How to Wash a Pillow in the Washing Machine

Oftentimes, the only thing we’re capable of thinking about at the end of a long day is plopping down on a pillow to get some good rest and restore our energy. However, within a mere month, the pillow can collect a lot of bacteria, sweat, dirt, and dead skin cells.

5-Minute Crafts prepared step-by-step instructions for how to wash a pillow in the washing machine along with several recommendations on how to keep it clean.

1. Check the label.

Find the label on the pillow you’re going to wash and read the recommendations on how to wash and take care of it. The main thing to look for is whether a machine wash is allowed or not. If not, you will have to dry clean the pillow or limit yourself to removing certain stains.

If you can’t find a label, check the content of the filler so that you can understand what type of washing is more suitable for it.

Machine washing is recommended for synthetic, down, and cotton pillows, while pillows with latex filler or memory foam require only handwashing. Machine washing can lead to the appearance of lumps, making pillows unsuitable for future use.

2. Prepare the pillow.

Remove any protectors or pillowcases. Then take off any lint or pellets by hand or with the help of a special machine.

3. Set the washing mode.

Choose a delicate mode for washing depending on the type of fabric the pillow is made of and set the temperature anywhere from 100°F to 120°F. Also, opt for a minimum speed for drying and check again that the instructions don’t prohibit tumble drying the pillow.

4. Add a cleansing agent.

Add the agent that you use on a regular basis, or if you have the opportunity, opt for a mild detergent with antibacterial ingredients. It will help keep the fabric properties intact as well as get rid of any germs on the surface of the pillow.

5. Place the pillow in the washing machine.

If the size of your washing machine allows you to wash 2 pillows at once, do it. In this case, the amount of detergent and the power of the tumble dry setting will get evenly distributed over 2 items.

6. Dry the pillow.

Tumble drying with a minimum amount of rotations doesn’t let the pillow dry completely. When the washing is over, take the pillow out, beat it well, and place it on a flat surface to dry in the sun.

How to keep the pillow clean:

1. Pillows should be washed at least 2 times a year — the optimal number of washes is 4.

2. Change your pillowcases once a week. When you make your bed in the morning, make sure to cover the blanket and the pillows.

3. Wash your face before you go to sleep and try not to lie on the pillows with makeup on.

4. Don’t lie in bed in the clothes that you were wearing outside.

5. If the pillow has lost its shape and its filler has many lumps, replace it. A good way to check whether you need to change the pillow or not is to fold it in half. If it doesn’t immediately unfold itself, you definitely need to get a new pillow.