Foam pillows should never go into the washing machine. The agitation is too harsh and will likely break up the padding.Foam pillows should also always be paired with a pillow protector, which help preserve their quality and protect them from sweat and dust, says Katie Elks, design director at Brooklinen.
If the pillow is filled with feathers, down, or polyester fiberfill, yes, you can use a washing machine and tumble dryer. However, if the pillow is a memory foam or solid latex foam form, no. Foam pillows can only be washed by hand.
Use a gentle setting
Throw the pillow in the wash, add a mild detergent, and opt for a cool, gentle, or delicate wash and spin cycle. Toss in some same-colored towels, too, for extra padding. Or, if your machine is big enough, wash two pillows at a time.
'A 5kg washing machine drum isn't likely to fit two pillows in, but a 8kg or 12kg drum can carry much much larger drums which will be spacious enough to fit two pillows within it,' he says.
Machine wash in warm water using a front loading washer on the delicate cycle. Use mild detergent. Hang dry in a ventilated area until most of the way dry. Fluff the pillows in a dryer with no heat, using a few dryer balls to reshape the pillows.
Fill a bucket, bathtub or sink with a mixture of lukewarm water and a tablespoon of detergent; the water should be deep enough to completely submerge the pillow. While submerged, gently massage the pillow to circulate the solution through it.
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.
Hand-Washing Your Body Pillow
Hand-washing is a great cleaning option if your type of body pillow is made of fine material or is too large for your washing machine. If your pillow is made of latex or memory foam or doesn't have cleaning instructions on the label, it's best to hand-wash the pillow.
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 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. This is dependent on how, where, and how often they are used.
Read the label to determine if the pillow is machine washable. Always check to see if your pillow can be washed in the machine before you toss it in. Locate the care label on a short side of the pillow. The label should say if it can be machine washed and or if it needs to be dry cleaned or hand washed instead.
Most down and synthetic pillows can be machine-washed and dried on low heat. Note that water needs to be 140°F or higher to kill dust mites, so make sure your water heater isn't set too low. Also, consider an extra spin cycle to squeeze out as much dampness as possible.
Time dry for at least one hour. Allow pillow to cool, then check to see if the inside is dry. If the pillow feels at all damp, return it to the dryer for another hour. I found synthetic fiber pillows took 60 minutes, while down took several hours.
How to Wash Pillows. It's best to use a front-loading washer, since pillows tend to float and stay dry in certain spots when washed in a top-loading machine.
Lumpy pillows can also be a result of sweat and oils getting into your pillows, causing the filling to clump together. Finally, fabric conditioner can leave a residue that sticks the stuffing materials together, so avoid using it when washing your pillows.
Keeping your pillow dry is essential for preventing lumps. This is because a pillow will quickly become misshapen if the filling gets damp and then dries out in a different shape. Clean up any spills immediately and place the pillow in a dryer or outside in the sun ASAP.
Run It Through the Wash
"Those little guys may be noisy, but they fluff up anything!" says Homer. Set the heat to low instead of high to avoid clumping.
Pro tip: "To 'recharge' your pillows and freshen them up in between deep cleanings, you can also run the pillows through the washing machine on a gentle, warm water cycle with 1/2 cup of white vinegar," says Cohoon.
Step 2: Put up to two pillows (for balance purposes) in the washing machine and wash in a mixture of detergent, vinegar, washing soda and dishwasher detergent. The added ingredients help whiten pillows.
Pillows start to turn yellow due to a variety of factors, most of which involve the accumulation of moisture. Sweat, drool, wet hair, and even skincare products can contribute to yellow stains on a pillow.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) recommends that you replace your pillow every two years or sooner. This is because pillows can get pretty gross. Pillows can contain allergens like dust mites, pet dander, and even mold once they reach the end of their lifespan.