Keeping your Pillows Clean

It’s not just your mattress that should be kept clean, since you use your pillow every night, you want to make sure that it’s clean and germ-free and this is not just the pillowcase itself but the whole pillow. While regularly cleaning your sheets and comforter, you should also be cleaning your pillows, mattress, mattress protector and mattress topper. Pillows should be washed at least two to four times a year, every four months or so, this will also extend the life of your pillow. Not all pillows are the same, make sure you clean them according the care instruction label.

While most pillows are machine washable, some can only be dry-cleaned or spot treated. Make sure you read up on the pillows you purchase, the last thing you want is to be stuck with a pillow you can’t clean. The care instruction label should give you enough information on the cleaning process but should you require further guidance you can follow these guides put together by the director of, The Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab.

Down and Fiberfill Pillows, most down and fiberfill pillows are machine washable, so you can just throw them into the washing machine for a thorough wash. Wash two pillows at a time to keep the balance, ensuring an all-around clean. Should you have a washing machine with an agitator (the large spindle in the middle of some machines) place the pillows vertically to avoid damage to your pillows by the agitator.

Select the gentle cycle and use warm water, use a small amount of detergent. You can do a cold water rinse and spin cycle. Drying your pillows can be done in the tumble dryer, make sure it is a low heat, stop the dryer often to fluff and turn the pillows, you can also break up any lumps by hand this way.

Solid Foam Pillows, memory foam and latex pillows can’t be put in the washing machine. Foam pillows might be resistant to dust mite it’s still important to clean them regularly as well. Always follow the cleaning instruction label.

The pillow covers and pillow cases can be machine washed on a high or low heat at a normal cycle. Add any detergent suitable for machine washing. Now cleaning your pillows, vacuum both sides of your pillow, this will get rid of any dirt or dust, you can also tumble dry these pillows on a No-heat or air only cycle for around 20 minutes.

Spot cleaning your foam pillows, dip a clean cloth in a mild soapy water solution and wash the stains and dirt, lightly rinse with a damp cloth. Never wet your pillow, foam pillows can tear easily when wet so go easy with your soapy water solution. Make sure you air dry the pillows completely before putting it back on your bed.

Replacing your pillows, no matter how often you clean your pillows there comes a time when you do need to replace them. When you fold your pillow in half and it doesn’t spring back into shape or it has a bad odour you know it’s time to get a new one. To extend the life of your new pillow, invest in a pillow protector, make sure you wash the covers regularly and clean your pillows at least every 4 – 6 months.