If you cherish your pillows, it’s crucial to give them the care they deserve. Pillows endure a lot from being tossed on the floor to being molded into different shapes, not to mention getting drooled on and accumulating sweat and oils over time. To ensure your pillows stay fresh and clean, understanding the right frequency for washing, Can You Wash My Pillow, and whether machine washing is suitable is essential. Read on for a guide on how to properly clean every type of pillow.
Can You Wash a Pillow in a Washing Machine?
The washing process depends on the pillow’s filling. Pillows filled with feathers, down, or polyester fiberfill can be machine-washed and tumble-dried. However, if your pillow is made of memory foam or solid latex foam, hand washing is the only suitable method. Begin by identifying the filling in your pillow, and then follow the appropriate steps to ensure a thorough and effective cleaning.
The Best Way to Wash & Dry a MyPillow
Reviving your MyPillow when it starts showing signs of dirt is a breeze with a proper cleaning routine. The process involves a straightforward toss into the washer along with your regular laundry, running a warm or cold cycle with mild detergent, and finishing up with a tumble-dry on high heat. While washing a MyPillow is generally uncomplicated, there are a couple of additional tips for optimizing the machine load and ensuring the foam dries efficiently. Continue reading, and we’ll guide you through the steps to wash and maintain your MyPillow, ensuring it remains fresh and comfortable for a restful night’s sleep.
Things You Should Know
Incorporate your MyPillow into your regular laundry routine, especially if you have a side-loading washer. For top-loaders, distribute 2 pillows on opposite sides of the drum or wash 1 pillow alongside a load of towels. Utilize half the suggested amount of detergent, approximately 3⁄4 fluid ounce (22 mL), and initiate a standard wash cycle using either warm or cold water.
Transfer your MyPillow to the dryer, selecting a high-heat setting, and proceed with normal cycles until the pillow is thoroughly dry. To maintain freshness, aim to launder your MyPillow every 4 months. This simple yet effective routine ensures your MyPillow remains clean, cozy, and ready for a good night’s sleep.
Washing a MyPillow in the Washer
When preparing to wash your MyPillow, measure out 3⁄4 fluid ounce (22 mL) of laundry detergent for optimal cleanliness. While any type of detergent is suitable, it’s advisable to use half of the regular amount to minimize sudsing. Given that the standard detergent quantity for a load is approximately 1 1⁄2 fluid ounces (44 mL), halve this amount and pour it into your washing machine.
Note that MyPillow recommends avoiding the use of fabric softeners during the wash cycle. When utilizing the cap of a laundry detergent bottle as a measuring device tool, fill it halfway up to the “1 load” line and then pour it into the machine. This approach ensures a proper balance of detergent for an effective yet gentle cleaning process. When washing your MyPillow, include it in a full load of laundry, preferably in a front-loading machine. It’s ideal to wait until you have a medium-sized load of white or light-colored clothes to wash alongside your pillow. Toss your pillow into the machine along with the clothes to ensure a balanced load during the washing cycle.
Opting for a front-loading machine is preferred, as it prevents your pillow from floating on top of the water, ensuring a more effective and thorough cleaning. In the absence of clothes to wash, consider placing your MyPillow in the machine with a load of towels. This practice maintains the balance and maximizes the efficiency of the washing process. For top-loading machines, ensure balance by adding another pillow or a few towels. Position each MyPillow on opposite sides of the machine. If you don’t have a second pillow to wash, place your MyPillow on one side of the machine’s drum and introduce 2 or 3 large towels on the other side. This arrangement ensures the machine remains balanced throughout the wash cycle.
In cases where your washer lacks a central agitator, place the MyPillow in the machine first and then use a few heavy towels to weigh it down. This prevents the pillow from floating to the surface during the wash, promoting a more thorough and effective cleaning process. Opt for a regular cycle when setting your washing machine for MyPillow cleaning. Unlike some pillows that may require a “delicate” or “gentle” setting, MyPillows are designed to withstand any “regular,” “normal,” or “cotton” setting. It’s important to note that a “delicate” or “gentle” cycle, characterized by slow spin cycles and limited agitation, may not clean your MyPillow as effectively as the faster regular cycle. Therefore, opting for the regular cycle ensures a more thorough cleaning process for your MyPillow.To effectively clean your MyPillow, run either a warm or cold cycle. Depending on your machine, consider settings like “warm/warm,” “warm/cold,” or “cold/cold.” If you prioritize energy efficiency, opt for a “cold” setting. Alternatively, choose a “warm” setting if you want to sanitize your pillow more thoroughly or tackle stubborn stains.
It’s crucial to avoid using a hot water cycle, as it could potentially damage the foam inside your MyPillow. Opting for the appropriate temperature setting ensures a safe and effective cleaning process without compromising the integrity of the pillow’s foam. If moisture is still trapped in your MyPillow after washing, consider adding extra spin cycles to address the issue. If your pillow feels excessively damp or wet at the end of the wash, include 1 or 2 additional spin cycles to remove as much water as possible. Depending on your machine type, you can either include an additional spin in the initial wash cycle or run a separate spin cycle after the initial wash has completed.
Drawing more moisture out of the MyPillow’s foam through additional spin cycles serves to shorten drying times. This step is essential to ensure that your pillow dries thoroughly and efficiently, preventing any lingering dampness that could affect its comfort and freshness.
Drying Your MyPillow
To efficiently dry your MyPillow, set your dryer to a high heat setting. Opt for the highest heat setting available, as opposed to low heat, to ensure a quicker and more thorough drying process both inside and out. Additionally, select the standard length cycle on your dryer to complement the high heat setting. This combination of high heat and a standard cycle duration will help to effectively dry your MyPillow, maintaining its comfort and freshness. When tumble-drying your MyPillow, skip the use of dryer balls. While dryer balls are beneficial for fluffing some types of pillows, they are not recommended for MyPillows. Simply place your MyPillow into the dryer together alongside other pillows, towels, or clothing items used in the prior load.
It’s crucial to avoid adding fabric softener or dryer sheets to the load, as manufacturers advise against it. Following this guideline ensures that your MyPillow maintains its optimal condition without any interference from fabric softeners or dryer sheets during the drying process. Continue running your MyPillow in the dryer until it is completely dry. After the drying cycle concludes, assess the pillow by squeezing it to check for any moist areas. Even in the presence of only a few minor spots with residual moisture, return the pillow to the dryer for an additional 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat this process until the pillow is entirely free of moisture.
It’s worth noting that MyPillows are resilient in the dryer and won’t melt or get damaged, so there’s no need to worry about over-drying. This approach ensures that your MyPillow is thoroughly dried, contributing to its longevity and maintaining its comfort and freshness.
How Often to Wash a Pillow
Bed pillows that are used regularly should be washed at least three times a year. However, if the sleeper sweats heavily or falls ill, more frequent washing is recommended. It’s advisable to change and wash pillowcases and covers weekly, along with the rest of the bed linens.
As for decorative pillows, they require less frequent cleaning unless used daily for activities likeFor For relaxing on the couch or using as footrests, if you possess a decorative feather or polyester fiberfill pillow without a removable cover. you can put it in an automatic dryer configured on the no-heat, air-only cycle for 10 minutes to eliminate dust and hair. Adding a few dryer balls can help fluff the filling. (Note: Solid foam pillows should never be put in the dryer.) If your throw pillows see regular use, you can include them in your laundry routine when washing your bed pillows.
For throw pillows without a removable insert, refer to the cleaning directions on the care tag. Keep in mind that many decorative coverings are labeled as dry-clean-only.
How to Wash Down, Feather, and Polyester Fiberfill Pillows
Before washing a pillow, whether in a washing machine or by hand in the bathtub, carefully inspect the fabric covering for any rips and promptly mend them. This precaution is crucial to avoid a washer filled with feathers or fluff during the cleaning process.
Address visible stains by pretreating them. Apply a small amount of an enzyme-based laundry stain remover to each stained area, working it Embed into the fabric using your fingers or a soft-bristled nylon Brush. Allow the stain remover to take effect for a minimum of 10 minutes before washing to begin breaking up stains.
Choose the right detergent for the job. Opt for a high-efficiency, low-sudsing detergent, and add only one or two teaspoons to the washer drum. Avoid adding fabric softener, as it can cause fillings to lose their loft.
Choose the suitable washer settings and load the pillows. Opt for a cold water setting and a gentle cycle. It’s recommended to wash two pillows at once to ensure washer balance, especially for top-load washers with a center agitator. If washing a single pillow, Include two to three thick cotton bath towels to stabilize the balance load.
Conduct a second rinse to ensure the removal of any soapy residue. Keep the pillows in the washer for an additional rinse cycle. If hand-washing, continue rinsing with fresh water until no more suds appear.
After removing the pillows from the washer, shake them and smooth the filling as much as possible. Set the dryer to medium heat, adding Include wool dryer balls with the pillows. Tumble and manually fluff the pillows every 15 minutes until fully dry. If using a drying rack, turn and fluff the pillows frequently during the drying process. This thorough approach ensures effective cleaning and proper maintenance of your pillows.
How to Wash Solid Latex Foam and Memory Foam Pillows
Solid foam pillows should never be washed in a washing machine, as the agitation during the wash and spin cycle can break the foam. Additionally, avoid putting foam pillows in the dryer, and be prepared for a slow air-drying process, which may take up to 24 hours due to the dense nature of the foam, even in sunny, breezy weather.
For spot cleaning stains, pretreat or simply spot clean the stained areas of the pillow if a complete washing is not feasible. Combine a small quantity of laundry detergent with. one cup of Use warm water. Immerse a microfiber cloth in the solution, then wring it out. well, and blot the stained areas. Allow the solution to work on the stains for at least 10 minutes. Wipe away any soapy residue with a clean cloth dipped in fresh water.
Create a pillow bath by filling Fill a bathtub or a large plastic tub with sufficient lukewarm water to fully submerge the pillow. Incorporate one teaspoon of laundry detergent and mix thoroughly.
Wash the pillow by submerging it in the soapy water and gently squeezing it To assist the cleaning solution in loosening soil, refrain from leaving the pillow in the water. for more than 10 minutes.
Rinse and repeat by draining the soapy water and filling the tub with cool water. Submerge the pillow, gently squeezing the foam to release suds. Change the water several times until no more suds appear, being careful not to twist or wring the foam.
After rinsing, absorb excess moisture by placing the pillow between two heavy cotton bath towels and pressing down to absorb excess moisture. Change the towels until no more water is easily absorbed. Lay the pillow flat on a drying rack, turning it frequently. Avoid putting a foam pillow in a tumble dryer. This comprehensive method ensures effective cleaning and proper care for foam pillows.
When to Replace Pillows
Due to the accumulation of bacteria, hair, and dead skin cells over time, pillows have a high turnover rate. According to experts like Cohoon, who notes that pillows can host bacteria and are typically used daily, it is recommended to replace pillows every year and a half to two years at most. This advice aligns with the National Sleep Foundation’s guidelines, although it’s worth noting that the lifespan of certain types of pillows may vary. Regularly replacing pillows helps ensure a clean and hygienic sleeping environment.
MyPillow
To rejuvenate the foam, it is recommended to launder MyPillows every 3-4 months.
Washing MyPillows:
Wash cold or warm on a regular cycle (not delicate).
Use any detergent, but do not use fabric softener.
Utilize extra spin cycles to reduce drying time.
For Top Loading Machines:
Place 2 pillows in the washer to balance. If washing only 1 pillow, balance with towels.
For Front Loading Machines:
Wash pillow(s) with a full load of laundry.
Drying MyPillows:
Tumble dry with high heat.
Avoid using dryer balls or fabric softener.
Do not use dryer sheets.
Washing MyPillow Sheets:
Machine wash warm with like colors.
Tumble dry on low heat.
Use non-chlorine bleach when necessary.
Iron on low heat.
Do not dry clean.
Washing MyPillow Towels:
Machine wash warm with like colors.
Use only non-chlorine bleach when needed.
Tumble dry on medium heat.