How to Clean Down Featherbeds

Things You Need:

• Featherbed cover
• Down cleaning product
• Stain remover pen

• Spray bottle
• Microfiber towels

Down featherbeds provide an additional layer of comfort between you and your mattress. If your bed produces more aches and pains than dreams, a featherbed is a good solution. Featherbeds should last for many years, depending on the quality of the feathers, properties of the cover and use. This article should help you get a grasp on how to clean down featherbeds.

Cleaning Featherbeds:

1. Know your goods. The first style of featherbed is composed of feathers inside a baffle or square-channeled bag. The other is a pillow top, fashioned similarly to a pillow-top mattress: The bottom layer has several inches of regular feathers, and a top cushion is attached that contains only down, the softest of feathers. The first kind of featherbed is almost like a down comforter, only with much more fill. The second is closer in composition and density to a mattress and is heavier.

2. Read the label on your featherbed. The majority of manufacturers suggest professional dry cleaning. Some businesses clean down specifically, but it is costly; you might pay as much to clean and refurbish your featherbed as to buy a new one.

3. Wash light featherbeds on your own. Wash inexpensive, lightweight down featherbeds on your own but with caveats: You may ruin the feathers and the loft. Use down soap and follow directions. Select a soap that won't leave a residue. Use cold water in a large-capacity washer and put the featherbed through the spin cycle more than once if you can. Dry it in a warm dryer and expect to run it at least three full cycles.

4. Pillow-top featherbeds require extra care. Clean your pillow-top featherbed in a couple of ways. Use a spot-treatment fabric pen for small stains. They remove most food-related stains, but organic stains will probably leave a mark. Another method is to use a slightly dampened cloth and diluted cleaner. Dry the featherbed with a thick microfiber drying cloth. Allow the featherbed to air dry completely before you place it back in its cover.

5. Air your featherbed frequently. Hang it on a clean railing outside in the sunshine and keep flipping it around for loft.

Featherbed Tip:

1. Buy a protective cotton cover when you buy your featherbed. They're easier to clean than entire featherbeds.