How to Clean: The Hard-to-Clean Household Items

At Clean, we’re always thinking about the everyday essentials. That’s not limited to just our clothes, either. There are a lot of essential fabrics and textiles in our daily lives other than the ones we’re wearing. Any soft surface – it’s probably a good idea to think about cleaning every so often. Naturally, we think about our sheets, pillowcases, and blankets on the regular, but what about the stuff you’re not so sure about – like down comforters, pillows, and electric blankets?

We’re here to talk about those less-talked-about household fabrics and how to clean them properly. Now, before we get into it, note the following:

• Every pillow, blanket, sweater, etc. is different! Each will take a different cleaning process, so adjust accordingly.

• Every washer and dryer is also different. They have different temperature settings - your “cold” may not be the same as another washer’s cold cycle.

• Most importantly, we always recommend sending in your household items for proper cleaning so you don’t have to worry about it. But, we totally understand that sometimes you just need a quick wash, so we’re happy to provide some recommendations!

Overview of items covered:

1. Pillows

   1. Down + Feather + Fiberfill Pillows

   2. Foam Pillows

2. Down Duvets

3. Mattresses

4. Electric Blankets

5. Microfiber Couches

6. Suede Shoes

7. Uggs
   

Pillows

You know, the ones from your bed. Did you know you can wash them? Here’s how to clean pillows:

Down + Feather + Fiberfill Pillows

1. You can put them in the washer (a front-loader is recommended) set to gentle/delicate with just a bit of detergent (for the proper amount, make sure you follow the instructions on your detergent) on a cool or warm cycle. Make sure to put two at a time, or else the washer will get off-balance. This is not advised for older or more high-end pillows (think Brooklinen or vintage pillows). To be safe, send them to us.

2. Put in the dryer on medium to high heat, but remember to stop and fluff them often. Down pillows take a pretty long time to dry completely, so it’ll take a few cycles. Even when you think they’re done, set them out in a warm, open area (like a table, or even outside in the sun) before you put them on your bed, just to make sure.

Photo by Alison Winterroth

3. Using dryer balls or tennis balls can also help ensure they stay fluffy in the dryer.

Pillows can be finicky to dry, so you may have to try a few cycles with yours if you start on low heat.

Foam Pillows

1. These can’t be washed in a washing machine but can be cleaned nevertheless.

2. If you want a more deep-clean, take off the cover and put it in the washer. Preferably on hot with a mild detergent, but make sure you check the care label.

3. Vacuum the foam part of the pillow, and put it in the dryer on an air-only (no heat) cycle to air it out.

4. Spot clean with detergent or any mild soap and rinse off (most likely in a bathtub). But be careful, wet foam tears very easily.

5. Let it air dry completely. This will take a while, so it’s best not to soak the pillow and just spot treat when necessary. Voila! A clean pillow.

Down Duvets

Down duvets, like down pillows, can easily be remedied with a quick wash (as with everything, make sure you check the labels beforehand). Some duvets will say “dry clean only,” so to be safe, you can send it to us. But, most can be washed in your washing machine. Here’s how to clean a down duvet:

1. First and foremost, make sure the duvet fits in your washing machine. Shoving a large duvet into a small machine can not only damage the machine but also can also distort the duvet. Plus, it’s just a lot of work lugging a large, wet duvet.

2. Put the duvet in the washing machine on a delicate cycle with a few laundry balls (or tennis balls inside a sock). Consider throwing in a few towels to make sure the machine stays balanced, or else your machine could end up knocking into the wall. Wash on cool or warm, then rinse twice to make sure all soap is out.

3. Put in the dryer on the lowest heat possible with a few dryer balls and a towel to absorb extra heat. Dry in 30-minute intervals, taking it out to fluff between each interval. Keep up this process until it’s totally dry – duvets can mildew easily if left wet. It’ll take a while, so don’t make any plans.

Mattresses

This one is definitely hard to clean. It’s best to leave mattress cleaning to the pros. NEVER take off a mattress cover. Just don’t do it. It’s not worth it. Trust us.

Many (most) mattresses are made with a layer of fiberglass underneath the covers (even the fancy ones!). This helps to keep them flame retardant. If the cover is taken off, it disrupts this layer, and believe us, you DON’T want that to happen. It. Gets. Everywhere. And, it’s not great to be around – it can hurt your skin and lungs, not to mention it ruins your washing machine. 

If you want to make sure your mattress stays fresh, you should:

1. Vacuum it often.

2. Sprinkling baking soda on it before vacuuming can help with any moisture or odors.

3. As for stains, the rule-of-thumb (especially for memory foam mattresses) is to use as little liquid as possible. Recommended is an enzyme cleaner, which breaks down human-made stains (let’s face it, that’s what usually gets on a mattress).

4. Equal parts of water and peroxide can also work well. Always spray on a cloth first, never directly on the mattress.

5. If your mattress woes are bigger, it’s best to call in the professionals (like Clean!), who have the tools and knowledge to make sure no further damage is done. 

6. If you’re concerned about future stains, it’s best to invest in a liquid-proof mattress cover. 

Electric Blankets

Most heated blankets and electric blankets are built to be waterproof. However, that doesn’t mean you can just chuck them in the wash with everything else. Here are the deets on washing your heated blankets:

1. Make sure the washer is large enough for not just the heated blanket, but some other linens to balance the machine.

2. Set the machine on a gentle, cool water cycle with the shortest rinse possible. Use a very mind detergent, no bleach or fabric softener.

3. If possible, try to let the blanket agitate for only a few minutes, then switch to the rinse cycle. This will ensure that the internal wires don’t get bunched or disheveled.

4. Take the heated blanket out of the machine immediately after it’s done and transfer to the dryer. Dry on an air-only (no heat) cycle for only about 20 minutes, then transfer it to air dry.

5. When storing, roll it, don’t fold it! Folding can bend or weaken wires.

Microfiber Couches

What’s microfiber? It’s the slightly velvety, slightly suede-feeling material that’s used for its stain resistance – but that doesn’t mean it can’t get dirty. Especially with darker materials that you can’t tell are stained, it’s important to keep up with some routine cleaning. Here’s how to clean up your microfiber couch.

Rule of thumb: vacuum the couch every time you vacuum your floor. Especially if you have pets. For stains that have just happened, lightly dampen a microfiber cloth and wipe away, or gently apply pressure if it’s started to sink into the fabric. Baby wipes also work well.

For set-in stains, follow these steps:

1. Pay attention to labels – some may say “W,” meaning they can be treated with water, or “S,” which stands for solvent. If “S” is the case, it’s best left to the dry cleaners. Give us a call.

2. Some “W” couches have removable covers and can be laundered as directed on the labels. Generally, this will be on a gentle cycle in cold water.

3. Hang or lay flat to dry, and you can use a suede brush to make the fabric look more appealing.

4. If stains persist, try an upholstery cleaning product. Rubbing alcohol can also be effective, but use with caution and always test on a small space first.

Suede Shoes + Uggs

Believe it or not, this is actually our forte. We use specialized machines for shoes, and Uggs are our most popular customers. We’ve got the shoe-cleaning experts, especially for your Ugg Slippers that have gotten a little too much wear the past 10 months. The suede and wool interior require very meticulous cleaning and minimal liquid exposure, and we take great care.

First, though, if you’re looking for a fix for minor staining on your suede shoes, try these steps on how to clean suede shoes:

Suede

1. Plain distilled white vinegar is the safest bet for suede. Not water. Put a bit of vinegar on the stain and let it sit for a bit. When dry, using a toothbrush or other small brush, lightly scrub the stain.

2. Sounds weird, but sometimes a simple pencil eraser works to get stains out of suede. Make sure to be gentle, though. 

Uggs

Here is how to clean your Uggs:

1. Before you do anything, stuff the Ugg Slippers or Boots with white paper or towels to keep help them hold their shape.

2. The above processes can work for stains, but since Uggs are sheepskin, they can be cleaned a little bit differently – use water very sparingly to treat some stains. When you have mild water or salt stains, blot the stain and surrounding area with a cloth. This keeps them from streaking and evens the tone of the boot. 

There are a lot of weird-to-wash items out there, so make sure if you’re confused about cleaning, shoot us an email or even a DM. It’s in our name to make sure we educate on how to keep your most important, essential items clean. And, as always, better safe than sorry. Schedule a pickup or interior cleaning with us and we’ll make sure all your essentials get the care they deserve, with the convenience that works for you.