How to keep your pillows fresh and clean
It's normal to wash your pillowcases regularly, with most people popping them in the washing machine every time they change bedding, but when was the last time you washed your pillows?
Even if you use pillow protectors, you still need to be routinely washing your pillows to maintain good sleep hygiene and keep them in their best condition. But it's not quite as simple as cleaning other items of bedding.
As pillows are made from a range of different fibres – from duck down to memory foam and synthetic materials – each require a slightly different approach. But either way, not washing your pillows can cause dust mites and skin cells to build up, as well as a greater chance of them starting to yellow and stain.
So, here's everything you need to know when it comes to how to wash pillows, as well as how often to do so.
But, before you get started, the most important step is to check your pillow's care label. "Generally, polyester-fill, down, or feather can be washed in a machine, but memory foam or latex cannot be washed," says Mike Roberts, CEO of WaveMAX Laundry.
How to wash pillows in the washing machine
It might be a bit of a tight fit if you plan on washing several pillows at once or even one large king-sized pillow, depending on your washing machine's capacity. In this case, you might want to head to the dry cleaners instead.
This is because, "it's not the water that cleans, it’s the tumbling movement of the items inside the washer," Mike explains. So, "if your pillows are stuffed in your machine, they get wet but not tumbled."
If you are able to wash at home, use the gentle or delicate cycle on your machine and avoid hot water which can break down the fibres in your pillows. Instead, "opt for a cool-to-warm setting, rather than hot, as this will effectively clean the pillow without again comprising that quality we love," says Chloe Barrow, Interior Expert at Laura James.
You don't really want to be using fabric softener on your pillows, as this can remain on them after washing and ultimately attract more oils and dirt. While something like bicarbonate of soda alongside a "really mild detergent, will do the job perfectly of removing yellowing stains," Chloe adds.
How to wash pillows by hand
If you can't find your pillow's care label or would rather wash it by hand, you can certainly do it the old-fashioned way too. After filling a basin or your bathtub with some warm water and a mild detergent, you should submerge the pillow fully for around 20 minutes.
You can also give the pillow a squeeze and massage the filling to ensure that the soap gets a chance to permeate.
How to dry your pillows
Whether you wash them by hand or in the washing machine, ensure you rinse them well to remove any soapy suds or residue. Then it's time to dry them. "Synthetic pillows tend to do better in warmer temperatures, and therefore tend to do okay in a dryer, but make sure to check the care label first to be sure," Chloe suggests.
"It is important that you get your pillow completely dry to prevent the risk of mildew," Cleaning and Laundry Expert, Sarah Dempsey from MyJobQuote.co.uk. "Don't just rely on the auto dry setting on your dryer, as this will only detect surface moisture and won't completely dry the inside of your pillow."
Most pillows can be dried on a moderate heat setting and you might want to "add a couple of dry towels to the machine to help speed up the drying process," Sarah explains. While some clean tennis balls or dryer balls will prevent the pillow's filling from becoming clumped up.
If you are drying feather pillows, you will need to dry these on the non-heated setting. Because of this, drying this type of pillow can take longer as no heat is used.
Chloe recommends air-drying these. She says: "If you can dry either pillow type in direct sunlight, that’s always best as the natural sunlight will help to combat stains and the outside air will also combat any leftover odours."
Other top tips
Use pillow protectors
One of the best ways to keep your pillows looking their best for longer is by covering them with pillow protectors. So, instead of worrying about your pillow naturally getting covered in skin cells, sweat and dust mites, this nifty purchase acts as a barrier between you and your pillows. You can wash these every week when you wash your pillowcases and put on fresh sheets.
Fluff daily
In between washes, fluff up your pillows when you make the bed each day. This helps keep them plumped and redistributes the filling to restore their shape.
Keep extra pillows on hand
Mike also recommends that if you find a pillow that you love, buy a few extra. That way, when your favourite doesn’t support your head and neck like it used to, you can replace it with the same type. Plus, it's always nice to have extra pillows handy for overnight guests.
Know when to say goodbye to your pillow
If your pillow is lumpy and flat, or stained and yellow, it's probably time to part ways with it.
How often should you wash your pillows?
While this is down to personal preference, the experts agree that you should be washing them at least once every six months, as a bare minimum. Doing it as part of your cleaning routine should get you into the habit of cleaning them that bit more often.
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