How to wash pillows: A step-by-step guide

Pillows can become dirty and accumulate sweat, oils, and other debris over time - even mildew and mold. Washing your pillows is a good idea for maintaining a clean and comfortable sleeping environment, but pillows have their own washing requirements. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to wash pillows the right way.

First: Can you wash pillows?

Many, but not all, pillows can be washed. But even washable pillows may require more care than regular clothing. To avoid ruining them, you need to know how to clean pillows safely. Luckily, you don’t need to wash pillows as often as clothing. Every few months or even twice a year is enough. 

1. Read the care instructions

Some pillows need specific cleaning methods or dry-cleaning only. Before washing your pillows, always read the care instructions first. You can usually find them on a tag attached to the pillow.

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2. Remove pillowcases and protectors

Take off any pillowcases or covers and toss them into the washing machine with your other laundry.

3. Pre-treat stains

Before you wash any pillow, look for any stains. Pre-treat them with a concentrated solution or spray, such as Shout or OxiClean, and let sit for 10 minutes before washing. 

4. Choose the right detergent

Use a mild detergent and avoid bleach, as it can damage delicate pillow fibers.

5. Be gentle

Pillows come in various densities with all kinds of materials, from goose down to latex. If your pillow is machine washable, set your machine to the gentle or delicate cycle on cold water. Hot water can cause the pillows to clump and lose their shape. Some polyesters can withstand warm water, so check the label. 

Even the gentlest cycle can break up the fibers in synthetics like memory foam or latex. Usually, they do best with hand-washing or spot-cleaning. 

Alternative pillow fillings like buckwheat require extra-special treatment. Always follow the label or manufacturer instructions, as some might require emptying contents and only washing the exterior cover. 

6. Keep it balanced

To balance out the load and prevent your pillows from getting damaged, wash two pillows at a time if your washer capacity allows. Or, add a few towels or other soft items to balance out the wash cycle.

7. Rinse thoroughly

After the wash cycle is complete, run an extra rinse cycle to ensure all detergent is removed from your pillows. As always, this only applies if your pillows are machine washable. Some pillows require dry cleaning or spot treatment only. 

8. Dry the pillows

Thoroughly drying your pillows through and through is a critical step to avoid mildew, mold, or other bacterial growth. Place the pillows in the dryer on low heat, along with a few tennis balls or wool dryer balls to help fluff them up. Check on them periodically and rotate them to ensure they dry evenly.

For down or feather pillows, dry on low or no heat, and wool or tennis balls. 

9. Fluff and reshape

Once the pillows are completely dry, fluff and reshape them by giving them a good shake and patting them to distribute the filling evenly.

10. Air them out

Before using your freshly washed pillows, air them out for a few hours to remove any remaining moisture or odors. While you ideally want to wash your pillows regularly, a dry pillow is the most important. 

Finally, wash your exterior pillow covers and/or pillowcases weekly or bi-weekly. Following these steps, you can safely wash your pillows and keep them clean and fresh for healthier air and skin. Just remember to check the care label and adjust it based on your pillow type.