How can you clean pillows

The washing instructions on foam pillows may state you can hand wash them. Professional dry cleaning may be a better option, but ensure that the pillows are well aired after to get rid of any residual fumes. We recommend using a gentle wash cycle. If you can fit two pillows in the washing machine at the same time this will help to balance the load. Check that the care labels permit tumble drying and place the pillows in the tumble dryer on a low heat.

After tumble drying, allow your pillows to thoroughly dry out by placing them in the airing cupboard for a couple of days. If your pillows cannot be tumble dried, leave them to air-dry in a well-ventilated room, or outside in the sun. Prevention — always cover pillows with pillowcases to prevent stains from happening. You can also just put non-foam pillows and foam pillow covers into the washing machine once the stain remover has soaked in.

Washing the whole pillow could affect your ability to return it or make a warranty claim. To be on the safe side, we and most manufacturers recommend washing the covers only. He recommends doing this no more than once a year. Down alternative pillows are less precious to wash than down, and you can just follow the care label instructions. Sukalac says you always want to protect the oils on the down feathers inside your pillow.

Eventually it will lose its loft and leave you with a flat-as-a-pancake pillow. For an additional rinse, Sukalac suggests running a second, quick wash or rinse cycle without soap. Sukalac says drying your pillows on high heat for a long time is a surefire way to bake the down inside, stripping it of oils and permanently damaging it.

Adding a pillow to your cleaning list should be a breeze by comparison. You might also want to invest in a pillow protector to keep a lot of the gross stuff out and extend the life of your pillow. Just one thing before you clean: When washing pillows, always read the label first. Many pillows—though not all—can be machine washed. Give your pillows a daily fluffing to restore their shape and remove dust.

Then, every month or so, hang them outdoors on a clothesline for a few hours, ideally on a bright, breezy day. The same trick works for getting stains out of a mattress. If your washing machine is large enough, wash two pillows at a time. That will help balance the load, allowing the water and detergent to circulate more effectively. Alternatively, you could make a special trip to the laundromat to use its front-loaders. But use cool water and a mild detergent, then dry on low heat.

As always, you should check the washing instructions on the pillow's tag, or follow Forte's cleaning method outlined here:. No matter how diligent you are about cleaning your pillows, you'll need to buy new ones eventually. The foolproof way to know when to toss 'em: "If you fold the pillow in half, and it doesn't spring back into shape, plan for a shopping trip," Forte explains. If your pillows have a funny odor even after you give them a good wash, it's also a good idea to replace them.

To help lengthen your pillow's life, use liners under your pillowcases and wash pillows every four to six months. Product Reviews. Home Ideas. United States. Type keyword s to search. Today's Top Stories. The Rise of the Cleanfluencer. How to Wash Down and Fiberfill Pillows in the Washer You're in luck: Most down and fiberfill pillows are machine-friendly, which means you can just toss them in the washing machine for a refresh.

If you clipped off the tag or can't find the instructions, use this step-by-step as your guide: Select the gentle cycle and use warm water, then add on an extra cold water rinse and spin cycle. Add a small amount of detergent, such as Good Housekeeping Seal star Tide.