Even if you may adore your pillows, do you give them the attention they need? Most likely, the answer is no if you have never given them a thorough cleaning. We mistreat our pillows a lot. They get thrown on the ground, compressed into a shape, licked, and exposed to an accumulation of oil and perspiration. Thus, it’s critical to understand how often to wash pillows, how to get rid of stains, and whether or not you can machine wash them if you want to keep them looking new and feeling clean. For washing instructions for each style of pillow, continue reading.
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Is It Possible to Machine Wash a Pillow?
It varies. You can use a washing machine and tumble dryer if the pillow is stuffed with down, feathers, or polyester fiberfill. No, though, if the cushion is made of memory foam or solid latex foam. The only way to clean foam pillows is by hand.
So, to start cleaning your pillow, find out what kind of filling it contains and then follow the instructions below.
How Often Should You Wash a Pillow
Regular users of bed pillows should wash them at least three times a year. The pillows should be cleansed more frequently if the sleeper becomes ill or perspires profusely. Weekly washing and replacement of covers and pillowcases should be done in conjunction with the other bed linens.
Decorative pillows don’t need to be cleaned as often unless they are utilized daily as footrests or couches. To get rid of dust and hair, put any ornamental pillows made of feathers or polyester fiberfill that don’t have a removable cover in an automatic dryer set to the no-heat, air-only cycle for ten minutes.
To fluff up the filling, add a few dryer balls. (Note: Never use the dryer to dry solid foam pillows.) You can wash your throw pillows together with your bed pillows as part of your laundry routine if you use them frequently. Use the cleaning instructions found on the care tag for throw pillows that don’t have a removable insert.
How to Wash Down, Feather, and Polyester Fiberfill Pillows
Check for rips
Check for tears in the fabric covering of a pillow and make any necessary repairs before washing it by hand in the shower or the washing machine. A washer full of feathers or fluff is the last thing you want!
Apply a pretreatment to stains
If the outer covering has visible stains, dab each affected area with an enzyme-based laundry stain remover. Using your fingers or a nylon brush with soft bristles, work the stain remover into the cloth. Before washing the pillow, let the cleaner work for at least ten minutes to start dissolving spots.
Use the right detergent
Use a low-sudsing, high-efficiency detergent because it’s too hard to rinse out sudsy loads. Just one or two teaspoons of detergent should be added to the washer drum. Fabric softener can cause fillings to lose their loft, so avoid adding it to the washer.
Select washer settings and load pillows
Select a mild cycle and cold water for the washer. To assist keep the washer balanced, it’s ideal to wash two pillows at a time, especially if you have a top-load washer with a central agitator. Use two or three heavy cotton bath towels to balance the washer if you are washing just one pillow.
Do a second rinse
Keep the pillows in the laundry for an additional rinse cycle to ensure that all of the soapy residue has been removed. Rinse with fresh water while washing your hands until no more suds form.
Fluff and dry
Give the pillows a thorough shake after taking them out of the washer to help distribute the contents as evenly as you can. Place the pillows in the dryer with the heat set to medium and add some wool dryer balls. Every fifteen minutes, turn and fluff the pillows by hand until they are completely dry. When drying on a rack, make sure to rotate and fluff the pillows regularly as they dry.
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How to Wash Solid Latex Foam and Memory Foam Pillows
Any kind of solid foam pillow should never be washed in the washing machine. The froth will be broken up by the agitation during the wash and spin cycles. Additionally, do not put foam pillows in the dryer; instead, let them air dry slowly and for a considerable amount of time. Even in bright, windy weather, foam pillows might take up to 24 hours to dry due to their high density.
Spot clean stains
If you’re pressed for time, address stains in advance or just give the pillow a quick spot clean. One cup of warm water should be combined with a few drops of washing detergent.
Before using the microfiber towel to blot the discolored spots, dip it into the solution and give it a thorough shake. Give the solution at least ten minutes to start working on the spots. Wipe away any soapy residue with a fresh cloth dipped in water.
Make a pillow bath
Pour enough lukewarm water into a bathtub or big plastic tub to completely submerge the pillow. Mix thoroughly after adding one teaspoon of laundry detergent.
Wash the pillow
One pillow should be added to the soapy water and submerged. To assist the cleaning solution in releasing the soil, gently squeeze the pillow. Never submerge the cushion for more than ten minutes.
Rinse and repeat
After emptying the washing water, add cool water to the tub. To aid in the discharge of suds, submerge the cushion and gently squeeze the foam. Repeatedly changing the water until no more suds form. Don’t wring or twist the foam, please.
Absorb excess moisture
Rinse the pillow, then take it out of the tub and place it between two thick cotton bath towels. To absorb extra moisture, apply pressure. Replace the towels as needed until no more water can be readily absorbed. Lay the pillow flat on a drying rack, making sure to rotate it often. Once more, never use a tumble dryer on a foam pillow.
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