User ReviewedHow to Clean a Feather Bed Typically, a feather mattress only needs to be hung out in the sunlight for freshening 2 times per year. True washing should only occur once every several years. However, there are some incidents when your Featherbed may become soiled and need an immediate thorough cleaning. It is essential to follow correct instructions to clean a Featherbed. Check the label on the Featherbed. You should find a tag that lists the proper method for cleaning the bed. It is likely attached to 1 end of the bed. The label may suggest that the bed be cleaned only by a dry cleaning service. If so, contact a dry cleaner for pricing and services. Inspect the bed to ensure that it does not have tears or damage. Torn areas will allow the feathers to exit the bed during the washing and drying. Mend any damage or tears before continuing to clean the Featherbed. Use a large capacity washer that can handle the load of the Featherbed. Choose a liquid laundry detergent for washing the bed.
Place the washing machine on cold cycle for wash. Use the detergent as directed on the bottle. Place the Featherbed into the washer and carry out the wash cycle. Stuff the Featherbed and a solid, dryer-safe object into a dryer. Consider items such as a clean tennis shoe or tennis balls. The weight of the items will pound the bed and keep the feathers from sticking together. This will help retain the fluff. Turn the dryer on a low-to-medium heat setting. Take the bed out of the dryer periodically and shake it. Return the bed to the dryer and continue to dry until the entire Featherbed is dry. Show more unanswered questions Feather beds can be washed by hand in a bathtub, if desired. This may be preferred if your washing machine cannot handle the load. Hang the bed outside to dry or place in a dryer. The bed will be very heavy when it is full of water. Try to get as much water out the Featherbed as possible before drying.Washing a mattress pad, even a down one, is not as complicated as it might seem at first.
The first place to look for instructions about cleaning is always the care tag attached to the mattress pad. If there is no care tag, however, the process might feel a little intimidating. Caring for mattress pads just takes a little bit of common sense, and an understanding of the materials involved. Mattress pads help to protect the mattress, both from wear and from possible staining. They also help to ensure that sheets stay on the bed instead of shifting during sleep. In the case of other mattress pads, such as foam, feathered, or heated pads, the pad serves to add comfort or warmth to the bed. Most mattress pad manufacturers recommend washing the mattress pad at least once a month. If the mattress pad is on a child's bed, which might be subject to accidents at night or during naptime, more frequent washing is likely in order. Guest beds may not need mattress pads washed as often. Usage plays a big factor in how often mattress pads need washing. Before tossing a mattress pad in the washing machine, check to see if it has a care label.
Some mattress pads need washing in warmer water, while others can only tolerate cold water. Use mild detergent, and avoid using fabric softener. With a mattress pad, it is not necessary. If the care label says that putting the mattress pad in the dryer is okay, use only the highest heat setting recommended. Otherwise, it may be best to hang to dry. Each type of mattress pad has a specific purpose. Some may not be needed year round, such as heated mattress pads, whereas others are useful any time of year. Similar to a fitted sheet, with elastic in the pockets. Made from cotton usually, or other fabrics such as polyester. Can sometimes have a plastic backing, especially if intended for a child's bed. A flat pad with elastic bands on the corners to fit over the corners of the bed. Thin layer of memory foam. Most commonly just sits on top of the mattress. A feather-filled mattress pad, often with elastic bands to hold it in place. Foam carved in the shape of the inside of an egg crate, with peaks and troughs.
A mattress pad similar to an electric blanket with heating elements and electronic controls. Sometimes combination mattress pads are available that combine features of each type. One example of this is a feather mattress pad layer over a memory foam core. Before cleaning a down mattress pad, check for any rips or tears that could lead to escaped feathers. Check also for a care label that indicates whether washing in a machine is okay. If you cannot wash the down mattress pad in a machine, take it to a dry cleaner for cleaning. In a machine, use mild detergent. Use the delicate setting, and set the machine for an extra rinse, if possible. If the machine does not have this setting, simply run a second rinse cycle once the first wash cycle completes. Put the mattress pad in the dryer with two to three tennis balls to keep the feathers fluffed. Use the lowest heat setting and make sure the pad is completely dry before putting it back on the bed. Look for a care tag on the mattress pad.
Some foam can stand up to washing in the delicate cycle of the washing machine, but others have to be hand washed. If neither is possible, spot clean the mattress pad with soapy water. To dry an egg crate mattress pad, hang it to dry in a sunny, warm spot. Detach all electrical components before washing a heated mattress pad. The internal components are fine to wash. Use mild detergent and cool water to wash the mattress pad. Dry the mattress pad in the dryer on the lowest heat setting. Make sure the mattress pad is completely dry before putting it back on the bed or before plugging it in. Buying mattress pads from reliable sellers on eBay is an easy way to look at a variety of types of mattress pads at once. From any page on eBay, locate the search bar and type in the style of mattress pad you hope to find. Once you hit enter, look through the listings to see which ones appeal to you. If you need a mattress pad for a particular size bed, such as a queen, be sure to include that information in your search query.