How To Clean Your Pillows, According To Cleaning Experts

 

Washing your pillowcases is only half the job — here’s how experts say you should clean your pillows.

 Choosing the right pillow to lay your head on can determine the overall quality of sleep you get each night. Equally as important, is making sure your pillows stay in good shape, even after frequent use. This means knowing how to clean your pillows

without ruining their shape or fill material, and how often to do it.

To find the best way to clean pillows, I spoke with multiple cleaning experts for their guidance and cleaning product recommendations. Below, I walk through their input and recommended methods for cleaning pillows.

What are the different types of pillows?

 It’s important to know what type of pillows you have before washing them because this will determine the best way to clean them, according to Kadi Dulude, owner of the cleaning company Wizard of Homes. Like mattresses, pillows often come in a few common fill types, which I list below.

·         Down: Down refers to down feathers, which come from the soft feathers of geese and ducks, according to Textile Exchange, a non-profit organization that focuses on education of the textile industry. It’s prized for its durability, breathability and softness. Pillows made with down have different types of lofts, which influences their size and thickness, according to the organization

• Down alternative: As the name implies, down alternative pillows are made of a synthetic material meant to resemble the feel and loft of authentic down pillows. Often made of materials like polyester, down alternative pillows are a good choice for people who use pillows with a non-animal based fill material. Down alternative pillows are also typically less expensive than traditional down, according to the Sleep Foundation.
• Memory foam: Created by a NASA-funded research team, memory foam is an open-cell foam material known for its energy-absorbing properties. While extremely comfortable to sleep on, memory foam can hold onto a lot of moisture, according to cleaning experts I’ve previously spoken with. Many pillows and mattresses are memory foam because of these characteristics.
• Latex: Compared to memory foam, latex foam is bouncier and more elastic giving it a fast response time, according to Sleepopolis, a site that provides information about the sleep industry. Latex pillows have a similar texture to memory foam ones and should be treated similarly. “Down or feather pillows usually do well in a gentle cycle with mild detergent, while memory foam or latex pillows shouldn’t go in the washer; instead, they should be spot-cleaned or vacuumed,” according to Jennifer Rodriguez, chief hygiene officer at ProHousekeepers.

How to clean pillows

How to clean down and down alternative pillows

 

1.      To clean down, down alternative or any other material labeled as machine-washable, add them to the washer drum by themselves.

2.      Select a gentle cycle and use cold water with mild detergent, a scoop of OxiClean White Revive, OxiClean Odor Blasters, Borax or washing soda. If possible, allow the pillow mixture to soak for at least 30 minutes to an hour (this is especially important in my experience) before starting the cycle.

3.      Immediately transfer the pillows to the dryer and tumble dry on low heat until completely dry before covering with a pillow cover or case.

How to clean memory foam and latex pillows

 

1.      To clean memory foam or latex pillows that have to be washed by hand, start by removing the pillowcase and/or the pillow cover.

2.      Start by using a handheld vacuum or mattress vacuum, like the Hersven Mattress Cleaner Vacuum, to clean up any solid debris on or hidden within the surface of the pillow.

3.      Use a mild fabric spray, like Resolve Upholstery & Multifabric Spot and Stain Remover or Tide Antibacterial Fabric Spray, to spot-clean stains on and around the pillow and to sanitize it.

4.      Allow damp pillows to air-dry in a ventilated room. You could also open a few windows to help speed up the process. Don’t allow the pillows to get and stay damp for days, as this could lead to mold and mildew growth.