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Ideal Home contributor Ammarah Hasham describes a routine she learned from her mother: remove dust and pet hair, check care instructions, then air pillows and cushions outdoors on a dry, sunny day. She says the method can help reduce trapped moisture and lingering odours, but its suitability and benefits depend on the fabric and conditions.
Home decorator Ammarah Hasham has shared an old-fashioned routine she learned from her mother: airing pillows, cushions and other soft furnishings outdoors on a dry, sunny day. In an Ideal Home contributor article, Hasham says the practice can help reduce moisture and stale odours, while stressing that people should check each item’s care instructions before leaving it outside.
Hasham says she was prompted to explain the habit after posting a photograph of her soft furnishings in the garden. Some of her Instagram followers asked why the items were outside. She describes the routine as one she grew up watching her mother use, and says it fits her preference for straightforward housekeeping methods that use fewer cleaning products.
Before setting anything out, Hasham removes dust and pet hair with a lint roller, pet-hair remover or soft upholstery brush. She then checks the fabric care instructions for any restrictions. She says she does the airing on a dry, sunny day, placing cushions on a clean sheet or another clean, dry surface. Duvet covers, she says, are easier to hang on a washing line.
Hasham advises leaving space around each item so air can circulate. She sometimes applies a small amount of suitable fabric deodoriser from a distance, taking care not to saturate the material. She then leaves the furnishings outside for four to five hours, depending on the manufacturer’s care instructions, flipping them partway through. Before bringing them in, she shakes and fluffs them to redistribute the filling.
Airing Soft Furnishings Between Washes
The routine offers readers a way to freshen frequently used household textiles without immediately washing them or applying a strong fragrance. Hasham says pillows, duvets and cushions absorb moisture from bodies and their surroundings; in dry weather, airing can help some of that moisture evaporate and may reduce stale smells. That can be useful for items that are awkward to wash, provided their care labels allow outdoor airing.
The advice is a personal household practice, not a guarantee that sun exposure cleans or disinfects every fabric. Its practical value is in combining basic checks, ventilation and a chance to dry furnishings. For households with pets, removing hair first is also a separate step: Hasham says she uses a lint roller or brush before putting items outside.
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The Routine Hasham Learned at Home
Hasham writes about adding personality to her rental home for Ideal Home’s Open House contributor series. In the article, she connects caring for everyday furnishings with her broader view that household items used regularly deserve attention. She mentions living with two cats, whose shedding leaves fur on soft furnishings, and says she has learned to pay attention to cushion inserts as well as their outer fabric.
The piece presents outdoor airing as one of several practical care habits, not as a replacement for washing or following product instructions. Hasham’s method depends on the weather, the cleanliness of the surface and the material’s care requirements. She says she lays items out with room for airflow, turns them during the session and fluffs them after bringing them inside.
“I was sunning my soft furnishings, something I grew up watching my mother do.”
— Ammarah Hasham, Ideal Home contributor
What the Method Can and Cannot Do
The article does not provide testing or measurements showing how much moisture or odour outdoor airing removes, or how much sunlight reduces microorganisms on a particular item. Hasham’s account is a personal recommendation, and results may vary with the fabric, weather, exposure and the item’s condition. The source does not specify a particular temperature, humidity level or sun intensity.
It is also not clear that every pillow or cushion can safely be left in direct sunlight. Care labels and manufacturer instructions differ, and some materials may be unsuitable for prolonged exposure or for particular cleaning products. The article does not claim that airing replaces laundering, professional cleaning or other care recommended by a manufacturer.
Check Labels Before Airing
Hasham’s next step is the same practical check that starts her routine: read the care instructions before taking furnishings outside. Anyone trying the method can first remove loose dust and hair, choose a clean, dry surface on a suitable day, and allow air to move around the items. If using fabric deodoriser, the product should be appropriate for the material and applied lightly, as Hasham describes.
The source does not announce a follow-up test or a new product. The routine remains a contributor’s household advice; whether it suits a particular pillow or cushion depends on its care guidance and conditions outdoors.
Key Questions
How long does Hasham leave pillows and cushions outside?
Hasham says she typically leaves them outdoors for four to five hours, but says the manufacturer’s care instructions should guide the duration.
Should the furnishings be placed in direct sunlight?
Hasham describes airing them in the sun on a dry day. The article does not set out a rule for every fabric, so check the item’s care label before exposing it to direct sunlight.
Does airing replace washing pillows or cushions?
No such claim is made in the source. Hasham presents airing as a way to help freshen soft furnishings; it does not say that this replaces washing or other care specified by the manufacturer.
What should be done before airing them?
Hasham removes dust and pet hair with a lint roller, pet-hair remover or soft upholstery brush, then checks the care instructions. She recommends using a clean, dry surface and leaving space around items for airflow.
Source: rss
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