How to Wash a Pillow: 4 Easy Steps

We recommend vacuuming your pillow before washing it. This will help target and remove any dust, dead skin cells, or dust mites that may have collected on the pillow fabric. To vacuum your pillow, take the upholstery attachment of your vacuum and run it over both sides of your pillow several times. Even if you do not throw your pillow into the washing machine regularly, vacuuming it often will help keep it feeling and looking fresh.

Spot-treat your pillow if it has any noticeable stains. Spot-cleaning pillows will follow a similar process to bed sheets and mattresses.

Depending on the type of stain, you could use soap and water or a dedicated stain remover. Soap and water work great for general stains like dirt and grime, while  a stronger stain remover will help remove tougher stains, like blood, sweat, or vomit.

Remember to use cleaning solutions sparingly when removing stains. You can always add a little more if needed. Here are four steps for spot-treating a stain:

1. Apply a small amount of solution to a clean cloth, then gently pat the stain with the cloth.
2. Let the solution sit for a few minutes, then gently pat the area with a clean cloth.
3. Add cold water to another clean cloth, then pat the area with the wet cloth.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 if the stain is still present.

Having trouble washing blood stains out of your pillow or other bedding? Check out our article on how to get blood out of sheets to make your bedding look pristine again.

Only certain types of pillows can be cleaned in the washing machine. Down or microfiber pillows are machine washable, while memory foam or latex pillows should be hand-washed. Machine washing the latter may tear and damage their material.

Always check the manufacturer tag on your pillow before washing. The manufacturer tag will provide information on compatibility with a washing machine, cleaning instructions, and whether or not to use a top-loading washer with an agitator, or a front-loading washing machine without an agitator.

There are also several things to consider while cleaning your pillow in the washing machine. We recommend washing two pillows at the same time to keep your washing machine balanced. Always use a gentle spin cycle to help maintain the shape of your bed pillows while cleaning them.

After you have either machine-washed or spot treated your pillows, you will need to give them time to dry. Check the company's website before drying. Machine-washable pillows, like down or polyester, can be t dried in a dryer on tumble-dry at a low to medium heat setting. 

Machine Dry: We also recommend drying your pillows on low for several cycles to assure they are properly dried. A few dyer balls or clean tennis balls thrown into the dryer with your pillows will help prevent any clumps.

Air Dry: Pillows requiring a  hand-wash or spot-treat will need time to air dry. Cleaning experts recommend allowing enough time to air-dry before replacing any pillow protectors or pillow covers on your pillows.

Air drying will help prevent any mildew and mold from collecting in or on your pillow. To air-dry, hang your pillows on a clothesline or next to a window in your house. For more tips on keeping your mattress mold-free, read our guide on how to get mold out of your mattress.

Despite your best efforts to wash and dry your pillows regularly, you may notice pesky odors or stains. Read our guide for the tell-tale signs your pillows are at the end of their time with details on how often to replace your pillows.