How to Clean and Care for Feather Bed Pillows

Tips for washing, drying, and freshening up feather pillows

Someone washing feather bed pillows

The Spruce / Michele Lee

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 2 hrs
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $0

Feather and down bed pillows can be washed at home as often as needed (and at least semiannually) to keep them smelling fresh and clean. Some think washing feather pillows will ruin the comfort and integrity of the filling, which isn't true. You can wash them by hand, but cleaning down and feather pillows in a washing machine on a gentle cycle with cold water is easier and faster.

Never wring or twist the pillow throughout the cleaning process since it can cause clumping of the filling. Also, patch up any potential tears or openings in seams before washing the pillow.

Follow these simple steps to wash your down and feather pillows to keep them fluffy, clean, and fresh smelling.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Dryer balls, tennis balls, or clean canvas shoes
  • Extra pillow or white towels to balance washer (optional)

Materials

  • High-efficiency, low-suds detergent

Instructions

Materials for washing feather bed pillows

The Spruce / Michele Lee

How to Wash Feather Bed Pillows
Detergent High-efficiency (HE), low-suds detergent
Water Temperature Cold
Cycle Type Gentle
Drying Cycle Type Medium
Special Treatments Dry with dryer balls
Iron Settings Do not iron
How Often to Wash At least every six months

How to Wash Feather Bed Pillows

  1. Load the Washer Correctly

    If you're using a standard top-load washer, always load two pillows on each side of the agitator to maintain balance. Add a fiber-filled pillow or white towels if you don't have two feather pillows.

    If washing in a top-load, high-efficiency washer or a front-load washer, add a couple of white towels to help balance the load.

    Tip

    Before you begin washing, examine the cover of the pillow. The fabric covering should be tightly woven to keep filling contained during washing. Mend any worn or ripped seams.

    Two white pillows in a washer

    The Spruce / Michele Lee

  2. Add the Detergent

    Warning

    Do not use fabric softener on a feather or down pillow because it can coat the down and reduce the pillow's fluffiness.

    Someone using an HE detergent

    The Spruce / Michele Lee

  3. Run a Second Rinse Cycle

    After the washer is finished, run an extra rinse cycle to remove any residual detergent in the feathers.

    Control panel of a washing machine

    The Spruce / Michele Lee

  4. Fluff the Pillows

    • Once the second rinse cycle is complete, remove the pillows from the washer and fluff them while wet.
    • Place them in the dryer set on medium heat.
    Someone loading pillows in a dryer

    The Spruce / Michele Lee

  5. Add Dryer Balls

    • Add wool dryer balls, clean tennis balls, or even a pair of clean canvas tennis shoes to the dryer with your pillows to help break up clumps of feathers during the drying cycle.
    • Start the dryer.
    Two pillows and dryer balls in a dryer

    The Spruce / Michele Lee

  6. Continue to Fluff the Pillows Until Dry

    Stop the dryer every 15 minutes, and re-fluff the pillows by hand. Drying time will vary depending on the size of the pillows. Make sure they're thoroughly dry before placing them back on the bed.

    Tip

    To double-check that the pillow is bone dry, squeeze it all over for any clumps still trapping moisture. Residual moisture can lead to fungal growth.

    fluffing the pillows while unloading the dryer

    The Spruce / Michele Lee

How Often to Wash Feather Bed Pillows

It's perfectly fine to clean feather bed pillows weekly or monthly if you prefer, especially during hot and humid seasons. The rule-of-thumb recommendation is to wash them at least every six months. You decide whether you want to wash new pillows before you use them.

Investing in waterproof, allergen-blocking pillow protectors is also ideal, as they will allow you to wash your pillows less and thus extend their lifespan. Laundering down pillows correctly involves a lot of hand-fluffing and working out clumps, which means room for human error. The more often you wash them, the more risk there is for leaving moist clumps behind and growing mold in expensive pillows.

Treating Stains on Feather Bed Pillows

A down pillow should always have a zip-up cover and pillowcase on it to help protect the pillow from stains. However, pillows are prone to turning yellow due to body oil, sweat, and dust buildup.

To lighten the yellow stains, mix a solution of 1 cup powdered laundry detergent, 1/2 cup borax, and 4 cups boiling water. Put the pillow in the washing machine, add the hot water solution, and let the pillow soak for 30 minutes. Flip the pillow halfway through, then wash and dry it as usual.

Storing Feather Bed Pillows

Feather pillows need to breathe. Protect them from dirt and dust by storing them in pillow covers instead of plastic bags or bins. Keep them in a cool, dry spot like a linen closet.

Tips for Washing Feather Bed Pillows

  • If air-drying pillows, wash feather pillows on a low-humidity, sunny day for quicker drying.
  • Always use a washable pillow cover to keep the feather pillow as clean as possible. Change and wash pillowcases and pillow covers at least weekly.
  • Keep feather pillows as dry as possible. Never sleep on a feather pillow with wet hair.
  • Place them in a tumble dryer on low heat or the air cycle for 10 minutes to freshen feather pillows.
FAQ
  • Why do feather pillows smell after washing?

    An odor is not a good sign after washing and drying feather pillows, as it likely means some mold or mildew growth from the filling has remained damp. Never put a pillow in its pillowcase until you're positive it's bone dry.

  • How long do feather pillows last?

    Feather pillows can last five to 10 years on average when properly cared for with a protective cover. But this can vary based on use and the quality of the pillow.

  • What are the differences in feather bed pillows?

    Feather bed pillows can be filled with down clusters, feathers, or a blend. Down cluster pillows are the most expensive but will have a longer life, are easier to clean, and are more resistant to compacting.