pillows and duvets made from goose down are the highest quality of product that you can purchase in the field. They keep you warmer at night in the cold season and cooler during the warm season. They are great insulators and are lightweight according to the grade of down that they are made of. The greater the number that it is rated, the better quality and the more expensive it will be. Because of the quality of these products they need to be taken care of differently than materials such as polyester. Here is a rundown of how they should be cared for.
Less Means More
While this might seem a bit confusing, it does actually make sense. The less you wash these items, the longer that they will last because there is less wear and tear on the item. Chemicals of course damage materials over time. You can notice it with clothes all the time. The more you wash a shirt, the quicker it gets fuzz patches on it. Well, the same goes for down duvets and even pillows for that matter.
Did you know that the manufacturers of these items recommend only washing them from every year to every four years? It’s true, and it is to prevent this needless wearing of the materials. Instead of trying to wash them to keep them clean, have covers for them. You can buy many different types of covers ranging in size and colour. They can be very beautiful and complimenting to any room. When you are using covers, you will need to change them regularly and wash them frequently to prevent dirt and grease from getting into the items.
Machine Washing
While there is a notion that items made with goose down cannot be put into the washing machine but that is not true. If the washing machine is big enough to fit the duvet into it, then it can be done. For the pillow made of goose down, the size of the washing machine doesn’t really come into the question. You can probably fit a few of them in there. Follow the washing instructions if any are given. Otherwise, here are some basic instructions.
Let the basin fill with water first then put the detergent in before adding the items. Make sure the detergent is dissolved first if you are using powdered detergent. You can use stain remover if needed, and set the washing machine for a short, gentle cycle. Once it is done, you can gently squeeze the water from the duvet or pillow.
Drying
To dry, use a low heat and put an old stuffed sock into the dryer with the items to make sure the down doesn’t bunch up. Yes, it does sound odd, but it works. Keep the duvet or pillow(s) in the dryer for an hour and then lay it out flat to air dry – just don’t put these items in the sun because they will damage. Though these instructions do seems fairly simple, they should be adhered to in order for you to get the longest life out of these high quality bedding items.
Source:warrenlodge.co.uk
