Can you machine wash a pillow
How to Wash Pillows | Martha Stewart
They're an essential element of a comfortable bed, so keep yours fresh and in their best shape ever with these expert-approved tips.
When it comes to bedding, you're probably meticulous about cleaning your sheets and comforter, but can the same be said for your pillows? Because pillows can house a mix of bugs, dead skin, and dust mites and their droppings, it's important to make sure they receive just as much attention as anything else on your bed. To ensure your pillows are fresh and clean, we asked Brian Sansoni, senior vice president of communications, outreach, and membership at the American Cleaning Institute, for his best tips on cleaning and caring for this essential element of the bed.
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How to Wash Pillows
Most pillows, including those filled with cotton, feather, down, and fiberfill, can be cleaned in a washing machine using warm water on the gentle cycle, explains Sansoni, but it's always a good idea to read the label for cleaning instructions first. "Your pillow may be one of the rare kinds that need dry-cleaning," he says. Foam pillows are one common type that shouldn't go into the washing machine because the agitation is too harsh and likely to break up the padding. Despite this, foam pillows can be cleaned at home using another method. "You can wash the removable cover (if there is one) according to the cleaning instructions on the label," says Sansoni. To clean the foam, use a vacuum attachment to remove any dirt or dust that's in the pillow.
How Often Should You Wash Pillows?
While you'll want to wash the rest of your bedding regularly, pillows have a bit more of a grace period. At the very least, pillows should undergo a good wash every six months. To ensure that your pillows are consistently in their best, consider washing them "at least every three months—or four times a year," says Sansoni. As for pillowcases, wash them with your bedding, which should be a weekly cleaning routine.
While washing your pillows regularly is important, it's also good to know when to replace them. Sansoni suggests changing your pillows every one to two years. This timeframe is further backed by the National Sleep Foundation, although it's important to note that certain types of pillows can last even longer.
Does the Type of Washing Machine Matter?
A front- or top-loading machine without an agitator—which is the spindle in the center of the washing machine—is preferred for cleaning pillows. However, that doesn't mean you can't use a top-loading machine with an agitator to clean pillows; Sansoni simply recommends placing the pillows in vertically so they're less likely to get damaged and agitating only one or two minutes on the gentle cycle. "After rinsing, use the spin dry feature of your washer at least twice to get as much moisture out of the pillows as possible," he adds.
How to Spot-Treat Pillows
As with washing, there's a difference in how you should approach spot-treating your pillows based on type. For foam pillow, Sansoni recommends spot cleaning any soiled areas with a cloth dipped in a mild soap solution. For other pillow types, if the pillow has stains from substances such as blood or saliva, you may want to pre-treat the stains to help get them out. Digestants (enzyme-containing detergents) should do the trick.
How to Dry Pillows
It's perfectly fine to allow your pillows to air-dry. You can also give them some time in the dryer depending on what the cleaning instructions on the label say. (Foam pillows, for example, pose the risk of catching fire when coming into contact with heat.) In the case that you can use your dryer, Sansoni recommends running for several cycles to ensure the pillow's dry all the way through. "When drying, remove pillows and fluff them periodically to prevent clumping and promote even drying," says Sansoni. "Tossing a few tennis or dryer balls in the dryer with the pillows will also help prevent clumping."
Caring for Down Pillows
While your down pillows may seem like they need expert care, they can actually be washed at home. Of course, you'd want to check the fabric care label, but washing on a delicate setting in cool water is often sufficient for cleaning. "Launder two of them at the same time in order to help keep your washing machine balanced during the spin cycle," says Sansoni.
Can you wash pillows in the washing machine?
(Image credit: Future)
Can you wash pillows in the washing machine – really, without damaging them? The fact is that pillows do need washing regularly to stay fresh – just as your bedlinen and comforter does.
Great laundry room ideas will create a space fit for dealing with bulky items such as pillows, but whether pillows can be washed in a washing machine can really only be answered: 'it depends'.
Luckily, we have all the answers about whether you can wash pillows, in a machine or not, and this is our complete guide.
Can you wash pillows in the washing machine?
The laundry symbols on each pillow’s tag will let you know about individual care but what’s equally important to know is that washing a pillow should be a regular job, and it’s one you can undertake when you clean a bedroom thoroughly.
'Pillows should be washed every few months – or at least three times a year,' advises Homes & Gardens' editor in chief, Lucy Searle. 'However, not all pillows can be washed in a washing machine.'
We at Homes & Gardens are big fans of owning and caring for the best pillow possible so below we have all the cleaning tips you need on washing pillows in a washing machine.
Which pillows can be washed in the washing machine?
Whether you’ve been asking can you wash a feather pillow or can you wash memory foam pillows, or you’ve been wondering about another type, take a look at the tag first.
'The best advice is to check each pillow's care instructions before you put it in the washer,' continues Lucy Searle. 'However, it's safe to assume that most fiberfill, cotton, feather or down pillows can be washed in a washing machine, though I would advise a warm wash on a gentle cycle, and half the usual detergent, since too much can make feather and down clump. '
Which pillows can't be washed in the washing machine?
Again, check your pillow's label for care instructions, but if you can't see any clear cleaning tips on it, following the rule that latex or memory foam pillows can't be washed in the washing machine. Instead, these will need to be spot-cleaned with a clean cloth dipped in a weak soapy solution – or dry-cleaned. You can also vacuum these pillows to help remove dust, though their materials are generally dust mite resistant.
Why wash pillows?
Why wash pillows? Quite simply, for the same reason you need to wash bed sheets and other bedding: not doing so is unhygienic. Like other items, pillows come into contact with your skin, meaning they are prone to absorbing sweat and dead skin, the latter of which tends to attract dust mites, with many of us allergic to their droppings. If your pillow smells a little dank, that aroma signifies the presence of bacteria. All these should be good enough reasons to wash pillows regularly.
Can you damage pillows by washing them in the machine?
Yes, you can damage pillows by washing them in the machine, which is why you should always check the care label first. Be sure, too, not to wash memory foam pillows in a machine at all.
Most damage that can occur to a pillow in a washing machine with an agitator (the central spindle particularly prevalent in top-load washers. However, you can minimize the risk with this type of washing machine by placing your two pillows into the drum vertically, and now allowing the spin cycle to go on for too long.
How to cut down on washing pillows
Pillow protectors are an excellent buy – they help flaccid pillows be a little firmer, help pillows hold their shape and can be removed along with pillowcases to be washed every week. Some come with dust mite resistance, which will help protect the pillow beneath.
When is it time to replace pillows?
Though washing pillows – in a washing machine or by hand – can help extend their life, there comes a time when they will need replacing. There is no fixed time for this, though Tobin James, VP of TEMPUR® says 'Despite regular cleaning, bacteria will build up regardless so it’s important to replace your pillow every three years. Not only will this mean you get to enjoy a clean and fresh pillow, but you’ll likely find it much more comfortable as well.'
If you are not sure whether your pillow needs replacing or not, you can try the fold test: simply fold your pillow in half; if it bounces back flat, it's likely still in good shape; if it stays folded, it needs replacing. Plus if it's irreparably bumpy and lumpy, it can't be giving you good support.
The experts and scooms advise replacing pillows more often: 'Replace your pillows every one to two years for peak support, and your duvet every five years to ensure you get the best sleep. The more you love your bedding, the more your bedding will love you.'
'While washing your pillow may solve the allergen (and ick-factor) problem, it doesn’t help your pillow stay supportive,' say the experts at the National Sleep Foundation . 'After nightly use, a pillow will lose its fluff and start to resemble a pancake. While some pillows might last a little longer (for example, down and natural feather pillows are more durable than those with polyester filling), they all will ultimately lose their shape.'
Lucy Searle has written about interiors, property and gardens since 1990, working her way around the interiors departments of women's magazines before switching to interiors-only titles in the mid-nineties. She was Associate Editor on Ideal Home, and Launch Editor of 4Homes magazine, before moving into digital in 2007, launching Channel 4's flagship website, Channel4.com/4homes. In 2018, Lucy took on the role of Global Editor in Chief for Realhomes.com, taking the site from a small magazine add-on to a global success. She was asked to repeat that success at Homes & Gardens, where she has also taken on the editorship of the magazine.
How to wash pillows from different materials?
How to wash pillows from different materials? Sleeping accessories can easily become breeding grounds for bedding.
Pillows require delicate care. Like all bedding, they get dirty. Washing pillows is not as hard work as you think. For a good result, you need to follow the general instructions. Then the bed will always bring a pleasant, healthy sleep.
Proper care of pillows consists of several steps. How to clean, at what temperature to wash the product depends on its internal content.
🔴 How to wash a pillow in a washing machine?
Before first use, it is useful to ventilate the product by whisking occasionally. This removes dust, odor and textile fibers from the cover.
How to machine wash a pillow at home? This question is asked by many housewives.
Care will vary depending on the contents inside. Feather pillows are harder to clean than artificial pillows.
Type of filling required:
- natural;
- synthetic fibre.
Machine wash pillows with organic filling and orthopedic use are contraindicated.
🟠 How to wash a down pillow?
The most common raw materials for down and feather sets are: chicken feather, down.
Need to know: natural filling is not suitable for people with allergies.
There are two ways to wash pillows at home:
- By hand. The process is more gentle, but painstaking;
- Use a washing machine.
Washing down pillows by hand is considered a painstaking job.
How to wash a down garment with plain water by hand:
- In the bathroom, fill a large container with water heated to 30C.
- Add liquid detergent.
- Remove the fluff from the pillowcase and place it in a basin of prepared water.
- Soak for 2-4 hours.
- After the soaking time has elapsed, the water must be carefully drained off. The use of a sieve is recommended.
- Rinse the filler thoroughly under the tap and wring out, transfer to a dry container.
- Prepare new soapy water.
- Place the contents of the pillow into the prepared container.
- Press down with your hands.
- Rinse with clean running water.
- Wring out lightly, dry.
How to wash a down pillow in the machine - automatic:
- You must select the "delicate", "manual" mode.
- Install extra rinse.
- "Spin" no more than 400 revolutions.
- Water temperature not higher than 30-40C.
- Pour the filling out of the pillowcase, divide into several parts.
- Prepare small cloth bags.
- Divide the contents of the pillow into bags and load into the machine.
- Place two fluff balls in the drum.
After washing, the filler bags should be laid out on a pre-prepared absorbent material. Roll up. After that, the filler must be removed, leveled, left to dry on the balcony or near the heating system.
Down pillows can be washed in the washing machine with a special gel detergent for delicates. The use of regular powder is not recommended.
There are special rubber balls to make washing down products easier. They prevent the fluff from sticking into a ball. You can replace such an accessory with balls made of foil. The result will be unchanged.
Tips for washing down:
- The best time to wash down pillows is during the summer or spring season;
- It is recommended to dry near the radiator. Warm air improves quick drying. Periodically fluffing down with hands;
- When cleaning fluff in a tub without a sieve, cover the drain with a safety net. Small particles of fluff can clog the drain.
- Down pillows should be cleaned at least once a year.
🟡 How to wash a feather pillow?
Washing a feather pillow without opening is not a good idea. The tight bedclothes do not pass water very well, the soap solution is not completely rinsed out. During washing, the filler gets lost in a lump, which is difficult to knead. It will take a long time to dry the pillows. As a result, your favorite sleep accessory will acquire a bad smell of mold.
This method is more suitable for the first wash of a new product with a minimum addition of liquid shampoo, gel.
Feather pillows require careful preparation. Don't stuff a big pillow into the drum. The contents of the bedding must be divided into several parts.
Sew a special cover in advance to hold the pillow filling. The width of the cover should correspond to the size of the sleeping accessory, the length is twice as long. Any fabric can be used except gauze.
The feather pillow can be washed in parts. Divide the feather from one pillow into 2-3 equal parts, put them in bags. Thus, the filler will be well cleaned of dust and dirt. In addition, the pen dries much faster after washing.
How do I wash the feathers removed from the pillow by hand? Housewives often ask this question. To do this, you need:
- Open the breastplate;
- Remove filler;
- Pre-soak in warm, soapy water for several hours;
- Rub with hands;
- Rinse thoroughly in clean water using a colander.
Feather pillows can be cleaned at home with steam. To do this, you need a steam generator, an iron with a steam generator:
- The pillow must be hung vertically.
- Steam the surface of the product on both sides.
- Repeat the process several times.
- Hang to dry in a well-ventilated, warm place.
- After drying, beat the filler well with your hands.
Steam cleaning is not a quality wash. She just updates the products.
🟢 How to clean feathers without a feather bed?
This method is perfect when you want to wash the bedclothes better. When washing the bedclothes, it is necessary to separate white fabrics from colored ones.
To clean the pen at home, you need to prepare:
- Liquid detergent;
- Warm water 30C;
- Immerse the pen in small parts in the soap solution. You can add a few grams of ammonia.
- Leave to soak for several hours;
- Rinse well under clean water using a sieve;
- Place the pen on a flat surface, preferably with access to light, heat, cover with gauze, leave to dry for several days.
🔵 How to wash a bamboo pillow?
Bamboo-filled pillows and blankets have recently appeared in our homes. Despite the delicate and thin fibers of bamboo, the products perfectly withstand the load. They have good elasticity and at the same time remain soft. They are light, well pass air, giving away excess moisture and heat.
Bamboo has antibacterial properties, so harmful insects do not get in such sleep items. This type of filler is perfect for baby sleep.
Proper washing of a bamboo pillow will not let you lose all its positive qualities. Before washing a bamboo product, you must familiarize yourself with the tag that is sewn into the seam. It indicates the permissible degree and mode of washing. The addition of conditioners, rinses negatively affects the delicate fiber.
Remove the dust from the product before washing. If you ignore this step, unwanted streaks may appear on the pillowcase after washing.
You can quickly clean the bamboo pillow from dirt using a washing machine or manually.
When setting the washing program in the washing machine, the following must be taken into account:
- Delicate mode;
- Water temperature 30-40C;
- "Extra rinse" recommended;
- Spin function up to 400 rpm.
Hand wash:
- Use only gel detergent;
- Pour warm water into a container;
- Product pre-soak - 1 hour;
- Thorough rinse.
It is recommended to dry the pillow horizontally on a special rack so that all the remaining moisture comes out on its own.
🟣 How to wash polyester pillows?
Wash items with synthetic filler in the machine at 30C with the addition of gel, liquid shampoo. The polyester cushion is heat sensitive. The number of revolutions of the drum is up to 800. An “extra rinse” is required.
If the pillow is deformed after washing, open the seams, remove the contents and fluff well.
⚫️ How to wash padding polyester pillows?
The synthetic winterizer is afraid of very hot water, the allowable temperature is 40C. With great responsibility, you need to take the information indicated on the product labels.
- Wash preferably with liquid detergent. Gel for delicate washing is perfect;
- Set the mode "delicate", "synthetics"
- After washing with padding filler, you need to wring it out with your hands, do not twist;
- Dry flat.
🟤 How to wash holofiber pillows?
Cushion filled with holofiber should be cleaned in compliance with the following rules:
In the washing machine:
- It is advisable to wash the pillow filled with holofiber without a pillowcase.
- Include only "delicate", "hand" washing.
- It is recommended to use laundry balls in the washing machine drum. They will break up the formed lumps inside the pillow.
- Wash with liquid detergent.
- Dry horizontally, constantly turning the product.
Hand wash:
- Pour water into the container. Holofiber withstands 30-40C.
- Soak in soapy water for 20 minutes.
- Press down on the pillow with gentle massaging movements.
- Squeeze out the water lightly.
Bedding is recommended to be aired frequently, periodically left in the open sun. Pillows with any filler must be thoroughly dried so that a pleasant environment for harmful microorganisms is not created. A horizontal position when drying on a clothesline or special dryers will help to dry the product with high quality.
If the product tag says dry clean only, refrain from home washing. Adhering to the general rules for the care of bedding, an excellent result will not be long in coming. A clean bed is a healthy sleep.
Author: Textile Contact
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How to wash pillows in the washing machine: safe washing rules from IVD
Top
03/06/2020
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We tell you how to wash pillows with natural and artificial filling and how often you can do it.
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We use the pillow every day, but few people realize that even a regular change of the pillowcase does not save it from pollution. In addition, pillows can easily become a breeding ground for bedbugs, field mites, fungus and other unpleasant organisms. Therefore, it is very important to monitor the hygiene of your sleep accessory. We tell you whether it is possible to wash the pillow in the washing machine and how best to do it.
All about washing pillows in the washing machine
What you need to know before processing
Accessories with natural fill
Accessories with artificial fill
How often you need to do it
First, determine what material your pillow is made of. This knowledge will allow you not to spoil the accessory, since, for example, natural fillers are more difficult to clean in a typewriter than artificial ones. Also, some types of pillows should not be washed, information about this should be looked for on the accessory tag. Be sure to find it and make sure that washing in the machine is allowed. For example, it is not recommended for cleaning orthopedic models; it is better to use a delicate pen. And if the product is made of latex, then only dry cleaning should be used to clean it. Also, do not dry accessories in the sun - it can harm them.
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In this case, it is better to use liquid powder, since dry is more difficult to wash. Choose a product without bleaching components, they can leave streaks. This is critical for those accessories that are put into the car right in the case. If you still decide to wash with ordinary powder, then it is better to choose a product that does not contain phosphates for this purpose. These toxic ingredients are almost impossible to rinse out of the product and will stay there forever.
Remove dust before washing. This must be done so that additional dark stains do not form on the cover, due to which you will have to rewash everything again.
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Bedroom
Which pillow is better to choose: we understand the types of fillers and parameters
To wash items filled with down or feathers, you will have to remove the contents from the cover and distribute them among several pillowcases prepared in advance. If you put the pillow in a typewriter in a dense pillowcase, you can get further problems in the form of mold and an unpleasant odor, since such a cover does not pass water well. The free edges of the pillowcases with the material placed in them must be secured with threads so that the contents do not come out of them during washing.
If you feel that the material is very dirty, soak it before washing: add a few tablespoons of ammonia to warm soapy water. This ingredient will help get rid of bacteria. Leave for a couple of hours. Then rinse thoroughly and place in the machine. If the filling is not very dirty, you can skip the soaking procedure and immediately start washing.
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Select a temperature setting that does not exceed 30 °C. Natural ingredients can deteriorate in hot water, it is better to use cold. It is better to wash down pillows in a washing machine with a delicate mode, the same applies to feather models. Also, special balls can be added to the drum to break the material to avoid clumping of down or feather.
Do not use detergents with conditioner. They make the pen soft, it is wrinkled and after that it may not straighten out. Then the product will lose its shape.
For spinning, it is better not to use modes with a large number of revolutions, 400-500 is enough. At the end of the wash, remove the pillowcases from the machine, hang them over the bathtub and let the water drain. Remove the down or feather from the covers, lay out and let the material dry completely. After that, carefully pour it into the washed or new pillowcases and carefully sew them up to prevent the material from spreading further around the bedroom.
First you need to decide whether it is worth spending time on washing or is it easier to buy a new pillow. Accessories made of artificial components: synthetic winterizer, foam rubber and other synthetics have a limited service life. After three years, they lose their shape, become flatter, the filler gets lumpy. Therefore, conduct a test: take a small heavy object and put it on the product. If after a while the shape returns to its original form, it makes sense to use the pillow further, if not, it is better to throw it away.
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Products made of artificial materials tolerate washing machine procedures well. However, be sure to check the manufacturer's recommendations, it may be necessary to use a special tool for your product or carefully observe the temperature regime.
Bamboo
It is much easier to wash a bamboo pillow in the washing machine than a feather or down pillow. The material does not need to be pulled out of the case first, it can be loaded into the device immediately in it, after making sure that the seams on the case are strong. If you notice that they have parted somewhere, be sure to sew them up, otherwise the pillow may tear during washing.
Use the delicate wash cycle and any temperature setting. However, it is worth rinsing the product at least twice to avoid further bonding of the fibers. And in no case should the sleep accessory be dried vertically, place it on a horizontal surface away from sunlight and beat periodically to break up lumps.
Sintepon
Items made from this material should be washed at a water temperature not exceeding 40 °C. You can use the maximum spin mode to rinse out the detergent. Add tennis balls to the drum - they will help to avoid lumps. Then leave to dry in an upright position.
Polystyrene
Sofa and armchair accessories are often made from it. Also, this material is often called "antistress". Products with such a filler can be washed in a typewriter. To do this, set the standard mode with a temperature not exceeding 40 ° C. Polystyrene is practically not able to absorb water, so it will dry very quickly.
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It is necessary to carry out the procedure for washing pillows regularly, since with constant use they accumulate a large amount of epithelium and dust, which should be disposed of. However, each material has its own cleaning standards.
- Synthetic items should be cleaned in the machine as little as possible, as it reduces the service life. Therefore, sometimes it is easier to buy a new one than to try to clean up the old model.
- Feather and down accessories should be placed in the washing machine at least twice a year, but the number of washes during this period should not exceed four. Otherwise, the filler can be spoiled.
- Bamboo fibers are quite durable, so if necessary, they can endure a large number of cleansings. For example, more than six in twelve months.
- Polystyrene attracts dust, so it should be processed more often. It is quite capable of surviving cleaning five or more times a year.
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In the article, we talked about how to wash sleep accessories depending on the material and how often you need to do it. It is important to follow not only the listed tips, but also pay attention to the manufacturer's recommendations.