Feather pillow question....

[pjlioness]

Can someone point me to information on feather pillows and any chemicals in them? I loooove feather pillows and wash them before use and a few times a year. I have noticed that NO natural/organic bedding sources offer feather pillows. I suspect chemicals, though allergy may be a factor also (though not for me, dh, or ds).

I suppose once I find out, I'll want to switch to something better, but I LIKE being able to wash my pillows, and wool ones can't be washed. Lands End has some new corn-sugar fiber pillows that are all-natural and environmentally friendly. They can be washed...maybe thy are the solution for me?

Thanks for any info.

Pam

[bellamama]

hi Pam...

I never knew you could wash feather pillows!!!! Do you do it yourself or do you take them somewhere to be cleaned? Interesting post...am also curious about chemical used in down pillows...

[pjlioness]

Re: hi Pam...

Originally posted by bellamama
I never knew you could wash feather pillows!!!! Do you do it yourself or do you take them somewhere to be cleaned? Interesting post...am also curious about chemical used in down pillows...

Well, some pillows (Lands End's) say you can. Others say to dry clean only, but several years ago, I tried washing one after I found out how bad dry cleaning is and it came out fine. It's best to wash them in a front-loading machine though, or to squash the air out of them several times if using a top-loader. A down/feather pillow needs extra time in the dryer. Don't use the automatic dryer setting, as it gets fooled. If you aren't sure the pillow is dry, let it cool a little. Then mush it around so you can tell if it's damp. It may smell a bit odd after washing, but that will go away when it's completely dry and cool (or, at most a day or two).

Pam