Washing your pillows removes sweat, oils, dust mites, and odors that build up over time. This covers checking the care label, machine washing most pillows safely, and drying them fully so they stay fluffy and free of clumps.
What you'll need
- A washing machine
- Mild laundry detergent
- A dryer
- Dryer balls or two clean tennis balls
Step by step
- Check the care labelRead the tag first. Most cotton, down, and synthetic pillows are machine washable, but memory foam and latex usually are not and only get spot-cleaned.
- Wash two at a timePut two pillows in the machine to balance the load, and use a small amount of mild detergent on a gentle, warm cycle.
- Run an extra rinseAdd a second rinse cycle so no detergent stays trapped inside the filling, which can leave residue and odor.
- Dry on low with agitationTumble dry on low heat with a couple of dryer balls or clean tennis balls, which break up clumps and keep the filling fluffy.
- Confirm they are fully dryPause and fluff the pillows partway through, and make sure the center is completely dry before use to prevent mildew.
Handy tips
- Use pillow protectors under your cases so pillows stay cleaner between washes.
- Wash pillows about every four to six months, and replace them when they stay lumpy or no longer spring back.
- For memory foam, vacuum it, spot-clean stains, and air it out instead of machine washing.
Heads up
- Do not machine wash memory foam or latex pillows. The agitation can tear the foam apart, and trapped moisture leads to mildew.
FAQ
Can I wash memory foam pillows?
No. Memory foam should be spot-cleaned with a mild soap solution, vacuumed, and aired out. Machine washing can break down the foam.
How do I know if a pillow is worth washing or replacing?
Fold it in half; if it does not spring back or stays flat and lumpy, it has lost support and is better replaced than washed.
Why did my pillows come out clumpy?
The filling was not dried enough or lacked agitation. Re-dry on low with dryer balls, fluffing periodically until the center is completely dry.