Caring for a Swiss pine cushion: washing, refreshing, storing

A Swiss pine cushion is easy to live with, but it is not an ordinary cushion. The filling is wood, and wood dislikes two things: lasting moisture and heat. Keep that in mind and it will serve you for many years.

Can the cushion go in the washing machine?

The filling, never. Wet pine shavings clump together, lose their essential oils and, in the worst case, go mouldy. A soaked cushion barely dries out on the inside at all.

The cover can — provided it comes off. That is exactly why our cushions have an inner sack holding the shavings and a separate outer cover. Wash the outer cover at 30 to 40 degrees on a gentle cycle, without fabric softener. Softener leaves a film on the fibres and noticeably dampens the scent.

What about a stain?

Dab the spot with a slightly damp cloth, do not rub, then let it dry thoroughly. If the inner sack is affected, open it, take out the shavings and dry the two separately — the fabric in the air, the shavings spread on a cloth in the shade.

How long does the scent last?

Clearly noticeable usually for one to two years, perceptible often for much longer. The impression deceives twice over: the wood releases less as time goes on, and your nose adjusts to a constant smell. Visitors often still notice your cushion clearly when you have long stopped registering anything.

Refreshing the scent — three ways

• Knead it through. The simplest route. Kneading breaks open the edges of the shavings so they release oil again. Once a month is enough.
• Air it. Leave the cushion outside for a few hours, but in the shade. Direct sun dries the wood out and bleaches the cover.
• Add oil. Two or three drops of pure Swiss pine oil onto the shavings, then knead through. Go sparingly — too much oil smells sharp rather than pleasant and can mark pale covers.

When do you replace the filling?

When nothing comes back even after kneading and the shavings have gone crumbly. Depending on use, that takes three to five years. Refill shavings are sold loose; the cushion itself stays.

Storing it

Dry, airy and never sealed. A plastic bag is the worst thing that can happen to a Swiss pine cushion — the residual moisture in the wood cannot escape. A cotton bag in the wardrobe is ideal.

Who is a Swiss pine cushion not for?

Anyone with a known allergy to conifers or their essential oils. And a cushion with a loose filling does not belong in a small child's bed in any case. If you are sensitive to smells, start with a small scent sachet rather than a full-sized cushion.