Sleep Clean: How to Wash a Pillow (Washer & Hand) Without Ruining It

We spend about a third of our lives sleeping, with our heads resting on our pillows. Although we change the pillowcase regularly, the pillow itself accumulates a surprising amount of sweat, body oils, dead skin cells, saliva, dust, and yes, also dust mites and their allergens. Washing sheets is a common habit, but when was the last time you thought about washing the pillow? Keeping it clean is crucial for good hygiene, preventing allergies, and ensuring comfortable rest.

However, the idea of putting a pillow in the washing machine can raise doubts: will it deform? Will the filling clump? Can any type of pillow be washed? In this comprehensive guide, we'll explain step-by-step how to safely wash different types of pillows (fiber, down, and what to do with memory foam!) either in the washer or by hand, and how to dry them correctly so they end up hygienic, fresh, and fluffy.

Why Should You Wash Your Pillows Regularly?

You might not see it, but your pillow is a small ecosystem. With daily use, it accumulates:

• Sweat and Body Oils: Which stain and generate odors.
• Dead Skin Cells: Dust mites' favorite food.
• Dust Mites and their Allergens: Millions of these microorganisms can live in a single pillow, causing allergies and respiratory problems in sensitive people. Learn more about how to eliminate mites.
• Saliva and Fluids: Especially if we drool while sleeping.
• Dust and Environmental Dirt.
• Bacteria and Fungi: Which can proliferate in a warm, humid environment.

Washing your pillows periodically (recommended every 3-6 months) helps eliminate all this buildup, maintaining a more hygienic and healthy sleeping environment, and extending the pillow's lifespan.

Not All Are Suitable! Which Pillow Types Can Be Machine Washed?

This is the most important point before starting. Not all pillows are suitable for the washing machine. The type of filling determines the cleaning method:

• Synthetic Fill Pillows (Polyester Fiber): These are the most common and generally YES, can be machine washed. They are quite durable.
• Down or Feather Pillows: Also usually machine washable, but require a very delicate cycle, specific detergent, and very careful drying to prevent clumping. Check our guide on how to wash down.
• Latex Pillows: Generally cannot be machine washed. Water and agitation can break the latex structure. Require surface cleaning or very gentle hand washing (if manufacturer allows).
• Memory Foam Pillows: Absolutely NO to the washer or soaking! The memory foam structure gets saturated with water, takes forever to dry (if it ever dries completely), loses its properties, and can disintegrate. Only surface cleaning is allowed.
• Buckwheat or Millet Hull Pillows: Also not washable. Empty the filling and wash only the cover.

The Ultimate Golden Rule: READ THE CARE LABEL ON YOUR PILLOW! It will clearly tell you if it's machine washable, hand wash only, or requires dry/surface cleaning. Interpreting wash labels is fundamental.

Preparing for the Wash (Suitable Pillows)

1. Remove Covers and Protectors: Take off the outer pillowcase and any waterproof protector. Wash these separately according to their own labels.
2. Check Condition: Ensure the pillow has no tears or loose seams where filling could escape during washing. Repair if necessary.
3. Treat Yellow or Specific Stains: If the pillow has yellow sweat stains or other marks, you can pretreat them. A paste of baking soda and water, or a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution (only on white covers and test first!), gently applied with a brush before washing can help. Learn more about removing yellow stains.

How to Wash Pillows (Fiber/Down) in the Washing Machine

If your pillow is suitable, follow these steps for a safe wash:

• Balance the Load: Wash TWO Pillows at Once! This is very important to balance the drum during the wash and especially the spin cycle. Washing a single pillow can unbalance the machine, causing violent vibrations or preventing it from spinning properly. If you only have one, add a couple of white towels to balance the weight.
• Placement: Place pillows vertically in the drum if it's a top-loader, or simply distribute them if it's a front-loader.
• Program: DELICATE. Select the gentlest cycle: "Delicate," "Hand Wash," "Wool."
• Temperature: COLD or WARM (Max 40°C/104°F). Check the label. Warm water helps eliminate mites better, but if in doubt, cold water is safer to prevent any risk of damage to the filling.
• Detergent: LIQUID and MILD (Small Amount). Use only a small amount of neutral liquid detergent. Too much soap is difficult to rinse out of the filling and can leave residue.
• NO Softener!: Mats the fibers and filling.
• Double Rinse: Essential to remove all detergent from the inside. Program an extra rinse cycle.
• Spin Cycle: LOW or MEDIUM. Use a gentle spin speed (max 600-800 RPM) to remove excess water without excessively deforming the pillow.
• Tennis Balls (For Down/Feathers): If washing down pillows, adding 2-3 clean tennis balls (in socks) helps prevent clumping during the wash and spin cycles.

If washing a very large pillow, ensure your washer has enough capacity. If not, using a large machine at a self-service laundromat is ideal. Check our guide on washing large bedding.

How to Hand Wash Pillows (Fiber/Down)

If you prefer or the label indicates:

1. Fill a bathtub or large basin with cold or lukewarm water and a little mild liquid detergent.
2. Submerge the pillow completely and gently press it several times to let the soapy water penetrate.
3. Let it soak for about 15-30 minutes.
4. Gently massage dirtier areas. Do not rub aggressively.
5. Drain the soapy water and rinse by gently pressing under cold running water or changing the basin water several times until it runs clear.
6. Gently press out as much water as possible, without twisting. You can use the rolled towel method.

Cleaning Non-Washable Pillows (Memory Foam/Latex)

As mentioned, these pillows cannot be submerged or machine washed. Their cleaning is superficial:

1. Regular Vacuuming: Use your vacuum's upholstery brush attachment to remove dust and mites from the surface each time you change the sheets.
2. Spot Cleaning Stains:
   • Mix cold water with a drop of very mild detergent.
   • LIGHTLY dampen a clean cloth with the solution (don't soak it!).
   • Very gently rub the stain.
   • Wipe with another clean cloth barely dampened with just water to "rinse."
   • Blot the area dry with a clean, dry cloth.
3. Odor Removal: Sprinkle baking soda over the entire pillow surface (without cover). Let it sit for several hours (even all day). Then, thoroughly vacuum up the baking soda.
4. Frequent Airing: Remove it from the case and let it air out in a cool, dry place (no direct sun) for a few hours regularly.

Correct Drying: Key for Fluffy Pillows!

Incomplete drying is the biggest enemy of washed pillows, leading to mold and clumping.

• Option 1: Dryer (Ideal for Fiber and Down):
  • This is the fastest and most effective way to dry and restore fluffiness.
  • LOW Heat Setting: Always use the lowest heat cycle or "air fluff."
  • Tennis/Dryer Balls MANDATORY!: Put 2-3 clean tennis balls (in socks) or wool dryer balls in with the pillows. They are ESSENTIAL to beat the pillow and break up filling clumps as it dries, restoring volume.
  • Long Cycle and Checks: It can take quite a while (1-3 hours or more). Stop the dryer every 30-45 minutes, take the pillows out, fluff the filling manually, and put them back in a different position.
  • Final Check: Make sure they are 100% dry inside before putting on the cover.
• Option 2: Air Drying (For All Types, Mandatory for Foam/Latex):
  • Lay the pillow horizontally on a flat drying rack in a warm, dry, well-ventilated spot.
  • Avoid direct sunlight.
  • Flip and manually fluff the filling frequently (every few hours) throughout the drying process (which can take 1-2 days or more).
  • Ensure the core is completely dry.

Frequently Asked Questions about Washing Pillows

Washing your pillows regularly is a healthy habit that contributes to better sleep and a more hygienic environment. By knowing the type of filling and following the appropriate steps for washing and, especially, drying, you can keep them clean, fresh, and comfortable for a long time.