The Ultimate Guide to Washing Pillows for a Luxurious Night's Sleep

Don’t you love the feeling of laying your head on a freshly cleaned and fluffy pillow? It’s like sleeping on a cloud! But over time, our pillows can become stained and filled with dust mites and body oils, making them less than inviting. It’s important to know how to wash pillows properly to ensure a restful night’s sleep. Whether you have feather, polyester, memory foam, or any other type of pillow, we’ve got you covered with easy-to-follow steps to get them looking and feeling like new.

Table of Contents

Why Washing Pillows Is Essential

Our pillows collect all sorts of things like dead skin cells, body oils, and hair products that attract dust mites. Washing them regularly can help eliminate allergens and keep them fresh and clean. Most pillows should be cleaned at least once or twice a year to maintain their shape and support.

How to Wash Pillows in the Washing Machine

If you have feather down or polyester fiberfill pillows, you’re in luck! These types of pillows can be easily machine-washed. Here’s how:

Pretreat visible stains: Before tossing your pillows into the washing machine, treat any visible stains with a stain remover.
Select the washer cycles: Use a gentle cycle with warm water and a mild detergent to wash your pillows.
Load the washer correctly: Make sure to balance the load by adding a couple of towels to the washing machine.
Add an extra rinse cycle: This will help ensure all the soap is rinsed out of your pillows.
Fluff and dry the pillows: Toss them in the dryer with a couple of dryer balls or tennis balls to help fluff them up.

Pro tip: Use a front-loading washer or a top-load washer without a center agitator for best results.

How to Hand-Wash Pillows the Right Way

If you prefer to hand-wash your pillows, follow these steps:

Pretreat visible stains: Just like with machine-washing, treat any stains prior to washing.
Mix a washing solution: Create a mixture of mild detergent and warm water in a bathtub or sink.
Agitate the pillows in soapy water: Gently squeeze and knead the pillows to ensure they are thoroughly cleaned.
Rinse well: Make sure to rinse out all the soap from the pillows.
Absorb excess moisture: Use towels to press out excess water from the pillows before allowing them to air dry.

Pro tip: Hand-washing allows you to control the amount of agitation and works well for all types of pillows.

How to Remove Odors From Pillows

To freshen up your pillows and remove any lingering odors, try these tips:

Spritz with fabric refresher: Give your pillows a light mist of fabric refresher to help eliminate odors.
Use baking soda: Sprinkle one side of the pillow generously with baking soda and let it sit for at least an hour before vacuuming it away.
Repeat on the other side: Flip the pillow over and repeat the process to ensure all odors are absorbed and removed.

Baking soda not only absorbs odors but also helps to remove dust mites and pet hair.

Extra Cleaning Tip:

Pillows can also turn yellow from body soil and sweat. To help remove these stains, try mixing a paste of baking soda and lemon juice or baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Let it sit on the stains for a while before wiping them away.

Washing Other Types of Pillows

Each type of pillow may require slightly different care. Here are some special tips for washing various types of pillows:

Feather and down pillows: Use a gentle detergent and make sure to fluff them in the dryer with some dryer balls.
Wool pillows: Hand-wash with a wool-safe detergent and allow them to air dry completely.
Throw pillows: Check the care label for specific instructions on washing these decorative pillows.

How to Keep Pillows Clean Longer

To extend the life of your pillows and keep them cleaner for longer, consider these tips:

Use pillow protectors: Invest in pillow protectors to create an extra barrier between your pillow and pillowcase.
Change pillowcases regularly: Wash your pillowcases weekly to prevent oils and dirt from transferring to your pillows.
Vacuum your pillows: Use your vacuum’s upholstery attachment to remove dust and debris from your pillows.

When to Replace Pillows

Even with proper care and cleaning, pillows don’t last forever. If your pillow no longer bounces back after folding it in half or doesn’t fluff up after kneading, it’s time to consider getting a new one.

By following these simple steps and tips, you can ensure your pillows stay clean, fresh, and fluffy for a peaceful night’s sleep. So go ahead, give your pillows some TLC, and enjoy a luxurious night of restful slumber!