How To Care For Pillows?

How To Care For Pillows? Most pillows are filled with down, feathers — or a mixture of the two — or with a synthetic filling, such as foam or Hollowfibre.The pillow you buy is very much a matter of personal preference — although it is worth remembering that most chiropractors and physiotherapists recommend sleeping on only one pillow, at a height that keeps your head aligned with your spine. 

Goose down is the softest and lightest filling, while synthetic fillings are the firmest and do not change shape under your head. Feather pillows are firmer than down, but have more give than those with synthetic fillings. 

Asthma and allergy sufferers used to be advised not to use feather pillows, but recent research now seems to support the idea that synthetic fillings harbor more dust mites than natural fillings. The best advice would seem to be to use a good allergen-resistant pillow protector.   

A standard pillowcase, sometimes called a housewife pillowcase, is a plain rectangle. An Oxford pillowcase is the same size but has a decorative edge. lf  you are into ‘dressing’ beds with piles of pillows, it is a good idea to put Oxford pillowcases on the bottom pillows and housewife cases on the top ones, so that the frilled edge peeps out. 

How To Care For Pillows?

A pillow protector is vital for keeping pillows clean and prolonging their life. Barring accidents, a good feather or down pillow should last five to ten years; a synthetic one has a life of only two years. 

Check the care label on pillows for washing instructions. Most pillows with  natural fillings can be washed in the washing machine, but check first that the machine can take the weight. lf the care label has become detached, wash on a  lukewarm cycle, using a mild detergent. lf the washing machine has a super-rinse facility, use it. 

You can dry pillows in the tumble-dryer on a low setting (put a couple of dry towels in with it to absorb some of the moisture). Be aware that this can take a very long time. To economize on electricity, take the pillows out of the dryer when they are half-dry and finish off the drying outside (it is best, therefore, to wash pillows on a warm, sunny day). When drying outside, shake the pillows from time to time, to prevent the filling from clumping. When you think they are dry, give them another quick blast in the tumble dryer and then allow them to air before putting them back on the bed. 

Make sure that the pillows are completely dry before using them again — this could take several days. If you leave them damp, they will smell and develop mildew.