How to Keep Pillows From Getting Lumpy in the Washer

Even if the maintenance label indicates the pillow is machine washable, there’s no guarantee the pillow will come from the wash feeling or looking like it did before washing. To keep a pillow from getting lumpy, wash it with different items like another pillow to ensure a balanced load. The secret to preventing lumpy pillows is drying them thoroughly with low heat after washing. Some inexpensive pillows are poorly made and might feel lumpy no matter how much care is taken in washing and drying cycles.

Fiberfill and Down Pillows

Fiberfill or down bed cushions might be washed in a machine unless the maintenance label states otherwise. The way you place the cushions in the washer determines how they will turn out afterward. Wash the cushions in warm or hot water to a gentle cycle with a mild detergent. Insert the detergent to the water and enable the machine to agitate the water a bit before inserting cushions. For best results, wash two cushions at a time for a balanced load. Arrange the cushions so they stand upright from the washer instead of in their sides, so that they wo not crease or bend around the agitator at a top-loading washer. A folded position may damage the pillows and allow them to feel lumpy after washing. Run an additional spin cycle after the final rinse to push out as much moisture as you can.

Drying the Pillows Properly

Set the cushions in the dryer and select the lowest heat setting potential. Insert a couple of drier balls, or even clean tennis balls knotted within a sock, to assist fluff the pillows up through the drying cycles. Down pillows specifically may get clumpy whilst drying. Open the drier after 30 minutes or so and fluff the pillows up with your hands. Put them back in the drier — nevertheless set to low heat — and continue drying them, fluffing them up every 30 minutes or so. Dry the cushions completely before placing pillowcases on them or using them.

Keep the Down Fluffy

Down and feather pillows can get clumpy or lumpy from perspiration, humidity and use over time. Shake and fluff the pillows each morning after using them; the fluffing procedure enables air to flow during the down or feathers, which permits them to dry out, maintaining them fluffy and delicate. On the days when you make your bed, fluff up the pillows and permit them to air out with no pillowcases for a while to keep them clean.

Tips for Success

Wash the cushions at a front-loading machine whenever possible to prolong their effectiveness. The agitator at a top-loading washing machine rubs against the pillow fabric, which weakens the pillow with time. Always store the cushions at a dry, non-humid surroundings; otherwise, they might become musty or even moldy. Do not use or store them until they are completely dry. Wash cushions every six months to keep them clean. Pillows more than a couple of years old might get clumpy or fall apart when washed.

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