Pillows are essential for a good night’s sleep, providing comfort and support. However, over time, they accumulate dead skin cells, body oils, sweat, dust mites, and allergens, becoming a breeding ground for bacteria and unpleasant odors. While many people regularly wash their bedding, pillows are often overlooked. The good news is that most pillows can be washed, and doing so regularly can significantly improve your sleep hygiene and extend their lifespan. Asubra Cleaning provides a complete guide on how to safely and effectively wash your pillows, ensuring a fresh and healthy resting place.
Types of pillows you can (and cannot) wash
Before you toss your pillow in the washing machine, it’s crucial to check its care label and understand its filling material.
Pillows you can usually wash (machine or hand wash)
- Down and Feather Pillows: Generally machine washable on a delicate cycle. The natural fill holds up well but needs thorough drying.
- Synthetic (Polyester Fiberfill) Pillows: Most common and easiest to wash in a machine. They dry relatively quickly.
- Cotton Pillows: Can usually be machine washed, similar to synthetic pillows.
- Some Foam Pillows (Shredded Memory Foam/Latex): If the foam is shredded or consists of small pieces, the cover (and sometimes the fill, if small enough) might be washable. Always check the label.
Pillows you cannot usually wash (or require special care)
- Solid Memory Foam or Solid Latex Pillows: These should never be put in a washing machine or submerged in water. Water can break down the foam, causing it to crumble, lose its shape, and potentially grow mold inside if not dried perfectly.
- Care: Spot clean only with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Air out frequently.
- Buckwheat Pillows: These are filled with buckwheat hulls. The hulls themselves cannot be washed.
- Care: Empty the hulls into a dry container, then wash the pillow cover. Air out the hulls regularly.
- Millet Pillows: Similar to buckwheat, the millet fill is not washable.
- Care: Empty the millet, wash the cover, and air out the fill.
- Decorative Pillows: Unless explicitly stated on the label, many decorative pillows with delicate covers, embroidery, or intricate embellishments are dry-clean only or spot-clean only.
Always Check the Care Label: This is your definitive guide. It will specify washing instructions, water temperature, and drying methods.
Machine wash vs. Hand wash
Once you’ve determined your pillow is washable, decide on the method.
Machine wash (most common & convenient)
- Best For: Down/feather, synthetic fiberfill, and cotton pillows.
- Advantages: Time-saving, more thorough cleaning, especially for larger pillows.
- Considerations: Use a front-loading machine without an agitator, if possible, to prevent damage and clumping. If using a top-loader with an agitator, place pillows vertically to minimize stress. Always wash two pillows at a time to balance the load and prevent the machine from becoming off-kilter.
Hand wash
- Best For: Delicate washable pillows, those too large for your machine, or if you prefer a gentler approach.
- Advantages: More control over the cleaning process, less harsh on delicate fills.
- Considerations: Requires more physical effort, takes longer, and can be harder to fully rinse and wring out large pillows.
- How To: Fill a clean tub or large basin with warm water and a small amount of mild detergent. Submerge the pillow, gently knead it to allow water and soap to penetrate. Drain the soapy water and refill with clean water to rinse, pressing out suds until water runs clear.
Step-by-step guide for washing & drying
Here’s a general guide for machine washing and essential drying tips.
Washing steps (for machine washable pillows)
- Remove Pillowcases/Protectors: Take off all removable covers.
- Load Washer: Load two pillows into the washing machine to balance the load. If you only have one pillow, add a few towels to balance it.
- Use Mild Detergent: Add a small amount of mild liquid laundry detergent. Avoid excessive soap, as it’s harder to rinse out. (For extra freshness, you can add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle).
- Select Cycle: Choose a gentle or delicate cycle with warm water. Hot water can be used for sanitizing some materials, but check your pillow’s care label first.
- Add Extra Rinse Cycle: Run an extra rinse cycle to ensure all soap residue is completely removed. This is crucial for preventing mold growth and stiffness.
Drying steps (crucial for preventing mold and clumping)
- Extract Excess Water: After washing, gently squeeze out as much excess water as possible. Do not twist or wring forcefully, especially with down/feather pillows.
- Use Dryer Balls: Place pillows in a dryer with 2-3 clean dryer balls (or tennis balls placed in clean socks). Dryer balls help fluff the pillows, prevent clumping, and speed up drying time.
- Low Heat Setting: Set the dryer to the lowest heat or “air fluff” setting. High heat can damage synthetic fills or scorch feathers.
- Check Frequently & Re-Fluff: Every 20-30 minutes, remove the pillows from the dryer. Fluff and reshape them by hand, breaking up any clumps. This ensures even drying and prevents mildew.
- Ensure Complete Dryness: This is the most critical step. Your pillows must be completely, absolutely dry before returning them to your bed. Any lingering moisture can lead to mildew and mold growth inside the pillow, which is a serious health hazard. It may take several hours, even a full day, to dry pillows thoroughly. If unsure, air dry for an additional day in a well-ventilated area.
Preventing clumping and damage
Proper washing and drying techniques are key to maintaining pillow integrity.
- Balance the Load: Always wash two pillows at a time to prevent the washer from becoming unbalanced and to ensure an even wash and rinse.
- Low Agitation: Use a front-loading washer if available, or set a top-loader to the gentlest cycle.
- Extra Rinse Cycle: Residual detergent can cause stiffness and clumping. An extra rinse ensures all soap is flushed out.
- Dryer Balls are Your Friend: Crucial for down and synthetic fills to prevent clumps and redistribute the filling evenly as they dry.
- Frequent Fluffing During Drying: Don’t just set and forget. Regularly pausing the dryer to manually fluff and break up clumps will lead to a soft, evenly distributed fill.
- Low Heat Drying: High heat can melt synthetic fibers or damage delicate down, leading to irreversible clumping and reduced loft.
Sanitizing tips for allergy sufferers
For those with allergies or asthma, extra sanitization steps are beneficial.
- Hot Water Wash (if allowed): If the care label permits, washing pillows in hot water (above 130°F / 54°C) can help kill dust mites and allergens more effectively.
- Add Essential Oils: A few drops of tea tree oil or eucalyptus oil (known for their antimicrobial properties) added to the wash cycle can provide extra sanitization and a fresh scent.
- Use Allergy-Proof Covers: Invest in zippered, allergy-proof pillow covers. These create a barrier that prevents dust mites and allergens from accumulating inside your pillow. Wash these covers regularly along with your bedding.
- Sun Exposure: After drying, if possible, place your pillows in direct sunlight for a few hours. UV rays are a natural disinfectant and can help further kill dust mites.
- Steam Cleaning (for non-washable pillows): For solid foam pillows that cannot be machine washed, a handheld garment steamer can be used to lightly steam the surface. The heat can kill dust mites. Do not saturate, and ensure thorough air drying afterward.
When to replace pillows instead
Even with regular cleaning, pillows don’t last forever.
- Loss of Support: The most common sign. If your pillow no longer springs back to shape after being folded in half, or if it feels flat, lumpy, or unsupportive, it’s time to replace it. This test applies to down, feather, and synthetic pillows. Solid foam pillows lose support when they develop permanent indentations or become too soft.
- Persistent Stains/Odors: If, despite your best cleaning efforts, your pillow still has stubborn stains, discoloration (yellowing), or a persistent foul odor, it’s a sign that deep-seated grime and bacteria are present.
- Increased Allergies: If your allergies or asthma symptoms worsen, even after cleaning your pillow, it could indicate that the pillow is no longer effectively free of allergens.
- Age: As a general guideline, most pillows should be replaced every 1 to 2 years. Memory foam and latex pillows might last 2-3 years, while high-quality down pillows might last longer (up to 5 years) with proper care, but their support should still be monitored.
- Visible Wear and Tear: Rips, tears, or exposed filling are clear signs it’s time for a new pillow.
By understanding how to properly clean and care for your pillows, you can enjoy a cleaner, healthier sleep environment and make the most of your bedding investment.Beyond just pillows, is your entire home in need of a deep clean? Asubra Cleaning offers comprehensive residential cleaning services, ensuring every corner of your home is fresh, hygienic, and inviting. Contact us today for a free estimate and experience the difference professional cleaning can make!