Care & Maintenance

American West Modern Decorative Pillow Cover Care Guide

Congratulations on your American West Modern decorative pillow covers, handcrafted with genuine Pendleton wool! These unique pieces are not just decor; they are an investment in quality and artistry. To ensure your pillow covers remain beautiful and vibrant for years to come, please follow these care and maintenance guidelines.

Understanding Pendleton Wool

Pendleton wool is renowned for its durability, warmth, and vibrant patterns. It is a natural fiber that, with proper care, can last for generations. However, like all fine textiles, it requires a gentle touch.

General Care & Handling

  • Gentle Handling: Always handle your pillow covers with care. Avoid pulling or tugging on the fabric, especially at seams.

  • Rotate Regularly: If you have multiple pillow covers, rotate them periodically to ensure even wear and exposure to light.

  • Keep Away from Direct Sunlight: Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can cause fading of the vibrant wool colors. Position your pillows away from windows where they will receive harsh, unfiltered sunlight.

  • Avoid Excessive Moisture: Wool can be susceptible to mildew in consistently damp environments. Ensure your pillow covers are kept in a dry area.

Maintaining the Wool's Luster

  • Regular Brushing: To keep your Pendleton wool looking its best and to remove surface dust, dirt, and lint, we recommend gently brushing your pillow covers regularly. Use a high-quality garment brush with natural bristles, such as horsehair or boar bristles. Brush in the direction of the nap (the natural lay of the fibers) to revive the wool's texture and natural sheen. This also helps to prevent dirt from becoming embedded in the fibers.

Cleaning Your Pillow Covers

Spot Cleaning is Recommended for Minor Spills:

For small spills or isolated marks, immediate spot cleaning is the best approach.

  1. Blot, Don't Rub: Gently blot the spill with a clean, dry cloth to absorb as much liquid as possible. Do not rub, as this can push the stain deeper into the fibers and damage the wool.

  2. Damp Cloth (Optional): For stubborn spots, use a clean cloth lightly dampened with cool water and gently dab the stained area.

  3. Air Dry: Allow the spot-cleaned area to air dry completely, away from direct heat or sunlight. You can gently reshape the pillow cover as it dries.

Professional Dry Cleaning (Recommended for Deep Cleaning or Larger Stains):

For a thorough cleaning, or for larger or more pervasive stains, we highly recommend professional dry cleaning.

  • Choose a Reputable Cleaner: Select a dry cleaner experienced with wool and delicate textiles. Inform them that the item is Pendleton wool and to use a gentle, professional dry-cleaning process.

  • Do NOT Machine Wash: Machine washing, even on a delicate cycle, can cause shrinkage, felting, and damage to the wool fibers and the overall structure of your pillow cover.

  • Do NOT Tumble Dry: High heat from a tumble dryer will cause irreversible shrinkage and damage to the wool.

Storage

If you need to store your pillow covers for an extended period:

  • Clean Before Storing: Ensure your pillow covers are clean and completely dry before storing to prevent mildew and attract pests.

  • Breathable Storage: Store them in a breathable cotton bag or acid-free tissue paper. Avoid plastic bags, which can trap moisture and cause yellowing or mildew.

  • Cool, Dry Place: Store in a cool, dry, dark place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperature fluctuations.

  • Moth Protection: Consider using natural moth repellents like cedar blocks or lavender sachets. Avoid mothballs, as their odor can be difficult to remove.

Important Considerations

  • Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Never use bleach, harsh detergents, or strong chemical cleaners on your Pendleton wool pillow covers. These can damage the fibers and cause discoloration.

  • Pets & Sharp Objects: Keep sharp objects and pet claws away from your pillow covers to prevent snags and pulls.

  • Ironing: If necessary, iron on a very low setting with a pressing cloth, using steam sparingly. It's often best to simply smooth out wrinkles by hand.

By following these simple care instructions, your American West Modern decorative pillow covers will remain cherished pieces in your home for many years to come, showcasing the timeless beauty of Pendleton wool.

 

How to Stuff and Unstuff Your Wool Pillow Cover with a Down Insert

A perfectly plump pillow can transform the look and feel of your space. When working with our American West Modern wool pillow covers and a luxurious down pillow insert, proper stuffing ensures both the beauty of the cover and the comfort of the pillow. Down inserts, while wonderfully soft, can be a bit more challenging to work with due to their compressibility.

Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving that ideal "designer" look without stressing your handcrafted wool cover, and how to safely remove the insert when needed.

How to Stuff Your Wool Pillow Cover with a Down Insert

What you'll need:

  • Your American West Modern wool pillow cover

  • Your down pillow insert (ideally, choose an insert that is 1-2 inches larger than your pillow cover for a fuller, more substantial look. For example, a 20x20 inch cover often looks best with a 21x21 inch insert.)

  • A clean, flat surface

The Process:

  1. Prepare Your Pillow Cover:

  • Lay your wool pillow cover flat on a clean surface.

  • Fully unzip the zipper. Ensure it's completely open to give you the widest possible opening and minimize strain on the wool and zipper.

  1. Compress the Down Insert:

  • This is the most crucial step for down inserts. Down is very pliable, and you want to make it as small as possible before inserting it.

  • Flatten the down insert like a “pancake” removing as much air as possible 

  • Fold it in half, like a "taco" or a hot dog bun, pressing out as much air as you can. Really compress it tightly to reduce its bulk. You want it to be a narrow, compressed cylinder.

  1. Insert the "Taco" into the Cover:

  • While still holding the down insert firmly in its compressed, folded shape with one hand, use your other hand to open the pillow cover's zipper wide.

  • Carefully slide one end of the compressed insert into the far end of the pillow cover.

  • Continue to work the folded insert into the cover, guiding it gently. The goal is to get all four corners of the insert into the corresponding corners of the pillow cover while the insert is still largely compressed.

  1. Work the Corners (The Key to Fullness):

  • Once the compressed insert is mostly inside, begin to release your grip slightly and reach inside the cover.

  • Maneuver the top two corners of the down insert into the top two corners of the pillow cover (farthest from the zipper opening). Gently push and fluff the down into these corners until they are completely filled.

  • Repeat this process for the bottom two corners, ensuring the insert fills them out entirely. Take your time with this step; well-filled corners prevent a "floppy" or saggy look.

  1. Distribute and Smooth:

  • Once all four corners are in place, gently push the remainder of the insert away from the zipper opening. This helps prevent the zipper from snagging on the down or fabric.

  • Pat and gently massage the pillow from the outside to evenly distribute the down filling throughout the entire cover, ensuring a smooth and plump appearance.

  1. Gently Zip It Up:

  • With the insert positioned away from the zipper, carefully and slowly zip the pillow cover closed.

  • Do not force the zipper. If it catches, gently reverse it, check for any trapped down or fabric, and then try again. Forcing it can damage the zipper or the delicate wool.

  1. Fluff and Style:

  • Once zipped, give your pillow a good fluffing and patting from all sides.

  • For that classic designer look, give the top center of your pillow a gentle "karate chop" to create an inviting indentation.

How to Remove Your Down Pillow Insert

Removing a down insert properly is just as important as stuffing it to protect your wool cover and its zipper.

  1. Unzip Fully:

  • Lay the pillow flat on a clean surface.

  • Completely unzip the pillow cover. Ensure the zipper pull is at one end of the opening.

  1. Compress and Fold:

  • Just as you compressed the insert to put it in the cover, you'll compress it to take it out.

  • After you've flattened the cover and insert as much as you can, reach inside the cover and fold the insert in half lengthwise, like a taco.

  • Pull the insert towards the zipper opening while simultaneously folding or squishing it in half lengthwise ("taco" style) to make it as narrow as possible. The goal is to create a compact package.

  1. Gently Pull Out:

  • While keeping the insert compressed with one hand, use your other hand to gently guide and pull the folded insert out through the zipper opening.

  • Avoid yanking or pulling on the wool cover itself. Focus on manipulating the insert.

  • If it feels stuck, gently push the edges of the insert away from the zipper teeth and re-compress the insert before attempting to pull it out again.

  1. Inspect:

  • Once the insert is removed, inspect your pillow cover for any stray down feathers and gently shake them out.

By following these simple steps, you'll ensure your beautiful American West Modern wool pillow cover is perfectly showcased with a wonderfully full and comfortable down insert, ready to enhance your home, and that you can safely remove the insert whenever needed for cleaning or storage.