Cleaning down pillows and comforters

Down is the perfect filling for pillows and comforters. It is lightweight, durable and very warm. It does, however, have a few shortcomings. One of them is the difficulty in cleaning it. It is not something that can be done easily at home. Don’t worry, however; it is possible to have your down and clean it, too.

The first thing that you want to do is fluff your pillows daily. Give them a good shake when you are done laying on them. One drawback of down is that it can become flat or clumped.



By fluffing your pillow you will keep the lift in the down. Try not to sit on your comforter. The weight of a body on the comforter over time will break down the down and flatten it. Give it a good shake when you spread it out on your bed.

Always keep your pillow clean by using a protective pillow cover directly over the pillow and then placing it in a pillowcase. For the comforter, cover it with a duvet. You can remove the duvet frequently to wash it without washing the whole comforter. It can also be changed to totally change the look and color.

Down pillows can be washed in your washing machine at home if you have a large enough drum. It is preferred that you have a front-loading machine, not an agitator-type. Be sure to run it through the rinse cycle several times to get all the soap out. Always use a gentle soap. Dry for several hours in the dryer on low or no heat with a couple of tennis balls in a sock. Every half hour or so open the dryer and fluff the pillow.

Most home washers and dryers are just not big enough to handle a down comforter. Dry cleaning is not the preferred way to deal with down. If you want to get it done, be sure that your cleaner knows how to handle down. Otherwise, you will be spending quite a few hours at the laundromat washing your comforter and drying it in the commercial-size machines. Be very careful of the heat in these dryers as it can burn your down.

When it comes time to store your down pillows and comforters, never use plastic. The down needs to breathe. You can buy special breathable bags or place them in cotton bags or wraps.

Down is a wonderful material to sleep on. If it is well cared for, it will give you many years of comfort and service. Knowing how to clean down pillows and comforters will make sure that you have those years of service and comfort.