what's the best way to wash a feather pillow? (my cat had an accident and wet on it)?

Answer 1

You CAN wash feather pillows. I've been doing it for years.

Put about 4 pillowcases on the pillow (it keeps the smaller feathers from coming out and getting all over your washing machine. Wash it in warm water in the gentle cycle. I would STRONGLY recommend that you use Dreft or Ivory Snow because they are gentle, yet really good at getting out smells. They are both expensive, but worth it for this.

Dry on low heat. This is the tricky part.....you have to make sure your pillow is completely dry. If the feathers are damp at all, they will smell bad and can mildew. However, you don't want to over dry it, as that can damage the feathers. You'll just have to check frequently as it dries. Good luck!

Answer 2

Cat urine is very difficult to remove using home methods. Washing feather pillows is dicey at best because the feathers migrate through the ticking, lose their oils, and disintegrate faster.

Before modern detergents and washing machines, however... this is how my grandmother used to wash feather pillows.
She would open the seams of the pillow, remove the feathers and hand wash them in a bucket in mild shaved Ivory Soap flakes (NOT detergent), rinse in several washes of warm water, then put them back into a clean, washed pillowcase ticking, sew the end and line dry it. She fluffed the pillow many times during drying outside.

Modern detergents strip off the feather's oils. It's ok to use a modern detergent on the outside of the pillow after the feathers are removed... add some white vinegar to help remove the cat urine odor, or use a product like Odor-Ban (sold in gallons at Sam's Club). You can use Odor-Ban on the feathers too as you clean them separately.

You can also take the pillow to the dry cleaner, but no guarantees there. Best actually is to throw out the pillow and buy new, and get your cat checked at the vet for urinary tract infections.

Answer 3

It is a mistake wash feather and down pillows because of three factors 1) the detergents used will dry up the oil in the quill of a feather faster, causing the feathers to turn to dust more rapidly 2) the sizing that is applied at the fabric mill to making the ticking feather and down proof will be washed out, allowing the fabric to leak dust 3) you simply cannot wash out all the dirt that is trapped inside which, again comes from the decomposition of the feathers.

Answer 4

I know how you feel, you try to keep your bedroom door shut but you run out and back in again but it's too late, they've gone and done it. If it happens on a rug or carpet then some bicarbonate of soda mixed with some warm water. Dab it with a clean cloth and then pour some surgical spirit on it and again dab it and the smell will be gone. However with the pillow, try washing it in the machine at 40 degrees with bio powder and tumble drying it. If you don't have a tumble dryer do not wash it as you will not be able to dry it in the middle properly.

Answer 5

Get another one cause you cannot clean a feather pillow due to the oil in the feathers and a few other factors. Just buy a new one ok.

Answer 6

to be honest you would be better off buying a new one the feather pillow does not wash well and cat p lingers

Answer 7

I hope its white, because, it'll take bleach to get the smell out, and you can't put it in the washer. Take it out side and use a spray bottle with bleach water in it, spray the pillow and then wash the pillow with the water hose. Let it dry outside. It will probably take a couple of days to dry.

Answer 8

firstly and most important , unless, thats a new kitty to your home, it did'nt JUST! have an accident, get it to a VET.It's ill. then throw out that pillow ,you cannot, get cat P out of anything, it's the very worst. Also, those feather,pillows, hold much more MITES! than any other kind, get rid of it !!!

Answer 9

It would be better to throw it out. It would be very difficult to wash each individual feather and they take a long time to dry out and smell bad.

Answer 10

I wouldn't even bother washing it, I would bin it and buy a new one. You have to put your head on that and, in my opinion cat accidents never wash out properly.