Can goose down pillows be washed? I don’t want to ruin them. They don’t have those care labels on them anymore so I don’t know what to do.
Selma T., Atlanta
Yes, you most certainly can clean your down pillows just like a down comforter. In fact, it may be easier to wash them in your machine at home because they take up less space. If you load two at a time, washing down pillows is easy because the washer is less likely to unbalance itself during the cycle.
The official guide to washing down pillows and comforters is here: https://www.tipsbulletin.com/the-ultimate-guide-on-how-to-wash-a-down-comforter-at-home/ I’ll give you a quick overview below.
In addition, we covered how to wash pillows that are made of foam or other materials, as well. Once you remove the pillow case and load up the machine, try this simple but effective detergent recipe for extra white pillows.
Mix a cup of powdered dish detergent with a one-half cup of Borax and one cup of bleach. Use warm water instead of cold or hot. You might need a second rinse cycle to get all the soap out of the pillows. Check the pillows carefully after removing them from the washer to ensure that you don’t see any soap clinging to the surface or when you squeeze them.
Instead of air-drying the pillows, place them in your dryer on a low, or air-dry setting. If you don’t use a dryer, you run the risk of the pillows developing mildew. For fluffy pillows that take less time to dry, try this trick. Place a couple of clean tennis balls inside socks, then put them in the dryer with the pillows.
Not only can goose down pillows be washed, so can synthetic and foam pillows. Can you wash bamboo pillows? Sure! No pillow is exempt from sweat or other types of stains. Take care of all your pillows with our excellent recommendations that are simple to implement.
The article I referenced above has details on how to clean several types. Use these same solutions to wash an outdoor cushion, too. If they have removable covers, that’s even better. Remove them and put them in the washer while spot cleaning the cushions themselves.
While you’re washing your pillows, it may be the perfect time to take care of cleaning a memory foam mattress, too. Mattresses get all kinds of stains, from blood to urine to sweat, that need to be cleaned properly.
If you have a steam cleaner, you can also use this handy machine to clean your pillows and cushions. Steam clean car seats to get rid of nasty odors and stains or to revitalize the fabric. Rent one of these appliances at your local home improvement store, too.
Common household products like vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda can all be used to get rid of nasty mattress stains but be careful not to get the memory foam too wet. Like down pillows, mildew can set in on the interior of the mattress and ruin it in a short time.