I have washed and dried polyester fiberfilled homemade pillows.  They do dry
thoroughly in a dryer, but after multiple washings eventually get lumpy.  I
don't think it is from the heat melting the fibers together, but more of a
felting process.

Rebecca Tinkham
Associate Conservator
Department of Conservation
Museum Resource Division/DCA
Santa Fe, NM


>From: "Packer, Nancy" <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Textile Conservators <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Padding for storage
>Date: Fri, 4 May 2007 13:19:40 -0400
>
>Can the stockinette "sausages" (custom or pre-made) be washed & dried? We
>occasionally do battle with moth infestations, & it would be helpful to
>know that we weren't cross-contaminating if we were to re-use these. Will
>tumble-drying thoroughly dry the polyester fill?
>
>Nancy Packer
>Collections Curator
>The Design Center at Philadelphia University
>
>________________________________
>
>From: Textile Conservators on behalf of Sarah Lowengard
>Sent: Thu 5/3/2007 4:58 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Padding for storage
>
>
>
>(wearing my hat as a consultant for Testfabrics...)
>
>Testfabrics carries pre-made "stuffers" -- a resin-free polyester
>batting in a cotton stockinette. They are 1 meter long and about 1.5"
>diameter, although you can compress them to a diameter between 1" and 2"
>(with corresponding change in length).  I've shortened them by cutting
>and re-stitching the end and have made longer stuffers (or odd shapes,
>when needed) by stitching pieces together.
>
>I don't remember the current price but the 2002 catalog says $3.50 to
>$4.50 per piece, depending on the quantity purchased.
>
>You can also purchase stockinette tubing and the fiberfill batting
>separately.
>
>Testfabrics
>PO Box 26
>415 Delaware Avenue
>West Pittston, PA 18643
>570-603-0432, fax 570-603-0433
>[log in to unmask]
>
>
>Sarah
>
>Sarah Lowengard
>Conservation Consultant, Testfabrics, Inc.
>[log in to unmask]
>New York City.

_________________________________________________________________
Watch free concerts with Pink, Rod Stewart, Oasis and more.  Visit MSN In
Concert today. http://music.msn.com/presents?icid=ncmsnpresentstagline