
When cleansing your bedding, together with the sheets, comforter and mattress, don’t overlook your pillows. And we don’t simply imply the pillowcases, both. As time goes on, your pillows accumulate, not solely drool and sweat, but in addition micro organism, mud mites, grime and oil out of your pores and skin and hair. That’s a variety of irritants to be placing your head and face on each evening, particularly since they will set off allergic reactions in these with delicate pores and skin. That’s why it’s so vital to know find out how to wash pillows the appropriate manner.
When washing your pillows, it’s best to all the time test the care label. Whereas most pillow types are machine cleanable, some are dry-clean solely, have front-load washing machine limitations or do finest with spot-only therapies. However, don’t fret! It doesn’t matter what type of pillows you like snuggling up with at evening — down, fiberfill, strong foam — observe these professional washing suggestions from Carolyn Forté, Government Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleansing Lab. Under, you’ll discover a step-by-step information on find out how to correctly wash pillows, together with find out how to know when it’s time to exchange them for good.
How Typically Ought to You Wash Pillows?
Pillows ought to be washed each one to 2 weeks. However not all sorts of pillows ought to be handled in the identical manner. To assist lengthen your pillow’s life, use liners beneath your pillowcases and wash your pillowcases each two weeks, as nicely.
Wash Down and Fiberfill Pillows within the Washer
You’re in luck: Most down and fiberfill pillows are machine-friendly, which suggests you’ll be able to simply toss them in the washing machine for a refresh. Make sure you wash two pillows at a time to maintain the washer balanced, guaranteeing an all-around clear. Whereas any washer will do, front- or top-loading machines with out an agitator (a.ok.a. the big spindle in the course of some machines) are your finest guess. If an agitator-style high loader is your solely possibility, place the pillows within the tub vertically to minimize the prospect of them getting broken by the agitator.
It goes with out saying that it’s best to all the time learn your pillow’s care label and observe the instructions accordingly. In the event you clipped off the tag or can’t discover the directions, use this step-by-step as your information:
- Choose the light cycle and use heat water. Then, add an additional chilly water rinse.
- Add a small quantity of detergent, resembling Good Housekeeping Seal star Tide.
- Tumble the pillows dry on low warmth, fluffing and turning them typically. To assist preserve pillows plump, toss in a number of dryer balls from Nellie’s. Cease the dryer a number of instances all through the cycle to fluff them and break up lumps by hand.
Wash Strong Foam Pillows
Whereas foam pillows are proof against mud mites, it’s nonetheless vital to wash them frequently. Sadly, you’ll be able to’t put your strong latex or memory foam pillows straight within the washer. Nevertheless, some shredded foam pillows could also be machine cleanable. If that’s the case, observe the care label or the instructions above for down and fiberfill pillows. Forté additionally shares her cleansing methodology for those who aren’t machine-washable beneath.
- Take away pillow covers or pillowcases and wash based on the care tag. In the event you minimize off the care tag, stick the pillowcases and covers within the washer, choose the conventional or informal cycle, and wash in heat or scorching water. Add detergent, resembling Good Housekeeping Seal star Tide.
- To do away with mud or grime on the pillow, vacuum each side, or tumble within the dryer on the no-heat or air-only cycle for 20 minutes.
- Spot clear any dirty areas with a fabric dipped in a light sudsy cleaning soap resolution. Evenly rinse with a humid fabric. FYI, moist foam tears simply, so be light with the water and cleaning soap resolution.
- Permit the pillow to air dry utterly earlier than placing it again on the mattress or sofa.
When to Substitute a Pillow
Regardless of how diligent you’re about cleansing your pillows, you’ll want to purchase new ones finally. The foolproof approach to know when to toss ’em: “In the event you fold the pillow in half, and it doesn’t spring again into form, plan for a buying journey,” Forté explains. In case your pillows have a humorous odor even after you give them wash, it’s additionally a good suggestion to exchange them.

Amanda Garrity is a way of life author and editor with over seven years of expertise, together with 5 years on workers at Good Housekeeping, the place she lined all issues house and vacation, together with the newest inside design developments, inspiring DIY concepts and reward guides for any (and each) event. She additionally has a tender spot for feel-good TV, so you’ll be able to catch her writing about common reveals like Virgin River, Candy Magnolias, Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Coronary heart and extra.
Assistant Editor
Mariah Thomas (she/her) is an assistant editor for Good Housekeeping, the place she covers house and life-style content material. Mariah has greater than 4 years of editorial expertise, having written for TLC, Condominium Remedy, Ladies’s Well being and Avocado Journal. She acquired her grasp’s diploma in journalism on the Craig Newmark Graduate College of Journalism and printed her first ebook, Heart and Soul: Poems of Thoughts and Emotions, in 2019. She’s additionally the founding father of RTF Community a platform for creatives of coloration to attach, be taught and showcase their work.