Cushion Inserts and Fillings
for
Scatter Cushions or Throw Pillows

Cushion inserts and fillings are an important part of a scatter cushion or throw pillow. These give structure and can be regarded as the "skeleton" to support the colourful outer covering. These also are what gives the comfort factor when using a cushion.

The cover of the insert is like a mini cushion in itself and has a fabric casing that keeps the filling from falling out of a cushion when the cushion cover is taken off. This cover is usually made from different types of cotton ranging from 100% cotton to a cotton mix, or polypropylene fabric if bought.

These inserts are then stuffed or filled with the appropriate filling depending on what it is going to be used for.

Cushions such as scatter cushions or throw pillows are bought for their comfortability. These allow the person or pet to sink into their softness to rest their limbs or to give support to injured limbs.

Other types of cushions such as the base and back of a lounge chair or settee are considered to be part of the upholstery when the chair, sofa or settee is made. These cushions need to have more depth and be a little harder so their pads or inserts will be firmer.  This is also similar for outside furniture cushions. 

Their cushion covers would be a thicker, treated fabric that would repel water and would be best if the insert is sponged clean.

Some Types of
Cushion Inserts and Fillings

Materials use to make cushion fillings can be classed into the natural occurring ones and the synthetic or man made versions.

With all soft furnishings care must be taken where these are placed as these should not come into direct contact with a heat source. 

The synthetic fibres of acrylic and polyester are regarded as fire resistant as they ignite at a higher temperature than other fibres. 

Chemical sprays can be bought to treat these fillings so that the fire resistant quality can be enhanced.

Wool - is another type of filling that is natural. The wool would need to be washed and treated before it could be used but what a great alternative.

How Washable are the
cushion inserts and fillings?

**Before continuing always check the manufactures labels for information about washing, drying, ironing etc.  The cushion inserts or pads are washed with the filling inside them. If the manufacturers have made the insert cover out of a fabric that cannot be washed then the whole insert cannot be washed.**

As stated previously most are made with a cotton type fabric or polypropylene which are washable but do check the label.

Polyester Fibre -

This is washable at temperatures of 30 - 40 degrees. Care needs to be taken in case the seams come undone so these should be checked and if necessary placed in a mesh zipped bag.

This filling can be dried in a tumble drier on a low heat with dryer balls placed inside to stop the polyester fibre making clumps and getting lumpy.

Feather and Down -

Personally I wouldn't dream of washing an insert filled with feathers and years ago these were given a good shaking and airing outside to refresh them.

Nowadays there are washable feather and down cushion or pillow inserts and they can be tumble dried. Care should be taken that they are fully dry so mould doesn't grow in any damp clumps.

Shredded Foam Bits -

These are not really machine washable as the action of the machine could tear the bits further. These can be hand washed carefully and without agitation. Insert covers can be cleaned with a damp cloth and detergent or sprinkled with bicarbonate of soda, left for a few minutes and then vacuumed off.

Foam Block -

As with the shredded foam bits this filling can't go in the washing machine. Usually cushions made with foam blocks are for sitting on so will be fairly large and doo not normally have a cover over the block.

If the foam block is smaller like a pad on an outside chair these could be washed by hand, rinsed and flat dried not twisted thoroughly. For these it is probably best to wash the cover and treat marks on the foam with a sponge.

Polyester Wadding -

Although wadding itself is machine washable it can also be used as a wrap for a foam block so this would make it not washable.

Sometimes an insert is made out of a wadding bag and then filled with polyester fibre for added softness and this would make it machine washable and should be laid flat to air dry fully.

Polystyrene Balls -

This filling or the similar microbes fill are washable as they do not absorb water. It is advisable to only wash these by hand and the outer cover could rip inside the washing machine making the beads spill out.

Hand washing with a good rinse and air drying well only as this type of filling can melt in a tumble drier.

This filling is used inside large and small bean bags and hopefully placed inside an insert cover so that the outer cover can be removed and cleaned.

Where to buy cushion inserts.

Homescapes have a choice of microfibre and goose feather and down inserts of different sizes and some different shapes.