SerpApi.Org
Most cleaning experts and dermatologists agree that everyone should be washing their pillowcases at least once a week due to the bacteria that breed on the surface, but what about your actual pillows? While the pillowcase helps protect the pillow inside, it’s bound to get dirty over time.
Renata Cruz, a cleaning expert and professional organizer at Coastal Maid San Diego, tells House Beautiful that washing your pillows is an essential step in the cleaning process, but when it comes down to how to wash your pillows, that depends on the type you have.
In the expert-approved guide below, we break down how often you need to be washing your pillows, as well as how to wash them by the type of fill: down feathers, memory foam, or polyester.
Why You Should Wash Your Pillows
Though it’s not fun to think about, many types of microorganisms are found on pillows. When Cruz talks to her clients about these bacteria, she categorizes them into layers.
“On top of the pillow—the surface layer—are bacteria that come from the human skin,” Cruz explains. “Human skin contains bacteria that cause acne and can lead to other skin problems; every night when you lay your head on your pillow, those same bacteria transfer onto the surface of the fabric and start reproducing.” This can cause an unpleasant odor from your pillows and bedsheets.
Shifting from the top to the deeper layers, the problem moves from surface-dwelling bacteria to dust mites. These mites feed off the dead skin cells that we shed each night, and while dust mites themselves aren’t toxic, “their feces are a known allergen connected to worsening asthma, eczema and allergic rhinitis,” she adds.
How Often to Wash Pillows
While Cruz agrees with the rule of washing your pillowcase once a week, she suggests washing your pillows at least once every three to six months. “If you fall within one of these groups—you sleep with your pet, eat in bed, sweat excessively during sleep, or suffer from allergies—you may want to aim for the shorter end of that spectrum,” she adds.
You can’t get away with only washing your pillowcases because over time, the sweat, oils, and skin cells will seep into the interior of the pillow through the case. “These substances create a ‘reservoir’ for bacteria, fungi, and dust mites,” Cruz says. “Therefore, even changing the case will not alleviate what has accumulated inside the pillow.”
How to Wash Pillows
Before even thinking about throwing your favorite pillow into the washing machine, you must read the label to see if there are any specific cleaning instructions you should know. Unfortunately, there isn’t a general rule of thumb you can follow when washing all pillows; it really depends on the type of fill and the composition. Below, Cruz helps us break down how to wash down, memory foam, and polyester pillows.
Down Pillows
Most down pillows can be put in the washing machine, but there are some essential things to keep in mind, such as only washing them with cold water. Warm temperatures can damage the cluster structure of down feathers, reducing their loftiness as time goes by.
Cruz says to wash at least two down pillows at the same time rather than one, as they “tend to bunch on one side when washed alone, and washing them together keeps them balanced in the washer drum.” You also shouldn’t put too much detergent in the machine because the feathers can trap soap residue, so use about half as much detergent as normal. These pillows should be first washed on a gentle cycle, then given another rinse cycle to guarantee the removal of all soap.
When it’s time to dry, make sure you keep your dryer on a low heat and use either dryer balls or two clean tennis balls with the pillows. “The tennis balls help to break up clumps that develop as down dries and assist in returning loft to the pillows,” Cruz says. If needed, you can also stop mid-drying cycle to manually break up the clumps. Down pillows require a complete drying cycle and probably additional drying time to ensure the inside isn’t holding any moisture.
Memory Foam Pillows
Memory foam is one of those materials you should not machine wash at all. “As soon as you expose memory foam to the physical stress of agitation from a washing machine drum, the structural integrity of the foam will be compromised and cannot be restored to its original level of support or firmness,” Cruz explains.
In order to clean it, she recommends hand-washing only. First, remove any outer covers and wash those according to the care instructions, but hand-wash the actual foam pillow in a basin containing mild detergent and lukewarm water. Cruz says to then gently press down on the foam, pulling clean water into it while avoiding wringing or twisting motions.
“Press out excess water with a towel and allow to air-dry completely flat and away from heat sources, since memory foam must not be dried in a dryer under any circumstances,” she adds.
Polyester Pillows
According to Cruz, polyester pillows are the best when it comes to machine washing and maintaining the cleanliness of a pillow. You can throw these into your machine and wash on a gentle, warm water cycle with about a tablespoon of detergent per pillow. “Due to the nature of polyester fill requiring less detergent than other fill types, and due to the tendency of excess detergent residue remaining inside polyester fill after washing, it is recommended to include an additional rinse cycle after completing a wash cycle,” she adds.
It’s still best to wash at least two at a time for balance in the washer drum. When it comes to drying, polyester-filled pillows can tolerate heat a lot better than the others on this list, but it should only hit about moderate heat levels at most. Place these into the dryer with some clean tennis balls or dryer balls to prevent clumping. Cruz explains, “Regardless, it is prudent to verify that the entire length of the pillow is dry before placing it back on your bed.”
No matter the type of pillow you end up washing, it needs to be completely dry on the inside before you sleep on it again.
