How to Wash Pillows the Right Way

No matter if you opt for foam, down, or wool, it’s time to learn how to wash pillows. You spend about one third of your life sleeping, face blissfully plopped on a pillow for hours on end. While you’re dreaming, your pillow absorbs sweat, oil, allergens, and dead skin cells—yes, it is a little gross. The grime and dust mites don’t 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, Chris Tattersall, owner and president of Woolroom, Whitney Thornbug, a designer at Coyuchi, and Rebecca Litwin, founder of Down Etc., for all of their best tips and cleaning instructions to keep your pillows soft, full of fluff, and free of soiled areas. Once you master how to wash pillows, you can then go on to learn proper sheet and comforter care.

Can you put pillows in the washing machine?

You might be wondering: Can you wash pillows in the laundry machine? The answer is usually yes. Many pillows can go right into the washing machine, making them easy and painless to clean. But before starting the wash cycle, be sure to confirm what type of pillow you’re cleaning.

“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.

Step one for learning how to clean pillows is determining the pillow type. 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. Usually you’re safe to wash cotton, feather, down, or fiberfill pillows in the washing machine. 

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.”

How do you wash pillows without ruining them?

The safest way to avoid ruining pillows when washing them is to read the instructions on your pillow’s label. Many will tell you to wash them on a gentle cycle with cold water, but it’s always good to double check. 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, especially when you’re washing a new pillow.

Step 1: Put pillows in washing machine

Once you’ve determined your pillows are machine-washable (remember, you can put pillows in the washer) and you’ve read the specific instructions, go ahead and plop them into the washing machine. “To avoid unevenly distributed loads, always throw two pillows in at a time,” Danielson says. It can also help to set the spin cycle to a higher speed to help remove any excess water. 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.

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 have a top-loading machine. If you’re worried about your machine, check your pillow’s care instructions or hand-wash.

Step 2: Hand-wash memory foam pillows

Though lovely to sleep with, memory foam pillows do require more attention and aren’t the best pillows for the washing machine. “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. Memory foam pillows may need this deep cleaning a little more frequently than other types of pillows, about every three months.

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

Step 3: 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 pretreat any pillow that isn’t stuffed with foam to get tough stains out.

Step 4: Dry pillows

Once you’ve got the pillows clean, 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. 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 says. The drying process can take at least a few hours, but it will always be worth it to have extra clean bed pillows.

“Feather and down pillows can both be dried in a dryer on a no-heat, air-dry setting, or tumble-dry low setting,” Danielson says. 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. Looking to speed up the process? Toss a couple dry towels in with the clean pillows.

How to wash wool pillows

Though wool pillows may help you stay cool and snore-free—and offer certain self-cleaning benefits—the cotton liners will need a solid scrub once in a while, Tattersall says. And for good reason: The cotton liner acts as a shield while wool pulls away sweat that’s released as you snooze.

To clean your machine-washable wool pillow, select a low heat or temperature for delicate or wool washes at the lowest spin setting to ensure the fibers remain intact and don’t shrink the pillow, rendering it unusable, he continues. Be sure to reach for the wool-specific detergent too. Skip any extra rinse cycle and pull the pillow from the washer. Next, Tattersall advises to line-dry the pillow—inside or outside works—instead of machine- or tumble-drying to avoid damage.

How to wash down pillows

Down pillows can elicit that “ahh” feeling at the end of a long day. When properly cared for, down pillows can last for many future sleeps, says Thornburg. Adding a pillow protector can aid in extending the pillow’s lifespan and get tossed in weekly laundry cycles. The actual down pillow, though, should be washed about every six months, she advises. 

“Wash the pillow in an oversized machine without a center agitator, using warm water and mild detergent on the delicate cycle,” Thornburg says. To dry the down pillow and keep mildew at bay, Thornburg suggests drying the down pillow at a low heat well past the point of the outer material feeling dry. “Dry the pillow for approximately two or three hours,” she says. If you’re not sure if the pillow is ready to be pulled from the dryer, lengthen the tumble time to ensure the feathers and down material are fully done.

To complete the drying process, “wool balls will help keep the down from clumping together, dry the pillow, and keep the down fluff up,” Thornburg recommends.

Even pillows can benefit from a little vitamin D. If you’re in between washes and feel like your down pillow could use a pick-me-up, set out the pillow in sunlight for a little refresh, Thornburg says. 

Short on time? Avoid dropping off your down pillows at the dry cleaner. “Down and feather are natural materials that can be affected by the chemicals involved in dry cleaning, so we recommend washing over dry cleaning,” Thornburg says.  

How 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 and mild detergent, then it’s probably time to replace with a new pillow.

Why should you not wash pillows?

Generally, there’s no good reason not to wash your pillows. “It’s important to not only wash your pillowcases, but also the pillows themselves too because it helps to reinvigorate the fill materials and will also extend a pillow’s lifespan,” Danielson explains. The only thing you’ll want to avoid is incorrectly washing pillows, which should be doable so long as you read your pillow’s care label. With proper maintenance and care, your pillows should last for years. Sweet dreams!

If a pillow is not worth salvaging, perhaps it is time for a new one. Here are some of our favorites:

FluffBase Eucalyptus Pillow

$60 $47 at Sijo

The FluffBase Pillow has sold out four times in the past year. With eucalyptus fibers making up the interior, this pillow is one of the most sustainable options available—and naturally provides extra cooling elements to boot.

Down Pillow

$168 at Coyuchi

For sleepers who tend to travel during the evening from side to stomach and onto their backs, this 100% down pillow is ethically sourced and provides cushy support for just about any snoozing position. The double-washed down is contained in an organic cotton shell for a soft and seamless finish.

Chatsworth Wool Pillow

$90 $84 at Amazon

For a customizable feel, reach for the Woolroom British Wool Organic Cotton Pillow. As wool naturally pulls away sweat, this option is ideal for those who tend to work up a sweat throughout the night. What’s more, with its fully adjustable capabilities—just add, remove, or tease however much fluff to find your perfect fit—those who have specific tastes will be pleased with the results.

Original Casper Pillow

$65 at Casper

For a down-alternative pillow, the Original Casper Pillow offers a clump-resistant fill that moves with you as you shift positions throughout the evening. With cooling elements, this pillow is airy and responsive so you can score a solid night’s sleep.