How to Wash Pillows

How often do you wash pillows? If you’re like us, you can’t remember the last time you put them in the washer for a good cleaning. However, pillows do need to be washed at least twice a year to get rid of dust and fungi. The good news is that it’s easy to wash pillows, and they’ll be softer and fluffier than ever when you’re done!

Types of Pillows You Can Wash

Nearly all types of pillows can be washed: poly-filled, feather-filled, down, and synthetic. The only exception is foam pillows. Double-check the pillow’s care label to make sure it can be cleaned. Foam pillows should be hand-washed and then air-dried to keep the foam from falling apart.

Cleaning Pillows

When washing pillows, use mild liquid detergent and not powder. Powder detergent will leave an unwanted residue on your favorite pillow. You’ll only need about a tablespoon of detergent so that the pillows don’t stay soapy even after rinsing.

If cleaning synthetic pillows, roll them lengthwise, putting rubber bands on the ends and middle to keep the fibers from clumping.

Washing pillows two at a time will prevent your washing machine from becoming unbalanced. If you only have one pillow, put towels in the machine to keep it balanced.

Done washing? It’s important to run the pillows through the rinse cycle twice without detergent to make sure they’re fully rinsed and ready to be dried!

Drying Your Pillows

Luckily, pillows can easily be dried in the dryer. Just use the low heat setting or the air dry cycle. Wrap two tennis balls in white socks and throw them in during the cycle to make your pillows extra fluffy. Make sure that the pillows are completely dry when they’re done to avoid any mold.

So when should pillows be replaced? It’s easy to test: just fold the pillow in half. If it stays folded instead of springing back into place, it’s time to get a new pillow. Luckily, we have plenty of comfortable pillows for sale at ginnys.com in case you’re due for a replacement!

By cleaning your pillows at least twice a year and regularly fluffing them every day, most pillows can be used for ten to fifteen years. That’s great news for our wallets, and even better news for those of us who love our favorite pillows!