How to clean a pillow: down, polyester and memory foam

Step by step: how to clean a pillow

1. 1

   Strip the pillow and read the tag

   Take off the pillowcase and any protector and wash them separately. The tag on the pillow tells you the fill and whether it can be machine washed. Down, feather, down alternative and polyester fiberfill usually can; memory foam, shredded foam and latex usually cannot.

2. 2

   Check the seams

   Look for small holes or loose stitching and sew them closed before washing. A small gap lets feathers or fiber escape and can spread a mess through the drum.

3. 3

   Spot treat stains

   Dab yellow sweat marks, drool or makeup with a solution of mild dish soap and water, or a pillow-safe stain remover, and let it sit 5 to 10 minutes. Test on a corner first, especially on down pillows with decorative stitching.

4. 4

   Wash two pillows at a time on gentle

   Put two pillows in the washer to balance the load. Use cold water, the gentle or delicate cycle and a small amount of mild detergent. Skip bleach and fabric softener, which can damage the fill.

5. 5

   Run an extra rinse

   Add a second rinse cycle. Leftover detergent makes the fill clump and can leave pillows stiff. A front loader or a top loader without a center agitator is gentler on pillows.

6. 6

   Dry on low with dryer balls

   Tumble dry on low heat with two or three wool dryer balls to break up clumps. Every 30 minutes, take the pillows out, shake and fluff them, and put them back.

7. 7

   Make sure they are dry all the way through

   Polyester can take one to two hours; down often takes longer. Squeeze the center: any cool, damp feeling or clumps mean more time. Damp fill inside a pillow can smell musty and grow mildew.

How to clean a pillow by fill type

The fill decides the method. The Company Store, a down bedding maker, says you can wash most down, down alternative and polyfill pillows in a machine, but that memory foam and specialty pillows may have different care requirements, so check the label first.

How to wash down pillows without ruining them

Use cold water, very little detergent, an extra rinse and a long, low-heat dry. Down is forgiving in the wash but clumps and smells if it is left damp.

• The Company Store advises a gentle cycle with cold water and a small amount of mild detergent, washing two pillows together, an extra rinse, and tumble drying on low until the fill is completely dry, stopping the dryer now and then to shake and fluff.
• A detergent made for down helps keep the natural oils in the feathers, so they loft back up.
• Plan on several dryer cycles. Down pillows that feel dry on the outside are often still wet in the middle.
• A light, sweet smell during drying is normal for down. A sour, musty smell after drying means it needs more time on low heat.

How to clean a memory foam pillow

Wash the cover and spot clean the foam; do not put a solid foam pillow in the washer. The agitation tears foam and it holds water for days.

• Unzip and wash the cover per its tag.
• Vacuum the foam with an upholstery tool on both sides.
• Dab stains with a cloth dampened in mild soapy water, then with a clean damp cloth. Do not soak the foam.
• For odor, sprinkle baking soda, leave it a few hours, and vacuum it off.
• Air dry it fully before you put the cover back on.

Dust mites, protectors and when to replace a pillow

A zippered pillow protector does more for allergies than frequent pillow washing. The EPA lists pillows among the places dust mites live and recommends dust-proof covers on pillows and mattresses. National Jewish Health recommends zippered dust-proof encasements on pillows and washing all bedding weekly in hot (130°F) water.

Replace a pillow when it stays flat after fluffing, has lumps that will not wash out, smells after washing, or gives you a stiff neck. A common check: fold a fiberfill pillow in half, and if it does not spring back open, it is worn out. For the rest of the bed, see washing a comforter and cleaning a mattress.

Mistakes to avoid

• Washing one pillow alone, which unbalances the washer and can damage the pillow.
• Using too much detergent and skipping the extra rinse, which leaves the fill clumped.
• Putting a solid memory foam pillow in the washing machine.
• Taking pillows out of the dryer while the middle is still damp.
• Using fabric softener or bleach on down, which coats or weakens the feathers.