Difference between revisions of "Washing pillows"
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| − | Pillows with all the usual stuffings (hollow fibre, feathers, down) can be washed in a washing machine, | + | Pillows with all the usual stuffings (hollow fibre, feathers, down) can be washed in a washing machine, with caveats. |
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| − | + | ==Washing== | |
| + | Use 40C only. 60C totally ruins feathers, and can damage synthetic fills too. | ||
| − | ==Drying | + | |
| − | 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 | + | ==Spinning== |
| + | Sometimes a [[Appliannce|washing machine]] that refuses to spin on maximum spin setting will spin on minimum speed. As this gets rid of most of the [[water]] & weight it can then spin a 2nd time at full speed. | ||
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| + | A wet pillow is always a heavy offcentred 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 dance across the floor or [[hammer]] on the [[kitchen]] cabinets with such a load. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ==Drying== | ||
| + | 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 [[mould]]y 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]]. The pillow position should be changed twice a day, as however it sits or hangs there are some parts being compressed, and 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. | 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. | ||
Revision as of 19:57, 30 September 2012
Pillows with all the usual stuffings (hollow fibre, feathers, down) can be washed in a washing machine, with caveats.
Washing
Use 40C only. 60C totally ruins feathers, and can damage synthetic fills too.
Spinning
Sometimes a washing machine that refuses to spin on maximum spin setting will spin on minimum speed. As this gets rid of most of the water & weight it can then spin a 2nd time at full speed.
A wet pillow is always a heavy offcentred 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 dance across the floor or hammer on the kitchen cabinets with such a load.
Drying
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. The pillow position should be changed twice a day, as however it sits or hangs there are some parts being compressed, and 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.