How to Wash Pillows in 6 Easy Steps

After you’ve studied up on proper sheet and comforter care, it’s time to learn how to wash pillows. We spend about one third of our lives sleeping, so you should know how to keep your bed clean. 

While you’re off in dreamland, your pillow is absorbing sweat, oil, allergens, and dead skin cells—yes, it is a little gross. It doesn’t all build up immediately—your pillowcase is a great line of defense—but about every six months, your pillows will be ready for a good washing. It’s not just good hygiene, it also keeps you from needing to buy new pillows frequently.

To get the full rundown, we asked Melissa Danielson, a member of Casper’s product development team, and Rebecca Litwin, founder of Down Etc., for all of their best tips and tricks for keeping pillows fluffy, soft, and free of grime.

1. Assess the type of pillow you have

“Before throwing any dirty pillow in the wash, it’s important to recognize the kind of fill it has,” Danielson says. The key to a clean pillow is knowing what care each type needs: memory foam pillows differ from down pillows, and the same goes with feather pillows and down-alternative pillows. You get the picture.

Step one is determining which type you have. If you can’t remember what you purchased, you can check the pillow’s care label, which should clue you into what you’re working with. This label should also mention any cleaning instructions specific to your product, like if it should be washed in warm water or cold water.

It’s also a good idea to check the fabric for rips or tears. As Danielson warns, “You won’t want the fill clogging up your washer.”

2. Put cotton, feather, down, and fiberfill or down-alternative pillows in the washing machine

You might be wondering: Can you put pillows in the washing machine? The answer is, usually. Many pillows can go right into the washing machine, making them easy and painless to clean. Any pillows in your home that are filled with cotton, feather, down, or down alternatives like fiberfill are all machine washable and easy to clean.

The next step is making sure you can wash the pillows without ruining them. Following the instructions on your pillow’s label is the safest thing to do, but many will tell you to wash them on a gentle cycle with cold water. While warm or even hot water can be used, sometimes it can shrink the fabric, especially down pillows, so cold water will always be a safe bet.

Use a mild detergent, but proceed with caution, if you plan to use bleach. It’s not an immediate no-go, but it can weaken the pillow fabric, so avoid dumping in a large amount of the chemical.

“To avoid unevenly distributed loads, always throw two pillows in at a time,” Danielson says. It can also help to set your cycle to a higher speed to help remove any excess water. Ideally, try to put your pillows in a front-loading washing machine without an agitator (which is that vertical spindle in the center of some machines). Litwin doesn’t recommend putting pillows in a dryer with an agitator at all, though putting the pillows in vertically should reduce the chance of damage. If you’re worried about your machine, check your pillow’s washing instructions or hand-wash.

3. Remove memory foam covers and vacuum

Though lovely to sleep with, memory foam pillows do require more attention. “These need a little extra TLC when it comes to cleaning,” Danielson says. The foam can tear easily in a washing machine.

Like any other type of pillow, it’s always a good idea to read the care instructions, but in general, “Opt for hand-washing or vacuuming and spot treating,” Danielson advises. It’s also recommended you do this deep cleaning a little more frequently than you would other types of pillows, in this case about every three months.

Start by taking off the pillow’s removable cover—you can machine wash these with your normal laundry detergent. If the interior foam is a single piece, use a vacuum to suck out any dirt or dust that may have built up. “To hand-wash, fill your bathtub with water and low suds with mild detergent,” Danielson says. You’ll want to submerge the pillow and allow the water and laundry detergent solution to seep all the way through. Though many foam inserts can be washed, it’s best to read care instructions since some are spot-clean only.

4. Dry your pillows

Once you’ve got all of your pillows clean, it’s time to dry them. Any pillow can air-dry, but memory foam pillows have to air dry since the foam can easily catch fire when exposed to heat. So, find a place in your home—ideally outside if it’s not too humid—to hang them up and let them air out completely. “It is very important that you dry your pillows thoroughly to avoid mildew,” Litwin explains. The drying process can take at least a few hours, but it will always be worth it.

“Feather and down pillows can both be dried in a dryer on a no-heat, air-dry setting or tumble-dry low setting,” Danielson notes. If you do put them in the dryer, throw in some dryer balls or clean tennis balls to fluff up the pillow and avoid clumping.

5. Spot-clean pillows as needed

Spot-cleaning your pillows between deeper washes is always recommended and a simple way to ensure your pillows are in their best shape possible. For foam pillows, clean soiled areas with a damp cloth and soap solution. You can also pre-treat any pillow that isn’t stuffed with foam to get any tough stains out.

6. Consider proactive measures to keep pillows clean longer

If washing your pillows isn’t at the top of your to-do list, make sure you’re at least washing your pillowcases regularly. This is a great way to prolong the time between deeper washes. Pillow protectors or pillow covers could also be a worthy investment to keep your bed pillows from getting dirty too quickly. Litwin recommends looking for ones that have zippers, preferably hidden ones. “It’s much easier to strip off the pillow protector and throw it into your washing machine than it is to wash your pillows,” she says.

If you’ve got stains or smells that just won’t come out with laundering, then it’s probably time to replace your pillows. Otherwise, with proper maintenance and care, your pillows should last for years. Sweet dreams!