Down pillows can and should be washed at home — they just require a specific drying process to prevent the down from clumping and developing mildew. Most down pillows are machine washable; the drying step is more important than the washing step.
Washing
- Check the care label — most down pillows are machine washable; some with delicate covers require hand washing
- Use a front-loading machine if available — top-loaders with a central agitator can damage the pillow ticking; if using a top-loader, remove the agitator or wash two pillows at once to balance the drum
- Use a small amount of mild liquid laundry detergent — about half the normal amount; too much detergent leaves residue in the down that is difficult to rinse out
- Wash on gentle cycle with warm water
- Run an extra rinse cycle to ensure all detergent is removed — detergent residue causes down to clump
- Gently press (do not wring) the pillow to remove excess water before transferring to the dryer
Drying (Critical Step)
- Place the pillow in the dryer on a low heat setting — high heat can damage down and ticking fabric
- Add two or three clean tennis balls or dryer balls to the drum — they beat the pillow as it tumbles, breaking up down clumps and restoring the loft
- Dry for 60–90 minutes — check every 30 minutes and manually break up any remaining clumps by hand
- The pillow must be completely dry before use — a damp down pillow develops mildew in the fill within 24–48 hours
- To check for dryness: the pillow should feel light, fluffy, and uniformly full with no damp or dense spots; smell the interior — any musty smell means it needs more drying time
- Allow to continue air drying for several hours after the dryer cycle if any dampness remains
Frequency and Replacement
- Wash down pillows every 6 months — use a pillow protector to extend time between washes
- Replace when the pillow no longer springs back after being folded in half, or when down clusters are permanently matted despite washing