*Please note that these care instructions are specifically for the inners of our Cotton, Linen and Knitted Scatters, not our Leather Scatters.
The Low Down on Washing Down: Simple Steps for Beautiful, Clean Scatters
If you’ve ever washed a synthetic scatter or pillow, the chances are good that you ended up with an uncomfortable lumpy ruin. And after that laundry disaster, it’s understandable that you might be wary now of washing your feather-and-down-filled scatters.
Yet if you follow three golden rules—gentle wash, rinse and rinse again, and dry thoroughly—you’ll find your scatters come out of the washing machine as plump and comfy as when you first bought them.
What to do on washday
1. Gentle Wash
Start by removing your scatters’ covers. You should wash these separately, using the care instructions for that fabric.
Mend any rips or burst seams in the casing, so you’re not greeted by the equivalent of a sorority pillow fight when you open your washing machine.
Now you’re ready to get washing. For best results, wash two scatter inners at a time so they’re balanced in the machine. If you have a top loader, place the inners vertically around the central agitator.
Choose a low-foam washing powder, and use it sparingly, to prevent soap residue from clumping the feathers together.
Set your machine to a delicate cycle with a warm or cool water temperature, as a high temperature setting could do irreparable damage to your feather-and-down scatter.
2. Rinse and Spin
Add an extra rinse cycle to ensure your scatters are soap free. Avoid fabric softener; rather use a dryer sheet at the tumble-drying stage if you’d like to add a fresh scent.
Finish up with a fast spin cycle to spin away as much water as possible.
3. On the Drying
Add an extra rinse cycle to ensure your scatters are soap free. Avoid fabric softener; rather use a dryer sheet at the tumble-drying stage if you’d like to add a fresh scent.
You’re down to the final step in rejuvenating your feather-and-down inners. Feathers clump together in the wash, and it’s crucial that you don’t leave them like this or they could turn mouldy and smell.
Start by pressing your scatter inners between two towels to absorb water, being careful not to break the feathers by wringing or twisting the cushions.
Then it’s into the tumble dryer on a warm or hot setting.
Toss in a couple of clean tennis balls or dryer balls, available from leading retailers. It’ll be a little noisy, but it will also cut down on your drying time.
Take the inners out of the dryer at intervals to fluff them up, shaking them by their corners to break up any clumps.
It may take several cycles to thoroughly dry your scatters, but it’s important to keep going until there are no more clumps and no wet-feather odour. Once you’re sure the inners are bone dry, pop the washed covers on, and your scatters are once again ready to add layers of clean, freshly fluffed comfort to your couches and beds.
Waterless Shortcut for freshening Your Scatters
If you want to revive the plumpness of your scatters without washing them, fluff them up in the tumble dryer for 15 to 20 minutes on low.
For best results, add in a damp hand towel, a few clean tennis balls or dryer balls, and a fabric softener sheet for a fresh scent.
