Is Washing Pillows That Important?

Your pillow is home to dead skin cells, sweat, bacteria, dust mites, mold, and mildew. And that crisp, clean pillowcase is your only defense against these unwanted bedfellows. If you wake up sneezing or get up in the mornings with a sniffle, it could be allergies or a cold. But if you haven’t cleaned your pillows lately, it could be those germs and allergens to blame.

You’re not alone if you don’t know how to wash pillows. You can wash some bed pillows in the washing machine, and they should be on your house cleaning checklist. How often should you wash pillows? To minimize the buildup of germs and make your pillow last longer, washing them twice yearly is a good rule of thumb.

If you’re not washing pillows as part of your routine, all that icky stuff can cause the pillow’s fill material to break down. Unless you enjoy sleeping on a lumpy, dirty, and uncomfortable pillow, it’s time to give them some TLC. When you wash your bed pillows correctly, you can keep them clean and the fill in good condition.

Pro Tip: You should also clean and disinfect your mattress for the same reasons you should wash pillows.

How to Clean Pillows in a Washer

Most pillows with synthetic fill can be machine-washed and dried, but some are “dry clean only.” Read the manufacturer’s instructions on the care label before proceeding. Cleaning pillows in a front- or top-loading machine without an agitator is the preferred method for cleaning your pillows. If you use a top-loading machine with an agitator, place the pillows vertically and run a short cycle on the gentle setting.

• Wash two pillows together to balance the load and allow better circulation of the water and detergent.
• Set the water temperature selector to hot to kill dust mites, bacteria, and mold.
• Add a tablespoon of liquid detergent, and run the pillows through the wash cycle.
• Put the pillows through the rinse cycle twice to remove dirt and detergent residue.
• Run the pillows through an extra spin cycle to remove as much moisture as possible.
• Dry your pillows according to the instructions on the manufacturer’s care label.

If it’s safe to dry your pillows in a dryer, place them inside with a few tennis or dryer balls. This will give them extra fluff and help the fill material spread evenly. Make sure your pillow is completely dry before using it, or you could invite mildew, dust mites, and bacteria to return.