How to Clean Pillows

Shiva asked, “How do you clean a pillow?”

You Will Need:

• Gentle laundry detergent (e.g. Woolite)
• Tennis balls or clean tennis shoe

Steps to Clean Down Pillows:

1. Always check the label on down and feather pillows to make sure they are washable. Down pillows will be marked “dry clean only” if washing will damage them. Some down pillows have coverings that contain natural starches. When you wash pillows with these coverings, the down can begin to come out. So, look at your manufactures washing label carefully.¹
2. Instead of doing a full wash, you can put down pillows in the dryer set at low heat for around 10 minutes to freshen and help remove dust and dander. Another option is to set the pillows outside in the shade to freshen them.¹
3. Wash down pillows in warm water.² Use a gentle laundry detergent.³ Do not use a detergent that contains bleach or enzymes.¹
4. Wash on the medium cycle two at a time. If you don’t have two pillows, wash with a few bath towels thrown in to balance the load.²
5. If your washer is top-loading, make sure the pillows are submerged in the water and totally wet before the cycle begins. Plan to wash the pillows for about eight minutes.²
6. Check the pillows throughout the washing cycle and lift them out of the water, moving them around. They will float after awhile and not get thoroughly clean.²
7. Rinse the pillows no less than two or even three times.²
8. Add a clean tennis shoe or a few tennis balls to the dryer and dry on the lowest setting.  Every few minutes, take the pillows out and shake them. It takes awhile for wet pillows to dry, but don’t be tempted to leave them damp; they can mildew if you do.²

You Will Need:

• Gentle laundry detergent (e.g. Woolite)
• Tennis balls or clean tennis shoe
• A drying rack or clothesline
• A fan

Steps to Clean Feather Pillows:

1. Wash feather pillows in cool water.² Use a gentle detergent.³ Do not use a detergent that contains bleach or enzymes.¹ It is best to wash pillows two at a time to balance your washer.²
2. If your washer is top-loading, make sure the pillows are submerged in the water and totally wet before the cycle begins. Plan to wash the pillows for about eight minutes.²
3. Check the pillows throughout the washing cycle and lift them out of the water, moving them around. They will float after awhile and not get thoroughly clean.²
4. Rinse the pillows no less than two or even three times.²
5. The heat from the dryer can cause the feathers to release oils and give off a smell. Dry in the shade and allow plenty of time for the feathers to completely dry. Shake the pillow several times as it is drying to allow the feathers to rearrange and dry completely.⁴
6. If drying outside isn’t an option, hang the pillows on a rack or line inside. You can place a fan near the pillows and turn them periodically until dry.²
7. You can also put a few tennis balls in the dryer and set it for air dry to fluff up the feathers as the pillow is drying.⁴

You Will Need:

• Gentle laundry detergent (e.g. Woolite)
• Tennis balls or clean tennis shoe
• Drying rack or clothesline
• A fan

Steps to Clean the Pillow:

1. Wash polyester pillows in cold water.² Use a gentle detergent.³
2. Wash on the medium cycle two at a time. If you don’t have two pillows, wash with a few bath towels thrown in to balance the load.²
3. If your washer is top-loading, make sure the pillows are submerged in the water and totally wet before the cycle begins. Plan to wash the pillows for about eight minutes.²
4. Check the pillows throughout the washing cycle and lift them out of the water, moving them around. They will float after awhile and not get thoroughly clean.²
5. Rinse the pillows no less than two or even three times.²
6. Add a few tennis balls or a clean tennis shoe to the dryer and dry on the low setting. Every few minutes take the pillows out and shake them. It takes a while for wet pillows to dry, but don’t be tempted to leave them damp; they can mildew if you do.²
7. If you have the time, hang the pillows outside or on a rack or line inside. You can place a fan near the pillows and turn them periodically until dry.²

You Will Need:

• A mesh laundry bag or pillowcase
• Gentle laundry detergent (e.g. Woolite)
• Tennis balls or clean tennis shoe
• Drying rack or clothesline
• A fan

Steps to Clean the Pillow:

1. Put the pillow inside a mesh laundry bag or even a pillow case to help the filling stay in place.²
2. Use the short cycle on your washing machine. Wash in cool or lukewarm water.⁴
3. Run through the rinse cycle several times to make sure all of the soap is out.⁴
4. Find a nice place in the shade where the breeze can catch the pillows and hang them out to dry.⁴
5. Turn them frequently to help them dry consistently.⁴
6. When the pillows are dry, put them in the dryer with a clean tennis shoe or tennis ball and fluff on the lowest setting.⁴
7. If you have the time, hang the pillows outside or on a rack or line inside. You can place a fan near the pillows and turn the pillows periodically until dry.²

You Will Need:

• Gentle laundry detergent (e.g. Woolite)
• Tennis balls or clean tennis shoe
• Large bath towels

Steps to Clean the Pillow:

1. Foam pillows should not be machine washed or dried.⁵
2. Put the foam pillow inside a mesh laundry bag or even a pillowcase to avoid tearing the foam.²
3. Fill the bathtub with warm water and a gentle, low-suds laundry detergent.⁶
4. Push the pillow down into the water to soak it all the way through.⁶
5. Squish and squeeze the pillow, turning over and over, until you feel it is clean.⁶
6. Let the soapy water out of the tub and refill the tub with plain water. Continue to squeeze and turn until all of the soap is out.⁶
7. Let the rinsing water out of the tub and continue to squeeze and turn until as much of the water is removed from the pillow as possible. Be gentle to avoid tearing the foam.⁶
8. Wrap it in some dry towels. Roll and squeeze repeatedly to remove as much of the leftover water as you can.²
9. Find a nice place in the shade where the breeze can catch the pillows and set them out to dry. Turn them frequently to help them dry consistently.⁴

You Will Need:

• Gentle laundry detergent (e.g. Woolite)
• A pillow protector or pillowcase

Steps to Clean the Pillow:

1. Remove any outer case that is on the pillow. Follow the steps above to clean the actual pillow.⁷
2. If the case is an decorative fabric that is an upholstery fabric, it will probably need to be dry cleaned.⁷
3. If the case is a decorative fabric that is cotton or a plain weave, it can be washed with cold water on the gentle cycle and then dried on an air dry or low heat setting.⁷
4. If the pillow cannot be removed from the case and you feel the decorative pieces, buttons or trim are securely fastened, put the pillow inside a protector or pillowcase pinned closed. Wash in cold water on the delicate cycle.⁷ If the outer fabric of the pillow is colored, wash it with similar colors only for the first wash to ensure there will not be any color bleeding.
5. Dry on the lowest setting or air dry. Take the pillow out of the dryer right away so the decorative pieces do not rust or bleed onto the fabric.⁷

• If you have a favorite pillow that you just can’t bear to wash because you are sure it will be ruined, you can set it outside during a hard rain, turning frequently. Bring the pillow in at night and return outside in the sun during the day until it is completely dry.³
• There are also a number of specialty pillows, including formed cervical pillows prescribed by doctors and nursing pillows mothers use. Refer to the care labels for washing instructions as these pillows are by design shaped for a purpose and washing or drying could damage them.⁴
• Some pillows are very heavy when they are wet from washing. If your washing machine at home cannot handle the weight, you can wash them at a local coin laundry.⁸
• Put feather pillows in a zippered⁴ cloth protector and then place in the pillowcase. This will help keep the need for frequent cleanings down.⁶
• Do not wash needlepoint pillows. Have them dry cleaned if needed, or simply vacuum them with a brush attachment to remove dust.¹

1. Clean it Fast, Clean it RIGHT by Jeff Bredenberg
2. Household Hints for Dummies by Janet Sobesky
3. Green Housekeeping by Ellen Sandbeck
4. How the Queen Cleans Everything by Linda Cobb
5. Green Clean by Linda Mason Hunter and Mikki Halpin
6. The Cleaning Encyclopedia by Don Aslett
7. Girls Just Wanna Have Clean by Vicki Christian
8. How to Clean Practically Anything by Consumer Reports