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Washing pillows in top load washer


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.

How to Wash Pillows for a Clean Night’s Sleep

Pillows play a big part in our daily routine, but they don’t always get the care they need. In addition to regularly washing your pillow cases, pillows themselves should be washed at least twice a year to remove dirt, oil, dust mites and bacteria that build up over time.

Can you wash pillows in the washing machine?


Usually. Most pillows types are machine washable, like synthetic, down and even feather pillows. Some, like memory foam, need to be hand washed, so make sure to check your pillow’s care tag for specific washing instructions.

How to machine wash pillows: synthetic, down and feather

Washing and drying synthetic, down and feather pillows is not much different than washing a load of clothes. Follow these four steps to easily clean pillows with your washing machine.

Step 1: Load two pillows into your washing machine
Remove any pillow cases or coverings and load in pillows two at a time, if possible, to balance the load.

Step 2: Add a small amount of detergent
Too much detergent can cause oversudsing, so only add about a tablespoon. Liquid detergent is best since it’s less likely to leave behind residue.

Step 3: Select a gentle cycle
A gentle cycle will help protect your pillow’s structure. The bulky cycle isn’t necessary and should be reserved for washing other bedding like comforters. Select the warmest water recommended on the care tag to help improve cleaning performance. If available, select an extra rinse option to ensure all the detergent is rinsed off. Learn more about how to choose laundry cycles. 

Step 4: Dry with low or no heat
Transfer pillows to the dryer as soon as possible. If you have them, add dryer balls to the drum to help fluff the pillows. Select a low heat setting for synthetic pillows and a no-heat, air fluff setting for down or feather pillows. If you're not sure which dryer cycle to use, check your pillow's care tag or your dryer's Use and Care Guide for more information. Lastly, make sure pillows are completely dry before removing them to help prevent mildew growth.

Washing pillows by hand: synthetic, down and feather

If you don’t have access to a washer, or just prefer handwashing, you can still enjoy fresh, clean pillows with only a little extra effort.

Step 1: Fill a bucket, bathtub or sink with warm water
Make sure water is deep enough to submerge the full pillow. Add a tablespoon of laundry detergent and stir in until it’s completely dissolved.

Step 2: Soak and gently massage the pillow in soapy water
Remove any pillow coverings and submerge the pillow in the water. Press and squeeze the pillow for a few minutes, or until you’re sure the soapy water has circulated multiple times through every inch of the pillow.

Step 3: Rinse and repeat
Hold the pillow out of the soapy water and rinse with fresh water, squeezing it out as you go. The pillow may need several rinses. You’ll know when to stop when the water being squeezed out is clear and no longer soapy or sudsy.

Step 4: Towel then air dry
Lay your pillow out on a towel. Use a second towel to press any excess water out of the pillow. Machine dry it according to the care tag instructions, or air dry it by hanging it in the sun, if possible, to help prevent mildew growth.

How to wash memory foam pillows

To keep the foam from breaking apart, memory foam pillows should never be washed in a washing machine. However, they do have hypoallergenic properties that make them less susceptible to mildew, allergens, and dust mites—so you may not need to clean them as often or as deeply. Choose one of these cleaning methods based on how dirty your pillow is.

Quick freshening up
Remove the pillow cover. Sprinkle each side of the pillow with a generous amount of baking soda, let sit for 1 hour, and vacuum clean. This method will help neutralize odors while sucking up dust mites and dirt.

Light cleaning
Remove the pillow cover. Spot clean stains and spills with this solution: two cups of lukewarm water and a teaspoon of laundry detergent. Use a clean white cloth to work the solution into the stain, from the outside in. Dip another cloth in clean water and blot the stain until the soapy water is gone. Hang in the sun to air dry, if possible.

Deep cleaning
Remove the pillow cover. Fill a bucket, bathtub or sink with lukewarm water and mix in a tablespoon of laundry detergent. Submerge the pillow then remove it, gently squeezing out the soapy water (do not wring). Repeat this a few times then rinse the pillow with fresh water until the water coming out of the pillow runs clear. Hang in the sun to air dry, if possible.

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How to wash down pillows in a washing machine

Today, housewives charge an automatic machine to wash literally everything: linen, hats, toys, shoes. Are washers really so omnipotent that you can entrust them with the care of anything? We will figure out whether it is allowed to wash down pillows in the washing machine. How to clean such products so as not to disturb their shape and properties.

Let's prepare the pillow filling

In fact, it's easy to do the right cleaning at home. nine0007 If the down pillow is small and will fit into the drum, you can wash it in the machine in its entirety by pulling on an additional pillowcase. In the case when the product is too large, you will have to cut the material, get the filler and “scroll” it in two or three passes.

So, first you need to cut the pillowcase and place the down-feather in a dry basin. Next, you need to take fabric bags, ordinary pillowcases will do. Put the filler in them and sew up the homemade pillowcases well. Be sure to check the tightness of the seam, it must be strong so that the bag does not tear and the fluff does not fill the drum of the washing machine, otherwise this will lead to sad consequences. nine0003

The less stuffing in the homemade bag, the better the down will be cleaned.

Next, each of the “new” pillows is washed, it is better to throw 2-3 bags into the machine at once. It is recommended to put special balls or tennis balls into the drum, which in the process will “beat” the filler. No need to tamp the fluff - the looser it is before cleaning, the better.

Washing process

The down pillow can be washed in an automatic washing machine. To avoid an incident, it is important to follow the recommendations for caring for feather products. These are the following rules:

By following the recommendations, you will ensure the correct washing. It is better to load more than one product into the drum, but 2-3 small pads or homemade bags. This will help evenly distribute the load on the fluff, which means it will prevent clumping of the filler.

Dehumidifying the pillow

Proper washing is half the battle, it is equally important to properly dry the filler. The down pillow will take about two days to dry if the weather is good. This process also has its own nuances. It is important to follow these guidelines:

If the down does not dry out within two days, it may begin to rot.

Therefore, if the weather has turned bad and there is no place to dry the filler, it is better to wash the pillow again after two days. After drying, you need to transfer the fluff to a clean pillowcase and flash it with a double line.

What will we wash with?

It is very important to choose a quality detergent to ensure proper washing. As already mentioned, it is better to give preference to dry washing powders. Gels can stick the filler together, which is highly undesirable. nine0003

The basic requirements for detergent are standard. The powder must be completely soluble in cold water, rinse well from the fibers of the fabric, and not contain aggressive components. When washing down pillows at home, you can use any good product.

  1. BioMio BIO-WHITE organic powder with cotton extract. It is hypoallergenic, biodegradable and easily removes dirt. Suitable for washing baby clothes, bedding, clothes for people with sensitive skin. Contains no phosphates. The granules dissolve quickly even in cool water and are completely rinsed out of the material. nine0024
  2. Burti Hygiene Plus Disinfectant Powder. Helps eliminate up to 99% of harmful microorganisms and prevent their spread in the material, which is especially important when washing bedding. Can also be used for machine cleaning. Hypoallergenic, does not irritate sensitive skin. Gives to linen light, unostentatious, fresh aroma.
  3. Japanese washing powder Lion Top Phosphorus-free. Ideal for cleaning both synthetic and natural materials. The high efficiency of the product is achieved due to plant components and enzymes in the composition. Thanks to a special formula, it works productively in cold water. nine0024
  4. The new generation Nordland Laundry powder ECO is also hypoallergenic. Does not contain phosphates, dyes and shock absorbers. Suitable for cleaning all types of fabrics, can be used to wash feather pillows. It is perfectly rinsed out of the material, dissolves quickly and completely. The manufacturer recommends using the product at water temperatures above 30°C.

Wash sleepwear preferably with hypoallergenic, eco-friendly detergents. You can opt for one of the powders described above, or pick up the right one in the nearest store. The main thing is to make sure that there are no unsafe, critical components in the composition. nine0003

How to wash pillows in the washing machine: feather (down), etc.

Pillows require the most thorough and delicate care of a large number of household items. The fact is that skin particles, dust, and sweat accumulating inside the pillow create a favorable environment for the life of microbes and mites, which can cause allergic reactions in humans. That is why you need to clean them regularly, in this article we will share our experience and tell you how to wash pillows in an automatic machine. nine0003

Washing process for synthetic pillows

Synthetic pillows are the easiest to wash because they do not lose their shape. Among synthetic fillers, the most common are holofiber and synthetic winterizer, there are also pillows filled with polyester, fiberlon and polyester balls.

Before placing the pillow in the drum of the washing machine, it is necessary to check the ability of the filling to undergo such treatment. It is enough to put a heavy object on the pillow for a few minutes, and then remove it. And if the pillow has acquired its original shape, then feel free to wash it in the machine. nine0003

You can wash padding pillows using one of the following washing modes:

All these modes are gentle on the fabric, because during washing, the rotation speed of the drum is reduced. As for the water temperature, it should not exceed 40 0 C. When choosing a detergent for washing, preference should not be given to powders, but to gels. This is because the soap solution is well absorbed into the filler, and rinsing the product becomes problematic. Gel-like powder rinses out easier than powder particles. nine0003

Please note! To effectively wash out the detergent, you need to install an additional rinse.

Pillows with synthetic fillers can be wrung out at high speeds, but not more than 1000 rpm. But this does not apply to anti-stress pillows, the filler of which is polyester balls. It is better not to wring out such pillows or wring out at low speeds.

Features of washing down and feathers

Most often, people are interested in the question, is it possible to wash a pillow filled with down or feathers in a machine? Washing such pillows is not easy, because the filler will have to be divided into several parts. Pillows with synthetic filler are placed in the car as a whole. But feather and down pillows will first have to be carefully torn along one of the seams, then the fluff or feather should be divided into two or three pillowcases and sewn tightly. Instead of a pillowcase, you can use a special cover for washing. nine0003

Important! The less fluff in one case, the better it stretches and rinses.

Now let's move on to washing:

  1. Put the covers with filler in the drum. Two covers are placed in a drum of standard sizes, which will create a uniform load and prevent unbalance of the drum. In machines with a large drum, you can immediately wash 3-4 covers with down or feather.
  2. Together with the pillows, put a couple of tennis balls into the drum, which will not allow the fluff to stray into a ball. nine0024
  3. Pour gel detergent into the powder compartment. You can use loose powder-automatic, but half as much as for washing ordinary things.
    Laundry softener is not recommended, because its aggressive and persistent smell can cause dizziness.
  4. Select the wash mode "Fluff" ("Duvet") or the "Delicate wash" mode. The water temperature should be 30 0 C.
  5. Installing an extra rinse. nine0024
  6. We set the lowest speed for spinning so that the downy filler does not stray into a lump.
  7. We start the process.

Feather pillows should be washed in this way at least once a year, optimally 2-3 times a year. This will prevent the growth of germs and dust mites.

Other materials

In addition to the above pillow fillings, there are pillows filled with:

Pillows filled with buckwheat hulls cannot be washed at all. Caring for such pillows is that the filler is poured out, dried or calcined. And the cover is washed in a delicate mode in the machine or by hand. Orthopedic pillows should not be washed in the machine at all, as this can lead to loss of shape, as well as its health-improving functions. These pillows need to be cleaned by hand. nine0003

Bamboo pillows are washed in the same way as synthetic filling pillows. The water temperature during washing should not exceed 30 0 C. Bamboo is a natural material that perfectly retains its shape and does not lose its amazing properties after repeated washings.

Please note! Bamboo pillows are hypoallergenic, suitable even for asthmatics.

When washing lambswool or camel wool pillows, use special liquid detergents for woollens containing lanolin. This substance protects wool fibers from contamination, making them elastic. Machine wash for these pillows is allowed in the "Wool" or "Hand wash" modes. Rinsing should also be repeated, and spinning at low speeds. nine0003

Drying Rules

It is very important not just to wash your pillows. But also dry them after washing. Improper drying can lead to musty odors and bacterial growth in humid and warm environments.

Synthetic and bamboo pillows should be dried in a well-ventilated area, laying them flat. Do not dry the products too much, in order to avoid the appearance of an unpleasant odor.

Washed feather and down covers should be dried quickly. This is best done on a sunny and hot day. This is necessary so that the filler does not start to rot. After washing, it is recommended to lay down pillows on towels or a terry sheet so that excess moisture is absorbed faster. Then, as the pillow dries, you need to beat and level the fluff. When the filler dries out (this process can take a couple of days), it is transferred to a clean bedclothes and sewn up tightly. nine0003

Wool filler pillows can be dried naturally on the balcony. Lay out the product on a horizontal surface. Or you can use the tumble dryer or the dryer function of the washing machine. At the same time, the drying mode should be gentle, the temperature should not exceed 30 0 C.

Alternative cleaning methods

If you are against washing pillows in the machine, you will have to wash and clean the pillows by hand. This should be done in a large container, for example, in a bathroom. The basic washing principles are the same:

Feather pillows are hand-washed without covers, which means the feathers will have to be washed. First, they are soaked in soapy water for 2 hours. Then they change the soap solution and wash the feathers, stirring them in the bathroom. After washing, use a colander to rinse all the feathers and lay them out on a towel to dry.

To refresh a pillow, in some cases it is not necessary to wash it at all.

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