Stinky Pillows

TQA · #1 (**permalink**) 06-19-2010

At the moment I guess I get about 4 months from a pillow before the smell gets out of hand and I buy new.

So my question is can anyone recomend a way of treating or cleaning or washing pillows that will work on a cruising sailboat.

knothead · #2 (**permalink**) 06-19-2010

Aren't pillows washable?
I suppose a feather pillow might not be but I'm pretty sure the foam ones are.

What is making them stinky? Is it mildew or sweat?

Have you tried Febreze? FebrezeÂ® - Freshens Air, Eliminates Car, Laundry & Home Odors

sailingdog · #3 (**permalink**) 06-20-2010

It all depends on what it is made of. Some, like the down pillows, are probably unsalvageable.

Spray it with KO so that it is saturated and leave in the sunlight to dry.

Or saturate it with PureAyre and leave it in the sunlight to dry.

TQA · #4 (**permalink**) 06-20-2010

It is sweat. I have a sweaty head.

The filling that I prefer is polyester fibre.

I thought about Febrese but I suspect that that will just treat the surface.

I will try washing with some bleach to see if that kills off whatever is producing the smell.

Sailingdog what is KO?

sailingdog · #5 (**permalink**) 06-20-2010

Raritan KO.

TQA · #6 (**permalink**) 06-20-2010

That KO stuff is for holding tanks. I am not sure I want to lay my face on a pillow treated with that and breath all night .

I guess I will try a cool wash with a little bleach and some fabric conditioner.

smackdaddy · #7 (**permalink**) 06-20-2010

Those aren't pillows!

sailingdog · #8 (**permalink**) 06-20-2010

I'd point out that the stuff is probably a lot less toxic than some of the "cleaners" that you could use. Peggie Hall recommends using it for deodorizing cushions fairly regularly. It is also less damaging to the fabric than bleach generally would be.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TQA

That KO stuff is for holding tanks. I am not sure I want to lay my face on a pillow treated with that and breath all night .

I guess I will try a cool wash with a little bleach and some fabric conditioner.

tomwatt · #9 (**permalink**) 06-20-2010

Down pillows can be washed... well, at least my down sleeping bags have been washed. The trick is the drying... the secret being to also wash a sneaker, and throw that in the dryer to tumble with the down item as it dries... breaks up the clumped-together feathers.
The polyfiber pillows can also be washed and tumble-dried... I know because I also have a sweaty head, so I know all too well the situation as described.

MARC2012 · #10 (**permalink**) 06-21-2010

Have also washed both.Thump is anoying though.marc