In addition to regularly cleaning your sheets and comforter, you should also be caring for your pillows, mattress, and mattress topper. Pillows, especially, should be washed at least two to four times a year (say, every four months) to help them last longer.
Down or feather: Most down pillows can be put in the washing machine. But use cool water and a mild detergent, then dry on low heat. (High temperatures can damage the down.) Memory foam or latex: Washer agitation can break up foam, so these pillows will probably need to be hand-washed.
Why wash your pillows. While you sleep, your body sheds thousands of dead skin cells. They in turn attract dust mites, which, although harmless, do produce droppings that contain allergens. Letting these build up can trigger anything from asthma and rhinitis to itchy eyes.
At the very least, pillows should undergo a good wash every six months. To ensure that your pillows are consistently in their best, consider washing them "at least every three months—or four times a year," says Sansoni. As for pillowcases, wash them with your bedding, which should be a weekly cleaning routine.
If your pillow can be washed, it should be washed at least twice a year. If you eat in bed, have pets, or sweat a lot, you should wash pillows quarterly. Special pillows like body pillows or throw pillows should be cleaned every 3 to 6 months.
Sweat. We all sweat at night, and over time sweat can seep through your pillowcase and onto your pillow. Eventually, this will cause your pillow to yellow. Sweat stains are the most common reason for pillow yellowing.
Wash two pillows in a single load to balance the washer. Use only a tablespoon of detergent to prevent over-sudsing and detergent buildup inside the pillow. Use the washer's gentle cycle and the warmest water temperature recommended on the pillow's care tag.
Most experts recommend replacing pillows every 1 to 2 years. Doing so helps to ensure that you're using pillows that are supportive, clean, and free of allergens. It is also important to care for the pillows you use to ensure their longevity. Generally, you'll be able to tell when it's time to replace your pillows.
If you're wondering how to whiten yellow-stained pillows, it's pretty simple. All you need is dishwasher detergent, laundry detergent, bleach and borax, plus a little hot water to make them look as good as new!
Although most pillows have a tag giving laundering instructions, few people bother to wash them. We think they're shielded from the day-to-day grit and grime of life, thanks to the pillowcase. Or else, that washing them may ruin them.
Is it okay to change your bed sheets once a month? While your specific sheet changing habits might vary a little bit depending on your lifestyle, your body, and your preferences, most experts agree you should change your sheets every week or every two weeks.
Can old pillows make you sick? Old pillows can expose you to filthy bacteria, such as dust mites, mold, and mildew. Long-term mold exposure can cause health issues and may cause you to experience itchy eyes, difficulty breathing, and a runny nose.
Be certain to dry your pillow(s) very thoroughly so they don't mold or mildew. It will take about 2-3 hours (or longer) to completely dry a standard size pillow at low heat.
Place pillows in dryer with several dryer balls (you can also use a tennis ball or two). Set heat on a medium to low setting. Time dry for at least one hour. Allow pillow to cool, then check to see if the inside is dry.
Yes, you can damage pillows by washing them in the machine, which is why you should always check the care label first. Be sure, too, not to wash memory foam pillows in a machine at all.
If your pillow has a strong odor, spray a 50/50 vinegar and water mix to eliminate the smell. Be sure to spray lightly and let the mix stand for five minutes before blotting the pillow dry with a towel.
Put your pillows in the washing machine.
Don't worry - it is perfectly safe to wash pillows (even down pillows) in the washing machine. Try to wash at least two at once so that the washer is balanced and the pillows don't get thrown around so much.
According to sleep experts, you should sleep with only one pillow under your head, however, preference and sleeping position often take the lead when it comes to considerations for the ideal number of pillows. Read on to learn why we recommend sleeping with a high-quality single pillow.
Homeowners typically find moldy pillows from the pillows they stored in damp closets, but your bedroom, living room, and den pillows can get mold just as easily. Sweat, drool, and other fluids provide mold and mildew spores with ample enough moisture to grow.
Use a toothbrush to gently loosen stain debris on your pillow. Dissolve a scoop of oxygen bleach, such as OxiClean or Molly's Suds Oxygen Whitener, in hot water in your bathtub, laundry tub, mop bucket, or sink. Soak your pillow in the solution overnight. Launder and dry the pillow as usual.
The key to preventing pillows from getting lumpy is washing two pillows at the same time since the two pillows will balance out in the washer. To keep your pillows from getting damaged, place them in the washer vertically and use a mild, liquid detergent.
Over time, bed sheets (especially white ones) might start turning yellow-ish - and that's normal! Bedding may turn yellow for a variety of reasons, such as body fluids, sweat, even the body lotion we use!