The Great Summer Washing Tips: Don’t you feel a lot more energised and motivated when the sun is out and shining? Perhaps, now is a good time to start the great summer washing. What’s that, you ask? Well, it is the event of washing everything in your house that doesn’t usually make the regular laundry cycles. This includes the pillows, the duvets, the cushions, the curtains and even the mattresses. It’s not so straightforward, so we think you will appreciate a few good tips from the professionals.

Washing the Pillows

Not all pillows can be washed at home. Some require dry cleaning to preserve their softness and fullness. Especially those that are filled with 100% duck down. However, if you have an ordinary, not very expensive pillow, you may be able to put it in the washing machine and not destroy it. Make sure you follow this advice.

Never wash more than two pillows in the same cycle. As they soak in water they become very heavy and could damage your washing machine.

Do not add too much detergent because this can cause bad smells after the wash.

Spin on high speed and once the cycle is finished use your hands to pinch through the pillows and help the filling get distributed evenly.

The last step is to put the pillows in the tumble dryer with two tennis balls. This would help restore their puffiness and softness.

Washing the Duvet

The treatment of the duvet is not much different than the washing of pillows. Depending on the thickness of it, you may not even be able to fit it in your washing machine. If you do, however, make sure you add absolutely nothing else to the same load.

When the washing is complete, let the duvet air dry if possible. Sunlight is a great antibacterial agent, but for people who suffer from hay fever, sun drying clothes and bed linen or covers is not recommended. In such instances, the tumble dryer does a fantastic job. The tennis balls will be required once again.

Washing the Cushions

Cushions and pillows are pretty much the same except the former are usually smaller. Another difference could be the filling, which for cushions is often synthetic. This means that you should be extra careful when you dry them after a wash. Due to their smaller size, cushions should air dry fairly quickly.

One more tip - never wash the cushions with their covers. Always remove the cases before you put them in the washing machine. The cushion covers can be washed with your regular laundry cycles if needed.

Washing the Curtains

When it comes to delicate, fine curtains, you should be very careful. You may be able to machine wash them at home, but always read the manufacturer instructions first. Most sheer fabrics require low temperature washing and cannot be tumble dried.

Also, you may opt out of a spin cycle as this would cause a lot of creases. Ironing delicate curtains is another challenge of its own.

Thick and heavy curtains should not be handled in a domestic washing machine. Your best option here is steam cleaning them as they hang from the rail.

Washing the Mattress

Early summer is the absolute best time to wash your mattress. Second best is right before winter.

As everything else you touch and use, your mattress also collects and traps bacteria, dust and other allergens. If you are having some trouble sleeping at night, one of the reasons could be your mattress needs a clean.

Obviously, this is not something you can pop in the washing machine or take to the dry cleaners. Steam cleaners, however, do an amazing job when it comes to mattress cleansing. Your upholstery and carpet cleaners should be able to help with the task.