My Feather Pillow Smells

Maintenance

• Never store your feather pillow in a plastic or rubber pillow case or protective case. Air needs to circulate through the feathers or down to reduce accumulated humidity and odors. Humidity can cause mildew growth within the feathers. Fluff the pillow daily by placing it flat on the bed and then flipping it over. You can gently squish the pillow in and out and then use your hands to smooth the pillow flat. At least once a month, toss the pillow into the clothes dryer on low heat for about 10 minutes. This will dry any residual moisture within the pillow caused by humidity or perspiration.

Machine Washing

• Feather and down pillows may be washed in the washing machine unless the care label recommends against it. Check the seams of the pillow for holes or tears before washing it. A ripped pillow can spill feathers or down within the washing machine drum, ruining your pillow and making a mess in the machine. Hand sew any rips. Wash the pillow in a warm water cycle on a gentle setting with your usual detergent. Penn State University recommends running the pillow through about four rinse cycles to eliminate all soap residue. To dry the pillow, lay it between towels and apply pressure to absorb excess water. Place the pillow into the clothes dryer along with about three towels on a low to moderate heat setting. Drying a feather or down-filled pillow is time consuming and may take in excess of two hours. Air drying the pillow is possible, but make sure the pillow is completely dried before using it or mildew may accumulate within the feathers.

Dry Cleaning

• Professional dry cleaning services may be used to launder a feather or down-filled pillow that smells. Different dry cleaners charge varied prices for this service. If you don't have a regular dry cleaning establishment that you frequent, call or inquire in person at local dry cleaners before taking in your feather pillows to ensure they handle feathers and down.

Baking Soda Deodorizing

• Baking soda, otherwise known as sodium bicarbonate, neutralizes odors, removing the odor from a feather pillow or other object instead of merely disguising the odor with fragrance. Purchase an extra large plastic zipper bag (the larger version of the zipper sandwich bag) and place the pillow inside. Punch about eight holes into a small box of baking soda and place the box inside the plastic bag with the pillow. Close the bag so the bag is airtight. Allow the baking soda to neutralize the smells on the feather or down-filled pillow for about two weeks. If the pillow continues to smell, leave the pillow closed in the bag until the odors are not detected (check the pillow weekly).