How To Wash Pillows Properly

We all know we should be washing our bedsheets every week, but what about our pillows? I don't know about you, but I can't remember the last time I wash mine properly. Let's revisit why you should wash your pillows and how!

Proper pillow maintenance is essential for ensuring hygiene and extending the lifespan of your pillows. A collection of dust mites, dirt, and oils from the body can build up over time, causing triggered allergies, itchy eyes and so much more. According to research completed in 2018, they can lead to as much as respiratory irritation or allergic reactions.

Let's review how often we should be washing our pillows and exactly how this should be done.

How Often to Wash Pillows:

• Pillowcases: Wash pillowcases along with your bedding every week. For those using multiple products in their hair, or on their face, it is suggested to consider washing your pillowcases twice a week.

• Pillows: Clean pillows every three months or at least four times a year. At the very least, wash them every six months.

Pillows, thankfully, have more lenience in their frequency of being washed. Consider if there are some you use more than orders, that may require more frequent washing. Brian Sansoni, senior vice president of communications, outreach, and membership at the American Cleaning Institute recommends “at least every three months or four times a year,”.

How to Properly Wash Pillows for Ultimate Freshness

Whether your pillows are brimming with cotton, feather, down, or fiberfill, this comprehensive guide is your passport to pristine slumber. Ready to delve into the realm of pillow perfection? Let's begin:

Materials Needed:

• Gentle laundry detergent

• White vinegar

1. Target blood or saliva stains with enzyme-packed detergents for optimal stain removal.

2. Most pillows, whether cotton, feather, down, or fiberfill, thrive in a washing machine. Opt for the gentle cycle with warm water. Always consult the label for any specific instructions. Note: Some rare types might require dry-cleaning, as advised by Sansoni.

3. When possible, use a front- or top-loading machine without an agitator for the wash. If your machine has an agitator, vertically insert pillows to prevent damage, according to Sansoni's counsel.

4. Introduce a gentle, clear detergent into the mix. Let it meld with the warm water, setting the stage for a thorough cleanse.

5. Once the wash cycle concludes, transition to the rinse cycle. Extract excess moisture by utilizing the spin dry feature twice, ensuring pillows emerge refreshed.

6. Take the stage of low-heat drying. Guard against clumping by inviting clean tennis balls or wool dryer balls to the drying party.

7. Pro Tip for Ongoing Freshness: To maintain that just-cleaned feeling between deep cleans, introduce pillows to a gentle, warm water cycle with half a cup of white vinegar—an instant revival.

Caring for Foam Pillows: A Delicate Approach

Foam pillows deserve special attention to maintain their integrity. Follow these steps to ensure their longevity:

Materials:

• Vacuum

• Gentle laundry detergent

• Stain remover

Method:

1. Begin by using a vacuum attachment to gently remove dirt and dust from the foam pillow. This ensures a clean starting point.

2. Address any stubborn stains with a mixture of water and gentle laundry detergent. For tougher stains, a mild stain remover can be employed.

Remember, foam pillows should avoid washing machines due to potential damage to their padding. Additionally, the wise addition of a pillow protector helps safeguard their quality and shields them from sweat and dust. This approach, endorsed by Katie Elks, design director at Brooklinen, ensures that your foam pillows continue to provide the comfort you love.

Caring for Down Pillows

Indulge in the upkeep of your cherished down pillows with precision and care. Here's how:

Materials:

• Washing machine

• Delicate laundry detergent

• Stain remover (if needed)

Method:

1. Begin by inspecting the fabric care label on your down pillows. While they can typically be machine-washed, ensure you follow any specific guidelines.

2. Opt for a delicate wash setting with cool water. To maintain balance during the spin cycle, launder two pillows together—a tip shared by Sansoni.

3. If you encounter stains, treat them with the same stain removal technique mentioned earlier.

4. Resist the urge to dry clean down pillows. This can actually accelerate the breakdown of the down clusters, shortening the pillow's lifespan, as cautioned by Elks.

Your down pillows are delicate treasures deserving of gentle care. By following these steps, you're ensuring their continued plushness and comfort.

How to Dry Pillows

Drying your freshly cleaned pillows is a crucial step to ensure their optimal condition and comfort. You have a couple of options when it comes to drying. The first is to allow your pillows to air-dry naturally, which is a gentle approach that ensures thorough drying over time. Alternatively, you can consider using a dryer, but be cautious with foam pillows as they can be sensitive to heat and pose a fire risk. If you opt for the dryer, follow the expert advice of running your pillows through several cycles to ensure complete drying.

Throughout the drying process, take the time to periodically remove the pillows and gently fluff and rearrange their contents to prevent clumping and promote even drying. Introducing tennis or dryer balls can further enhance the drying process by preventing clumping and ensuring consistent fluffiness. By choosing the appropriate drying method and following these careful steps, your pillows will be ready to offer you renewed comfort and coziness.

When to Replace Your Pillows

Over time, pillows begin an accumulation of bacteria, hair, and dead skin cells. Hence, their lifespan requires prudent consideration. According to Cohoon, due to their potential to harbour bacteria and daily usage, pillows should ideally be replaced every year and a half to two years at most. This guideline is echoed by the National Sleep Foundation, though it's worth noting that some varieties of pillows may defy this timeframe and endure for longer periods. The wisdom lies in recognizing when it's time to bid adieu to your faithful pillows and embrace new ones for an enhanced sleep experience.