How to Wash Pillows: Step-by-Step Guide

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Pillows collect more than you might think. Over a single year, a regularly used pillow accumulates dead skin cells, sweat, body oils, dust mites, and their waste products. A study published in the Allergy journal found that a standard synthetic pillow can harbour over a million dust mites after two years of use. Most people never wash their pillows, or do it so rarely that it makes little difference.

The good news is that washing pillows is straightforward once you know the rules for each fill type. This guide covers everything — how often to wash, which pillows can go in the machine, and how to dry them without ruining the fill.

When to Wash Your Pillows

Pillow protectors (the zippered inner covers) should be washed monthly. They're your first line of defence and keep the pillow itself cleaner for longer.

The pillow itself needs a full wash at least every three to six months. If you sweat a lot, have allergies, or don't use a pillow protector, wash more often. Here's a quick way to know it's time:

• The pillow has yellow or grey staining that doesn't come from a protector
• There's a stale or musty smell even after airing out
• You wake up with a stuffy nose or itchy eyes more often than usual
• The pillow has been through any illness (flu, cold, respiratory infection)

How to Wash Each Pillow Type

Down and Feather Pillows

Down and feather pillows are machine washable and handle laundering well when done correctly.

1. Check the care label first. Most down pillows allow machine washing, but some specify dry clean only.
2. Place two pillows in the drum together. Washing one at a time throws the machine off balance and the uneven agitation can damage the pillow.
3. Use a small amount of mild, liquid detergent — about half what you'd use for a regular load. Powder detergent can leave residue in the down clusters.
4. Select a gentle or delicate cycle with cold or lukewarm water.
5. Run an extra rinse cycle. Down holds detergent and needs thorough rinsing to avoid matting.
6. Spin on low. High-speed spinning can damage the ticking (the pillow cover).

Synthetic / Polyester Fill Pillows

Synthetic pillows are the easiest to wash. They're tolerant of more heat and agitation than down or foam.

1. Machine wash two pillows together on a gentle cycle.
2. Use warm or cold water with a mild detergent.
3. An extra rinse cycle helps clear all the detergent from the dense synthetic fill.
4. Tumble dry on medium heat with two or three dryer balls. Check and fluff every 20 to 30 minutes.

Memory Foam Pillows (Shredded or Solid)

Solid memory foam pillows cannot go in the washing machine. The agitation breaks down the foam structure and can permanently damage the pillow in a single wash. Shredded memory foam pillows may have machine-washable covers, but the fill itself should be handled differently.

For solid memory foam:

1. Remove the cover and wash it separately according to its care label.
2. Spot clean the foam with a damp cloth and a small amount of mild detergent.
3. Rinse by lightly blotting with a clean damp cloth. Do not saturate the foam.
4. Allow the pillow to air dry completely in a well-ventilated area before putting the cover back on. This can take 24 hours. Never put a damp foam pillow back in its cover.

For shredded memory foam:

1. Check whether the manufacturer says the fill is machine washable.
2. If yes, use a gentle cycle, cold water, and low spin.
3. Air dry the fill completely. This takes longer than you'd expect — at least 24 hours spread out on a clean surface.

Latex Pillows

Latex pillows — both solid and shredded — should not go in the washing machine. Machine agitation tears the latex and the heat from dryers degrades the material quickly.

1. Remove and wash the cover separately.
2. For the latex itself, prepare a basin of cool water with a few drops of mild dish soap or gentle laundry detergent.
3. Submerge the pillow gently and squeeze the soapy water through it a few times. Do not wring or twist.
4. Rinse thoroughly with cool clean water, again gently squeezing (never wringing).
5. Press between two clean towels to remove as much water as possible.
6. Air dry flat in a shaded, ventilated area. Avoid direct sunlight, which degrades latex. Drying time can be 24 to 48 hours.

Buckwheat Hull Pillows

Buckwheat hulls cannot be washed. Getting them wet causes them to mould. However, the fill can be refreshed and the cover washed separately.

1. Unzip the pillow and pour the hulls into a clean, dry container or bowl.
2. Spread the hulls on a clean surface in direct sunlight for a few hours to air them out and kill dust mites naturally.
3. Wash the cotton cover according to its care label.
4. Once both are completely dry, refill the cover.
5. Hulls can be replaced over time as they break down — sold separately by weight at some specialty bedding retailers.

Down Alternative / Microfibre Pillows

These follow the same rules as synthetic polyester fill pillows. Machine wash on gentle with cold or warm water, and tumble dry on low with dryer balls. They're generally the most forgiving fill type to launder.

Drying Pillows Properly

Drying is where most people go wrong. An underdried pillow develops mildew inside the fill — and you often won't notice until there's a persistent musty smell that won't come out.

A simple test: once you think the pillow is dry, press firmly on the thickest part. If it feels cool to the touch, there's likely moisture inside. Continue drying. A dry pillow will feel warm (if from the dryer) and spring back without any cold spots.

Spot Cleaning and Odour Removal

For stains between full washes, spot cleaning works well on most pillow types. Mix a small amount of dish soap or enzyme-based stain remover with cold water. Apply to the stain with a clean cloth, gently working from the outside of the stain inward. Blot, don't rub. Rinse by blotting with a clean damp cloth, then allow to air dry completely before covering.

For odour removal without a full wash:

• Sprinkle baking soda over the exposed pillow surface and leave for 30 to 60 minutes, then brush or shake off.
• Air the pillow outside on a dry, non-freezing day. A few hours of fresh air removes mild odours effectively.
• For foam or latex pillows, a lightly diluted white vinegar spray (50/50 with water) can neutralise odours. Allow to air dry fully before use.

When to Replace a Pillow

Washing extends pillow life but doesn't last indefinitely. The Canadian Chiropractic Association recommends replacing pillows every 1 to 2 years for most fill types. Here's a practical test:

• The fold test: Fold the pillow in half. Release it. If it stays folded rather than springing back, the fill has broken down and the pillow is no longer providing proper support.
• The lump test: Run your hands over the pillow. If you feel distinct hard lumps or hollow areas, the fill distribution has failed.
• The smell test: If the pillow smells musty even after washing and drying, the fill may have mildew that won't come out. Replace it.
• The yellow test: Light yellowing from sweat is normal and washes out. Deep yellow or brown staining that persists after washing typically means the pillow has absorbed more than surface contamination.

Related Reading

• Pillow Fill Types Compared: Down, Latex, Memory Foam, Buckwheat
• Children's Pillow Guide: Right Size and Fill for Kids
• Backrest Pillow and Reading Pillow: Buying Guide
• Bamboo vs Cotton vs Viscose Bedding: Which Is Better?
• Shop Mattresses in Brantford

Sources

• Colloff, M.J. (1992). Dust mites: Biology, ecology and control. Allergy, 47(Suppl 14), 1–96. (Dust mite prevalence in household textiles)
• Canadian Asthma and Allergy Foundation. (2023). Reducing Allergen Exposure at Home. aaf.ca.
• Tovey, E., et al. (2015). Washing at 60°C and its effects on allergen levels in bedding. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 136(3), 619–625.
• Canadian Chiropractic Association. (2022). Pillow Selection and Sleep Posture Guide. chiropractic.ca.
• American Cleaning Institute. (2024). Laundry Care Symbols Guide. cleaninginstitute.org.