How to wash pillows, and which ones you shouldn't

To wash pillows, check the care tag first. Down, feather and polyester-fill pillows can go in the washer: two at a time on a gentle cycle with warm water, a small amount of detergent and an extra rinse. Dry them on low with dryer balls until no damp clumps are left inside. Memory foam and latex stay out of the machine. Wash the cover and spot clean the foam instead.

What kind of pillow do you have?

The tag tells you, and it decides everything else.

• Polyester or down-alternative fill: machine washable, dries fairly fast.
• Down and feather: machine washable, dries slowly. Needs patience in the dryer.
• Solid memory foam or latex: not machine washable. Cover only.
• Shredded memory foam: check the tag. Some say machine wash, many say remove the fill first or spot clean only.
• Buckwheat or other specialty fills: empty the fill and wash the shell, per the tag.

If the tag is gone, keep it out of the washer: wash the cover and spot clean.

How do you machine wash pillows?

1. Strip it down. Take off the case and any protector. Wash those with your sheets.
2. Check for rips. A small hole in the seam becomes a washer full of fluff. Stitch it first.
3. Wash two at a time. One pillow alone throws the drum off balance. Two keep it even, and on a top loader with an agitator, stand them upright on either side.
4. Use a small amount of detergent. About half your usual dose. Too much soap stays in the fill and makes it stiff and clumpy.
5. Gentle cycle, warm water. Hot water is hard on down. Warm cleans well enough.
6. Add an extra rinse. It keeps the pillow soft.
7. Run an extra spin. Squeezing out more water now saves a lot of dryer time.

How do you dry a pillow all the way through?

Dry on low heat with two or three wool dryer balls, or clean tennis balls in clean socks. They keep the fill moving so it doesn't dry in lumps.

Plan on more than one cycle. Polyester can take an hour or two. Down can take several hours. Every 30 minutes or so, pull the pillows out, fluff them by hand and break up any clumps you feel.

The test: squeeze the pillow in several places, especially the middle. A cool, heavy or lumpy spot means water is still in there. Don't put it back on the bed until it's gone. A damp center is how a freshly washed pillow smells sour a week later.

A sunny day helps. Finishing pillows in fresh air on a rail or a drying rack is a good last step after the dryer.

How do you clean a memory foam pillow?

1. Unzip and wash the cover per its tag.
2. Vacuum the foam on both sides with the upholstery tool.
3. Spot clean with a cloth dipped in warm water and a drop of mild detergent. Dab, don't soak, and don't wring or twist the foam.
4. Blot with a dry towel, then let it air dry somewhere with good airflow, out of direct sun, which can break down foam over time.
5. For odor, sprinkle baking soda on the dry foam, leave it for an hour or two and vacuum it off.

Foam holds water deep inside, so let it dry fully, often a full day, before you zip the cover back on.

How do you get yellow stains out of pillows?

Yellowing comes from sweat, skin oils and going to bed with wet hair. On white, washable pillows, soak them for an hour or two in warm water with oxygen bleach powder before the wash cycle, following the amount on the package. Then wash and dry as above.

Chlorine bleach is hard on fill and can turn some synthetic fabrics more yellow, not less. If a pillow has spots on it, see our guide to removing stubborn stains from bedding.

How often should pillows be washed or replaced?

• Pillowcases: weekly, with the sheets.
• Pillow protectors: every few weeks.
• Pillows: every few months, more often if you sleep with wet hair, sweat at night or share the bed with a pet.

To check whether a polyester or down pillow is done, fold it in half and let go. If it stays folded or lies there limp, the fill has broken down and washing won't bring it back. Lumps that don't shake out and a smell that survives a wash are the other two signs.

Where does a house cleaning fit in?

On Standard House Cleaning, RoutineCare, floors are vacuumed and mopped, reachable surfaces and furniture are dusted, and mirrors and glass surfaces are cleaned.

See what's covered at House Cleaning.

FAQ

How often should you wash pillows? Wash pillowcases weekly with your sheets and the pillows themselves every few months. A zippered pillow protector under the case stretches the time between full washes.

Can you put a memory foam pillow in the washing machine? No. The agitation can tear solid foam and it holds water for a long time. Wash the removable cover, vacuum the foam, spot clean it, and let it air dry fully.

Why do pillows turn yellow? Sweat, skin oils and damp hair soak through the pillowcase over time. A wash with an oxygen bleach soak lifts a lot of it on white pillows, and a protector keeps it from coming back as fast.

How do you know a pillow is completely dry? Squeeze it in several places and feel for cool, heavy or clumpy spots in the middle. If you find any, keep drying. A damp center is how a clean pillow ends up smelling sour a week later.

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