Can You Wash Pillows in the Washing Machine?
Most bed pillows can be washed in a washing machine, including down, feather, fiberfill, and cotton pillows. Use a gentle cycle with warm water and mild detergent. Wash two pillows at a time for balance. However, memory foam and latex pillows should not be machine washed as they can break apart.
Key Takeaways
- Washing pillows removes accumulated sweat, oils, dust mites, and allergens that build up over months of use.
- Memory foam and latex pillows should only be spot-cleaned or hand-washed gently; machine washing destroys them.
- Buckwheat pillows cannot be washed; only the cover is washable while hulls are aired out.
Explanation
Washing pillows removes accumulated sweat, oils, dust mites, and allergens that build up over months of use. Most pillow care labels provide washing instructions. When in doubt, down, feather, and synthetic fiberfill pillows are generally safe for machines.
Use a small amount of mild detergent - excess soap is hard to rinse from pillow filling. Select a gentle or delicate cycle with an extra rinse. Wash two pillows together to keep the washing machine balanced during spin cycles.
Proper drying is crucial to prevent mold and mildew. Tumble dry on low heat with clean tennis balls or dryer balls to prevent clumping and restore fluffiness. This can take 2-3 cycles. Ensure pillows are completely dry before use.
A used pillow can harbor a surprising amount of contaminants. After 2 years of use, up to 10% of a pillow's weight may consist of dead dust mites, their droppings, dead skin cells, and body oils. Dust mite allergens are one of the most common triggers for indoor allergies and asthma. Washing in water at 130°F (54°C) or higher kills dust mites, while lower temperatures clean surface stains but leave mites alive. Adding half a cup of borax to the wash cycle boosts dust mite removal at lower temperatures.
Down and feather pillows need special attention during drying. They can take 2-3 hours in the dryer on low heat, and rushing this step by using high heat can damage the feathers and cause a musty smell. Check for dampness by pressing the pillow firmly—if you feel any cool, damp spots in the center, continue drying. Tossing in 3-4 clean tennis balls or wool dryer balls during the cycle prevents the fill from clumping into dense pockets, keeping the pillow fluffy and even.
Things to Know
- Memory foam and latex pillows should only be spot-cleaned or hand-washed gently; machine washing destroys them.
- Buckwheat pillows cannot be washed; only the cover is washable while hulls are aired out.
- Pillows should be washed every 3-6 months and replaced every 1-2 years.
- Top-loading agitator machines can be rougher on pillow filling than front-loaders—if using a top-loader, set the pillows vertically around the agitator rather than laying them flat on top of it.