Here’s How to Know When It’s Time to Wash Your Pillows

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 additionally micro organism, mud mites, grime and oil out of your pores and skin and hair. That’s quite a lot of irritants to be placing your head and face on each night time, particularly since they will set off allergic reactions in these with delicate pores and skin. That’s why it’s so essential to know tips on how to wash pillows the proper manner.

When washing your pillows, you need to all the time examine the care label. While most pillow types are mechanically cleanable, some are dry-clean solely, have front-load washer limitations or do finest with spot-only remedies. But, don’t fret! No matter what sort of pillows you favor snuggling up with at night time — down, fiberfill, strong foam — observe these skilled washing suggestions from Carolyn Forté, Executive Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab. Below, you’ll discover a step-by-step information on tips on how to correctly wash pillows, together with tips on how to know when it’s time to switch them for good.

How Often Should You Wash Pillows?

Pillows ought to be washed each one to 2 weeks. But not all kinds of pillows ought to be handled in the identical manner. To assist lengthen your pillow’s life, use liners underneath your pillowcases and wash your pillowcases each two weeks, as effectively.

How to Wash Down and Fiberfill Pillows within the Washer

You’re in luck: Most down and fiberfill pillows are machine-friendly, which suggests you possibly can simply toss them within the washer for a refresh. Be certain to clean two pillows at a time to maintain the washer balanced, guaranteeing an all-around clear. While any washer will do, front- or top-loading machines with out an agitator (a.okay.a. the massive spindle in the midst of some machines) are your finest guess. If an agitator-style prime loader is your solely choice, place the pillows within the tub vertically to reduce the prospect of them getting broken by the agitator.

It goes with out saying that you need to all the time learn your pillow’s care label and observe the instructions accordingly. If you clipped off the tag or can’t discover the directions, use this step-by-step as your information:

Select the light cycle and use heat water. Then, add an additional chilly water rinse.
Add a small quantity of detergent, comparable to Good Housekeeping Seal star Tide.
Tumble the pillows dry on low warmth, fluffing and turning them typically. To assist hold pillows plump, toss in just a few dryer balls from Nellie’s. Stop the dryer just a few instances all through the cycle to fluff them and break up lumps by hand.

How to Wash Solid Foam Pillows

While foam pillows are proof against mud mites, it’s nonetheless essential to scrub them regularly. Unfortunately, you possibly can’t put your strong latex or reminiscence foam pillows straight within the washer. However, some shredded foam pillows could also be mechanically cleanable. If so, 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 under.

Remove pillow covers or pillowcases and wash in response to the care tag. If you narrow off the care tag, stick the pillowcases and covers within the washer, choose the traditional or informal cycle, and wash in heat or scorching water. Add detergent, comparable to Good Housekeeping Seal star Tide.
To do away with mud or grime on the pillow, vacuum either side, or tumble within the dryer on the no-heat or air-only cycle for 20 minutes.
Spot clear any dirty areas with a material dipped in a light sudsy cleaning soap answer. Lightly rinse with a humid material. FYI, moist foam tears simply, so be light with the water and cleaning soap answer.
Allow the pillow to air dry fully earlier than placing it again on the mattress or sofa.

What You Need to Safely Wash Pillows

Grove Co. Wool Dryer Balls

Aller-Ease Pillow Protector,

Now 16% Off

Amazon Basics Microfiber Cleaning Cloth

When to Replace a Pillow

No matter how diligent you’re about cleansing your pillows, you’ll want to purchase new ones ultimately. The foolproof option to know when to toss ’em: “If you fold the pillow in half, and it doesn’t spring again into form, plan for a purchasing journey,” Forté explains. If your pillows have a humorous odor even after you give them a great wash, it’s additionally a good suggestion to switch them.

Shop the Best Pillows, According to Experts

Best Overall Pillow

Coop Home Goods Premium Adjustable Loft Pillow

Best Cooling Pillow

SlumberCloud ExtremelyCool Pillow

Best Value Pillow

Amazon Basics Down Alternative Pillows

Best Foam Pillow

Tuft & Needle Premium Pillow

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 residence 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 possibly can catch her writing about fashionable reveals like Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart and extra. 

Assistant Editor

Mariah Thomas (she/her) is an assistant editor for Good Housekeeping, the place she covers residence and life-style content material. Mariah has greater than 4 years of editorial expertise, having written for TLC, Apartment Therapy, Women’s Health and Avocado Magazine. She acquired her grasp’s diploma in journalism on the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and revealed her first e-book, Heart and Soul: Poems of Thoughts and Emotions, in 2019. She’s additionally the founding father of RTF Community a platform for creatives of shade to attach, study and showcase their work.