July 16, 2014
How to Wash Pillows
One of the most popular questions I receive is, “how do you wash bed pillows?” If you’ve ever asked this question or wondered if you can wash your bed pillows, this post is for you. Not only can you wash your bed pillows, it’s pretty simple! Two simple steps and a little time and you’ll be sleeping on clean, fresh pillows in no time! If you have feather or synthetic pillows, you can wash them. Foam pillows are the only kind of pillow that you don’t want to launder – feel free to try washing them in the washing machine but do not dry them – they’ll melt and disintegrate.
Wash Your Pillows
Remove the pillowcase and pillow protector (if you don’t use a pillow protector, go and get one). You will want to use the most gentle detergent you have, avoiding harsh detergents. Set your washer on a gentle, warm water cycle as well as its largest capacity. Wash at least two pillows (to balance the machine) and no more than three pillows at a time to guarantee a thorough cleaning. After your washer has completed it’s cycle, run it through the rinse cycle again. This is to make sure that all the detergent is removed from the pillow. I like to run my spin cycle twice as well to remove any excess water and help the pillows dry a little more quickly.
Dry Your Pillows
Once your pillows are washed and the excess water has been wrung out, you can toss them in your dryer. If your pillow is foam, you will want to line dry or hang your pillow to dry as a trip through the dryer would cause the material to melt. For other synthetic materials, dry on a low to medium heat cycle and avoid any high heat. Down and natural materials can’t stand much heat, so set your dryer on Air or Low and allow them to dry thoroughly. If you would like to fluff up your pillows again, put a couple tennis balls in some socks and toss them in to agitate and return the fibers to their natural state. Stop the dryer every 30 minutes or so to rotate the pillows around to make sure that they dry thoroughly and evenly.
With a little extra attention, your favorite pillows can feel like brand new again. So go ahead – wash and dry them and look forward to a good night’s sleep.
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Amber G. Says
I never really thought to line dry them. I may have to wash them and then line dry them. I’ve tried washing pillows before and everything inside would get all clumped up and the pillow never felt the same. But maybe I was doing it wrong.
C short Says
I have never had any luck with this….and this is the way I have always done it.
Becky Says
Post authorThat’s too bad – I can’t believe what a difference it makes in my pillows!
Jessica Says
Becky, what type of pillows do you buy? I have a hard time getting just the right pillow and would like to be able to wash it without it getting all deformed.
Becky Says
Post authorMine are from Costco! xo Becky
Sheila Says
Amber, I have the exact same issue. I think my next question would be whether they are using a front load or top load machine, how do I believe I’ve used both and have yet to have a pillow come out correctly. Very frustrating.
Allison Says
I’ve tried this before, too, and I think the question is — Becky, where did you buy your pillows? Because obviously they are awesome. Maybe I’m settling for the cheap brand and that’s the issue?!
Becky Says
Post authorI have feather/down pillows – Ralph Lauren as well as Target brand synthetic and Costco synthetic pillows – and all have washed up beautifully!
xo, Becky
Jessica Says
This answers my question above, thanks!
Alina Says
What about washing a comforter, what is the process?
Becky Says
Post authorI use the same process and just wash one comforter at a time.
Angela Says
Can this be done with memory foam pillows?
Becky Says
Post authorNo, the foam will disintegrate 🙁
Angela Says
Would you suggest using the same method for memory foam that is used on the mattress?
Patricia D Says
I wash mine in the bathtub. Just sqish it around to agitate, unplun & let drain awhile so most water comes out of foam. Folding it up & pressing gets most water out, line dry. I put an extra curtain rod over the center of my tub for an indoor line.
Susan Says
Before you wash your pillows put five or six stitches through the pillow to stabilize the inside of the pillow. It would be like tying a quilt. Then wash and dry. Unclip the stitches and voila. The pillow is clean and there are no clumps to straighten out. Plump and put on your bed.
Lisa Says
That is a BRILLIANT idea, Susan!
Kul Says
Wo..w Great idea
Linsay Says
Becky, I’m happy that this has worked for you! However the secret to washing feather or down products is to NOT use detergent as it breaks down the natural oils in the feathers and you end up with a clump of mush eventually (kinda like the hair ball in your tub drain). Instead, use a tiny bit of baking soda and about a dime to quarter sized dab of shampoo and equal parts conditioner! I know hey?!?! Who’da thought??? 🙂
Mary Says
What about ISO cool contour pillows?
Becky Says
Post authorI do not think they are washable….
Jami Says
Is this the process for both standard and front loading washers? I have a front loader.
Becky Says
Post authorYes 🙂
Ange Says
Not sure if you covered this and I just suck at reading everything, but what do you recommend for king sized pillows? I feel like I always have the worst luck with king pillows. 🙁
Becky Says
Post authorSame process but you’ll only be able to fit 2 in your washing machine.
Jason Says
How often do you wash your pillows?
Becky Says
Post author3-4 times/year 🙂
Holly Says
What if you don’t have tennis balls? Do you have a suggestion for someone on a tight budget that can’t run out for tennis balls?
Ashley Says
Tennis shoes.
Teresa House Says
Have Calvin Klein foam rubber pillows and they wash and dry like a dream!
Mariah Says
Such a great post! Love this, I will have to try this today when I wash my bedding. Thank you so much for this post!
KAREN ALAI WILSON Says
I washed my pillows in DREFT as well as my mother’s wedding day satin quilt, over 70 years old. I was really worried about laundering, but it was in the attic for a long time and had questionable stains. I was advised to was in vinegar and sun dry on grass, but it just seemed to always rain………I thought it would NEVER get clean, so as winter approached I took the plunge, and the long set stains came out! The quilt suffered no damage being put through washer, but I did place it over a towel padded wooden drying rack after 10 air minutes in the dryer
Mindy Says
I have always washed our pillows- my mom and grandma did this too when I was growing up. Some do get bunched up in the wash, but you can usually unbunch them fairly easily ( and with some patience). My husband thinks I am being “cheap” by washing them, but honestly nothing is wrong that a good washing won’t fix.
Kitty Says
I have washed feather/down pillows and dried them with a pair of clean running shoes bouncing around. It does a good job of fluffing then up. Then on a sunny Summer’s day I would hang then out to finish the drying. I sometimes put them out on mild Winter days to get that lovely Spring fresh smell.
K Says
I have some old pillows with a dark yellow-ish color on part of them (not urine, but still, gross color) and I washed them as suggested and it’s faded a little but still there. Would you recommend adding vinegar or something like that to the wash? Any thoughts? Thanks!
Becky Says
Post authorI would try hot water and oxi-clean as a soak 🙂
Barbara Says
I have had good luck soaking in Biz. It helps if you can squeeze out all of the air before putting the pillow in the (hot) solution. Also, you may need to rotate the pillow every once in a while, especially if there are big air bubbles.
Michelle Says
This worked great today!! Thank you for sharing! How often do you do this to your feather pillows? I was nervous to try but bit the bullet today because they were getting so dingy. I also need to get pillow protectors, do you have a suggestion for that as well?
Becky Says
Post author2-4 times/year and I get the pillow protectors from Target 🙂
Rachel Anderson Says
I followed this exactly and it worked great on my pillows! They weren’t clumpy at all.
Yolanda Says
I have always washed my Down pillows/ wash warm/ double rinse/ low heat dry/ fluff once or twice during drying…
Come out perfect every time…..and I have a couple pillows that are probably 20 years old…still fluffy. Works for regular Feather ones too….I don’t buy synthetic…my husband does & has been through about trn in the last 2 years
Candice Says
Can I wash mulberry silk pillows like this?
b r Says
Post authorI’d follow the directions on the pillows – I’m guessing no?