How to Wash Pillows
Washing pillows regularly is essential for keeping them fresh, clean, and hygienic.
However, washing them properly is essential to avoid damaging the pillows or reducing their comfort and support.
This comprehensive guide will provide tips on how often to wash pillows, the best washing methods for different pillow types, drying recommendations, and extra cleaning tips for optimal pillow maintenance.
I.
How Often Should You Wash Pillows?
Washing your pillows regularly is essential to keep them clean and hygienic.
Here are some general guidelines on how often pillows should be washed:
– Regular pillows – Wash every 3-6 months.
Even if pillows don’t appear dirty, they can accumulate sweat, body oils, and dead skin cells over months of use.
Washing twice a year keeps them fresh.
– Allergy/asthma sufferers – Wash every 1-2 weeks.
Frequent washing removes allergens like dust mites.
– Noticeably dirty/smelly pillows – Wash immediately if pillows appear discolored, have visible dirt or stains, or smell unpleasant.
– New pillows – Wash before use to remove any residual manufacturing chemicals or odors.
– Infrequent pillow use – If pillows are used infrequently in a guest bedroom, wash them once or twice a year.
Look for signs your pillows need washing, like visible dirt and stains, yellowing, lumps or misshapen areas, and musty or unpleasant odors.
The regular wash schedule also depends on whether pillows have removable, washable covers.
Pillows without covers need washing more often than those with an outer case that can be washed repeatedly.
II.
Preparing Pillows for Washing
Before washing your pillows, take a few steps to prepare them:
– Read the care label – This will indicate washing instructions and if machine washing is allowed.
– Close zipped covers – Make sure any zipped outer covers are fully closed so the inner pillow does not fall out in the wash.
Check that the zipper still functions properly.
– Check for holes and tears – Examine pillows for any small holes or tears where the inner filling could escape.
Mend these before washing.
– Wash two pillows together – Washing two pillows helps balance the load during cleaning.
– Use a mild detergent – Choose a mild laundry detergent, not one with harsh chemicals or bleaches.
Liquid detergents dissolve quickly.
– Remove pillowcases – Remove any standard pillowcases and wash them separately.
Properly preparing pillows before washing prevents damage and simplifies the process.
III.
Washing Methods by Pillow Type
The proper washing technique depends on the material your pillow is made from.
Here are specific methods for washing common pillow types:
A.
Down Pillows
Down pillows filled with duck or goose feathers require delicate washing to avoid damage.
Always check the label, but follow these typical guidelines:
– Hand wash only – Do not machine wash down pillows, as the agitation can destroy the down clusters.
– Use mild soap – Gently wash with a mild detergent solution.
Avoid detergents with bleach or brighteners.
– Cool water – Use cool or lukewarm water.
Hot water can cause the feathers to clump together.
– Minimal agitation – Gently compress and release the down clusters while washing without twisting, squeezing, or scrubbing the pillow.
– Rinse thoroughly – Rinse several times in cool, clear water to remove all excess of soap.
Improper rinsing can leave a residue that damages feathers.
– Air dry – Completely air-dry down pillows naturally away from direct sunlight.
Do not machine dry.
Take special care when hand washing delicate down pillows to preserve the support and insulation of the feathers.
B.
Polyester Pillows
Polyester pillows can typically be machine washed:
– Machine wash cycle – Wash polyester pillows on a gentle or delicate cycle setting.
The agitation will be reduced.
– Warm or cold water – Use warm or cold water temperatures.
Avoid hot water, which could melt the polyester fibers.
– Mild detergent – A liquid detergent is best.
Avoid bleach.
– Tennis balls – Adding a couple of tennis balls to the dryer helps break up clumping and fluffs the pillow.
Follow all laundry symbols and care instructions.
Machine drying on low heat is usually okay unless the label states air dry only.
C.
Latex Foam Pillows
Latex foam pillows require very gentle cleaning:
– Spot clean only – Do not fully wash latex pillows, just spot clean as needed.
The latex material can become damaged when soaked.
– Damp cloth – Use a clean cloth or sponge dampened with cool water and extremely mild soap to spot treat stains or dirty areas.
– Air dry away from sun – Completely air dry latex pillows away from direct sunlight or heat sources after spot cleaning.
Take care not to over-saturate latex foam, which will cause the pillow to become misshapen.
Tumble drying can also degrade the latex.
D.
Memory Foam Pillows
Memory foam pillows typically require special washing instructions:
– Check manufacturer guidelines – The care guidelines can vary greatly depending on the memory foam pillow.
Always check the label or manufacturer website.
– Some are machine washable – Memory foam has improved over time, and some newer pillows can be machine washed on gentle and air dried.
– Avoid soaking – Even machine washable memory foam shouldn’t usually be soaked for long periods which can damage the foam interior.
– Clean with caution – Spot clean stains when possible.
Use only a damp cloth with minimal water.
Unless the label states machine washing is safe, it’s best to spot treat memory foam pillows only.
Pay close attention to the proper care recommendations.
E.
Microfiber Pillows
Microfiber pillows often have the following washing guidelines:
– Machine wash, gentle cycle – Most microfiber pillows can be machine washed on a delicate or gentle wash setting.
– Cold water wash – Use cold water only when machine washing.
Hot water may damage the microfiber fabric.
– Low heat drying – Tumble dry the pillows on a low temperature setting after washing.
High heat can shrink or melt the synthetic microfibers.
Microfiber is durable enough for regular machine washing.
Just be sure to use lower temperatures throughout the process.
Air drying is also fine.
F.
Wool Pillows
It’s crucial to properly hand wash wool pillows to avoid shrinkage or felting of the delicate wool fibers:
– Hand wash only – Wool pillows should only be hand washed, not machine washed which is too harsh.
– Use wool detergent – Wash with detergent explicitly made for washing wool items.
Avoid regular laundry detergent.
An example is Woolite a popular product.
– Reshape while damp – Gently squeeze water out after washing and reshape the pillow while still slightly damp.
– Lay flat to dry – Always lay a wool pillow flat on a towel to fully air dry.
Do not dry upright.
Wool pillows require extra special care when washing by hand and drying to prevent damage to the wool fibers.
Never machine wash or tumble dry.
G.
Body Pillows
Body pillows and pregnancy pillows can be washed in machines but require extra cleaning steps:
– Machine wash, gentle cycle – Body pillows are bulky but can be washed on a gentle, front-load washer cycle.
Use cold water only.
– Low heat drying – Dry oversized body pillows on low heat in the dryer to prevent damage from high heat.
– Tennis balls can help – Add tennis balls to break up clumping and fluff pillow filling.
– May require extra cycles – The large size of body pillows means multiple wash/dry cycles may be needed to fully clean and dry them.
– Spot clean covers – Spot treat stains on removable pillow covers between full washes.
Take care when maneuvering oversized body pillows in and out of washers and dryers.
IV.
Drying Pillows Effectively
Always follow recommended drying methods carefully after washing pillows:
– Air dry down – It’s imperative to air dry down pillows naturally completely.
Machine drying can destroy the feathers.
– Machine dry synthetics – Polyester and microfiber pillows can be machine dried on a low heat setting to avoid damage.
– Lay wool/latex flat – Gently squeeze excess water from wool or latex pillows and lay flat to air dry.
Do not dry upright.
– Dry foam pillows upright – Memory foam and other foam pillows should be dried upright rather than flat to maintain their shape.
– Completely dry – It’s important to let all pillows dry fully before remaking the bed, to avoid mold growth.
A damp interior can create perfect conditions for mold.
– Fluff in the dryer – Toss polyester or microfiber pillows on air fluff cycle to re-fluff after washing.
Only machine dry pillows if the care instructions specifically allow it.
And use only a cool, low heat setting.
Thorough drying is vital.
V.
Additional Tips for Keeping Pillows Clean
Implementing some extra care and maintenance habits can help keep pillows cleaner between regular washings:
– Use protective covers – Enclosing pillows in washable protective covers prevents the buildup of oils and dirt that require more frequent washing.
– Spot clean stains – For pillows with removable covers, spot clean stains on covers between full wash cycles.
Use an upholstery cleaner or diluted vinegar solution.
– Replace old pillows – Flattened, lumped, or yellowed ones should be replaced, even after washing.
Washing can’t restore pillows once they lose support and height.
– Store properly – When not being used, store pillows in a dry, well-ventilated area.
Avoid humid environments that could lead to mold.
– Freeze pillows – Placing pillows in the freezer overnight can kill dust mites without damaging the pillows.
– Fluff and rotate – Fluff pillows daily and rotate head pillows weekly to maintain even wear and shape.
Proper storage, spot cleaning, and freezing are easy ways to keep pillows cleaner and more hygienic between regular wash days.
In Summary:
Washing pillows every 3 to 6 months – or more often for allergy sufferers – is recommended to eliminate odors, allergens, and dirt.
Always check care labels and use the proper hand or machine washing method for the pillow’s material.
All pillows should be fully dried after washing, whether air dried or with low machine heat.
Implementing a few extra practices like using pillow protectors, spot cleaning, and freezing can also keep pillows clean and promote better hygiene.
With the right washing and care regimen, pillows will stay fresh and comfortable for nightly use.