CAN A NATURAL PILLOW BE WASHED AT HOME?

Good feather and down pillows can add a plush and luxurious look to your bedroom. When you find that natural pillow that’s just perfect for you, you want to keep it as long as you can.

But what about when your pillow gets dirty or starts to develop an odour? Can you wash it? The answer is yes! This guide will show you how.

CAN YOU WASH NATURAL PILLOWS?

You can absolutely wash feather and down pillows at home! Unlike some specialist pillows such as those containing memory foam, pillows with a natural filling can handle washing and drying. The process of washing your pillows can even reinvigorate an older feather and down pillow and restore the filling to close to its original fluffiness.

Most feather and down pillows can fit comfortably inside a standard washing machine and dryer, which is great for convenience. Barring that, you can also hand wash a natural pillow as long as you’re careful.

WHEN SHOULD YOU WASH A NATURAL PILLOW?

Pay attention to the condition of your natural pillows. If you notice any odours or any yellowing of the fabric, it’s probably time for a wash. If you use pillowcases on your feather and down pillow, wash those as often as once a week.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU WASH A NATURAL PILLOW?

You should wash feather and down pillows at least once every six months, regardless of whether or not you use a pillow protector. We recommend washing your natural pillows that often to make sure that they avoid the normal build-up of hair, oils, and skin that all pillows get. Washing at least twice per year will help keep your pillows as fresh as the day you bought them.

HOW DO YOU WASH A NATURAL PILLOW IN A WASHING MACHINE?

If you have access to a washer at home or a laundrette, that’s your best bet. Here are the steps!

1. REMOVE COVERS

Make sure that you’ve taken off any pillowcases and pillow protectors.

2. CHECK THE LABEL

This step should apply to most pillows, just to ensure you adhere to any special washing instructions, but always check the care label on your natural pillows for any specific washing precautions that need to be taken.

3. PRE-TREAT

If any tough stains, like makeup or blood, are on your pillow, pre-treat according to the care label on the pillow.

4. DOUBLE UP

We recommend washing two pillows at a time. This will help balance your washer out. If you have a front-loading washer with no agitator, that’s ideal, but top-loading washers will work as well. In this case just be sure to load your pillows vertically to avoid the agitator.

5. MEASURE CAREFULLY

Too much soap residue can damage your natural pillow by making the feathers and down clump together. Use no more than 1-2 teaspoonfuls of a low-sudsing detergent for your pillows.

6. CYCLE AND TEMPERATURE

For feather and down pillows, always use the delicate cycle. Hot water can effectively get rid of things like dust mites, but it can damage your pillow, so use a warm or cool setting.

7. RINSE, SPIN, REPEAT

If you can, add in an extra rinse and spin cycle. This step will help get rid of excess water and soap that could damage your feather and down pillow if left behind, and will also speed up the drying process.

HOW TO WASH A NATURAL PILLOW BY HAND

If you don’t have access to a washer, or the care label on your feather and down pillow advises that it should be hand washed, don’t worry! You can generally wash natural pillows by hand, but you have to be sure to be gentle at every step. Here’s what to do:

1. FIND A TUB

You’ll need a tub or bucket large enough to submerge however many pillows you’re looking to wash. Fill with warm water and add 1-2 teaspoonfuls of a low-sudsing detergent.

2. PREP YOUR PILLOW AND WASH

Remove any covers. Then, submerge the pillow fully. Carefully knead your pillow to ensure complete coverage and work out any dirt. Be sure to be gentle to avoid damaging the feathers!

3. RINSE

Run water over your pillow and carefully wring and knead. Continue until there are no longer any soap suds coming out in the water. Remember that any remaining soap can damage your pillow, so be thorough.

HOW TO DRY A NATURAL PILLOW

Similar to washing, you have options for drying your feather and down pillows. A home or laundrette dryer will work best. Here are the steps:

1. PREPARE

When removing your pillows from the washer, gently press to remove as much water as possible before it even goes into the dryer.

2. CYCLE AND TEMPERATURE

Always use the delicate cycle. Depending on how quickly you need your pillow, you can use any temperature, but be aware that the warmer the temperature, the more damage you can cause to the feather and down filling. If you can afford the electricity and time, low and no-heat work best.

3. USE MULTIPLE CYCLES

No matter what temperature you use, it may take several cycles to get your pillow completely dry. Between every cycle, take your pillow out of the dryer and fluff to avoid the feather and down clumping. 

Even if your pillow feels dry on the outside, it still may be moist on the inside. Feel for clumping and smell for odours. If those remain, the pillow needs another cycle. You could also leave it outside to finish the drying process on a nice day.

4. ADDITIONS

If you have access to dryer balls or tennis balls, add a few to speed up the drying process and ensure the feather and down filling remains evenly distributed without damaging your pillows. Additionally, dryer sheets can add an element of freshness.

Without a dryer, the simplest thing to do is to gently wring as much water as possible out of your pillow, then fluff it and leave it on a towel to dry outside. Flip occasionally and check for any remaining moisture or clumps. An additional benefit to this approach is that leaving your pillow to dry outside on a sunny day can help get your pillows bright and white naturally!

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO TO KEEP YOUR natural PILLOWs CLEAN?

You can do several things to help keep your feather and down pillows clean and fresh between washings.

The easiest thing to do is to remove any pillow covers, put your feather and down pillows into a dryer with a damp washcloth, dryer balls and a dryer sheet, and use it on a low heat setting for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. This simple process will help fluff and freshen your natural pillow in between full washes.

You can also use pillow protectors and pillowcases over your pillows that can be changed out between washings, but that’s a matter of comfort and preference. These can be beneficial as they’re quicker and simpler to wash than the actual pillow, and act as a barrier between dirt and debris and your pillow.

TO SUMMARISE

Whilst washing your natural pillows can be daunting, this guide should have given you some pointers as to how to effectively ensure you are able to wash them to keep them fresh, clean, and performing to their potential so that you can get the most from your EarthKind™ natural pillows for as long as possible.