Washing pillows

Pillows with all the usual stuffings (hollow fibre, feathers, down) can be washed in a washing machine, but of there are caveats.

Washing machine issues

Beware of temperature, use 40C only. 60C totally ruins feathers, and can damage synthetic fills too.

A pillow is always an offcentred heavy item, so it puts a lot of stress on the drum bearings and suspension. Most modern machines are ok with this, but machines that can't cope with it do exist. There are probably also a few old machines still in service that will dance across the floor or hammer on the kitchen cabinets with such a load.

Drying issue

The main issue is drying time. A pillow must be completely dried through, not to damp but to totally dry, within a short time, otherwise it goes mouldy and spoils. The only way to achieve this is to fan air through it. This can be done by propping it up right in front of a deskfan for 2-3 days, or hanging it under a ceiling fan. Note that the pillow position should be changed twice a day, as however it sits or hangs there will be some parts being compressed, and thus getting little airflow.

Obviously the centre can still be damp long after the outside is all bone dry, and no damp can be left inside, or it will spoil.

See Also

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