Down and Fiberfill PillowsGood news! You can wash these kinds of pillows in your washer. For best results, we recommend washing two pillows at a time (to help keep the washer balanced) and using a front or top-loading machine without an agitator. If an agitator-style top loader is your only option, place the pillows in the tub vertically, so it's less likely they'll get wrapped around and damaged by the agitator.If your pillow has a care label, definitely read that and follow the directions. If not or you've clipped off the tag, use warm water and opt for the gentle cycle. It's also a good idea to add on an extra cold-water rinse and spin. Tumble dry the pillows on low heat, fluffing and turning them often. In the Good Housekeeping Research Institute Home Appliances and Textiles Labs, we toss in a few rubber dryer balls, like Nellie's, to help plump the filling and keep it from clumping as it dries.Foam PillowsUnfortunately, you can't put foam pillows in the washing machine, but if there's a removable cover, you can wash that according to the care instructions on the tag.
To remove dust from a foam pillow, vacuum both sides with your vacuum's upholstery tool. If possible, dial down the suction level to make the job a bit easier to do. Or, tumble the pillow in the dryer on the no heat or air-only cycle for 20 minutes. Spot-clean any soiled areas with a cloth dipped in a mild sudsy solution. Rinse with a damp cloth. Allow the pillow to air dry completely before putting it back on the bed.Some foam pillows include instructions for hand washing. If you choose to follow them, be very gentle. Wet foam is heavy and tears easily. To help pillows stay cleaner longer, use liners under your pillowcases and wash them monthly.When to Replace ThemNo matter how diligent you are about cleaning your pillows, you will need to buy new ones eventually. How do you know when it's time to toss? If you fold the pillow in half, and it doesn't spring back into shape, plan for a shopping trip.TELL US: When was the last time you washed your pillows?More Cleaning Tips:• 9 Household Items You Probably Need to Replace
• 7 Clothing Care Myths You Should Stop Believing • 9 Cleaning Tips That Could Actually Ruin Your Stuff Every Mom Will Relate to This Woman's Hilariously Honest Cleaning Guide Meet the New Mr. Clean A New Study Warns of Laundry Packet Eye Burn Risks for Kids 12 Cleaning Mistakes That Are Ruining the Taste of Your Food WARNING: Your Baby's Sophie the Giraffe Toy Might Be Full of Mold The 10 Grossest Things Your Kid Touched Today Cleaning Products You Should NEVER Mix The Best Cleaning and Organizing Tricks We Learned This Year How to Get Rid of Every Holiday Stain This Mom Found a Way to Keep Her Living Room Spotless Until ThanksgivingLet's assume that, unless you’re in your first year of college, you're in the habit of washing your sheets regularly. (Sorry, but if memory serves, the "fresh" in "freshman" has nothing to do with crisp bedding.) And if you watched our how-to on cleaning a mattress, we trust that you've added that worthy task to the rotation of household chores sure to improve your life.
In the equation of healthful sleep hygiene, that just leaves the pillow. Most of us—even perfectly responsible adults—don’t give this essential sleep accessory the TLC it deserves. Here's a three-step program from the experts at Consumer Reports that will keep your pillow fresh, clean, and ready for a good night's sleep. Step 1: Air It Out 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, either warm or chilly. If that's not an option, run them through the dryer on a no-heat cycle. Step 2: Wash It Gently Pillows should be washed occasionally to remove dirt, dust, and dead skin, and to leave them smelling fresh. Do it too often and they'll lose their shape. It should be fine to put them on the same twice-a-year schedule we recommend for mattress cleaning. Most foam-filled or synthetic pillows can be machine-washed, though it's always wise to check the care instructions on the label.
We suggest selecting your washer’s gentle cycle and running the load with lukewarm water and a top-rated laundry detergent. 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. The agitator on conventional top loaders can be tough on pillows, so it's best to agitate on the gentle cycle only for a few minutes (or the shortest possible setting, if you can't control the specific time). Alternatively, make a special trip to the laundromat to use its front-loaders. Down- and feather-filled pillows should be hand-washed only. Fill a basin with warm water and add as much detergent as you would for a small load in the washer. Submerge the pillow completely and knead gently. Drain the basin and press on the pillow to expel the water before rolling it in a dry towel. Then put the pillow in your washer and run the slowest possible spin cycle to gently extract water before drying.
Step 3: Dry It Thoroughly In our laundry labs we weigh items before and after running them through the clothes dryer to see whether they've retained any moisture. You're not going to go to those lengths, but it's important to make sure the pillow is dried all the way through, or mildew could develop. Skip the auto-dry setting, because the sensors will detect only surface moisture, leaving you with a pillow that's still damp on the inside. Instead, time dry the pillow for a good hour on moderate heat. Adding a couple of dry towels will speed things up. Toss in two fresh tennis balls, as well, and they'll keep the filling from clumping as they bounce around the drum. If the weather is mild, you can also hang pillows on the clothesline until they're dried all the way through. Either way, you need to really feel around inside the pillow to check for moisture. If none remains, it's time to make the bed. We recommend using pillow covers to protect pillows from substances such as sweat, body oils, and face cream.
Launder both the pillow cover and the pillowcase regularly, say, once a week, along with your sheets. In the market for a new pillow? Take a look at our pillow buying guide, as well as our take on the heavily hyped My Pillow. More DIY Projects to Try How to Clean a Mattress How to Fold a Fitted Sheet How to Get Rid of Funky Refrigerator Smells How to Do Laundry Without Ruining Your Clothes How to Clean a Smoothtop Range or Cooktop How to Clean a Dishwasher How to Maintain Your Air Conditioner How to Care for Your Kitchen Knives How to Clean a Microwave Oven How to Organize a Refrigerator for Maximum Freshness How to Paint a Room and Get It Right the First Time How to Stay Safe on a Ladder How to Cut Grass in Hot Weather and Keep It Green How to Iron a Dress Shirt How to Clean Your Washing Machine How to Clean a Deck With a Pressure Washer How to Replace a Gas Grill Burner How to Load a Dishwasher