Holofiber is a material that looks like cotton wool, but differs in that it contains synthetic threads. They are intertwined in a non-woven manner to create the necessary air layer inside the pillow. Synthetic padding is made in the same way, only holofiber is additionally siliconized to better hold its shape. It is ideal as a filler for bedding.
However, it is important to understand that each product requires certain care, otherwise it will quickly lose its marketable appearance. Pillows are constantly getting dirty from external influences, so housewives ask themselves: is it possible to wash holofiber pillows in a washing machine? We answer in advance: yes! But this should not be done anyhow, but in compliance with certain rules. We will also tell you whether it is possible to return the original shape if mistakes were made during washing.
Content
Washing machine
Over time, using a simple “trial and error” method, we were able to determine exactly how to properly wash holofiber products in a washing machine. Not all housewives strictly follow the manufacturers’ instructions on the care label, since factories indicate that such filler only tolerates hand washing. In a small, stuffy apartment and a busy lifestyle, this option is not suitable for everyone. So should we always use dry cleaning services now?
Firstly, you can only wash pillows in the washing machine without damaging the product on the “delicate” mode. To minimize unnecessary mechanical impact when washing the pillow, put soft towels with it. It is recommended to use special balls for washing, which will also break up the lumps. In this way, you achieve the least number of revolutions and friction against the drum. You will also have to turn off the “spin”, and use only soft liquid gels and shampoos for washing as a detergent.
Drying is done just as carefully. Lay out and straighten the wet product horizontally, the dryer should be closer to the window. Make sure that the product is not being rained on and that there is no strong wind blowing, and that the sun only slightly reaches it. But in no case should it be exposed to direct rays, otherwise the wet pillowcase may fade on one side. From time to time, you will have to move the pillows to the other side so that moisture does not accumulate in one place.
Hand wash
The best way to avoid mistakes when washing things made of holofiber is to do all the work manually. The following method is suggested to carefully wash pillows and blankets with your own hands.
- Fill a large bath or trough with warm water (about 30 C).
- Leave the pillows there for half an hour.
- Periodically, lightly massage and knead all areas in turn.
- Remove the wet items from the water and slowly squeeze them out by hand.
- Place in a horizontal position near open air.
- Periodically turn it over to the other side.
It happens that immediately after hand washing or washing in the washing machine, a small drop of tea or cosmetics appears on the pillowcase again, which did not get deeper, but is very annoying. In such a case, it is easier to take out all the holofiber and wash the pillowcase separately without filler. After drying, stuff and sew again.
Bug fixes
The easiest way to restore the item to its original condition is to take it to a dry cleaner. They will restore it to its original shape and remove stains, if any. Some people prefer this trick to washing at home. With a certain level of cleanliness, such care will be needed no more than once a year.
There is one good folk method to resurrect flattened and torn pillows. For it, you will need a metal brush for combing out animal hair, or a special brush for cleaning down, a flat massage brush and a good basin. You need to put all the filler without a pillowcase in the container and manually separate the matted lumps. Then stretch each small lump on a massage comb and comb it with a brush until fluffy.
To achieve the original airy and soft texture, sometimes it is necessary to repeat the procedure several times. After finishing the work, let the material rest and dry. At the end of the work, the pillows are stuffed and sewn again.
Another option is to completely replace the old filler with a new one. And it is not necessary to throw away the unusable one right away. It is better to use it for other household needs, for example, in kitchen potholders, toys, pet beds, and the like.
Incorrect washing
Too frequent washing and aggressive chemical reagents will immediately render holofiber pillows unusable. The filling sticks together unevenly in lumps, which prevent you from falling asleep and practically does not support the cervical spine.
Exception: pregnancy pillows, which require dirt removal much more often, as they are located near the most intimate areas.
Some tips on how to avoid pillow deformation.
- Pre-soaking in an automatic washing machine is prohibited.
- Set the wash cycle to long and not delicate.
- Hot water over 40 C.
- Rough spin (in a washing machine).
Some people prefer to wash their laundry with strong detergents with pungent fragrances to mask other odors, but this is also strongly discouraged. Only the mildest liquid detergents for delicate items, such as hair shampoo, are suitable.
Be careful! When exposed to the human body for a long time, aggressive chemical reagents will cause headaches and itchy skin.
Take seriously the fact that bedding touches the exposed skin of the body and face every day throughout the night, is located near the respiratory organs and eyes, so multi-hour sessions of “alpine freshness” are not pleasant and are actually harmful.
Care
It is easy to become the unfortunate owner of a large lump of filler instead of a pillow, but it is a little more difficult to avoid this. If you hoped that it would be enough to periodically fluff and turn the pillow, then, alas, not in our case. This will only help a pillow with feathers, which has a similar property. Hollow fiber will not be lushly laid out from mechanical impact, but, on the contrary, will become even thinner. It is necessary to create as little unnecessary load for the filler as possible, do not fold or bend, do not twist inside.
Dry cleaning or washing machine cleaning is sufficient no more than 2 times a year (depending on the dirtiness), and more often is not advisable. Proper care and careful handling will keep your favorite pillows and blanket in good condition for up to 10 years.
It is recommended to air them more often and periodically keep them in the open sun, which will give them freshness and remove excess static tension. And even help reduce the number of washes to once a year. Products can be stored horizontally, during transportation they cannot be wrinkled or thrown. It is advisable to completely exclude contact with animals. Let pets have their own personal belongings.
Pros and cons
The main disadvantages of the material are considered to be its tendency to deformation and accumulation of static electricity, which our advice will help to avoid. Hollow fiber is little appreciated for its relatively short life (maximum 10-15 years), while feather pillows last for several decades. At the same time, they are, of course, also cleaned in factory conditions. Then they are even passed on as an inheritance, as a dowry.
Hollowfiber is a very light and easy-to-use material. It is quite wear-resistant and durable, allows air to pass through well, and does not absorb foreign odors. The filler has an inorganic composition, which actually repels some people, but in vain.
It is because of its hypoallergenicity that it wins over feather pillows, because, as is known, down has a negative effect on asthmatics and all those prone to upper respiratory tract diseases. And the fact is that various microorganisms, such as dust mites, reproduce very well in natural materials. And it is the waste products of these tiny creatures, and not dust as such, that bring such a painful background to people.
So it really has a lot of advantages, and now that you know all the intricacies of caring for holofiber pillows, it will last even longer. By the way, these same tips are suitable for washing bamboo pillows or anti-stress pillows.
