not tolerate contact with water. A striking example is the down and feather of a chicken. They decompose when exposed to moisture. The substances that are formed can harm human health.

Feather

Previously, pillows with down were in every home. They are light, warm, soft, comfortable and durable. An important advantage is natural thermoregulation, which prevents the head and face from sweating. However, they have a significant disadvantage - difficulty in care.

You can wash a feather pillow in a washing machine only if there is feather (down) from a waterfowl inside - goose, duck or swan.

It should be taken into account that the weight of the wet filler will double. That is, if the pillow weighed 5 kg, when washed it will weigh all 10 kg. You should make sure that the washing machine can withstand this weight. If not, you need to rip the pillowcase and distribute the down and feathers among 2-3 pillowcases.

How to wash down pillows in a washing machine:

• Program: “Delicate wash” in combination with “Extra spin”, “Down blanket”.
• Temperature: up to 30 degrees.
• Spin: 400-800 rpm.
• Washing duration: from 40 minutes to 100 minutes.
• Detergent: liquid, for delicate fabrics, in a dosage halved.
• Additionally: put a pillowcase on the pillow (wrap it in a sheet), put 1-3 tennis balls in the drum.

Important! Feather filler takes a long time to dry - from 7 to 14 days. It is important to prevent it from becoming moldy and lumpy.

Bamboo

The bamboo filler is natural and hypoallergenic. At the same time, he is very practical. It can be washed in a washing machine. To maintain the shape of the pillow, you should adhere to the following recommendations:

• Program: “Delicate wash” or “Hand wash”.
• Temperature: up to 40 degrees.
• Spin: no.
• Washing duration: 15-40 minutes.
• Detergent: liquid, no bleaches.

Wool

Pillows made of natural sheep and camel wool are incredibly comfortable.The filler absorbs excess moisture released by a person during sleep and maintains a comfortable temperature. Wool is believed to heal, soothe and provide restful sleep.

In a washing machine, wool products are washed as follows:

• Program: “Wool”, “Delicate wash”, “Hand wash”.
• Temperature: 20-30 degrees.
• Spin: 400-500 rpm.
• Washing duration: 30-40 minutes.
• Detergent: liquid, for wool.
• Optional: use 1-3 tennis balls, additional rinse.

Synthetics: padding polyester, holofiber, polyester

Pillows with synthetic fillings are easy to care for, do not cause allergies, do not absorb odors, and are cheap. They are also very light and dry quickly. Washing the pillow in the washing machine is easy. Necessary:

1. Place the product in the drum.
2. Set the temperature to 40 degrees, spin 400-800 rpm, “Additional rinse.”
3. Pour washing gel into the compartment.
4. Click "Start".

You can choose any programs that do not contradict the recommendations. Modern pillows made of holofiber, padding polyester and polyester do not deform. Elastic fibers hold their shape well. This drawback was inherent in old padding polyester fillers made using glue.

In order not to worry about this, you can conduct a small test. Place something heavy on top of the pillow (for 2-3 seconds). Remove the item. Evaluate how quickly it took on its previous shape. If the pit immediately disappears, the product can be washed in a washing machine without any worries.

Orthopedic and anatomical pillows

Such pillows are considered the most appropriate for sleeping. They have a special shape, designed taking into account the physiological characteristics of a person.During sleep, the spine takes the correct position.

When washing orthopedic and anatomical pillows, it is especially important not to damage their shape.

They are usually hand washed or dry cleaned. There are no general recommendations regarding home washing. It all depends on the filler that is used. It could be:

• latkes;
• orthopedic foam;
• holofiber (polyester fiber);
• swansdown.

Orthopedic memory foam

The high-tech pillow takes the shape of the head and neck and relieves the spine as much as possible. It is made from foamed polyester. The material does not absorb dirt. It is not washed, but if necessary, remove stains with a slightly damp cloth.

The Memory Foam pillow is protected from sweat, dust and dirt by a special cover with antibacterial impregnation.

It can be washed in a washing machine on a delicate cycle at a temperature not exceeding 30 degrees. After about 10 washes, the impregnation is washed off. To preserve it for a long time, it is recommended to use a pillowcase.

Antistress

Pillows that give unusual sensations when compressed are called anti-stress. The filler most often takes the form of balls. By fingering them, an adult or child calms down and falls asleep easier.

• Typically, balls are made of foam material - polystyrene. They do not absorb moisture. The pillow can be washed in a machine in delicate and hand mode at temperatures up to 40 degrees, with a spin cycle of 600.
• Sometimes anti-stress pillows are stuffed with buckwheat husks. Such products are not washable.

Latex pillows

Latex pillows are not washed, but if necessary, wipe with a damp cloth. To get rid of unpleasant odors, the products are ventilated in the shade. Latex is destroyed in extreme heat and frost.It should not be twisted or left in direct sunlight. Pillow care comes down to changing the pillowcase in a timely manner.

How often should you wash pillows?

On average, products are washed once every 3-6 months. Much depends on the type of filler:

• down and feathers, wool – once every 6 months;
• bamboo filler - every 2-3 months;
• synthetic fillers – once every 6-8 months.

It is best to do laundry in the warm season so that the product can dry quickly naturally. In winter, the event can be skipped.

Advice. To keep your pillow clean longer, change your pillowcases every 3-7 days.

Drying after washing

The second important stage of washing is drying.

A wet product is subject to deformation. Pillows should only be dried in a horizontal position.

• Bedding made of synthetic materials is usually dried on or next to a radiator (exceptions are latex and foam).
• Natural fillers should dry naturally: outdoors or in a ventilated area.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the drying of wool and feather pillows. They are placed in the sun on a lattice plane and turned over from time to time, breaking down the fluff and feathers with your fingers (with a carpet beater). If the weather is damp and cold, the products are dried on a radiator. Otherwise they may become moldy.

Does a new pillow need to be washed?

There is no clear answer to this question.

• On the one hand, if the pillow is new, there is no need to wash it. Inside there is a fresh filler, outside there is a brand new cover. Preventive washing and drying will only take energy and time.
• On the other hand, before reaching the buyer, the product travels a long way.First, materials are produced in large factories, then stored in warehouses until they finally hit store shelves. At each stage, sanitary standards may be violated. For example, the chemical is not washed away. The pillow can simply fall on the floor, or be stored in a dirty room.

The housewife herself must decide whether to wash this particular new pillow or not.

Pros:

• lack of individual packaging;
• visible dirt;
• foreign odor;
• use of a pillow by a child or allergy sufferer.

"Against":

• difficult to maintain filler.

Questions and answers

What happens if the pillow is not washed for a long time?

Dirty filler deforms faster. Organic materials can harbor mites and bedbugs. Dust can accumulate inside, and sebum, bacteria and viruses can accumulate on the surface. A product that is not washed for a long time can provoke respiratory diseases, allergies, and rashes on the skin of the face.

Is there an alternative to washing?

Definitely yes. The pillow can be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner, disinfected with a steam generator or ultraviolet light, or taken to dry cleaning. Previously, as an alternative to washing, feather items were kept in the cold for 2 weeks or in the sun for 3-5 days.

For many, a pillow is synonymous with a comfortable sleep. On a good pillow, you sleep sweeter and rest better. It can relieve fatigue in a matter of hours. But it can also “reward” diseases. To prevent this from happening, washing must be done regularly, taking into account all recommendations and rules. A washing machine and the instructions given above will help with this.